Chapter— A Normal Life That Felt Unfamiliar
Morning — The First Step
The morning air felt different.
Not colder.
Not warmer.
Just… unfamiliar.
Luke stood before the massive iron gates of the university, his bag resting lightly on one shoulder. Above the gate, engraved letters reflected the sunlight.
Aokiyama University
Students streamed past him from all directions. Some laughed loudly, others spoke in hushed excitement. Shoes clicked against stone paths, voices overlapping into a constant hum of anticipation.
Luke didn't move.
For a moment, he simply watched.
So this is it, he thought.
College.
No uniforms like school.
No fixed seating.
No teachers who already knew his name.
A place where no one cared who you were yesterday.
He stepped forward.
---
Inside the Campus
The campus was wide—almost overwhelming.
Tall buildings rose on both sides, their glass windows catching the morning light. Trees lined the walkways, leaves rustling gently as students passed beneath them. Notice boards overflowed with posters: clubs, events, warnings, schedules.
Luke slowed his pace.
Too many people…
His senses, sharpened by aura, picked up subtle things others ignored—tiny fluctuations, emotional waves, nervous excitement, quiet confidence.
And above every student—
Panels.
Only he could see them.
Transparent, faintly glowing.
Aura Ranks.
Luke's eyes moved instinctively, scanning without meaning to.
Then he saw his own reflection in a nearby window.
Above his head:
Aura Rank: Average 1 star.
Lowest classification.
Luke looked away.
No change, he told himself.
Good.
If the world saw him as weak, it meant his disguise still worked.
---
The Classroom
The classroom door slid open automatically as Luke entered.
Noise.
Conversations burst from every corner. Chairs scraped. Bags landed on desks. Groups formed instantly—people laughing as if they'd known each other for years.
Luke chose a seat near the middle. Not front. Not back.
Balanced.
He sat down and placed his bag carefully on the desk.
Around him, students talked about their schools, cities, ambitions.
They're all starting new lives, Luke thought.
Just like me.
Then—
The room fell silent.
Footsteps.
A woman entered.
She wore a simple blazer, her hair neatly tied. Her presence alone commanded attention—not through force, but confidence.
She placed her bag on the desk and faced the class.
"Good morning."
Her voice was calm, steady.
"I'm Professor Amaya Soren. Your Class Teacher."
She scanned the room slowly.
"This is your first day here. Many of you are nervous. Many excited."
A pause.
"And many pretending not to be either."
A few students chuckled quietly.
"This university does not reward talent alone," she continued.
"It rewards discipline, awareness, and responsibility."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You are adults now. Your actions—inside and outside this campus—carry consequences."
Luke listened closely.
She's serious.
"Now," Professor Soren said, "introductions."
A ripple of unease spread.
"One by one. Front of the class."
---
Introductions
Students went up in order.
Some spoke confidently, proudly stating their departments and goals.
Others stumbled, voices shaking.
Luke watched.
And every time someone spoke—
He saw their panel.
Some glowed brightly.
he thought.
Then—
"Next."
Luke stood.
His steps felt heavier as he walked forward.
He faced the class.
"My name is Luke Hanazawa," he said.
"Humanity and Social Science."
He paused.
"I look forward to learning here."
That was all.
No ambition.
No backstory.
Silence.
Then the teacher nodded. "Thank you."
Luke returned to his seat.
Perfect, he thought. Forgettable.
---
The First Lecture Ends
Professor Soren explained the curriculum.
Credits.
Assessments.
Rules.
Luke noted everything carefully.
This was easy.
Normal.
When the break was announced—
The classroom exploded with noise.
---
Break Time — Alone
Groups formed instantly.
"Where are you from?"
"Which dorm?"
"Did you understand that part?"
Luke remained seated.
He looked around.
No familiar faces.
At school, Marin would've already pulled him into a conversation.
Uno would've joked.
Chika would've complained.
Liod would've been analyzing everything seriously.
Here—
Nothing.
Luke stood and left quietly.
---
Walking the Campus Alone
The campus looked different when you walked alone.
The noise faded into background hum.
Luke passed students sitting on benches, laughing. Others studied already, notebooks open.
I chose this, he reminded himself.
Normal life meant distance.
He sat briefly beneath a tree.
A gentle voice echoed beside him.
"You're thinking too much."
Auru said.
Luke smiled faintly. "Am I that obvious?"
"To me," she replied.
He exhaled. "It's just… different."
She hovered closer. "Different isn't bad."
"I know."
But knowing didn't stop the feeling.
---
Home — Evening
Luke returned home as the sun dipped low.
The door opened.
Shuri stood there.
Her shoes lay carelessly near the entrance. Her bag rested against the wall. Her expression—conflicted.
"Back already?" Luke asked.
"Yeah."
He tilted his head. "First day didn't go well?"
Shuri hesitated. "It went… too well."
Luke frowned. "What does that mean?"
She crossed her arms. "Guess."
Luke's eyes widened slightly. "Don't tell me…"
"Liod."
Luke froze.
"…No way."
She sighed. "Same university."
Luke stared.
"Same department."
"…wait?"
She looked away. "Same class."
Silence.
"…Same seat row," she added quietly.
Luke exhaled. "That's—"
"Annoying," she snapped.
Then softer, "…Confusing."
Luke smiled. "At least you're not alone."
Shuri muttered, "That's what worries me."
Then whisper,"Why him only?
Why no one else?"
How will now I focus on my studies."
---
Aurafiest Base — Evening
The base felt alive.
Everyone talked over each other.
They exchange about there first day in their University.
Uno joked about getting lost.
Chika complained about classroom rules.
Liod discussed professors seriously.
Luke listened, smiling quietly.
This felt familiar.
Safe.
After some time, they parted ways.
At home ,in his balcony,
Luke stood beneath the night sky.
Lights shimmered below.
"So," Auru said softly, "college student now."
Luke nodded. "Feels strange."
"You're adapting."
He looked at his hands. "I hope that's enough."
Luke's Routine began.
College by day.
Auramaster by night.
Sometimes he left class early using illusions.
Sometimes he returned just in time.
He saved people who never knew his name.
In class—
He remained Average.
Students talked to him.
Borrowed notes.
Asked questions.
But never stayed.
No deep connections.
Normal life, he thought.
But world have changed.
And he didn't know—
This fragile balance
was already beginning to crack.
---
End of Chapter.