5- Middle School (2)

NEW QUEST! Quest: Beat Dominic's bully and knock him out!

Reward: A weapon.

I am taken aback.

What the hell is this?

This isn't the first time the red holographic screen has appeared since my arrival, hinting at a connection between it and my current predicament.

"Hey, you! Don't ignore me!" His voice cuts through my thoughts as he grabs my shirt, pushing me against the wall with undue force. "You Manaless piece of shit have no right to ignore me!"

Glancing between the bully and the mysterious holographic screen, I realize he can't see it. His continued aggression, paired with his derogatory words, infuriates me.

"You Manaless shit, do you not hear me!?"

His taunts are the final straw. Unlike Dominic, who perhaps feels powerless in these situations, I have encountered bullies before. I have learned a thing or two about defending myself.

Reacting instinctively, I aim a swift kick at his most vulnerable spot—his balls.

"Gah!"

His grip loosens as he doubles over in pain, his hands moving to shield the area I have just struck.

But I'm not finished. With him momentarily incapacitated, I deliver a sharp kick to his face, reinforcing my refusal to be victimized.

"Guh!"

Blood spurts from his nose as he collapses onto the floor, the impact rendering him motionless.

Targeting his weakness is necessary in facing someone bigger and presumably stronger. This confrontation, though violent, sends a clear message: I am not Dominic as he knows me, and I will not stand for such treatment.

In my previous life, I was bullied due to my socioeconomic status. At first, I was afraid of fighting back as it might stain my good records, decreasing my chances of getting into a good college. But as the bullying worsened, I decided to fight back.

-Creak!

The sound signals Arthur's return from the administration office. His reaction upon seeing the scene before him is immediate—his eyes widen in disbelief as he hurries over.

"Doms, are you okay?"

His concern is palpable, a stark contrast to the intensity of the moment just passed.

I offer a reassuring nod and smile. "Yeah."

But his attention quickly shifts from me to the bully, still crumpled on the ground, then back to me in astonishment.

"Doms, you did that!?"

"Uhh…yeah."

I’m hesitant. I’m aware how out of character my actions must seem to him.

Arthur's shock reveals a lot. It is apparent that Dominic is known to shy away from confrontation, preferring to endure rather than retaliate. This action, so out of character for the Dominic he knew, must be startling.

"Y-You!"

As I turn, I witness the bully clumsily getting to his feet, though he continues to cradle his face and...balls.

"How dare you, a Manaless, attack me?!"

What the hell? I should be the one angry since you pushed me against the wall. The audacity of this guy!

"Doms, you did great!"

Arthur's words cut through the tension; his actions seem to ignore the bully as he drapes an arm around my shoulders.

It is a clear show of solidarity that leaves the aggressor fuming.

"H-hey, don't ignore me!"

The bully's protest sounds more like a plea for attention, a demand to be acknowledged in a situation where he has lost control.

Heh, it sucks to be you.

QUEST COMPLETED! You have successfully beaten Dominic's bully and knocked him out!

Your reward will be given to you right now.

Wait, what?

In a moment of sheer disbelief, I feel an unexpected weight in my pockets, as if answering the holographic screen's promise.

Curiously, I reach inside to discover the source of this sudden heaviness.

Two red guns emerge, each boasting dual barrels and elegantly detailed with gold accents.

They're also quite heavy.

WEAPON INFO Name: Galahad's Judgment

Rank: [D-]

Description: A pair of Aether-powered red guns that are great for beginners! This weapon excels in both close and ranged combat.

Oh, a gun. Cool.

The heft of Galahad's Judgment in my hands isn't just due to its physical makeup; it is designed for versatility in combat, perfect for someone like me, still finding my footing in a world where magical prowess defines one's strength.

In Sylvestria, the Manaless often rely on magical weapons or artifacts to assist them in battles.

Holding these guns, I feel a surge of confidence, a newfound edge in a world where I had felt at a disadvantage.

"Doms, when did you get guns?"

Arthur's voice, laced with surprise and confusion, snaps me back to the reality of our school setting.

Crap, I forgot I'm still in school.

"Uhh, I can explain."

-Creak!

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The sound of the Administration Office door interrupts us. Principal Cloud emerges, his gaze quickly shifting in our direction. In a panic, I conceal the guns back in my pockets.

"What's going on here?!"

His approach is swift, mixing concern and authority in his stride.

Crap, it’s the principal. It’s my first day of middle school in Sylvestria, and I’ve already caused trouble.

In the web novel, there was one scenario where a Manaless got expelled even though they were the ones beaten up by Magicians. The principal of that school decided to expel the Manaless because having a Manaless student “tarnished” the school's reputation. It was completely unfair.

Crap! Crap! Crap! This is bad! I should’ve just let the guy bully me and had Arthur help me. If Principal Cloud is anything like the principal from the web novel, I’m done for. My record might be tarnished, and I wouldn’t be able to enroll at Verdant Arcanum.

Arthur gestures towards the bully, now the focus of this unfolding drama.

"Renard bullied Dominic again."

So, the bully's name is Renard.

"W-what!?" Renard's voice is filled with disbelief, and his finger points accusingly at me. "He's the one who kicked me, Principal!"

I realize I haven't breathed since Principal Cloud appeared. My heart is racing, and the silence hangs in the air.

Cloud turns to me, seeking confirmation. "Is this true, Dominic?"

I exhale deeply, the tension in my chest finally releasing. I shake my head, denying Renard's twisted version of events. But I am prepared, having an excuse ready.

"Principal Cloud, he's the one who hurt me, a Manaless. Also..." I indicate my vest, showing evidence of the altercation. "He pulled my vest and pushed me against the wall there."

While it is true I had defended myself against Renard, the last thing I want is to become embroiled in a severe issue on my first day at this Sylvestrian middle school.

Principal Cloud scrutinizes me, his eyes narrowing as if weighing the truth of my words against the accusations. The silence in the hallway is palpable.

I take another deep breath, steadying myself. "Principal Cloud, I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted to defend myself. Renard has been picking on me since I arrived."

Renard scoffs, crossing his arms defiantly. "Liar. You're just a Manaless trying to make a scene."

"I saw what happened, Principal Cloud. Renard started it. Dominic only reacted when he was pushed against the wall." Arthur steps in, his voice calm but firm.

Principal Cloud nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I see. Renard, is this true? Did you instigate this altercation?"

Renard's bravado falters for a moment, but he quickly regains his composure.

"I was just having some fun, Principal. Didn't mean anything by it."

"Fun at someone else's expense is never acceptable," Principal Cloud responds, his tone sharp. "Mr. Renard, to the office. NOW!"

Principal Cloud's command cuts through any of Renard's attempts to deny the accusations, his authority unmistakable.

I feel a flicker of hope as the principal's attention shifts from me to Renard. Maybe things won't be as dire as I feared. The thought of getting expelled for defending myself seemed like a nightmare earlier.

A gloomy expression shadows Renard's face as he realizes the gravity of his situation. Reluctantly, he moves towards Principal Cloud, but not without sending a parting shot my way.

"Next time, you won't be so lucky, Manaless boy," he mutters, his threat thinly veiled.

Ignoring his bitter words, I watch as he continues his walk of shame to the office.

This could have gone so much worse. The thought sends a chill down my spine. Renard could have made a bigger scene, twisted the story further, and turned this whole thing against me.

Thank goodness Principal Cloud saw through his lies and didn't notice the guns. I can only imagine the consequences if the guns had been spotted. A Manaless caught with weapons? That would have been a ticket straight to expulsion, maybe even worse.

And Renard—why didn't he call me out on the guns? Maybe he didn't see them in my hands earlier, or perhaps he was too focused on his own problems to use them against me. Either way, it's a stroke of luck I'm not sure I'll have again.

“Hey, Doms, are you okay?”

Arthur's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up, seeing the concern etched on his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, managing a small smile. “Just a bit shaken up.”

Arthur nods, understanding. “I get it. Renard can be a real pain. But you handled yourself well back there.”

“Thanks,” I say, grateful for his support. “I was just worried it would turn out a lot worse.”

“Principal Cloud can be tough, but he’s fair,” Arthur reassures me. “And don’t worry about Renard. He’ll probably not pick on you after this.”

Suddenly, Arthur steps forward and wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. I freeze, completely taken aback by the unexpected gesture.

“Uh, Arthur?” I mumble, my voice muffled against his shoulder.

He pulls back slightly, a sheepish grin on his face. “Sorry, I just thought you could use a hug. You looked like you needed it.”

I blink, still processing the unexpected hug. “Oh, um, thanks. I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”

“Anytime, Doms.” Arthur chuckles, giving me a friendly pat on the back. "Anyways, Doms, where did you get those guns?"

Arthur's question redirects my attention away from the recent drama with Renard. My mind races as I try to find a plausible explanation.

"Uhh..."

A brief pause fills the air as I scramble for a believable story. Revealing the truth about the red holographic screen and its role in giving me this gun is a big NO.

"...My Dad gave me these to protect myself."

Though not something I am proud of, lying seems the safest option, especially considering my situation as a Manaless. If anyone found out the real reason I had these guns, it would open a can of worms I wasn't prepared to deal with.

Arthur's eyes widen with awe, and his expression shifts from curiosity to excitement.

"Woah, that's so cool, Doms!"

Fortunately, Arthur accepts my explanation without suspicion. His enthusiasm is almost infectious, and I can't help but smile, even though a part of me feels guilty for not telling him the whole truth.

“Yeah, I guess,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. “But I’ve got to be careful. Can’t exactly show these off at school.”

Arthur nods vigorously. “Totally. But still, it’s awesome that he trusts you with something like that.”

I force a chuckle, hoping to steer the conversation away from the guns.

“Yeah, well, he’s always been a bit…overprotective.”

Arthur grins. “Well, I’m glad you have them. Never hurts to have a little extra protection, right?”

“Right.”

I feel a bit of the tension ease. At least Arthur isn’t pressing me for more details.

-RING!

The sharp sound of the school bell slices through our conversation.

"Crap! Doms, let's go!"

Arthur's urgency is palpable as he immediately runs.

"Ah, wait for me!"

Hastily, I follow in his footsteps, chasing after him as we navigate through the school's corridors.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

"Dude, she's pretty!"

"I know!"

Hushed tones of admiration fill the air as a group of male students glance at a girl of striking appearance.

Her long white hair flows like silk, contrasting vividly with her deep red eyes. This combination renders her ethereal in the mundane school setting. Engrossed in her book, she seems oblivious to the whispers and stares directed her way.

"Dude, you should try asking her out."

"...Alright then."

Spurred on by his friends, one of the boys musters the courage to approach her, standing up with determination and apprehension.

"Uhm...hello."

The girl lifts her gaze from the book, fixing him with a cool and indifferent look. Her uninterested expression is a clear message, yet he presses on, driven by the encouragement of his peers.

"We-well-uhm...I was wondering if..."

His voice trails off, faltering under the weight of her unimpressed stare. Realizing that his efforts are in vain, the boy quickly retreats.

"Uhm...actually, it's nothing. Goodbye!"

His exit is as swift as his approach, a retreat back to the safety of his seat.

The girl watches him go, a fleeting glance that holds no particular emotion, before returning her focus to the book. The brief encounter is nothing more than a momentary distraction, a ripple in the calm of her solitude.

-Creak!

The classroom door swings open, drawing all eyes to the figure who steps through. The newcomer is an adult with a lean but notably muscular build, his presence commanding immediate attention.

His hair, a tousled shade of short red, complements the striking green of his eyes. His dark blue tuxedo only adds to his distinguished aura, setting him apart from the usual school attire.

The students, regardless of gender, find themselves momentarily lost in admiration for his handsome features.

Even the white-haired girl, who has remained unfazed by her peers' earlier attentions, can't help but pause, her interest piqued by this new arrival.

-Flick!

With a casual gesture, the man flicks his fingers, and instantly, a piece of chalk floats into existence, enveloped in a dark blue aura that mirrors the color of his attire.

The sight is a clear display of magic, executed with effortless grace.

-Flick!

With another flick of his fingers, the chalk begins dancing across the blackboard, scripting letters with precision and flair. The class watches in silence, entranced by the display, until the chalk's movement ceases, leaving behind the name "Maurice Réel."

"Good morning, class. I'm Maurice Réel, your Homeroom and Advance Mana Theory professor for this class."

His introduction is delivered in a voice that is smooth, professional, and undeniably charming, captivating the attention of everyone in the room.

"G-Good morning, Professor Maurice!"

The class's collective response, a chorus of voices breaking the silence, greets Maurice as they snap back to reality from their brief moment of awe.

The white-haired girl, maintaining her composed demeanor, offers no verbal greeting but acknowledges the professor with a respectful nod.

-BAM!

The sudden noise draws every gaze back towards the classroom entrance. In the doorway stand Arthur and Dominic, both clearly out of breath, clutching their knees as they try to regain composure after what appears to be a frantic dash to make it on time.