I take the book Emdos gave me from the shelf and then flip to the last page I can access. The page has a strange symbol on it with nothing else present. It’s weird how the page is wrapped around the remaining part of the book. I’m tempted to rip it up because I don’t know how else I can read the rest, but what if it’s something important? It could be some sort of test or puzzle Emdos made I just haven’t figured out. Maybe one day. I sigh and put the book back on the shelf.

I’m still worried about what happened during my first two days here. The book that disappeared suddenly reappeared.

***

I recall that I slept in my room for the first time. The next day everyone was already eating breakfast.

"Kaister, you're up late. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you… What happened yesterday?" Drugo asked as he was chewing something.

"It was nothing, really,” I answered. I thought about who was in our room when everything went down yesterday. Drugo should’ve been there. I continued, “This is kinda a weird question… Was I wearing a backpack yesterday, or did you see one in this room?"

I only heard various slurping and crunching noises before Drugo responded, "I don't think so… By the way, breakfast is served outside the hall—"

"I'll be back!" I rushed out of the room and saw many of the students walking around.

Many tables were set up with food in the hallway leading to the exit. My stomach grumbled, but I ignored my hunger and ran out of the building.

If I didn’t have the backpack the whole time, it meant the guards I ran into at the front of the Academy took it. I ran straight there.

Arriving, I saw two guards standing by the entrance. I called out to them, “Hey, excuse me…”

They turned around, though something was wrong. These were two different guards.

“What, a student? What is it?” one of them asked.

“Umm… What happened to the two guards stationed here yesterday?” I asked.

The two guards glanced at each other, and then one answered, “We do not know. Sometime yesterday evening, someone reported that they were missing, and we searched for them, but we did not find them. It is strange because they worked here for several years without a problem to leave without a trace…"

"I see, never mind…" I said as I turned back around and slowly walked home.

***

What did all this mean? In the end, I never found out how my backpack appeared in my room. Was someone watching me?

The only person I know outside the Academy is Emdos. So, is it him? We said goodbye only for him to stalk me in the shadows? That doesn’t sound like him. It can’t be him or anyone for that matter. I don’t see how it would be possible for someone to spy on me without being seen. If there were any suspicious characters, they would’ve already been found.

But then again, that cold chill I felt in the lecture room when I was about to reveal my Mana to everyone. I’ve felt cold chills like that from Emdos before, and he’s the only one who knows about my Mana. I shake my head. None of this makes sense.

I could try tossing the book somewhere random and see if it comes back. No, that’s stupid. I made a promise to Emdos.

I lie on the bed and then close my eyes, thinking about everything that happened last year. I didn’t learn much more than I already knew about Mana Manipulation.

We’ll definitely learn how to use magic this year. Moria tested everyone’s Mana potential on the first day, and we spent the year learning about Mana Manipulation. On the first day of our second year three weeks ago, Moria tested our potential for the categories of magic. Shortly afterward, we were instructed to take time off classes dedicated to exam preparation.

Almost two weeks spent knowing that I only have Evocation Fire magic to look forward to, and I only have a small Affinity for it. I curse the luck I was born with. However, I’m not going to let that stop me from being the best Fire user anyone has ever seen. That sounds like something Hiro would say, except I have something no one else has.

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I still need to think of something for the optional showcase after the practical assessment. I could copy what Luna did except with Rich Mana, though not very original. I’ll still try to recreate her presentation for practice later.

Would releasing a bunch of Rich Mana be enough? Luna is still only using Scrap Mana, and people consider her talented. If I show perfect control over Rich Mana, it should certainly raise some eyebrows. That’s too boring, though. What I really want is to show my Mana, but I can’t do that.

Eventually, I fall asleep.

I wake up later and spend the day brainstorming more ideas for the showcase without much avail.

The day passes quickly, and the next morning arrives. I’m fully recharged after waking up. I go about my morning routine before heading to the living room.

“Holy shit, Kai is awake,” Sitos says. “He woke up on time for once.”

I smile and walk over to the table, where everyone is seated and eating. “And I don’t understand how you guys seldom oversleep.”

Banana-nut bread for breakfast today. I take the seat next to Hiro and start eating. I expect him to make some sort of grand statement that he’s going to dominate me on the test, but he stays quiet. Upon a closer look, his eyes are closed and his head lowered.

I tap him on the arm and ask, “Hiro, you okay there?”

“Huh?” he interjects and wakes up. “Yeh, I’m good. Just restin’ my eyes.”

“You didn’t get enough sleep last night?” Drugo asks.

“Yeh, I was makin’ sure I had everythin’ right for my presentation. We’re gonna steal the top prize from everyone! As long as Kai pulls his weight.”

“If I don’t, I swear I’ll call you Hiro the Great every day from now on. But if I score higher than you, you gotta do something for me.”

“Haha! Deal!”

“I hope you are not bluffing,” Sitos says. “Think about the repercussions for the rest of us.”

“It’s just a name. It’s not a big deal,” Luna says.

“Yes, you are right.”

I just thought of something. Everyone thinks I have no talent and will barely have the qualifications to pass. What if I used that to my advantage and made a bet with everybody? Everyone could owe me one.

“Sitos, are you gonna do the showcase after the assessment?” I ask.

“Yes, why?”

“Do you wanna compete with me? Make a bet like I did with Hiro. If you win, I’ll do something for you and vice versa.”

Sitos laughs. “Do not tell me you are planning something for the showcase too? You do remember that if it is too poor, you will have points deducted.”

“I know, and I’m doing it. So, do you wanna do the bet?”

“Sure. Why would I not do it if my victory is guaranteed? Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“Yeah. Actually, I want to do this with everyone, if you want,” I say, smiling. “Just a little friendly competition to make things more interesting. Luna, Drugo, Marin?”

“Um, sure,” Luna says and then giggles. “I’m gonna make you help me with clean up after meals.”

“Sure,” Drugo answers.

Marin nods.

“Why do I feel like you are scamming us?” Sitos asks. “I do not think you would make these bets unless you think you have a chance of winning. You are not stupid.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My rank in all Mana types is grade E, remember?”

“Yes, I remember. That is why I am confused. Are you trying to lose?”

“There’s no real harm, so it’s not that big of a deal. We’re not gonna make Kai do anything bad. It’s just for fun and gives him some motivation,” Luna says.

“Fine. Then I will challenge anyone who wishes to accept,” Sitos says.

“I will!” Luna exclaims.

“What are you going to make me do if you win?” Sitos asks.

“You’ll find out later,” Luna responds and smiles widely.

She said there’s no harm, but that smile is up to no good. What kind of trend have I started?

Hiro no doubt will jump in too. I look over to him, and he’s dozing off again. The first time I brushed it off, but a second time? Hiro’s acting weird. I wake him up again, and he agrees to a bet with Sitos, Marin, and Drugo. Marin makes one with Drugo.

With those matters taken care of, we finish breakfast and head over to class. We sit at our usual seats on the front row. Teacher Moria hasn’t arrived yet.

Luna asks, “Kai, which class are you attending after the exam?”

I don’t want Luna to know more of my poor test results, but I can’t lie to that face. “Well…I only have low Affinity for Fire magic, so I have to go to that one.”

“That’s great!” Luna suddenly exclaims and claps her hands next to my face. “My Fire magic is my highest Affinity, so I’m planning to go to that class. It’ll be nice to have someone I know there.”

“You are a lucky one, Kai. You have our number one to mentor you,” Sitos says with his arms crossed.

The sound of the lecture door room closing echoes in the room. Teacher Moria asks, “Do we have anyone missing?”

He continues after a period of silence, "I have the written portion of your test with me. Your time limit is one hour. Come hand it to me when you are done and wait in your seat for the practical portion afterward. The instructions for the Mana assessment will come after the theory exam. Remember, you must verify that you passed the test before attending a Mana bonding class of your choice. Good luck, everyone."

And with that, Moria hands out the tests and then sits in a chair in front of the room.