The morning sun streamed through Saber's window, casting a warm glow across his room. He stretched, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "Gosh! Morning already?" He leaped from his bed, flinging open the curtains. "Good morning, Elevate X!"
Still perched on the edge of his mattress, he struck a confident pose. "From today onwards, my life is going to change. I trust my abilities and know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to!" He prepared to step down, only for his foot to become entangled in the blanket.
"I'm a failure," he groaned, tumbling forward. "No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to achieve anything worthwhile, and it feels like I'm just not good enough to succeed. I'm sorry, System, I'm sorry, Sophie." He braced for impact. "Gosh, I've been falling for a long time. This is gonna hurt really bad."
He landed face-first on the floor with a resounding thud.
In the bathroom, Saber rubbed his forehead, revealing a rapidly swelling bump. "What a way to start the day…"
"It looks like you've decided to start your day with a bang," the System commented dryly.
He grabbed his hair gel, applying a generous amount. As he brushed his teeth, the peculiar taste of the foam made him cough and spit. "Burnt Popcorn Zesty Disaster?" he muttered, staring at the tube. "In hair gel?!"
He stepped into the shower, pressing the button. An icy torrent of water cascaded over him, eliciting a high-pitched scream that could be heard throughout the building.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Saber poured cereal into a bowl, accidentally grabbing the orange juice instead of milk. He stared at the concoction, squinting. "Well, that's a new breakfast experiment."
"Cereal with citrus? It looks like your fetish is coming out through your reflexes," the System quipped.
Saber rushed out of his dorm room, only to realize he'd forgotten his Holo-Phone. He dashed back inside, grabbed it, and sprinted out again, only to discover he was still wearing his slippers. "Why does everything have to be so difficult?" he sighed.
Standing before the imposing school entrance, Saber noticed his shoelace was untied. As he bent down to tie it, a gust of wind ripped his backpack open, scattering papers across the ground. "Oh come on! Could this get any worse?"
A passing crow relieved itself on Saber's head. "I take my words back," he said calmly.
"Well, at least your papers got some fresh 'air'," the System remarked.
"I'll send you to factory reset," Saber threatened.
Inside the school's common washbasins, Saber washed his hair. "At least I'm not bleeding and colored this white shirt." With his wet hair hanging in his eyes, he couldn't see. "Wah! I can't see anything!"
"Excuse me? Do you need a hand towel?" a soft voice asked.
"Oh, yes please," Saber replied, reaching for the towel.
His hand brushed against another hand holding the towel, startling the other person. "Ah! I didn't know your hand was still holding the towel? Sorry." He removed the towel, finally able to see. "I didn't mean it, really."
The girl, with striking pink hair, looked relieved. "Forget about me, are you alright?"
"What do you mean?" Saber asked, confused.
"Check your hand."
Saber looked at his hand, finding nothing amiss. "And?"
"I see," she said, her voice filled with relief. "Anyways, please be careful around me."
What just happened? she thought as she walked away. His hand was completely fine. Is it possible that he didn't see me, so he didn't picture anything right away? Yeah, that's possible.
Saber navigated the crowded hallways, his previous life's experience proving surprisingly useful. What? he thought, stepping on a wet spot. Oh no.
He slipped, sliding dramatically down the hallway, coming to a stop just before the faculty room door. "Nailed it… kind of," he gasped, collapsing. "I'm beat!"
"And a new world record of clumsiness was made this day!" the System declared.
Inside the faculty room, Saber tried to appear composed. "Ah, Saber. Just in time," a faculty member said.
He took a step forward, stumbling over the threshold. "Sorry… just… testing gravity. It still works."
"Are you testing the gravity, or is it testing you perhaps?" the System asked.
"I'll kill you," Saber muttered.
"You said something?" the teacher asked.
"Absolutely not," Saber replied.
Outside the classroom, he took a deep breath. "And students, please welcome him with whole hearts. Come in, Saber."
He reached for the door handle and pulled, only to find it was a push door. After a clumsy attempt, he finally pushed the door open, stumbling into the room.
"Doors: 1, Saber: 0," the System announced.
The students giggled, and the teacher struggled to contain her laughter. "Alright… Saber… please… introduce… yourself."
"Hi, I'm…" Saber began, his face turning red. Five minutes later, he managed to stammer, "…Saber."
Well, at least he made an entrance, not the kind we expected though, everyone thought.
"Alright, that's enough," the teacher said. "Go and take your seat, Saber."
WAH! A typical main character desk! Saber thought, sitting down. This isn't me, I never hesitate this much, but that was terrifying. So, my stage fear is still left within me somewhere.
"Hey," a voice said.
"Oh! Hey—"
"So tell me something, did you trip over your own shadow?"
"At least I didn't get lost on my way here," Saber retorted.
"What? How do you know?"
"I saw you this morning; you accidentally entered the Pinnacle section, right?"
The guy avoided eye contact, sweating. "I think we should talk about something else."
"So you're a lost cause, huh?" Saber smirked.
"Fair enough," the guy said, offering a handshake. "I'm Rex, Russo Rex."
"I'm Saber, Ashford Saber."
"WOA! Your name has a certain... aristocratic charm to it, don't you think? It's like you were born to wield a sword and save the day. Or, you know, just trip over your own feet with style."
I see, so he's one of the master extroverts, huh? Saber thought.
"Hey, no talking," the teacher warned.
"Yes, Mam!" Saber and Rex replied in unison, sharing a laugh.
Saber noticed the pink-haired girl, who quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact. He waved, confused by her reaction.
The break bell rang. "Hey, are you hungry?" Rex asked.
"I don't think so?" Saber replied.
"But I totally am, at least accompany me. You can't let me eat alone, can you?"
"Actually, I can," Saber deadpanned.
"What?! Please!"
"Stop crying," Saber said, following Rex to the cafeteria.
"So, Saber, what's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?" Rex asked.
"Why this topic all of a sudden?"
"You know, to kill time."
"Which moment do you mean, today or ever?"
"Today's good enough; we can save the rest for dessert."
"Alright, if I have to pick, it's probably when I tripped over nothing in front of the entire class this morning."
"Classic! You've got a talent for making an entrance, my friend."
"Yeah, I just wish it wasn't always so… dramatic."
In the crowded cafeteria, Rex found an empty table. "So, what's your core power, Saber? Got any tricks up your sleeve?"
"Actually, I'm still figuring it out. It's been pretty unpredictable so far."
"Unpredictable, huh? Well, here's a little secret—I've got fire manipulation. Makes for some impressive party tricks."
"Fire manipulation? That's amazing!"
"Yeah, it's pretty cool. Just don't ask me to light your candles; I might accidentally set the whole place on fire."
"Well, if we're sharing secrets, I guess I should tell you—I've got blue lightning. It's rare, and a bit wild to control."
"Blue lightning? Now that's something! Guess we both have a knack for lighting things up—literally. You're one sneaky Lock-Jaw Mouth, I see."
"Yeah, I just hope I don't end up frying anything accidentally."
"Stick with me, Saber. We'll navigate this chaos together. Who knows, we might just become the most electrifying duo around.
It's like the legendary destruction duo! Fire and thunder! I think we really were meant to meet each other." Rex exclaimed.
"Yupp," Saber agreed, smiling.
Rex, with a mouthful of food, asked, "Want to go to the rooftop after thish?"
"At least do any one first," Saber replied, chuckling.
Saber noticed the pink-haired girl sitting alone on a bench outside.
"What's wrong?" Rex asked, following his gaze. "Oh, her?" He smirked. "Do you have a crush on her?"
"Of course not! I was just wondering why she's sitting outside."
"Oh! It's a bit crowded inside. I'll tell you on the rooftop."
"Fine by me," Saber agreed.
Suddenly, Sophie covered Saber's eyes. "Guess who?"
"Someone I've never met in my entire life," Saber deadpanned.
Sophie pulled his head up, pouting. "Why do you have to be so mean?"
"No way?" Rex exclaimed, surprised.
Saber, confused, saw Sophie gesturing with her finger to her lips.
"Um… you're… alone, Sophie?" Rex stammered.
Sophie shivered. "Yes… what about you guys?"
Rex shivered as well. "We were… just hungry… what about… you… Sophie?"
"I was… just… going to… take… my… lunch," Sophie replied, her voice shaky.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Saber asked, bewildered.
"Nothing!" they both replied in unison.
"By the way, both of you guys have to stop by the Elite-Room today," Sophie said.
Rex, with food still in his mouth, asked, "Sho iz it shtarting from today?"
Sophie leaned her chin on Saber's head. "Yes, the principal can't wait anymore. He said the sooner the better. Honestly, I don't want to go there anymore, he's way too serious."
"You guys need some serious behavior lessons," Saber muttered.
"Oh! And the teams will be divided there as well," Sophie added.
Rex, still chewing, mumbled, "I shee."
"Hey! Don't spit on me!" Saber exclaimed.
On the rooftop, Rex groaned, "Saber! Help me! I'm so full!"
"I can't believe you licked clean that rice bowl," Saber replied, shaking his head.
"Couldn't resist, dude. I had to skip breakfast this morning to catch up in time."
"By the way, from which block dorm do you come from?" Saber asked.
"The C block. And you?"
Saber flinched. How is this possible?
Rex leaned over, seeing Saber's Holo-Phone screen. "What?"
You have to be kidding me, Saber thought, annoyed.
"Whoa! You're from C block too?" Rex exclaimed, tapping Saber's back. "Why don't we start coming together from tomorrow?"
I'm in trouble, Saber thought.
Suddenly, a sense of danger filled the air.
"Watch out!" Rex shouted, pushing Saber aside.
A giant fireball slammed into Rex, who absorbed it with his wrist core-band. The fireball vanished.
"Rex! You can walk?" Saber asked, his voice laced with concern.
"That's a weird way to ask 'are you alright'," Rex retorted.
"What was that?"
"Actually, the better question is WHO was that?"
Three figures stood on the door ceiling, laughing.
"So, these mosquitos are this year's 'Toy-Wielders', aye?" one of them sneered.
"Looks like amateurs," another added.
"Because they are," the third concluded.
As the three figures continued to laugh, Saber spoke to Rex, "Hey Rex?"
"I know what you're thinking," Rex replied, a determined glint in his eyes.