The walk was fairly quiet. Julian got to experience the life of a city in this world. It wasnt primitive; in fact, the buildings were far more advanced than Julian had expected.
Of course… It's nowhere near the level of buildings back home.
Julian turned to the side.
She really is cute. Agh… I'm getting nervous.
Although, she really does look like a girl from afar.
…
Am I gay?
"Cera. I have a question. You don't have to answer it if it's invading your privacy."
"What is it?"
"Those guys over there, why were they attacking you?"
"Oh… It's r-really nothing. You know how bullies are. They just wanted to mess with someone, and they saw that I was an easy target…"
"… Ah, okay. I see."
"I never got to say thank you. And, I'm sorry for getting you all beaten up."
"Don't worry. It's not your fault that I got beaten up. I was just full of myself and thought I was Superman."
"Superman? Who's that?"
"Nothing."
Before they knew it, they reached the gates of the campus. The fence was made of black steel, curved in a very specific way. At a glance, Julian could tell it was a prestigious school.
There aren't a lot of people coming in and going out... From the looks of it, class is about to begin!
As soon as he reached into his pockets at the gate, he came to another shocking realization: his admission papers weren't there!
Damn it! How could I have lost my paper? That was the one thing I needed the most!
Before I reached the school, Cera and I had been near a bakery! Right! That's the first place I should check!
Running as fast as he could without making it seem unnaturally demonlike, Julian sprinted toward the bakery.
"Hey... sir baker. Have you seen any papers here?" he asked, leaning his hand on the counter at the front. The baker was a man who looked kind, with a stout build and tall height.
"Hm? Papers? Of what kind?"
"Like... ah, I don't know. Registration papers."
"I don't think I've seen anything like that, young man. But if this information is any help, 3 men in dark robes walked over here. I last saw them go to the alleyway."
"Ah, okay. Thanks for the help, Sir Baker."
"Don't worry about it!" he smiled, patting Julian on the back. It was obvious that he was trying to be gentle, but with his large palms, Julian had to pretend as if it didn't hurt at all.
3 men in dark robes...
I guess a bunch of fucking occultists have taken my papers!
I'm not gonna even try to find that!
. . .
I ended up going.
The alleyway had a moist feeling in the air, although there were no sources of heat or anything like that to generate any light, besides the sun. Julian heard the movement of rats and other animals squirming around.
The deeper he got into the alleyway, the darker it got. That was until he turned a corner. There, the 3 men were sitting around a fire. Julian quickly peeked back around the corner.
"Man! We got good with that registration paper for that famous boarding school! How much do you think we can sell it for?"
The men laughed with joy. They all took off their hoodies, revealing faces that were closer to delinquent than anything.
I think I want to go back now. That would be the safest thing for me to do, right? Yeah. I don't think I'm fit for this school anyway.
I slipped.
"Hey! There's one of those boarding school kids here!" the third man said, screaming. They started to chase after me.
"Don't let him get away!"
[Cast: Gale Trident]
Julian turned my head for a second. A trident, at quick speeds, shot toward him.
"Not on my watch!"
In an instant, he was thrown onto someone's back. The man jumped from wall to wall, escaping from the alleyway. He finally landed, placing Julian on the ground.
He looked at the sky, panting. The breeze felt so noticeable all of a sudden, and the way the grass tickled his skin was a pleasant feeling.
What is this... beautiful feeling? Relief? Is that it?
"You alright?" the boy who saved Julian asked. He pulled him up.
It was an elvish boy, as indicated by his sharp ears. His skin was fair, like someone who did not frequent the sun. His hair was navy blue and fine, just barely falling beneath his ears in a professional manner. His eyes were black. He looked around my age, with an expressionless face.
"Yeah, thanks for helping me."
He stretched his hand out, pulling me up.
"I'm Ian."
"I'm Julian. Isn't Ian a human name?"
"I was raised by humans, that's why."
"I see...
"Ah, right. I lost my papers!"
"Are you talking about this one?"
"Y-yeah! Those are mine! Thank you so much!" Julian said, grabbing them. "I owe you, alright?"
"Don't worry. Just become my friend."
"Alright!" Julian smiled.
"Also... don't be late for the first day, alright?" he disappeared, leaving Julianbehind.
Huh?
What?
. .
Of course, Julian arrived late. Detention was a large, rowdy classroom, confined by sound magic that allowed none of the noise to really escape the classroom.
"This is... so embarrassing," Julian's thoughts slipped out.
"Hey. You're sitting in my seat."
Julian's head turned sharply, locating where the feminine voice was coming from. It belonged to a girl around his age. Her hair was a luxuriant, dark red, finely groomed, and befitting of a royal. Her emerald green eyes stared at him menacingly.
It's the first day of school... how can you claim a detention seat?
Better question, why are there so many people in detention on the first day!?
"Wh-who are you?"
"... Insolent. Ivy Kae. I demand that you give up your seat, now that all other seats are taken."
"... I'm sorry. I don't think I'll be doing that, though?"
"You...!"
With no hesitation, the crazy girl ran toward Julian. He scooted to the side, watching her fall to the ground.
.
The next day came by.
I went ahead and made an enemy on the first day.
Julian walked the school hallways aimlessly, as he still had time for his first class. He had already visited the dormitory and found it very pleasant. The comfort of an actual bed, and not straw or stone, was incredibly satisfying to Julian's back.
This is like a college campus. Even larger. This place is huge.
After spending some time roaming around, avoiding social interaction, and especially the Ivy Kae, Julian entered his first class: Swordsmanship. An ecstatic grin formed on his face.
This.... this is my chance to finally get strong.
He slowly opened the door to the classroom.
"Whoa..." He audibly gasped.
It was essentially a large dojo, with sparring mats placed around every nook and cranny of the building. Everyone wore a specific uniform. But a familiar face caught his eye.