A bright screen flickered in front of my eyes.
I stared at the dim glow of my monitor, slouching back on my armchair and let out a long sigh.
The rest of my room was swallowed by darkness, quiet, heavy, almost blinding in its own way.
Then.
Knock knock knock.
"Rex?" A woman's voice called from outside.
"Yes?!" I shouted back, rubbing my eyes.
"Come here. We need to talk."
"… Alright?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose and stood, dragging myself to the door. When I opened it, a woman stood there, she was beautiful. Green eyes. Long, flowing brown hair.
"Sup?" I muttered.
"We need to talk," she said, already turning away and heading downstairs.
I followed her into the living room. She sat on the couch. And of course. I sat too. Without a word, she reached beside her, pulled out a piece of paper, and placed it on the table between us.
"Look at it."
"Sure…"
I picked it up. Boom! A dorm assignment.
"…Wow. Yay? I got a dorm now." I said flatly.
She nodded, then took my hand, and looked at me seriously.
"Now," she said, "start packing."
"Wait— what?"
"Now."
"…Tch."
I stood up with another sigh and turned toward my room.
Guess I was packing, and down here too.
***
Inside the car, I stared out the window.
And Some guy was happily buying ice cream from an ice cream truck.
Ice cream.
In the middle of my life falling apart.
"…Wow," I muttered. "Good for him."
She glanced at me, then spoke casually, like she hadn't just made me pack in without a notice, or whatever this was.
"Just play with your phone," she said. "We're still far."
I sighed and leaned back.
Yeah. Sure.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and started scrolling mindlessly, letting myself cure my boredom.
Then a LIVE notification popped up.
Curious, I tapped it.
A girl with glowing magic circles in her hand stood on-screen, breathing heavily as she chanted something I couldn't understand. Sparks danced around her fingers, and after a final word—
A massive fireball bloomed in her palm.
"…No way," I muttered flatly.
She pointed it toward a huge monster roaring in the background and fired.
The explosion shook the chat.
The monster screeched.
And then—
Her clothes caught on fire and tore apart like they were made of cheap paper.
The chat exploded More.
The stream froze.
And the live ended…
I stared at my phone in silence.
Slowly, I locked the screen.
"Wow… cool," I muttered.
"Her clothes got torn apart. Kinda lucky, I guess?"
If you're wondering why someone was casually throwing fireballs on a livestream— Seven years ago, people suddenly awakened magic and mana.
Just like that…
Now humans could summon fire, ice, lightning, or whatever their imagination, and stupidly… allowed. Monsters followed soon after, cities adapted, and somehow every school on Earth decided to rebrand itself as a magic academy.
Because of course they just can…
I let out a tired sigh and leaned back in my seat.
"This is probably why I don't even have a job," I said quietly.
"I don't even know if I'm going to college… or if there's a college that'll actually accept me."
No magic.
I actually do have one talent… and it's cooking.
And apparently, no future.
Yeah.
Life was going great.
I lowered my phone and looked out the car window.
Trees.
A lot of trees.
Way too many trees.
"…Mom," I called out slowly.
"Isn't a dorm supposed to be in the city?" I asked. "And why a dorm anyway? Why not an apartment…?"
She let out a small laugh, like I'd just said something adorable instead of deeply concerning.
Without answering, she reached beside her and pulled out another sheet of paper.
"Take a look at this," she said.
I took it from her and glanced down.
And immediately, I had a bad feeling about this.
────────────────────────
「To Rex Knox, (just skip this application I made since I need a 1k words)
We regret to inform you—
That you are no longer eligible for a normal life.
After a comprehensive evaluation of your latent potential, genetic markers, and psychological profile, the [Vahard Magical School] has determined that you meet the minimum qualifications required for enrollment.
This decision is final.
As of this letter's delivery, you have been officially accepted into Vahard Magical School, the world's foremost institution for magical education, research, and controlled anomaly containment.
You have been assigned: Dormitory: On campus (details enclosed)
Status: Special Admission
Magical Affinity: Undisclosed (pending awakening)
Please be advised: Attendance is mandatory.
Failure to enroll may result in consequences beyond the jurisdiction of mundane authorities.
Vahard Magical School assumes no responsibility for:
Anything you do… if you die we don't care, actually we do but just Don't die.
Classes begin soon.
Do not be late.
Do not ask questions.
Welcome to Vahard.
—Arcane Admissions Office
[Vahard Magical School.]
────────────────────────
"Harva—no, wait… VAHARD?" I squinted at the paper.
"What the hell is this? I don't even have magic. Or mana!"
She let out a small sigh, way too calm for this situation.
"Somehow," she said, "it was the only school that accepted you."
"What?!" I stood up and hit my head on the car ceiling. "ouch!! What?! I didn't even apply for this!"
She scratched the back of her head, smiling like this was a harmless prank.
"Tehe~ I may have… sent an application for you." She winked. "…And somehow," she added, "it got accepted."
"OHHH MY GOD!!!!!"
"Mom… you do realize VAHARD is one of the most popular—and supposedly best—magic colleges, right…?" I sighed, sinking deeper into my seat.
"Oh, don't worry about that," she said cheerfully. "Isn't this exciting? A brand-new experience!"
"Ah… hahaha…" I laughed weakly.
"Yeah. Sure."
I gave up thinking altogether, slumped against the seat, and let sleep take me.
Yea… fuck this shit I'm just gonna sleep.
***
"Honk honk!"
"REX!!! WAKE UP!!! WE'RE HERE!!!" she shouted.
I jolted awake, blinking as my vision struggled to focus. Everything was blurry for a moment.
Then I looked out the window.
A massive iron gate stood before us.
Above it, carved in bold letters, was a sign that's called. [VAHARD MAGICAL SCHOOL]
"Haha… well," she said, pulling the car to a stop. "We're here."
Then she looked at me.
"Now go."
"…That's it?" I stared at her. "No 'good luck'? No 'bye'? Nothing?"
She cleared her throat, suddenly clasping her hands together and smiling way too cutely.
"Tehe~ sowry, my lovely Rex. Bye bye, and good luck!"
I sighed, already exhausted, and stepped out of the car, dragging my luggage behind me.
The engine revved.
And then—
"I'LL MISS YOUR COOKING, REX!!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.
The car sped off.
Silence followed.
Every student nearby slowly turned to look at me.
I glared back at them.
"What are you looking at?!"
They immediately looked away.
…Good. First day, and I had already established dominance.
I swear… stress is gonna be a death of me.