The door creaked open, and there stood Aldi, looking smug, his tail flicking, whiskers gleaming like he owned the place.
I stared, dread pooling in my gut. "…What do you mean? Why are you here?"
He padded in without a care, golden eyes glinting. I shot him a look of pure revulsion. Trespassing. This had to be.
"Don't be so cold," he purred, stretching lazily. "I'm invited. A guest, even." My jaw dropped. "…Huh?" I snatched him by the scruff. "Who invited you?" His paw pointed straight at Shar.
I turned to her, voice tight. "This mangy cat says you called him. True?" Shar bounced on her toes, eyes sparkling. "I did! I asked Aldi for a recommendation letter so that you can join the magic tournament! Surprise!"
Her smile was sweet and cheerful. My stomach sank. This was real, not a dream. I forced a grin. "…Shar. Stay right here. I need a private chat with the cat."I hauled Aldi into the next room and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the hinges.
The second we were alone, I pinned him with a glare. "Explain. Five seconds. Why am I entered in the tournament?" Shar's voice echoed faintly in my mind: *"Surprise guest!"* Aldi just smirked.
"Because the confectioner begged me!" He yipped, paws up in mock surrender. I narrowed my eyes. "Even if she asked, you *know* I hate the spotlight." He tilted his head, whistling innocently. "People change, maybe you did too?…"
"Don't dodge. You *knew*." He kept whistling. Too damn obvious. Truth was the tournament itself? That's fine. Magic tools as prizes, fat reward money, I could live with that.
But the entry rules flashed in my mind like a curse: **Condition (1): Must belong to a designated organization and hold a formal recommendation. ** Aldi had slapped my name under *Royal Magikos Magic Academy* with his own seal as Director.
I didn't belong there. He'd forged it. Principal's direct recommendation? No one would double-check. Days until the event: barely any left. "It'll hold," he'd said. Smug bastard. I snarled. "Cancel it. Or turn in blank paper. Now."
"Too late!" Aldi chirped. "Letter's sent, ticket's *yours*. You're lecturing at my academy, buddy!" His grin begged for a fist. I didn't care about competing. I cared about the leash. He wanted me enrolled. Permanently. To dissect my magic like a lab rat.
"Over my cold corpse." I stormed for the door. "I'm telling Shar I'm out." Aldi lunged, clinging to my leg. "Please! Just till the tournament!"I tried shaking him off. His claws dug in. "*Just* means forever with you."
Four years ago, Magi Kosmia. S-rank beast rumors. I found Aldi cornered, half-dead. I casted one spell and the beast was gone. He'd called *that* the S-rank magic.
Then the begging started: *Teach for my school! Be my star!* I refused. He hunted me. Every street, every shop, his voice, his lackeys, his *posters*.
I wore scrap armor, a red wig, and illusion rings. Hid like a ghost. He still thought the redhead was real. Good. Let him believe that. Now he nuzzled my ankle, purring. "I missed you… Thought you died."
I kicked him off. "No lectures. Ever." I marched back to Shar. Aldi trailed, smirking. "Sure, sure… But can you *really* cancel?" I ignored him. Shar lit up as I entered.
"Jirei-kun! All done?" I smiled gently. "Yeah. Shar… I'm sorry, but I have to pull out of the tournament." Her face shattered. Tears welled instantly. "…Huh?"
She crumpled, voice breaking. "I'm so sorry… I forced you… I'm the worst…" Big, shaking sobs. She hugged her knees. My chest twisted. "No—Shar, it's not—" "I never want to hurt you…" She wouldn't stop. Each tear was a dagger.
Aldi leaned in, cool as ice. "Jirei. Look at her." I glared angrily. *Damn cat.* I threw my hands up. "FINE! Kidding! I'm in! I'm competing!" Shar's head snapped up, eyes shining through tears. "…Really?" "Really!" I forced a grin. "Wouldn't miss it."
She tackled me in a hug. "Ehehe… I was so scared I ruined everything!" Aldi raised a paw. "Welcome aboard, Professor Jirei!" I bared my teeth. "I'll turn you into a furball and punt you to the moon."
Shar clapped. "Welcome party! Tonight!" I sighed, deadpan. "Thrilled. Ecstatic. Overjoyed." Later, Aldi would eat dirt. Couldn't be helped.
Seriously. Couldn't be helped.