Yuuji stood in front of Lecture Hall A-3, staring at the ornate wooden doors like they were the gates to purgatory. And maybe they were. First class of the week. First official class in a fantasy academy where everyone either had money, power, or a royal last name.
He tugged his collar. It was too tight. His nerves buzzed like a broken mana circuit.
"Relax," he muttered. "You're not a student. You're a tutor. Which means you can just... sit quietly and avoid eye contact."
[Reminder: You Are Still Technically Enrolled.] [Failure to Attend Class May Affect Progression.]
"Of course I am," he muttered under his breath.
He pushed open the doors and stepped into a room that looked like it had been conjured by a bored wizard who thought books should be organized by how intimidating their spines looked. The lecture hall was massive—tiered rows of carved wooden benches, enchanted chalkboards that hovered midair, and a giant stained glass window depicting a sorcerer vaporizing a dragon with pure math.
At the front, Professor Liram stood in his rumpled robes, sipping from a cup that smelled suspiciously like caffeinated resurrection elixir. His glasses were crooked. His beard was on fire. No one pointed it out.
Yuuji quietly took a seat near the back.
Students trickled in. Elira entered like she owned the floorboards. Her braid was perfect, her uniform crisp, her expression pure disinterest. She sat two rows down from Yuuji, straight-backed and already taking notes. Of course she was.
A few seconds later, a ripple of murmurs spread through the room.
Seraine had arrived.
Hair tousled. Uniform casually unbuttoned at the collar. A grin that could melt steel. He strolled in like he'd been born on a spotlight.
Several girls whispered. A guy nearly fell off his bench trying to sneak a picture crystal.
Yuuji groaned. "Of course he's got the protagonist aura."
[Passive Skill Detected: "Charismatic Entry" - +10 Likability with NPCs on Room Entry.]
He slumped forward.
Liram looked up from his notes. "Everyone present? No one exploded this morning? Good. Today we begin Practical Spellcasting Integration."
A few students groaned. A handful cheered. Elira didn't move.
Liram waved his hand, summoning an arcane equation midair. "Our goal: control. I'll pair you in threes. Cast the spell listed. Adjust it. Don't kill each other."
Names flickered on the board. Yuuji's stomach dropped.
Team 4: Elira Vortemer, Seraine Thorne, Yuuji Hoshino
He froze.
"No. Nope. Nope times infinity."
Elira raised an eyebrow. "You look pale."
"Do I? That's probably because the system just paired me with the Ice Queen and the Mystery Flag."
"I'm standing right here," Seraine said cheerfully as he slid into their group. "This is going to be fun."
Yuuji eyed him. "I have a different definition of fun. Mine involves less mana burn."
Liram floated down the rows. "Begin. Tier One spell: Minor Elemental Conjure. Show me you can manipulate basic forces. If you mess up, I will grade you with the fury of a divorced archmage."
Yuuji stepped back. "I'll let you two shine. I'm just the tutor."
"You're in the group," Elira said coldly. "Participate."
Seraine already had his hand raised. A swirl of violet wind circled his palm, sharp and humming with precision. He molded it into a falcon made of stormlight.
The class collectively gasped.
Even Liram looked vaguely interested. "Hmm. Advanced shaping. Efficient control."
Seraine bowed slightly. "I dabble."
[Flag Confirmed: Seraine's Affinity - Wind. Hidden Trait: High-Speed Mana Resonance.]
Yuuji scowled. "Of course he has wind powers. Everyone cool has wind powers."
Elira lifted her hand. A stream of ice crystals formed, weaving into a delicate sword that shimmered with frost and deadly intent. She didn't smile, but Yuuji saw the edge of pride in her eyes.
Liram nodded. "Typical Vortemer style. Refined. Controlled. Dangerous. Do not poke anyone."
Now all eyes turned to Yuuji.
He hesitated.
[Side Quest Activated: Do Not Embarrass Yourself.] Objective: Impress Without Combat Magic. Reward: Respect (Elira +1), ???
He gritted his teeth. He couldn't go flashy. But he wasn't useless either.
He knelt, drew a rune in the air with a finger glowing faintly with green light. It spun once—then cracked.
"Oh no."
The floor beneath the trio glowed, and a small patch of grass popped up between them. A single flower bloomed.
Liram stared. "Did you just summon... botany?"
"It's called Passive Reinforcement." Yuuji coughed. "Reduces fatigue for nearby allies. Long-term enhancement support."
Someone snickered.
Liram scratched his chin. "Not useless. Just... agricultural."
Elira stared at the flower. "It smells like mint."
"It also stabilizes mana flow," Yuuji mumbled.
[Side Quest Complete. Elira Affection +1.] [Title Unlocked: Functional Fertilizer.]
He groaned. "I hate this world."
Seraine leaned in. "Hey. Don't sell yourself short. That's a clever support rune. Where'd you learn it?"
Yuuji looked at him. Seraine didn't seem mocking. That made it worse.
"Online guide. Before I got yeeted here."
Elira blinked. "...Yeeted?"
"Ancient Otherworlder slang," he muttered. "Means forcibly relocated via magical bullsh—never mind."
The lesson continued. Group after group failed, succeeded, or caught fire. Yuuji took mental notes.
Ajax summoned fireballs the size of pumpkins and accidentally melted his own desk. Marelle miscast a gravity charm and sent her group floating to the ceiling. The professor applauded both.
By the end, their team had earned a rare compliment.
"Decent teamwork," Liram grunted. "Even from the grass boy."
As they left the room, Yuuji sighed with relief. "Well, that wasn't a disaster."
"You didn't burn anything," Elira said. "Impressive."
Seraine chuckled. "You've got good instincts, tutor. This might actually be entertaining."
Yuuji narrowed his eyes. Something about Seraine still felt off. Too polished. Too perfect.
[New Flag Branch Unlocked: Seraine Rivalry Route - Watch Closely.]
He exhaled, dragging his bag over his shoulder.
And then, as they turned the corner—
[Main Quest Alert: Inter-House Tournament Announced.] Details: Begin Preparation Phase.
Yuuji froze. "Oh no. Not the tournament arc."
Elira tilted her head. "What tournament?"
Seraine smiled like someone who just got invited to the main stage.
Yuuji stared at the sky through the stained glass ceiling.
"Gods help me."