As I enter the school gates, awe washes over me. The school, even more impressive up close, radiates an air of magic and academia, its beauty undeniable.

Yet, amidst my admiration, a concern emerges.

"Where do I go?"

The question looms large in my mind, a reminder of my unfamiliarity with this place.

Should I seek help from my schoolmates? I hesitate, not wanting to stand out as clueless on my first day at this middle school. Also, I’m Manaless—they might ignore me. Being clueless and Manaless is quite the combo.

"Hey, Doms, there you are!"

Suddenly, I feel the weight of an arm around my shoulders, the touch surprisingly familiar.

I turn to meet the source of the voice and find myself face-to-face with a guy with short blonde hair and green eyes. His smile is bright and undeniably handsome, and the firmness of his grip speaks of underlying strength.

"Who?" I manage, genuinely puzzled.

"Aww! Come on, Doms, don't tell me you forgot about me already!"

His tone is teasing, yet his expression shows a hint of genuine surprise.

His familiarity and the ease with which he interacts with me suggest he might be Dominic’s close friend. Yet, a part of me can't help but wonder—could he also be someone pretending to be friendly, potentially a bully in disguise?

The guy's hand flutters before my face, snapping me back to the present.

"Sylvestria to Doms, are you there?"

His playful tone catches me off guard. I realize I have been lost in my thoughts, momentarily disconnected from the situation.

"Uhh...yeah?" I answer, feeling slightly disoriented from the abrupt return to reality.

He grins, his amusement apparent, but a hint of genuine curiosity shimmers behind his green eyes.

"Doms, are you okay?" he leans in closer, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "You're a bit...different?"

His observation, a mix of concern and intrigue, strikes a chord. He has picked up on subtle differences in my behavior or perhaps my demeanor, which doesn't align with the Dominic he knew. I need to tread carefully, aware that any slip-up could raise more suspicions.

"What do you mean?" I feign ignorance, hoping to glean more about how Dominic usually behaves.

"Your usual gestures when you walk are closed off. It's like you're no longer shy but more confident," he explains, intently studying me as if trying to piece together the puzzle of my altered demeanor.

This insight is valuable. It suggests that Dominic typically carries himself with a shy posture, a characteristic I might have overlooked in my attempts to blend in.

"Is that so?" I echo, trying to sound as calm as possible about his observation.

He nods, his earlier curiosity seemingly appeased by my response.

"Yeah, but that doesn't matter. I'm glad that you looked more confident."

As he speaks, my eyes inadvertently drift to a hanging I.D. on his uniform, providing me with a clue to his identity—his name is Arthur Lyon.

His name is Arthur Lyon, huh? I never heard of him in the web novel, so he’s also an extra like me. I felt a slight sense of relief as it puts a name to the friendly yet curious face before me.

"Hey, Doms, where is your I.D.?"

Wait, I do not have an I.D.

I frantically pat myself down, confirming what I already suspected—I was not wearing my ID. This oversight could have been a minor blunder or a significant faux pas, depending on how strict the school is about such protocols.

"Oh, I must have... um, forgotten it," I stumble over my words, trying to concoct a plausible explanation. "Do you think I can get a temporary one for today?"

My question is genuine. I hope that Arthur's familiarity with the school's procedures can help me overcome this unexpected hurdle.

Arthur raises an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his reaction, but his concern is evident.

"You forgot your I.D.? That's not like you at all, Doms." Despite his words, he quickly shifts into a helpful mode. "But don't worry. We can swing by the administration office before class starts. They'll sort you out with a temporary I.D. for the day."

His readiness to assist lifts a weight off my shoulders, and I feel grateful for having someone like Arthur by my side on my first day in this new reality.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it," I say, relieved that this slip-up can be remedied.

I think I’m wrong about Arthur; he's not a fake friend. I hope my assumption is right.

Arthur and I make our way deeper into the school, and I can't help but notice the immediate shift in the atmosphere around us. Whispers and murmurs begin to fill the air, clearly directed towards me.

"Hey, isn't he the Manaless one?"

"Yeah, that's him."

The gossip, sharp and unrelenting, is indeed about me. Being Manaless and subjected to such scrutiny is a reality I had anticipated, having read about it in the web novel. Yet, facing it firsthand is a jarringly different experience.

"But hey, isn't that Arthur Lyon, the future heir of the Lyon family?"

"Yeah, that's him!"

The tone of the conversation changes as they mention Arthur, their voices laced with a mix of respect and intrigue. Their reactions reveal that Arthur belongs to a prominent family, his status granting him a distinct position within the school's social hierarchy.

"But why is he walking with Dominic, of all people?"

"I know, right?"

Despite their hurtful words, I focus ahead, walking by Arthur's side as he seems to smile.

But they were right. Why would he hang out with someone like Domin— I mean me, who is Manaless? Is he really that kind and does not care about me being Manaless? Or is he friends with me since he wants to be friends with someone who is lesser than him so he can feel better about himself?

Wait, the latter makes sense. I don’t see why Arthur would want to hang out with me! He’s from a prominent family based on the gossips I heard! So, he must be a fake friend!

"It's better if you don't hear them, Doms."

Then, unexpectedly, I feel gentle hands cover my ears. Turning around, I find Arthur with a soft smile on his face.

Wait…don’t tell me he’s really that kind?

Arthur's hands are warm, and his gesture catches me off guard. It feels sincere, and in this moment of vulnerability, I start to question my own doubts. Could I be wrong about him? Am I overthinking things again?

Overthinking. It's a trait I had from my previous life. Always analyzing, always questioning the motives of those around me. It's a defense mechanism, a way to protect myself from disappointment and betrayal. But sometimes, it clouds my judgment, making me see threats where there are none.

I look at Arthur, his eyes filled with genuine concern. He knows about the whispers, the judgment I face, and yet he chooses to walk beside me. Maybe, just maybe, his kindness is real.

We both arrive at a vast arch door, its grandeur both impressive and somewhat daunting.

"Let's go inside," Arthur encourages, announcing our presence.

-Knock!

-Knock!

"Excuse us!"

His voice is clear and respectful as he turns the knob, gently pushing the door open to reveal what lies beyond.

Inside, the administrative office perfectly blends Sylvestria's unique aesthetic. The walls are lined with wooden paneling, giving the space a warm, inviting feel.

Shelves with neatly arranged documents and magical artifacts add a sense of order and mystery. Sunlight streams through large windows, illuminating the room and highlighting the efficiency and care with which the space is managed.

At the center, a large wooden desk serves as the focal point. Behind it sit a few workers, their faces a mix of focus and welcome.

One of the workers looks up, smiling politely.

"How can we help you?"

"Dominic—"

"I would—"

Arthur and I speak simultaneously, a brief overlap causing Arthur to pause. His eyes widen slightly in surprise.

"Sorry about that, Doms; you go ahead," he graciously yields the floor to me.

I smile and nod in appreciation for his gesture. Turning to address the worker, I gather my thoughts.

"I would like to get a temporary I.D. I forgot mine today,"

"Ah, alright," the worker responds, rising from their seat. "Can you give me your hand?"

"Uhh…sure?"

I extend my hand, unsure of what to expect.

The worker closes his eyes. To my astonishment, my hand suddenly emits a soft, radiant glow. The sensation is gentle, not at all uncomfortable, but wholly unexpected.

What the...

Before my eyes, the glow intensifies, merging into a solid form. It is as though the very essence of magic is weaving something out of thin air.

Gradually, the luminous energy begins to shape itself, intricately folding and transforming until it materializes into a new I.D. card suspended in the space before me.

The worker then opens his eyes, a subtle nod indicating the completion of the process. He reaches out, plucking the newly formed I.D. from its glowing suspension with practiced ease.

"Here you go; don't forget it next time." His tone is friendly yet carries the weight of a gentle warning.

I nod, still processing the marvel I have just witnessed, and take the I.D.

"Thank you."

The worker nods, "You're welcome."

"Arthur Lyon."

All of a sudden, the voice of an old man draws our attention away from the worker.

Turning around, we see an elderly gentleman dressed in a suit, his demeanor commanding yet approachable.

"Good morning, Principal Cloud," Arthur greets, respect evident in his tone.

Principal Cloud acknowledges, "Good morning to you, too."

His gaze then shifts towards me. “Good morning to you.”

Caught slightly off guard, I politely say, "Oh, good morning, Principal Cloud."

Principal Cloud nods, his expression unreadable as he turns his attention back to Arthur.

"Arthur, I need to talk to you privately in my office."

Curiosity flutters in my mind, and I wonder about the nature of their discussion. However, I quickly remind myself that delving into matters that don't concern me wouldn't be appropriate.

Arthur responds with a prompt, "Yes, Principal Cloud."

Arthur turns to me before departing with Principal Cloud, an apologetic look crossing his features.

"Doms, I'm sorry, but will it be all right if you wait outside?"

Understanding the situation, I nod in agreement. "Sure."

I then step outside, closing the door gently behind me.

"Haa!"

I sigh, allowing myself to reflect as I walk to a shaded wall and lean against it.

"Well, if it isn't the Manaless boy."

The sound of that voice makes me turn around. Standing before me is a guy who seems to take pride in his unwelcome presence. His brown hair is unkempt, and his stance exudes an arrogance that is as unappealing as his demeanor.

Who the hell is this? Is this Dominic's primary bully?

Just by his tone, anger flares within me, a burning response that surprises me. In my past life, I was no stranger to bullying, targeted for my family's lack of wealth. The memories of those times, of the hurt and frustration, simmer close to the surface.

As if in response to this internal turmoil, a red holographic screen flickers to life before my eyes, startling in its sudden appearance.

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

Reward: A weapon.