I sat outside, arms crossed and pouting as the school bell rang. Luckily, I was able to secure my schedule from Audi.

Still, I can't believe I got kicked out. It was during such an important moment, one to decide my fate, and it was ruined.

"They don't know me like that. They hate me because I'm right. I'm like the Michael Jordan of Basketball. Hating me because I'm just too good. They don't know I'm the Dark Lord, otherwise they'd be trembling in their boots."

Yeah.

"Hmph. They don't like you either, do they?"

There was another person on the other side of the bench. To be honest, he looked so much like a background character that he blended in with the scene around him. More importantly, why is this guy smirking with his arms crossed like he's supposed to be cool and mysterious?

"Bro, I know you're not talking, Side Character A."

"Erm, actually, you do realize that's not my name, right?"

His voice was squeaky and... nerdy. I could see his buck teeth sticking out of his mouth and his hand repositioning his comically large glasses that took up half his face. Even worse, it seems like he tried to copy my style, as his hair was some kind of dark blue (obviously inferior to mine). Nobody gets away with stealing my look.

"Frankly, your name hardly even matters to me at all. Why are you, a worm, even speaking to me in the first place?"

He chuckled, readjusting his glasses once more.

"Fu fu fu...! I can feel it. The voices tell me that you are special..."

"Wh- what? Huh? No, I'm just... a normal student."

This cannot be! It's impossible! I did my best to keep things a secret!

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"My friend, you hold your head too low. You are truly a one-in-a-million, multi-generational talent. People pass by you every day, ignorant of your brilliance. You are a god amongst mortals, living in a world without religion. Stand proud."

Wow.

Finally. Someone finally gets it. He's so right. I need a man like him by my side as the Dark Lord.

"Tell me, main cast member. What is your name?"

"Erm, why, that would be Stuart Piddleton, of course!"

...

Okay, no. I know best not to judge a book by its cover. I'll just have faith in him.

"Stuart Piddleton, eh? I shall call you Stu for short."

"I see. But my last name is also a mouthful. How about we shorten Piddleton to Pid?"

"Very well, Stu Pid. You have made a powerful ally today. On my name, Boles Bose, I shall ensure you play a vital role in my plans for the future. Farewell. Until we meet again."

We exchanged a firm handshake in silence, smiling as we parted ways.

...

Well, okay. We're still walking in the same direction, but we'll really split ways after this corner.

O-or, after we enter the building!

W-well, we'll definitely be heading off in different directions when I head down those stairs, right?

"Erm, Boles, I take it you also have Potions?"

"Y-yeah. Aha ha ha..."

Damn it! I look so stupid now! How was I supposed to know we somehow had the same classes? Actually, where even was this guy during first period, anyway?

We walked toward the wooden door, holding our breaths as we tried not to suffocate from the smoke coming from the torches. We're literally underground! The cobblestone walls aren't going to pop out a window!

Whatever! I just need to get in! The late bell will ring any second now!

As we entered, an explosion sent debris flying all over the place. The dust cleared, revealing a room full of students hiding under their tables, everything covered in some sort of black ash. I got a face full of that, unfortunately.

"Wha- uck!" I coughed, waving the air and patting myself down. "What is this?"

A tall man who was clearly caught up in the explosion put on his pair of broken glasses and rose from the ground. He coughed out some blood and was visibly shaking.

"There is no need to worry, everyone. Get back to your stations and continue from where you were working. No accidents should occur again so long as the instructions are followed."

...

"I see. That sounds like a story." Audi muttered, examining my face for any injuries. "In any case, I'm glad you're all safe in one piece."

"Yeah. Me and Stu came in just before, so we only received the aftereffects. Speaking of, why don't you introduce yourself?"

I asked my new right-hand man, though he was clearly too busy messing with some chemicals.

"Erm, I would rather not, actually. See, I've heard rumors about-"

Crack.

"Aw. Butterfingers." Audi frowned a bit, looking down at a broken beaker. "Stu, you go and clean it up, will you?"

"Erm, why me??"

"I'm not asking for much, am I?"

He sighed and ran off, dropping a few coins as he was scurrying, leaving me to stir the cauldron. It's not much effort, though I'd rather not have this backfire right on me if something messed up.

Also, I could've sworn from the corner of my eye that I saw Audi quickly bend down to snatch something or whatever.

...

I sure am making fast friends, huh?