Ace POV
The moment Ren Elsie Jewelria walked into the classroom and introduced himself with that overly perfect smile, all I could do was pinch the bridge of my nose.
I could hear some of the girls whispering while the boys made faces that practically screamed, "Why is this handsome bastard here?"
I felt a pat on my shoulder from behind, so I turned around and saw Masachika.
"Do you feel like our class is getting way too many transfer students?" he asked.
"Yeah. There's definitely a protagonist in our class," I replied before turning back to the front.
"And if there really is a protagonist in this class," Masachika whispered again, "it's definitely you, Ace. I mean, come on... a student who's secretly part of an organization protecting Earth."
I snorted without looking at him. "Don't be ridiculous. You fit that role more, Masachika. A lazy student who actually has hidden abilities and is surrounded by popular girls? You're basically a light novel protagonist."
Yeah... I guess our class really does have too many protagonists
"EEEEHHHHHHH?!!!"
The entire class screamed. The male students stood up from their seats with shocked expressions while the girls covered their mouths in disbelief.
What happened?! I just zoned out for a second and suddenly everyone's screaming.
I turned toward where everyone was looking.
Ah, right. This Ren guy was obviously going to cause trouble.
"G-Groom?!" I heard one of the students shout.
Ren turned toward him. "Are you Akashi Ace?"
"N-No, if you're looking for Akashi, it's him." He pointed at me.
Hey. Pointing directly at people is rude.
I watched Ren walk toward me.
"You're Akashi Ace, I..." Before he could continue, I raised my hand in front of his face to stop him.
"Wait. Let's continue this during break time. Can't you see Sensei glaring at us?" I said while pointing my thumb toward Ogami-sensei.
Ogami-sensei stood there with her arms crossed.
"Thank you, Ace, for reminding the class that I'm still here... You can continue your little drama later during break time. Now sit down and prepare for class. You, new student, stop causing trouble," Ogami-sensei warned Ren.
"Y-Yes!"
"Good. Go to your seat."
Ren quickly went to his seat.
Why is Ren scared of Ogami-sensei? Did she already figure him out? Well, that's his problem, not mine. My problem is a spaceship that disappeared after entering Earth's atmosphere.
---
The break bell rang.
I was about to leave the classroom when someone blocked my path.
That someone was Ren.
"You! Akashi Ace! I hereby declare that I will steal Lala-chan from you!" Ren loudly declared.
"Wow, a declaration of war over a woman! How romantic!" I heard one of the girls shout.
I just stared at him silently. I mean, what was I supposed to do? Yell back and challenge him? No. Why would I do that?
"Okay?" I replied.
Honestly, I didn't feel threatened by him at all. Either he was weak, or I'd simply become much stronger.
"Hah?!" I heard several students sound confused, especially Masachika.
"What?" I asked.
"What do you mean 'what'?! Someone just told you to your face that he's taking your fiancée, and you're acting completely calm?!" asked the student who had earlier been mistaken for me.
"So, here's the thing, um..." I paused because I forgot this classmate's name.
Who was he again, System?
[His name is Tobe Kakeru.]
Ah, thanks, System.
"So, Tobe-san, I've already been challenged a lot because of Lala. He's just another one. No need to take it seriously," I answered.
"A lot?"
"Is Lala-san some kind of trophy?"
"Fighting over her while protecting her like knights! So romantic!"
Several students whispered among themselves.
"I have a question!" Lala raised her hand.
"Yes, please, Lala-chan," Ren replied.
"Who are you?" Lala asked.
Ah, that had to hurt. That's probably the last thing you want to hear from the person you like after meeting again. I could also hear some of the boys snickering.
"I-I knew you forgot, but I won't give up because I'm a real man!" Ren said while clenching his right fist.
"If Lala-san doesn't even know you, then what's your relationship?" I turned toward the girl who asked that question. It was Alisa-san.
"Hmph, good question. Take a look at this." Ren pulled something out of his uniform pocket.
I took it and looked at it while Masachika and Alisa-san leaned closer.
"Oh, a childhood photo of Lala, and this crossdressing boy is you?" I asked.
"Ah, I remember now! You're crybaby Ren-chan!" Lala finally remembered him.
Though honestly, having the nickname "crybaby" as a kid sounds more like bullying.
"So you finally remember," Ren said before explaining his childhood story. I... no, our entire class probably had the exact same thought.
'This kid was basically a pitiful test subject!!'
"Now do you understand, Akashi Ace?! I'll prove that I'm more manly than you!" Ren declared while pointing at me.
"I don't mind, but how exactly are we measuring manliness? Are we comparing dick sizes?" I asked with a mocking grin.
"Akashi-kun! That's extremely inappropriate!" Alisa-san shouted.
"Then what else are you supposed to use to measure manliness?" I asked.
"Maybe strength? Say something, Masachika-kun," she replied uncertainly before asking Masachika for help.
"I honestly don't know. Measuring manliness accurately is kind of impossible," Masachika answered.
I walked past Ren while Lala followed behind me.
"Well, once you figure out what we're competing in, let me know. But I'll tell you one thing. If you want to defeat me..." I raised two fingers into a V sign.
"You're 20,000 years too early."
I left the classroom together with Lala.
---
That night. Ace's basement.
I was training with my sword and practicing the 24 Tempest Step as usual when I remembered that I had a pretty cool-looking Sacred Gear, so I summoned it.
A black claw appeared over my hand, with claw marks engraved on the back.
System, what ability does this Sacred Gear have? You said it's a fragment of Gilzea's claw that somehow appeared in this world, so it must be powerful, right?
[As the host said, your Sacred Gear possesses an extremely powerful ability. It has the power to erase the 'cause' while still producing the 'effect.']
So it's like skipping the process? Explain it in more detail.
[Very well. In the laws of the world, every event has a 'Cause' and an 'Effect.' If a vase breaks, the 'Cause' is that someone hit it or something similar, while the 'Effect' is the vase breaking. With this Sacred Gear, you can erase the 'cause' while the 'effect' still occurs.]
Isn't that insanely overpowered?! I could attack enemies out of nowhere and they'd never know when or where the attack came from. Let's test it.
I looked at the training dummy and tried using the power of my Sacred Gear.
The dummy was instantly shredded apart as if it had been slashed by a giant bear claw.
Wow, this is ridiculously strong. With this, every fight will become much easier. What's this Sacred Gear called, System?
[Your Sacred Gear is called Extinction Claw.]
"Fiuuuu~" I whistled.
Cool name But first, let's check my progress, System, what's my current mastery level of the 24 Tempest Step?
[You have already entered the proficient realm. With more effort, you can evolve it into the 12 Divine Lightning Step. Alternatively, a life-and-death battle could force its evolution.]
A life-or-death battle might be the fastest method, but that's too reckless. I'm not going around randomly challenging strong people.
I'll just settle for my current level for now.
I heard the basement door open, so I turned to see who it was. Everyone should already be asleep since it was late.
I saw Tohru entering the basement. She looked extremely cautious.
"Tohru? What are you doing here? Aren't you asleep yet?"
Tohru looked at me and sighed in relief. "No. I sensed the presence of another dragon coming from down here, so I came to check."
Ah, she probably sensed this Sacred Gear. That made me wonder if other dragons could sense it too.
"Oh, no need to worry. It's just this." I raised my left hand covered by the Extinction Claw.
"I see... Where did you get that? It gives off a very unpleasant aura. It feels like it could attack me at any moment." Tohru took a slight step back.
"Are you scared? Wow, so dragons can actually feel fear too," I teased her.
"Well, being afraid of something like that is completely normal!" Tohru shouted irritably.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's head back upstairs. It's already late. I'm going to take a bath first. Ciao." I immediately left the basement.
"You have to promise not to use that thing on me! Hey, Ace!" I heard Tohru shout, but I simply covered my ears. Why would I even use it on you?
While soaking in the bathtub, I remembered my first meeting with Lala again.
I guess I should keep my hands to myself just in case something appears again... Nothing? Whew. Safe.
Hopefully Ren won't keep bothering me tomorrow.