— Aire Continent, Celestial Engraved Magic Academy.
The academy echoed with the constant chiming of bells. Apprentices chatted and laughed as they tidied their textbooks and desks, then left the classroom in groups. In an inconspicuous corner of Class 2C, a white-haired boy lay sprawled on his desk, sleeping like a dead pig. The bell signaling the end of class seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
Sharkai Bai, an ordinary apprentice with no magical talent or interest whatsoever.
His grandfather was Sharkai Manwei, a renowned Grand Magus of the Western Sea and a noble from there. Sharkai Bai had entered this elite academy on the continent solely because Sharkai Manwei had asked his old friend, Headmaster Dishi.
Ever since Sharkai Bai gained consciousness, a mysterious power seemed to reside within him. No matter who he faced, as long as he struck, he unleashed overwhelming force that instantly defeated his opponent.
“Um—excuse me, is Sharkai Bai here?”
A crisp voice reached the ears of the slumbering Sharkai.
Sharkai Bai drowsily lifted his head and looked toward the door.
Standing there was a tall girl with long black hair.
“Sharkai Bai! Thank you so much for this morning!”
“You are... who again?”
— Aire Continent, Celestial Engraved Magic Academy. Time: Morning.
Strolling along a shaded path in the academy, Zhiminghan was in a very good mood.
“Hey, you bumped into me, brat!”
A tall young man walking toward her deliberately leaned his body slightly as they passed, bumping into Zhiminghan’s shoulder.
He rubbed his arm as if in pain, a wicked grin spreading across his lips.
“You owe me an explanation!” he snapped at Zhiminghan.
“You’re Black Falcon!?”
Zhiminghan recognized the youth before her. She knew she was in trouble.
Black Falcon was a third-year B-grade apprentice and a notorious delinquent in the academy.
“Oh? You’re Zhiminghan from Class 2A, right? I’ve had my eye on you for a while.”
Black Falcon leeringly sized up the girl, his hand already reaching out as he spoke.
Zhiminghan instinctively dodged away. Her gentle eyes held fear and disgust.
Passing apprentices felt sympathy but dared not intervene. This was Black Falcon, a third-year B-grade mage whose notoriety was infamous throughout the academy.
“Hey... don’t be so uncooperative!”
Seeing Zhiminghan reject him, Black Falcon clenched his fists, his gaze instantly turning icy.
Just then, a shocking scene unfolded.
A white-haired boy in a D-grade apprentice uniform had somehow appeared behind Black Falcon. Yawning, he kicked Black Falcon squarely in the waist. The attacked Black Falcon flew dozens of meters and crashed into a tree by the roadside.
Black Falcon, the B-grade bully, was instantly defeated!? And by a mere lowest-grade D-grade apprentice!?
“If you’re too big, don’t block the path, idiot.”
After tossing out this remark, the white-haired apprentice left as if nothing had happened.
He was actually expressionless, as if nothing had occurred!?
“Ah! So that’s what happened? You’re here to thank me?”
Under the setting sun, Sharkai Bai lazily leaned against the doorframe, combing his messy white hair. It seemed he had struggled hard to recall this.
“Y-yes!”
Zhiminghan lowered her head, looking shy.
Sharkai Bai shoved his hands into his pockets and turned to smile at her.
“If you really want to thank me, treat me to a good meal.”
Celestial Engraved Magic Academy, Cafeteria.
Ignoring the stares from surrounding apprentices, Sharkai Bai ate the feast before him as if it were free.
“Sharkai Bai... you look like you haven’t eaten in ages...”
Zhiminghan watched him devour four plates of food and still wolf down more, her voice worried.
“Ah, sorry for making you spend so much.”
“Well, it’s not really about the money!”
“This is enough. Thank you, Zhiminghan.”
After thanking her, Sharkai stood up, stretched, and turned to leave.
Celestial Engraved Magic Academy. Time: Night.
Sharkai Bai walked alone, hands behind his head. Everything in this academy was far too boring for him.
“Look, that white-haired guy is the one who sent third-year B-grade Black Falcon flying this morning!”
“Huh!? A D-grade apprentice!? Are you kidding me!?”
“No mistake! Many saw him kick Black Falcon away with one foot!”
As the protagonist who instantly defeated Black Falcon, passing apprentices recognized Sharkai Bai. Though their whispers were quiet, they reached his ears.
“…”
He had just casually taught a lesson to some overgrown third-year delinquents. Sharkai Bai felt no excitement about instantly defeating a B-grade apprentice.
Before coming here, his opponents had been far stronger. In his eyes, this academy was just playing childish mage games, dividing everyone into ranks. He felt no will to fight at all.
“Hey! White-haired bastard!”
A group in C-grade apprentice uniforms blocked Sharkai Bai’s path.
At the front was Black Falcon, grim-faced with a bandage around his waist.
With his path blocked, Sharkai Bai stopped, expression blank. “You’re Black Falcon, right?”
“Cut the crap! Bastard, I’m going to skin you alive today!”
Black Falcon and his group gathered various elemental magics in their hands, all aimed at Sharkai Bai.
“Raging Icefall!”
“Magma Explosion!”
A barrage of magical skills rained down on him.
“Child’s play?”
(At this level, it’s not worth using that move.)
Sharkai Bai’s gaze instantly turned sharp. He punched the ice spike heading straight for him.
(…I overate.)
Only now did he realize this serious problem. Sharkai Bai covered his mouth, unable to hold back the urge to vomit.
Seeing his opponent seemingly unable to defend, Black Falcon sneered, “Hmph! Let’s see how long you can last!”
“Enough!”
Suddenly, powerful pressure descended from the sky. A black-haired girl in a purplish-red uniform landed before them.
The slender Great Sword in her hand looked incredibly sharp.
“Th-th-th-that’s the uniform of an S-grade apprentice! It’s the student council president!”
Upon recognizing her, Black Falcon completely lost his will to fight.
Elucia, ranked No.1 in strength at Celestial Engraved Magic Academy and its student council president, was the strongest apprentice there.
She frowned, her gaze sweeping over Black Falcon’s group. Coldly, she said, “While Wilkor and I were away, you formed a delinquent group? I order you, as student council president, to disband it immediately!”
“Y-yes, okay!”
No matter how unwilling, Black Falcon lowered his head and agreed. He knew how terrifying she was.
After Black Falcon’s group slunk away, Sharkai Bai’s gaze fell on Elucia.
“So you’re the student council president the old man often uses to teach me lessons? Thanks for this time.”
“No need. Maintaining academy order is the student council’s duty anyway.”
Elucia swept a blank gaze over Sharkai Bai, sheathed her Great Sword, and turned to leave.
