All classes had finally ended, and students began trickling out of the classroom one by one — some in loud groups, others in exhausted silence.
Today's schedule had been nothing but theory — three straight periods of lectures delivered in dry, monotonous voices that made time feel like it was stretching on forever. A true test of patience and mental stamina.
On the bright side, that also meant we were dismissed earlier than usual. A rare blessing from the academy gods.
I leaned back in my seat and exhaled softly.
Then, with no real urgency, I packed my things and slid them back inside the desk. Not like I had much to carry anyway — just a few basic supplies, some notebooks, and a pen I borrowed and never returned.
After double-checking for anything left behind, I stood up and stepped out into the hallway.
The academy corridors buzzed with activity.
Students moved in every direction — heading to the cafeteria, disappearing into the dormitory wings, or rushing toward the combat sector. A few overly enthusiastic types were already making their way to the training hall — swords slung over shoulders, mana gloves equipped, eyes full of ambition.
Probably off to "grind stats" or whatever heroic buzzword they lived by.
As for me?
I decided to head to the cafeteria. My stomach growled in agreement.
By the time I arrived, the place was already bursting with energy.
Lively chatter bounced off the high ceilings. The clinking of trays, dragging of chairs, and the occasional shout across tables layered into a chaotic rhythm. Not overwhelming — just... noisy in that distinct "everyone's talking at once" kind of way.
The cafeteria was massive inside, with rows of tables and various stalls lining one wall, each marked with flashy signs or floating holograms of the day's menu.
It was a little overwhelming — too many options, too many smells.
Some stalls offered food that suspiciously resembled dishes from Earth. Others served things that glowed faintly or shifted color if you stared too long. I played it safe and went with a plate stacked with grilled meat and rice, along with a couple of side dishes that looked edible — and hopefully weren't sentient.
After paying with my academy-issued credit points — yeah, this place had its own isolated currency system for "economic control within academy premises" or whatever bureaucratic nonsense they spouted — I grabbed my tray and turned toward the sea of tables.
I didn't particularly care where I sat.
But as I weaved through the crowd, my mind drifted again — to that vision.
Combat class was only three days away. If you don't count today, which I won't — because denial is a powerful coping mechanism.
The vision only showed fragments. A blur of motion. Heat. Anger.
But one thing was clear: the fight between me and Leon wasn't just coming.
It was inevitable.
Now, whether it turned into a brutal clash like in the vision… or stayed a friendly sparring match, that part was still undecided.
And that choice? That's on me.
Do I follow the original Edward's footsteps — reckless, emotional, clearly unhinged in that memory?
Or do I break from his path and steer things in a new direction?
That's what I can't stop thinking about. Not the fight itself — but him. Edward. The old one.
Because in that vision… even with all of his memories sitting in my head like dust on a shelf… he felt like a stranger.
He wasn't calm. Wasn't clever. He was… raw.
Reckless. Desperate. Angry.
Why?
Was he blaming Leon for William's death?
Was grief eating at him from the inside, and Leon just happened to be the nearest target?
I know that feeling.
When the weight of loss crushes your lungs and turns every smile around you into a slap in the face.
Maybe Edward just needed someone to blame.
Or maybe… it was something more.
Too many doubts. Too many pieces missing from the puzzle. And right now, I didn't even know what the final picture looked like.
So I'll take the easiest path forward.
Find a lead.
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."
Classic quote. Still holds up.
If I'm going to fight Leon, I need to know who he really is.
Not from Edward's memories. From someone else. Someone who might actually give me a clearer perspective.
And luckily… I had just the guy in mind.
Navigating through the crowded cafeteria, I scanned the tables — mostly packed with laughing students slouched over half-eaten meals, gossiping like they weren't training to become the next generation of world-saving prodigies.
But tucked in the far corner, almost like an afterthought, sat one boy. Alone. Plain. Nearly invisible.
He quietly ate, eyes locked on his phone, reading something like it was more interesting than everything happening around him.
I walked over and placed my tray across from him — deliberately loud enough to get his attention.
He flinched like I'd just thrown a rock at his window.
Then looked up, eyes wide with the familiar look of someone who absolutely did not expect to be approached.
His plain black hair hung over his forehead, nearly hiding his nervous brown eyes. He had a forgettable face — the kind that blended into the background, like he was born to be a side character in someone else's story.
Yep. It was him.
The same guy I met on the train… and again during the headmaster's speech.
The info-dumping mob character.
I sat down without a word and casually started eating.
The food was decent. Better than I expected.
He stared at me in silence, unsure whether to keep eating or run for the nearest emergency exit.
Eventually, he picked up his spoon again and tried to act like this was normal.
It wasn't.
We sat like that for a full minute.
Then I spoke.
"So… I see you're alone. Where's that other guy you were with on the train?"
He looked up, startled. "Uh… h-he's with his girlfriend," he said nervously.
"Hm. Okay." I nodded, casually dismissing the guy's entire existence. "Don't you have any other friends?"
He blinked. "Uh, y-yeah… I have some friends."
I tilted my head slightly, narrowing my eyes.
"Hmm. So you don't have any other friends."
He winced. Hit the mark, apparently.
His shoulders slumped as he looked down at his tray — quiet, awkward, almost guilty.
The silence that followed was uncomfortable. But I wasn't in a rush.
Eventually, he whispered, "Umm… d-did you need something from me?"
I glanced up.
"Yeah. I've got a few questions. About someone. And I was hoping you could help me out."
He straightened a little, like a startled rabbit sensing an incoming predator. "W-Well… I'll try."
I leaned in slightly, keeping my voice low.
"Do you know a guy named Leon? From Class A."
His eyes lit up — not with excitement, but recognition.
"Y-Yes! I know him."
Bingo.
I smirked and tapped my fingers on the table.
Info-dumping mob guy: confirmed.
"Okay, tell me about him. Only the useful stuff."
He hesitated. "Huh? C-Can I ask why—?"
"No," I cut him off with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Just answer the question. Don't ask unnecessary things."
"R-Right…" He nodded quickly and swallowed hard.
He cleared his throat like he was about to give a presentation to a room full of bloodthirsty nobles.
"Okay. Leon is one of the top students in the first-year batch. He's pretty well known, even though he comes from a commoner background."
Interesting. So, not a noble.
"The thing is — he's childhood friends with Selene. You know… the Selene. One of the academy's top-tier girls. Really beautiful, super talented."
Ah. Of course he is.
"Because of that, a lot of guys envy him. He's always hanging around her."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Leon's got a friendly nature. Easy-going. Super popular with the girls, too — tall, handsome, well-mannered. One of those 'naturally likable' types."
Yeah, I know the type. Too well.
"But he's hard to approach. He's always surrounded by the same people — Selene, a few others… there's not really a chance to get close unless you're already in that group."
I leaned back slightly.
So far, he's checking every single box for a main character.
Modest beginnings? ✔️
Childhood friend romance bait? ✔️
Ridiculous popularity and likability? ✔️
What's next? Secretly hiding god-tier powers? Mysterious bloodline? A tragic past?
Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised.
But now that I have a few puzzle pieces… it's time to start assembling the picture.
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Author's Note:
Longer chapter this time — let me know if you prefer this format or want quicker updates with shorter scenes!
Also, should I give the info-dump guy a name or just keep calling him that forever? 😅
Comments and feedback welcome as always!