I'm Theo Lancaster. Ever since I entered the academy, I've sworn to be the best among the best.
But then this slave boy named Nao joined my class, and the moment I felt his mana — stronger than mine — I couldn't help but want to surpass him. But the data showed Nao was "Unawakened".
When I found that out, I was confused. How the hell did he fake his mana like that?
From that point on, I started digging. How did he fake his mana? What was his real motive?
I went to the place where Nao was tested — that flat triangle-shaped stone.
I touched its surface and it registered me as Awakened. So how did he pull it off?
I tried a bunch of methods for five days straight… until finally, after about a hundred tries, I found a tiny possibility.
I released a super thin layer of water magic on my palm, barely visible to the eye.
Damn. The result? Unawakened.
I smiled. Finally figured out this crazy puzzle that nearly made me give up. So that's how he tricked the stone — using a technique like that.
Let me explain: the way the stone detects mana is by absorbing it directly from within us. Since our skin doesn't naturally have a source of mana, Nao must've layered magic on top of it. That way, the stone wouldn't be able to detect the magic, since magic is made of mana — and it confused the stone into giving a false reading.
Next, I wanted to understand Nao's real reason for hiding his power. Is he some kind of villain? A spy?
But the more I observed him, the more it didn't make sense. He didn't act like a bad guy at all. If anything, he just looked like he didn't want to stand out.
But why?
It took me a while, but I eventually came to the conclusion that… he just didn't want to make life harder for himself.
Honestly, that conclusion surprised even me — after all that thinking. But one thing's for sure: weird people tend to have weird ways of thinking.
After working with him during the Class War, I can say for sure — this guy's already on a whole different level. He's surpassed us all in every way: physical strength, speed, endurance, magic, intelligence, and knowledge. But even now, I still don't know his full potential.
Knowing he's a tier above me just makes me even more determined to surpass him — so that one day, I'll be strong enough to beat villains on his level.
As I was walking, lost in thought, an old man suddenly called out, "Theo, how've you been?"
I looked up and saw an elderly man — gray-haired, slightly hunched, but still walking without a cane.
I froze."Grandpa Talia?"
"Yes," he said.
I've known this old guy since I was a kid — we're from the same village. I used to hang out with this girl named Talia too. But… where is she now?
"Where's Talia, Grandpa?"
"She's out delivering something," he replied.
Ah, it's been a while since I last saw her.
"Come help me with this sack," Grandpa Talia said, walking toward a sack by the shop.
I remember he runs a small restaurant. Can't believe I didn't notice it sooner. And it's been forever since I last saw Talia, even though we're in the same academy.
I went over and helped him lift the sack. It was pretty heavy for a man his age.
After dropping it off in the storage area, I stepped outside — just in time to hear a girl cry out, "Ah!" She had bumped into a black-haired guy.
Nao?
The girl apologized, and Nao forgave her. I immediately recognized the girl and ran toward her.
"Talia!" I called out.
She looked exactly the same as she did before. Did she even grow?
Her face turned red. Was she sick?
Without thinking, I touched her forehead — it was a habit I had with her. "Are you running a fever?"
"I'm fine," she said.
She'd gotten prettier since we last met. Then I noticed Nao looking annoyed, turning his back on us.
That reminded me of the mission Sir Arsene gave me. He said we needed three people. I figured I'd ask Nao to come along.
I tried to convince him, but as expected, he refused. He just walked off. I guess I'll find someone else.
"Um, excuse me," Talia said. "Can I come?"
She's a second-year, so it should be fine. She's got experience.
"Sure," I smiled, making her face flush with a smile in return.
"But we still need one more person," I said, trying to think of someone suitable.
This mission might be dangerous — it's outside the academy — so we need someone strong and experienced.
"Theo," Talia said shyly, "for this kind of mission, we need a healer, an attacker, and a defender."
I paused, then smiled. She's right. Talia's always been smart — even as a kid, she understood things quickly. I couldn't deny her sharpness.
She blushed harder and avoided eye contact after seeing my smile.
"Sorry, I was just remembering when we were kids," I said. She was always like this — easily embarrassed in front of people. That's just how she is.
"I'm the attacker. What about you?" I asked.
She hesitated before answering, "I specialize in Hao and Lux magic… and I'm better at healing than attacking."
I was shocked. Lux magic is super rare for normal people to have. I knew she was good at Hao magic since she was a kid — but she's clearly grown.
I replied, "If you're a healer, then we need to find a defender."
I fell silent again. Then she said shyly, "I have a friend who's good at being a tank."
I smiled. That's Talia — always hesitant, but now she's starting to believe in herself.
"Alright, let's go find your friend," I said. Just then, Grandpa Talia walked up.
"Talia, are you done with your chores?" he asked.
"Yeah, and I'm going out with Theo tomorrow," she replied.
"Go on then. Theo, take care of Talia like she's your wife," he said as he walked off.
I froze. So did Talia — both of us red-faced and looking down.
"Uh… Talia… let's go," I stammered.
"Y-yeah…" she replied.
So we headed off to find her friend — the air still awkward from what Grandpa said.
---
Meanwhile, after Nao left them…
"Am I standing out too much?" he thought. "I should figure out a way to hide my mana… next time."