Ella stretched and yawned. "Ah, crap—I forgot you still have to train. I was all excited about going to the city."
Rin sighed inwardly. Too bad. I'm not training today. Before she could say anything, he changed the subject.
"Hey, Taro. Did two girls come up to you asking for class notes?"
Taro blinked. "Yeah. I gave them my notes. Why?"
Ella jumped back in. "Anyway, Rin, you should start training. Even if we're walking."
Ugh, Rin groaned in his head. Fine. Just stop talking for a second.
He closed his eyes, letting the forest's sounds blur around him. Then—he felt it. A spark. A current. Control.
His eyes flew open.
"I DID IT! LET'S GO!"
Ella blinked, surprised. "Wow. You actually managed to control it in just a day and a half? You really are something."
Then, smugly, she added, "Of course, with my intelligence guiding you, it was inevitable."
Taro tilted his head. "You did what?"
Rin grinned. "I can control my electricity now. Oh, Ella—you're the best!"
Kaela, nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Is Ella like your mentor or something?"
"Ah, you could say that," Rin replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kobe smirked as he strolled beside them. "Congrats, kid. Though you've still got a long way to go if you ever wanna reach my level."
Rin chuckled. "I know. Of course."
---
As they finally reached the city, Ella's eyes sparkled. "Whoa. What are all these things? And that floating sign—what is it?"
They're just signs, Rin thought, but they fly using an artifact that pulls mana from the air.
Ella's mouth hung open. "How can it do that? Drawing mana directly from the atmosphere is far beyond intelligent enchantment. What kind of civilization reaches that level?"
Well, Rin mused silently, it has been 2000 years...
She pointed again. "What's that?"
That's a restaurant.
"And that?"
That's... Rin paused, trying not to laugh. That's dog poop.
"Huh?!" Ella screamed, jumping back.
Taro said"You look like you're having fun, Rin."
Rin smirked. "Yeah... I guess I am."
---
Four hours later.
As they walked back toward the academy, Kobe suddenly snapped his fingers. "Ah, right—Rin, did you study for your exams?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I'll pass this time."
They reached the academy gates. Rin waved as he split off. "I'm wiped. See you tomorrow."
"See you!" the others replied.
Rin walked toward the dorms, eyes narrowing in thought. Hey, Ella. Now that I've got basic control over electricity... what should I train next?
Ella responded thoughtfully. Hmm… You'll spar with me.
How?
Simple. You attack me like it's a real fight. I'll dodge, and if a hit lands, it won't hurt me. We both train, no one gets injured. Win-win.
Rin blinked. ...That's actually smart. Pretty lady.
Ella chuckled. Well, well. Got some taste, don't you?
They laughed, walking beneath the glowing lamps of the academy path.
---
The next day.
As Rin headed toward class, he muttered, "One more day 'til the written exam. Two more for the sparring. Think that's enough time?"
Ella answered, "Not sure. But... I think you can manage."
They entered the classroom. It was eerily silent.
Rin leaned toward Taro. "Hey, what's going on? Why's everyone quiet?"
Taro frowned. "Dude. The exam starts in five minutes. Why are you so late?"
Rin froze. "Wait... what exam?"
Kaela gave him a blank look. "The written exam. Duh."
His eyes widened. "Wh-What?! I thought that was tomorrow!" He grabbed Taro's shoulder. "The sparring one's tomorrow, right?!"
Taro nodded slowly. "Yeah…"
Rin collapsed into his seat, defeated. Ella... do you think I can make any progress by tomorrow?
Absolutely not, Ella said bluntly. Who do you think you are, a protagonist?
Just then, Kobe entered. "Everyone, take a seat. The written exam begins now."
A few minutes in, Rin leaned forward in thought. Ella—go to Taro and tell me the first question.
What am I, your slave now?
Please?
Hmph. You better thank me.
She flew over to Taro's paper, stared, then froze.
Her eyes widened.
Rin…
What? What happened?
I, uh… can't read this language.
...FUCK. I TOTALLY FORGOT.
Rin slumped in his chair. I have no hope.
---
An hour later, Kobe clapped his hands. "Alright. Pass your papers forward and stay seated. I'll explain tomorrow's exam."
A screen lit up behind him, displaying a lush island.
"Tomorrow's exam will be a free-for-all match on this island. You'll be in teams of two—ten teams total. You'll draw names randomly. The team that takes first place will win... 500 silver coins."
Rin jumped to his feet. "FIVE HUNDRED SILVER COINS?! HOLY—"
Everyone stared.
Kobe cleared his throat. "...Ahem. Anyway. When I call your name, come forward and draw a ball. The name inside it is your partner."
"Hana," he called. She picked a ball and sighed. "Lucien."
"Next—Kaela."
Kaela stepped forward, whispering in her head, Please be Taro... please...
She opened the ball. "T-Taro?"
Taro blinked. "Wait... seriously?"
Rin groaned internally. Dammit! I wanted him! The two strongest just got paired...
"Next—Jin."
Jin drew his ball. "...Ugh. Rin."
Rin blinked. Let's fucking go. At least I got someone powerful.
One by one, the rest of the names were called and teams formed.
Kobe nodded. "Alright. Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow's battle will determine more than your rank—it'll show us your true potential."
Class ended. As students began to leave, Rin clenched his fists.
Alright, Ella. Let's head to the training ground. We don't have much time. We need to win this. No... we have to.
---
To be continued...