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4-Middle School [1]

  Volume 01, Chapter 04

  Middle School [1]

  As I walk through the school gates, a sense of awe hits me.

  Up close, the building looks even more amazing. It gives off a magical, scholarly vibe. The stone walls are covered with carvings of mythical creatures and glowing symbols. It feels both grand and mysterious. The mix of old and new is striking, and I can already tell—this isn’t a normal school.

  But as I take it all in, a new thought pops into my head.

  “Where do I go?” I whisper, looking around the busy courtyard full of students.

  Should I ask someone? The idea makes me nervous. I don’t want to draw attention on my first day—especially since I have no mana. That alone could make me a target. Being lost and Manaless? Not a great look.

  “Hey, Doms! There you are!”

  A voice pulls me from my thoughts. Before I can react, someone throws an arm around my shoulders. The touch is warm and familiar.

  I turn and see a boy about my age. His short blonde hair shines in the sunlight, and his green eyes sparkle with confidence. He smiles, bright and friendly, and his grip feels strong.

  “Who?” I say before I can stop myself. I’m genuinely confused.

  “Aww, come on, Doms. Don’t tell me you forgot me already!”

  He sounds playful, but I catch a hint of surprise in his eyes, like he didn’t expect me to say that.

  I look at him closely, trying to figure him out. He seems nice… but could he be faking it? Is he just pretending to be friendly, hiding something worse?

  Before I can think more, he waves a hand in front of my face.

  “Sylvestria to Doms, are you there?”

  The joke catches me off guard. I realize I’ve been staring.

  “Uhh… yeah,” I say, still trying to catch up.

  He laughs, light and natural, but his eyes narrow a little as he studies me.

  “Doms, are you okay?” he asks, more serious now. “You seem a bit… different today.”

  His words make me panic inside. Did he notice something? Did I mess up already?

  “What do you mean?” I ask, trying to sound normal, hoping he doesn’t ask more.

  He tilts his head, brow furrowing as he thinks. “Your walk, your gestures… You’re usually kind of closed off, but today you seem more confident. I don’t know.”

  His comment catches me off guard. I hadn’t realized Dominic usually came across as shy.

  “Is that so?” I reply as calmly as I can, trying not to show my nerves.

  “Yeah, but hey, that’s not a bad thing,” he says with a grin. “I’m glad you’re looking more confident. It suits you.”

  As he talks, my eyes land on the ID clipped to his uniform. It reads: Arthur Lyon.

  Arthur Lyon. I search my memory, but the name doesn’t sound familiar. He wasn’t in ‘A Magician’s Path,’ so he must be an extra like me. That thought actually makes me feel a little better—dealing with someone outside the main plot is simpler.

  “Hey, Doms, where’s your ID?” Arthur asks, snapping me back to the moment.

  Wait… my ID.

  I quickly check my pockets, but I already know it’s not there. How could I forget something that important? This could be a small mistake… or a big one, depending on how strict this school is.

  “Oh, I must have… um, forgotten it,” I say, stumbling over my words. “Do you think I can get a temporary one for today?”

  Arthur raises an eyebrow, surprised. “Forgot your ID? That’s not like you, Doms.”

  My stomach tightens. I need to be more careful not to raise suspicions.

  “But don’t worry,” he adds, his tone brightening. “We can stop by the admin office before class. They’ll give you a temporary one.”

  I feel a wave of relief. “Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem,” he says with a wink. “What are best friends for?”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Best friends? I blink, caught off guard. There’s a warmth in his words that feels unfamiliar but oddly reassuring.

  As we walk through the halls, I glance at him from the corner of my eye. Maybe I was wrong to doubt him. Arthur seems sincere—more like a friend than a fake.

  I hope I’m right.

  As we continue through the school, the atmosphere changes. The steady hum of voices sharpens, turning into whispers filled with curiosity—and judgment.

  “Hey, isn’t he the Manaless one?”

  “Yeah, that’s him.”

  The words sting. I expected this, having read about how harsh people are toward those without mana. But knowing about it and living it are two very different things.

  “But wait, isn’t that Arthur Lyon? Heir to the Lyon family?”

  “Yeah, that’s him!”

  The tone shifts immediately. The gossip softens, turning into admiration and awe. Clearly, Arthur’s name holds weight here. He comes from a powerful family, and people treat him like royalty.

  “But why is he walking with Dominic, of all people?”

  “I know, right?”

  The sting of their words is hard to ignore, even as I keep my eyes forward. Walking beside Arthur, who doesn’t seem bothered by the whispers, I can’t help but wonder why he’d hang out with someone like me—a Manaless nobody.

  Is he really that kind and doesn’t care about my lack of mana? Or… is he the kind of person who makes friends with people below him just to feel better about himself?

  That second idea makes more sense. From what people said, Arthur comes from a powerful family. He’s meant for greatness. So why would he spend time with someone like me? The only explanation I can think of is that his kindness is fake.

  “It’s better if you don’t hear them, Doms.”

  Arthur’s voice breaks through my thoughts. It’s calm, but comforting. Before I can say anything, I feel his warm hands gently cover my ears.

  Startled, I glance at him. He’s smiling softly, his face calm and reassuring.

  Wait… is he really that kind?

  The simple gesture catches me off guard. His hands are steady. His touch feels real. And suddenly, I start to doubt everything I just assumed. Maybe I was wrong about him.

  Am I just overthinking it again?

  I’ve always been like this—even in my old life. I overanalyze everything. It’s helped me avoid disappointment, but it’s also pushed people away. I often assume that kindness hides some hidden agenda. It’s a defense mechanism, one I’ve relied on too much. And now, it might be clouding my judgment again.

  Arthur slowly lowers his hands. His green eyes look right at me, full of genuine concern. “Ignore them, Doms. They don’t know you like I do,” he says gently but firmly.

  His words hit something deep inside me. He knows what people are saying. He knows how much it hurts. But he still chooses to walk next to me.

  Maybe… just maybe… he means it.

  After a while, we reach a large arched door. It's huge and covered with detailed carvings, both beautiful and a little intimidating. It clearly leads to somewhere important—the administrative office.

  “Let’s go inside,” Arthur says, calm and confident.

  -Knock! Knock!

  “Excuse us!” he says as he turns the knob and pushes the door open.

  The room is just like the rest of Sylvestria—a perfect mix of tradition and modern design. Wooden walls give it a cozy, classic feel, while shelves filled with scrolls, documents, and magical items add a sense of mystery and elegance.

  Sunlight shines through the tall windows, casting a warm golden light across the room. Magic hums softly in the background—faint, but clearly there.

  A large wooden desk sits in the center, polished and glowing in the sunlight. Several workers sit behind it, their faces calm and professional.

  One of them looks up and smiles. “How can we help you?”

  “Dominic—”

  “I would—”

  Arthur and I speak at the same time. We both pause. Arthur blinks, then gestures kindly for me to go first.

  “Sorry about that, Doms. You go ahead,” he says with a smile.

  I nod and step forward, trying to collect my thoughts. “I would like to get a temporary I.D. I forgot mine today.”

  The worker nods and stands. “No problem. Can you give me your hand?”

  “Uh… sure?”

  I offer my hand, unsure of what’s about to happen.

  The worker closes their eyes. Right away, my hand begins to glow softly. The warmth is gentle, not painful—just surprising.

  What the…

  The light grows brighter and begins to swirl, like magic shaping something from thin air. Slowly, it starts to fold in on itself, forming something solid.

  Right before my eyes, the light turns into a clean, glowing I.D. card, floating in the air. The worker grabs it smoothly and hands it to me.

  “Here you go. Don’t forget it next time,” they say. Their voice is kind but carries a light scolding tone.

  I take the card, still amazed by what I just saw. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” the worker says before going back to work.

  “Arthur Lyon.”

  A new voice—deep and firm—breaks the moment. Arthur and I turn to see an older man in a sharp suit standing at the door. He gives off a strong, commanding presence, with eyes that show both wisdom and authority.

  “Good morning, Principal Cloud,” Arthur says, giving a small bow.

  The principal nods. “Good morning to you as well.”

  He looks at me, and I feel the weight of his stare. “Good morning to you,” he adds, his tone polite but distant.

  Surprised, I stand a bit straighter. “Good morning, Principal Cloud.”

  He gives a small nod, then turns back to Arthur. “Arthur, I need a private word with you in my office.”

  I’m curious, but I know it’s not my place to ask. Whatever they’re talking about doesn’t concern me.

  “Yes, Principal Cloud,” Arthur replies right away.

  Before leaving, Arthur looks at me with a hint of guilt. “Doms, I’m sorry. Will you be okay waiting outside for a while?”

  I nod. “Sure. Take your time.”

  He smiles, thankful, and follows the principal through another set of large doors. Once they’re gone, I quietly shut the office door and walk into the hallway.

  “Haa…”

  I let out a slow breath and lean against a cool wall. The stone feels cold against my back as I pause to think.

  This morning has been a lot—getting used to a new place, hearing whispers behind my back, and witnessing real magic for the first time. The pressure of stepping into Dominic’s life and trying to fit in weighs on me.

  Still, there’s something else—a small spark. Maybe hope? Arthur’s kindness and the small wins so far today help me keep going.

  “Well, if it isn’t the Manaless boy.”

  The voice hits like a slap—full of contempt. I turn toward it.

  A guy stands a few feet away, radiating smugness. His messy brown hair, cocky grin, and puffed-up posture scream trouble.

  Who the hell is this?

  My thoughts race as I take him in. Is this Dominic’s main bully? His expression and mocking tone make it pretty clear.

  The way he talks and looks down on me lights a fire inside. I wasn’t new to bullies in my old life. Growing up poor, I’d heard every insult, felt every jab. Those old memories stir just beneath the surface, ready to rise.

  Before I can say anything, a red holographic screen suddenly flashes in front of me, making me flinch.

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