"What a day it has been. Class is starting tomorrow." Ray stretched on the bed, letting out a loud yawn.
"Yeah, I can't wait for it." Melin adjusted his blanket, eyes bright with anticipation. "What about you, End-ssi?" he asked, turning toward the corner of the room where End had already laid down.
"You guys should shut up." End's muffled voice came from the pillow. He wasn't in the mood for small talk, not when he was about to get a good night sleep.
---
The Next Morning
The rising sun bathed the academy in a soft golden hue. Students filled the hallways, their chatter echoing as they prepared for the first semester of the year.
End moved quickly, arranging his few belongings with practiced efficiency. Melin and Ray scrambled around after him, far less organized but just as eager.
"Hey, End, you know your way around here, right? Can you give us a tour?" Ray asked, bouncing toward him with too much energy for so early in the morning.
"No. I'm busy." End's reply was short, his expression flat.
The truth was harsher than his words. I don't even have all the memories of this body. I wasn't given a system, no cheat, nothing that makes this whole reincarnation worthwhile. His jaw tightened. It'll be better if I avoid drawing attention. The fewer problems, the better.
Still, curiosity itched at him. He brought up his status window quietly, making sure neither Ray nor Melin noticed.
---
Status Window
Name: End
Abilities: Swordsmanship (trained), Sword Oracle Pendant, Blood Manipulation
---
His eyes lingered on the simple list, frustration creeping in.
"What the hell is this? If someone reincarnates, don't they usually get a cheat system? Some overpowered skill, maybe even knowledge of the world they're in? What am I supposed to do with just this?"
The pendant dangled faintly under his shirt, glowing with a hidden pulse of wind magic. That was the only real boon he had.
At least my swordsmanship is already at the peak, he consoled himself. The pendant lets me use wind magic, and… blood manipulation. But that's too risky to reveal. If anyone found out, I'd be branded a monster before I even had a chance to settle here.
He sighed softly, his expression betraying none of his inner turmoil.
---
"I need to locate the classroom for magic since I think I'm the only one going for it," Melin said, fiddling with a stack of papers nervously.
"Don't worry, End will help us, right?" Ray's cheerful voice cut through the tension.
End exhaled through his nose, clearly irritated. "Go to the second floor. You'll see the magic classroom there."
"See? He does care." Ray grinned, nudging Melin.
Melin just smiled sheepishly.
Ray, however, wasn't finished. "Hey, End, how strong are you really?" His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Me?" End replied without hesitation. "I'm weaker than a weakling." His tone was flat, almost dismissive, but it was the truth in a way. Without his pendant, without the swordsmanship inherited from the previous Sword Oracle, he would've been utterly useless.
Ray didn't buy it. That's a lie. Yesterday, I clearly saw it the aura around him. It was intense, sharp, overwhelming even. Why is he hiding it? Does he not want to stand out? Or is there something bigger he's afraid of?
The thought gnawed at him, but for now, he kept his suspicions quiet.
---
"Hey, Melin, why don't we try making friends with End?" Ray whispered. "He looks lonely."
"Oh… okay." Melin nodded, though he was already lost in the pages of his book.
Suddenly, Ray slapped him on the back with too much force, causing the book to slip from Melin's hands. It rolled across the floor toward End.
End bent down, picked it up silently, and handed it back. Just as he straightened...
---
A heavy boot slammed down on his hand.
End froze.
"Well, well, what's this? Why is trash like you sitting here so casually?" The voice was familiar mocking, arrogant. It was the same boy who had slapped him during the opening ceremony. Jeffrey.
"Hey! What are you doing? Remove your leg from his hand!" Ray snapped, fists clenched.
"Huh? Why are you interfering?" Jeffrey sneered, pressing down harder.
Melin's eyes widened. "Why are you doing this?"
Jeffrey chuckled, raising his voice so the crowd could hear. "Oh, you don't know? Do you know whose squad I'm part of?" His smirk widened as he puffed out his chest.
He pointed proudly toward the nobles watching nearby. "The squad of [R Country]'s Princess Monica Rosewood, and Lilian, the future Oracle of the country."
The surrounding students gasped. Whispers erupted instantly.
---
"Wait, isn't Monica the student council president?"
"And Lilian… the rumored successor to the sword and magic Oracle from the black lands?"
"No wonder he acts so cocky. He has a good noble backing."
---
"Hey, stop that! Why are you doing this?" Monica's voice rang out from the crowd.
Jeffrey turned slightly, still smirking. "This peasant was the one I told you about the one who disrespected me during the opening ceremony. I couldn't finish him off then, but now I've got him right where I want him."
His words carried venom, but Monica's gaze flickered, thoughtful.
"Well," she said slowly, "this academy doesn't tolerate nonsense fighting. But…" Her lips curved. "…if it happens outside the school's jurisdiction, who can complain?"
The crowd erupted with murmurs, eyes widening.
"So you'd better teach him a good lesson, Jeffrey. Next time, he won't dare disregard us nobles." Monica's tone was cold, her words sharp as blades.
"What do you think, Lilian?" she asked, turning toward the girl beside her.
"Everything you say is right," Lilian replied calmly, her eyes unreadable.
Jeffrey grinned ear to ear. "You heard them. Jeffrey has permission." He cracked his knuckles, leaning forward, towering over End like a predator before its prey.
---
End's hand trembled under the weight of Jeffrey's boot. His patience was wearing thin. I didn't want this. I wanted to stay quiet, unnoticed. But this guy won't let me be. If he thinks I'll just lie here and take it, he's sorely mistaken.
Ray stepped forward, voice rising above the muttering crowd.
"Isn't this unfair? Of course, my stupid blue-haired friend might've disrespected a noble, but to beat him down here in front of everyone? Don't you think us commoners have respect too? Are we really just dirt beneath your shoes?"
His words sparked murmurs. Some commoner students clenched their fists. Others exchanged nervous glances, afraid to speak up against nobility.
Jeffrey, however, just laughed. "Respect? Don't make me laugh. You commoners should be grateful just to be breathing the same air as us."
He leaned down, his shadow falling across End's face.
"Well then, trash, let's see how long you last."