I walk through the middle school's gates. As I walk, I notice stares and hear my fellow schoolmates whispering.

"Hey, I heard he successfully raided a [E] ranked Stargate."

"Really? I thought he was Manaless."

How did this news get out? Did someone see me at La Centre Stargate and spread rumors about me? This isn't good! Lumi might be intrigued and challenge me to a duel if the rumors spread this much.

But since so many people are talking about it, I have no choice but to let it slide. This is also a good thing; it sends a clear message—I'm not the same Dominic they thought they knew.

"Hey, Doms!"

Suddenly, an arm wraps around my shoulders. Turning, I see Arthur with a grin.

"Hey, Arthur."

"Uncle André said you successfully raided a [E] ranked Stargate; that was awesome!"

So, André was the source of the news. His pride in me seems boundless, enough to share my achievement with the whole school. I know he's proud of me, but I wasn't expecting him to spread the news of me raiding a [E] ranked Stargate. But I can't blame him; a parent has the right to be proud of their child, and he has no idea I'm trying to avoid Lumi since I know what she's like based on the web novel.

"Thanks, Arthur."

Arthur squeezes my shoulder a bit tighter, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

"Let's celebrate after school, my treat!"

His generous and heartfelt offer brings a genuine smile to my face. Still, it feels too much for what I consider a personal victory.

"Thanks, but you don't have to make a big deal out of it."

"Are you kidding? You, being Manaless and pulling off a raid on a [E] ranked Stargate? That's huge, Doms! Even Magicians at [E] rank find those tough!"

"Really? I thought I didn't do all that well, considering I got stabbed."

"Nah, injuries are part of the deal with Stargate raids, especially on your first go."

Arthur's reassurance is comforting, framing my accomplishment in a light I hadn't fully appreciated.

Maybe, just maybe, it's a feat worth celebrating.

"Alright, let's celebrate then."

Seeing his face light up with excitement makes the entire ordeal more worthwhile.

"Awesome!"

With that, he led us into the school building, leaving our schoolmates' whispers and curious stares behind us.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

Inside the classroom, a buzz of whispers fills the air. Each student shares bits and pieces of a story that seems almost too incredible.

"Did you hear about it?"

"Hear about what?"

"Dominic, he managed to raid a [E] ranked Stargate. And he did it!"

"No way! All by himself?"

"Yes!"

"But, how? He's Manaless, isn't he?"

Overhearing the excited chatter from her seat, Lumi raises an eyebrow in skepticism.

'A Manaless, raiding a Stargate?'

The idea seems far-fetched to her. Even [E] ranked Magician Stargate Raiders find such feats challenging. She could believe it if Dominic had been part of a team, but alone?

-Creak!

The classroom door creaks open, drawing everyone's attention.

Dominic enters with Arthur's arm slung companionably around his shoulders.

The classroom's murmurs grow louder as they enter, but Lumi's gaze remains fixed on Dominic, her curiosity piqued.

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What catches her attention next, however, is not the whispers but Dominic's appearance.

'He's changed.'

Dominic, who had always been leaner, now has a bit more muscle. It isn't a dramatic transformation, but the difference is noticeable.

This physical change, alongside the rumors of his Stargate raid, paints a new image of Dominic in Lumi's mind that intrigues her even more.

As Dominic and Arthur go to their seats, seemingly unfazed by the attention, Lumi continues to watch, curiosity piqued.

Dominic, for his part, can't help but notice Lumi's gaze. It feels like she's analyzing him, perhaps wondering about the truth of the whispers circulating the room.

'Oh no, she's staring at me.'

Sweat trickles down Dominic's temple, not from the physical exertion of walking into a room but from the intensity of Lumi's scrutiny.

'I hope she finds the rumors pointless and doesn't challenge me to a duel.'

Lumi, despite her usually reserved demeanor, harbors a fierce desire to become stronger, driven by the traumatic experiences of her father's disappearance and her kidnappings. She constantly seeks to measure her strength against others, finding in those comparisons a way to gauge her progress.

Dominic lets out a quiet sigh, a plan formulating in his mind.

'If she decides to challenge me to a duel, the best strategy is to avoid her even more aggressively. If I spot her, I'll head in the opposite direction.'

He has already made a mental note to avoid the main characters like Lumi.

However, André's enthusiasm in sharing Dominic's achievement of raiding a [E] ranked Stargate has, albeit unintentionally, piqued Lumi's interest.

'It will be even more challenging to avoid her now.'

Given Lumi's self-made vow to strengthen herself, Dominic wouldn't be shocked if she challenged him to a duel to gauge his strength.

'But I've got a strategy... and that involves sticking close to Arthur as much as possible.'

In Dominic's mind, Arthur is a perfect buffer between him and Lumi. Essentially, Arthur is his shield against any unwanted interactions.

Turning to Arthur, Dominic pitches his idea.

"Arthur, let's sit next to each other."

Arthur looks a bit puzzled by the sudden request but shrugs it off.

"Sure."

Internally, Dominic celebrates his small victory. 'Perfect!'

Dominic and Arthur take their seats side by side, solidifying Dominic's plan.

Arthur feels somewhat shielded from Lumi's intense curiosity and potential challenges as long as he is by his side.

-Poof!

The classroom's attention snaps to the front as dark blue smoke fills the air.

As the smoke clears, Maurice appears, casually dusting off his suit.

His entrance via teleportation takes everyone by surprise, drawing gasps and murmurs from the class. Everyone, that is, except Dominic.

"Did the professor just teleport?"

"Wow!"

Whispers ripple through the room, with Dominic, Arthur, and Lumi among the few who remain silent, observing the scene unfold.

Dominic thinks, 'Looks like Maurice is embracing his showman roots.'

Having learned about Maurice's background as a showman from André the day before, Dominic finds Maurice's flamboyant entrance less surprising and more a confirmation of what he has been told.

-Clap! Clap!

"Okay, class, go to your seats. Let's start homeroom." Maurice's voice cuts through the chatter.

The students quickly settle down, still buzzing from the spectacle but ready to begin the day's lessons.

Maurice's dramatic appearance is a vivid reminder of the unique talents and backgrounds of the individuals in this world, which Dominic is learning more about daily.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

-Ring!

The sound of the school bell signals lunchtime, a welcome break after the morning's lessons.

History is a breeze, thanks partly to my prior knowledge from the web novel. On the other hand, Computer Magi-Science proves to be more challenging, though I'm starting to grasp it.

-Screech!

The distinct sound of a wooden chair dragging across the floor catches my attention.

Looking up, I see Lumi standing, her gaze fixed in my direction.

Oh no, is she coming over here?

Panicking, I turn to Arthur, tugging on his sleeve in desperation.

"Arthur, let's head to the library!"

He shoots me a puzzled look. "Why?"

I don't have time to explain. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lumi getting closer.

I know I need to make a quick escape with no other option.

"Activate."

-Tick-tock!

With the 'Chrono Pendant' activated, time around me slows to a crawl.

I grab Arthur's arm and hurry out of the classroom, the world moving in slow motion as we escape.

We dash through the hallways directionless to put distance between us and Lumi.

Eventually, I find myself in the school garden plaza, where I hadn't intended to go.

-Chime!

Suddenly, a sound chimes, and just like that, time returns to its normal pace. Students around us resume their activities, oblivious to our sudden appearance.

"Hah... hah..."

Panting, I lean on my knee for support, trying to catch my breath after the adrenaline-fueled sprint.

"D-Doms, what just happened, and where are we?"

Arthur is baffled by the sudden events and our unexpected tour through time.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Just... needed to get away for a bit."

Knowing full well the complexity of my actions is something I can't easily explain.

"Get away?"

Should I confess that I was fleeing from Lumi?

Yet, understanding Arthur's personality and telling the truth might lead him to misunderstand and confront her, potentially causing more drama than necessary.

"You know what, Arthur? It's nothing. I just wanted to leave the classroom and enjoy the fresh air in the garden."

"Uhh, okay..."

Arthur sounds skeptical but doesn't press further.

Relieved to have dodged further questions, I take a moment to appreciate the garden's serenity, a welcome break from the day's chaos.

"So, about that celebration... Where do you wanna go?"

Arthur's question pulls me from my thoughts.

I don't have a preference, as long as it’s not somewhere expensive.

"How about you surprise me? An enjoyable one but not expensive."

I hope Arthur takes me to a place that is low-key yet enjoyable. I don’t want Arthur to spend that much.

Arthur's face lights up with a grin. "You got it. I'll make it a good one."

-GROWL!

Just then, my stomach lets out an embarrassingly loud growl.

"Pft! HAHAHAHA!" Arthur can't help but laugh.

I felt my cheeks flare up from embarrassment, I place my right hand over my stomach. I’m grateful that it's just the two of us in the garden.

"Seems your stomach has decided for us, Doms. Let's grab some lunch," Arthur says, still chuckling.

"Sure, sounds good."

"Great! Follow me, then!" Arthur leads the way, his good spirits infectious.

Despite the earlier rush and confusion, I look forward to spending the rest of the lunch break with Arthur, a reminder of the simpler joys amidst the complexities of my new life in Sylvestria.