After successfully (and quite easily) defeating my greatest rival in Volleybomb, I can't really say there's much for me to worry about. The big game is in two days, and it's held in the other school's tournament/arena/place whatever.

"Now that I really, really think about it, I'm probably the number one seeke-" I coughed, clearing my throat. "The number one searcher in this entire school district."

I visited the library again since I thought it would be a nice place to form some plan of action.

"But in any case, there's not much I can do if I don't know anything about the enemy team. It seems like magic is key, and if I don't know what they can do, then it might be a bit tough..."

I tried to speak a bit louder so that anyone who was paying attention could hear me clearly.

Why would I do this, you may ask? Well, it's quite obvious for someone like me, but I understand the need to explain my actions.

This is, of course, all part of my perfect plan to attract someone with the right intel. One of these npcs will happen to have heard a rumor or two, and from there, I will follow the spread of the rumor but from backwards, all the way to the person who saw the truth firsthand.

As expected from me. A foolproof and nigh-

"Ah, I was wondering when the Malodorous Monarch would seek my assistance! Fret not, for your disciple is here to explain!"

Alvure popped up from under the table. I have no idea how long he was hiding in there. As much as I'd like to stay away from this weirdo as much as possible, there doesn't seem like any other better choices around.

"W-woah! Just the guy I was looking for! Lay it out for me!"

"On it!" He grinned, adjusting his black collar and pulling out a tiny notepad. "You'll be facing off against Fides Predatory Academy."

I raised my hand to correct him, but I decided against it. I'll just leave the yapping to himself.

"The thing about their school is that... they absolutely suck."

"Really? Like, how bad are we talking?"

"Super bad. Last time I faced them, I only lost because I got banned from playing. Otherwise, I would've won. Easy as pi- wait, where are you going?"

I stood up from my desk, packing my belongings.

"Alvure, was it? That was a grrreat chat. Thanks a lot."

"No problem! I'm glad to help!" He rubbed his nose, thinking a bit on what I said. His expression dropped a bit. "Hey, was that sarcasm?"

"Oh, no. Not at all. What could make you possibly think that?"

It seems like I'm the only normal person here, and asking for anything reasonable is unreasonable. So now that I've sufficiently wasted enough time, I might as well just hang out with the others since I don't have much else to do before the tournament.

"Are you sure this is it?"

The voice of a goddess graced my ears. I could feel the presence of my sweet angel around the corner of these halls.

Wait, did I say "feel?" My body is really getting used to magic or whatever now...

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Yo, what's u-" I turned the corner to greet Audi, but I was met with a crowd (three people).

That purple hair skeleton bowl cut third year and the delinquent gal carrying that metal bat!!! What are they doing, surrounding my innocent love?! First, it was my Volleybomb career, and now it's my love life?! I must enforce justice!

"You fiends! Stay away from her...?" I stopped in the middle of a dramatic pose (of which was really cool, by the way). The three stared at me blankly, and I suppose they didn't find my antics so amusing.

I, uh, forgot that they were part of the student council for a moment there. And now I've made a fool of myself.

Mike gave a quick glance at Melissa, who then glanced at Audi, who then glanced back at Mike. This exchange lasted for five whole seconds, but from my excellent deduction skills, I can break down the entire mental conversation that went down. It was like this:

Stupid hair: Is this really the guy she was talking about?

Baseball girl: He seemed normal to me, but I guess not.

(she turns to Audi)

Baseball girl: You have weird tastes.

(Audi turns to stupid hair)

Audi: I swear, this really is the guy!

And now that takes us to where we are: standing in the hallway and not uttering a single word. They look rather busy putting up posters on the wall, and I don't want to end this interaction on a bad note, so this is the only course of action. Get ready and take notes, because this will blow your mind. I watched countless of videos online about how to socialize and smooth talk.

"Excquese- ackg me, but can I help you?"

...

Another moment of silence passed before Audi walked past the two and grabbed my shoulders, bringing me around the corner. She whispered as loud as she could.

"Alright, what on earth are you thinking?!"

"Nuthin! I was just passing by, and I heard your voice!"

"Well, then, what was THAT all about?! You could've just waved or something!"

"Oh, look! Over there!" I muttered, pointing at the floor. "I see something!"

"I'm not falling for tha-"

"Someone must've dropped their spare change!"

Her face lit up. There was a fire that burned in her eyes as she scoured the ground, locating a small bronze coin and snatching it up like a starving and beaten orphan.

I didn't think that would work out, but this is my perfect chance to finally break free from-

thud.

I got a face full of expensive robes. The old man in his gray gown stood tall above me. Even though I knew who he was, the sheer aura that I felt emanating off him was unhuman.

What's he doing around here? Hello????? This is way too sudden!

Headmaster Quills gently smiled, watching me recover my balance.

"Good day, young Boles. Has your first week been pleasant?"

"Uh. Y-y-yeah! What's good... man?"

He looked deep into my eyes, as if he was searching for something deep within.

"Your progression seems to have accelerated, yet there's hardly a trace of the darkness that comes with. It's peculiar, isn't it? Your soul feels unlike that of any Dark Lord."

"H-hey, woah! Shhhhh!!!"

I looked around, hoping that Audi or the others didn't catch that. However, the world itself seemed to have stopped entirely. Through the windows, I saw birds floating still in the sky, and clouds unchanging.

"Your secret is safe with me." He said, revealing the wooden staff behind his back. To me, it seemed more like a club. "Now, let me ease the troubles in your mind."

The weight of all my embarrassment and fatigue were swept off my shoulders. There was a strange peace that I had never experienced before.

"There are two things to discuss: firstly, the current status of Scarlet the Red-"

"Wait, what happened? Did she send anything new?"

"Patience, young Boles. She seems to have finally managed to escape from recent difficulties, and I expect her arrival soon. On the other hand, I cannot say the same good news for you."

"What does that mean?"

"The royal family has placed a bounty on you, albeit, unknown to the public. In any case, your current disguise may work now but understand that those who know of your past life can see right through it. Your future reads only danger. Any moment can be your death."

Well that just sucks, doesn't it? Should I try makeup or something?

Seriously, can I not have a normal isekai experience?

"And that ties with the second thing to discuss: Are you really going to the Volleybomb tournament?"

"Well, I- of course I shou-" I tried to speak, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't stop thinking about what he said. About death. "I made a promise..."

"What promise?" Audi asked with a confused expression.

All of a sudden, everything was back to normal. The world was moving again, and the headmaster was gone. Was that conversation really real? And something just feels so, so-

"Hey, you're being even weirder than normal. Seriously, what's wrong?"

Why?

What's going on with me? Everything's been chaos lately. Why me?

"No, sorry. I... remembered something."

"Huh? Well, whatever." She sighed, leaning against the wall. She couldn't tell much from my face. "If you see me around, just wave, okay. I'll respond back. A-and don't do what you did before, alright?!"

"Yeah..."

With that, Audi resumed student council activities with Mike and Melissa.

...

I remembered something.

Something really, really important.