"Make sure to add the photos we took during the mission," Amanda said as we sat in the cafeteria late at night when nobody else was around.
"In the first place, did we even take any photos? As far as I remember, we didn't capture any proof to show we were actually there," Sammy said, shaking his head.
"Dammit… What are we supposed to do?" Talis exclaimed, slamming her fist onto the table.
I suddenly burst into laughter. "Haaa… haaaaah!" Everyone stared at me in confusion.
Still wheezing, I continued, "Don't worry about the photographs. I have all of them. I was the one taking the photos."
"How did you even capture them? All modern equipment runs on mana," Talia asked.
"Oh, for that I went into my workshop and did some work. The money was provided by Sammy," I said, grinning like an idiot.
"So you made a photo camera?" Talia asked.
"No, I didn't make a camera. I built a lithium-iron battery instead. And let's just say Sammy's house blew up quite a few times during the process," I said proudly.
Everyone stood silently, listening to me admit that I had literally blown up Sammy's house multiple times. Amanda finally had enough and spoke sternly:
"Enough. We've just completed a mission that most people don't even get permission for in a year. Now rest—we have to attend the academy tomorrow."
With that, we wrapped up the meeting, completed our mission report, and left the room.
---
"Oi, wake up or else I'll kick you in the ass," I said, stamping my foot on Sammy's back.
"Aaahh! Who… Rudra, why?" Sammy looked at me, clearly annoyed that I had interrupted his dream.
"Get up. We have to get to school early to cover everything we missed during the mission," I said. Sammy quickly put on his uniform, and we headed out.
On the way, we saw Amanda and Talia walking together toward the academy, so we joined them.
"Good morning, both of you," I greeted.
"Good morning," they replied.
"So how much have we missed during the mission?" Sammy asked.
"We've missed quite a few lectures. We really need to start studying or else we'll fail the upcoming exams," Amanda warned.
When we reached the academy, seeing it in broad daylight after a week felt amazing—it was like coming home.
As soon as we entered, the group (except me) was swarmed by students asking where they had been all week. They gave vague answers to protect the mission's secrecy.
Meanwhile, nobody even glanced at me. It was a little sad, but I reminded myself that I would eventually inherit the powers of a god. The thought of their future reactions filled me with excitement, especially since even Amanda and the group didn't know my secret.
Just then, the classroom door opened, and silence fell instantly. I expected an ordinary teacher with notes, but when she stepped in, the world seemed to tilt.
She walked calmly to the teacher's desk, her brown hair catching the light like polished chestnut. Then her eyes—deep crimson, sharp, and mesmerizing—swept across the room. For a moment, I thought she was looking directly at me, and my chest tightened.
It wasn't just beauty. Her presence made you forget where you were. Every student froze, mouths slightly open, as if struck by a spell.
"Bro… are her eyes actually red?" whispered one student nervously.
"Forget red, they're hypnotic," another added, clutching her pen like it was the only anchor keeping her sane.
Her gaze carried both warmth and danger, like fire wrapped in velvet. The faint smile on her lips only deepened the mystery.
Someone whispered from the back, "If she teaches math, I'll never skip a class again."
The room erupted in nervous chuckles, but no one dared speak too loudly. She hadn't said a word yet, and already the entire class was hers.
I gripped my notebook tightly, my thoughts racing. Brown hair, red eyes… she didn't look like she belonged to this world. And yet, here she was.
This wasn't just the start of a lecture—it was the beginning of something far greater.
Her crimson eyes lingered on us, and the silence grew heavy. I could hear the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the scratch of a shoe against the floor, but no one spoke.
Then she placed her hands lightly on the desk and said, "Good morning, everyone."
Her voice was smooth, clear, and carried calm authority. It wasn't loud, but every syllable commanded attention.
"Even her voice sounds unreal…" whispered a student.
"I swear, I could listen to her all day," another added softly.
Her tone balanced warmth with quiet strength, making it impossible to look away. She wasn't just beautiful—she was captivating.
"My name is Ms. Kaori. I'll be teaching you this semester, as your previous teacher has gone on an important mission. I expect focus, discipline… and curiosity."
Her words weren't threatening, but they made my pulse quicken. Focus, discipline, curiosity—no one would dare lack them under her watch.
I scribbled her name in my notebook almost unconsciously. Kaori… brown hair, red eyes, a voice that could silence storms.
"Now, today we are going to learn how to control mana properly so that you don't injure anyone. Remember, no one masters it in a single class. Take your time and get your basics clear," Kaori said.
She continued, "Now, everyone please go to the training ground so we can practice controlling mana safely."
We followed her to the training hall.
---
The hall was quiet. Everyone sat in neat rows, waiting for Miss Kaori to begin. I closed my eyes, trying to stay calm. Unlike the others, I had no mana inside me. All I could do was listen.
"Mana is not something you force," Miss Kaori said gently but firmly. "It is like a stream of water. Push too hard, and it spills everywhere. Ignore it, and it dries up. You must guide it carefully."
The students breathed deeply, focusing. I imagined what they felt—the warmth spreading through their arms, the tingling in their fingertips.
"To protect yourself," she continued, "spread the mana across your whole body. Think of it like sunlight covering you from head to toe. It should feel even, balanced, like a shield."
I pictured light wrapping around me, steady and calm. I couldn't feel it, but the image kept me focused.
"But when you need to attack, you do the opposite. Gather the mana into one place—your fist, your blade, or even your voice. Pull all the energy there until it feels heavy and strong."
Gasps filled the room as students concentrated, their hands glowing faintly. I imagined my own fist glowing, though it remained ordinary. Sweat formed on my forehead—not from mana, but from the effort of pretending.
"Spread to protect. Concentrate to strike. Mana is not just power—it is your intent made real. Respect it, and it will never betray you," Miss Kaori said.
The students looked amazed, staring at their glowing hands. I sat quietly, calm and steady. I had no mana, but I had her words. And maybe, that was enough for now.
---
"Before you go, there's one more thing," Miss Kaori announced. "Next week, there will be a ball. Your parents, top politicians, and even the king and queen of the mainland will attend. The ball will take place in the academy's ballroom, located two days from here."
Excitement filled the room as students began discussing what to wear. I, however, stood frozen, worrying about how I would afford clothes for the ball. I had just applied for a part-time job on campus after classes.
Amanda noticed my silence and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I replied weakly, sweating nervously.
"Are you worried about something?" she pressed.
"No, just thinking about how I'll pay for clothes for the prom," I admitted.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of it," Sammy said with a smile.
"You don't have to. Besides, how long am I going to mooch off you?" I tried to refuse.
But before I could escape, Amanda and Sammy grabbed me and dragged me toward the shop. I screamed like a child while the entire class laughed at my antics. Embarrassed, I finally accepted my fate.