In most Japanese junior high schools, dismissal time came early.
After that, students were free to join clubs, head to cram school, or go straight home.
Neither Lock nor Kyoka Jiro was in any clubs, so the two usually walked home together.
As they stepped out of the classroom, Lock looked up. The warm glow of sunset filled the sky — streaks of orange and red stretching like spilled paint.
They walked side by side down the quiet street, neither speaking. Their shadows stretched long and close together, almost like lovers' silhouettes.
After a few steps, Kyoka noticed she was lagging bnd quickened her pace. Lock slowed down to match her.
"Lock, you've gotten so tall now," Kyoka said, standing on tiptoe and holding her hand up to compare.
As kids, she had always been the taller one. But now, barely into junior high, that difference had completely reversed.
"Height's genetic," Lock said with a light smile. "Boys usually shoot up during adolescence."
Ever since being reincarnated into this world, life had been neither good nor bad. Peaceful, maybe even comfortable.
At first, he'd been anxious — afraid someone might notice the difference in him. But after a year, even Kyoka, his childhood friend, hadn't seen through him.
Not even she realized it.
"Didn't you already decide on your future?" Lock asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
He'd noticed the faint worry on her face from the moment they left school.
"I want to become a Hero," Kyoka said quietly. "And take over my parents' Hero agency."
She stopped walking. A gust of wind swept by, ruffling her skirt and scattering her hair.
"But, Lock… aren't you Quirkless?" she asked softly, pressing her skirt down.
"Actually, Kyoka… could you do me a favor first?" he said, changing the subject.
Magic… mage…
He was confident in the power the system would soon give him — but it hadn't awakened yet. When it did, he'd tell her everything.
He wasn't Quirkless.
He could be a Hero.
"What is it?" Kyoka asked, puzzled.
"I want to borrow some money."
"Eh?"
She blinked. Boys their age rarely borrowed money, especially from girls. But she knew his situation — living alone couldn't be easy.
"How much do you need?" she asked, pulling out her wallet.
"Just a hundred yen," Lock said.
"Only that much?"
Lock pointed toward a convenience store across the plaza. "Forgot my wallet this morning. I just want a drink."
Kyoka puffed her cheeks, her irritation rising.
She'd thought it was something serious!
"Lend me another hundred," Lock added.
"What for?"
"A drink for you, too."
Kyoka stared at him silently.
He just smiled — bright and teasing.
She wanted to punch him.
But she took a deep breath. A lady shouldn't lose her temper.
Wait… did he just use her money to buy her a drink?
And if Lock's math teacher was the PE teacher, didn't that mean hers was too…?
"I'll buy it," Kyoka sighed. "Wait here."
"Okay. Coke for me," Lock said, watching her walk away.
Even after two lives, being a junior high student again still felt surreal.
"Be a Hero, inherit the agency…" That was this body's old dream, not his.
But in this world full of Heroes — how could he not want to stand among them, too?
…
Just as his thoughts drifted off, a deafening boom! Echoed above the open-air mall.
A massive decorative display had come loose — falling straight toward Kyoka.
"Kyoka!!!"
Lock's body moved on instinct. The roar in his throat startled her into looking up — just in time to see the enormous shadow closing in.
Her Quirk wasn't suited for physical movement. There was no way she could dodge in time.
And Lock, still "Quirkless," had no power he could use to save her.
Powerless.
That feeling — raw, crushing — hit harder than ever before.
For the first time since reincarnating, Lock desperately wished for strength.
Strength enough to save her.
"Please… let me catch up! Let me save her!"
As he sprinted forward, a strange surge of energy rushed through his body — something ancient and alive.
It responded to his cry, bursting free from the depths of his soul.
[Ding!]
[Strong emotional state detected. The Strongest Mage System has awakened!]
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