A man’s guts could weather a storm. It might seem like a stupid phrase, something that idiots would speak of, not recognizing their luck.

But now that a man had truly lived through a storm and had gone through it with anything but sheer guts, the truth in the phrase was undeniable.

On second thoughts, the storm had gone nowhere. But I was able to handle it well.

It’s all the fault of that dastardly vice-principal. Why did he have to put me in this class? I couldn’t even complain since he let me join class at all.

I sighed and wiped my glasses as I walked through the night streets of Glorenstein Academy.

This enormous structure was quite a mystery. A whole town was situated inside the academy gates. It was an educational facility that deserved every letter in the title of the best.

I was truly thankful for it. Thankfully, even during the night, people like me could take refuge in the wide academy grounds and sit somewhere else to study.

After all, a few groups had started gathering at the extravagant dorm lobby and would frequently chat or study together. It was just groups of two or three at best, but even that many big shots were two or three too many for me.

To not run into anyone else, I would spend the day outside of the dorms and only go back when night fell. Just like today.

It may be tough, but you can do it, Atlas Whisper. You’re a man of focus, commitment, and sheer will. This is nothing.

A sigh left me again.

The birds were chirping. The moon was in full glow.

Streets started to become less and less crowded before emptying out as I came closer to the Black Rose dormitory.

That was the power of Black Rose. Where all the bigshots and one little me resided.

“It would be funny if someone just took me away…”

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But that was impossible with the immense security that the academy offered. Who could even step inside?

“Your wish has been heard.”

My eyes widened at the sudden voice.

The darkness around me was draped like a curtain, even the lights on the street were dim.

“W-who is it?”

The bushes on the corner of the street rustled all of a sudden. Fear took me over as my legs started shaking.

But! This Atlas Whisper stood in front of a twin-headed ogre! A ghost is nothing!

It is nothing, right?

I held the books close to my chest and stared at the rustling bushes.

It grew louder and louder, something was coming.

“Boo!” A hand fell on my shoulder.

Instinctively, I turned around and swung the book with all my might.

“AAAH!”

I screamed. The book cut through the wind and hit the head of the black ghost that had sneaked up on me.

“OUCH!”

The ghost screamed and flailed its arms. It landed straight on my jaw.

Before I could even see it, my eyes started spinning and I dropped straight to the ground.

The last words I heard…

“Are you ok—Wait, did he faint on his own?”

“I think…?”

“You liar.”

Sorry mama, papa.

***

“Did you tie him up?”

Faint murmurs…

“I tried to.”

Whispers…

“What? He’s completely open! How did you even use the ropes?”

“I tried, ok? I don’t know how to tie someone up.”

I was alive! It was the voice of the ghosts that snapped me out of my unconsciousness.

“Mmf! Mff!” I struggled in my chair as I tried to free my arms and legs, but… I was not tied up.

Even the gag around my mouth was as loose as a shoelace. I quickly moved it down and looked around.

“Um… what is this palace?” I asked the two ghosts who were standing with their backs to me. “Why have you brought me here?”

Of course, they weren’t really ghosts were they?”

The two of them suddenly turned their backs and looked at me with a bright grin. They were familiar faces.

A cat girl with beautiful black hair and eyes, and a handsome, friendly professor that taught taught us scary subjects. It was the strangest duo that I could have expected.

The two of them looked at me and then at each other.

The professor faked a cough and spoke up.

“Atlas Whisper.”

“Y-yes? Is this another test?”

“Huh? Nope. Not at all. I just had some work with you.”

“Work…?”

The professor stepped closer. He reached into his pocket…and pulled out a cookie.

He held the cookie right in front of me, like one would when feeding a cat.

The heck?

???

“If you help me, I’ll give you this.”

“I… don’t need it?”

“What?”

“I don’t like the flavor.”

The professor dropped the cookie from his hand dramatically and stepped back. He placed a hand on his chest and dropped to the ground. What was this, some kind of freak show?

“That was all I prepared. Who would have thought he’d counter my special attack, cookie time!”

What?

“Uh, if you need help. I’ll do it without any cookies?”

The professor immediately stood back up. He dusted his clothes and grinned at the cat girl.

“See, that’s how adults handle these things.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything?