Mahou Academy Fantasy

Chapter 9: Class 1-A

            Stepping into the classroom, Hajime felt the weight of curious gazes upon him. The murmurs of his classmates filled the air, words heavy with speculation and apprehension. "So, that's the new guy, huh? Heard he's trouble. Why would the academy even accept him?" The voices swirled around him, each word a reminder of the stigma he carried.

           "That beast isn't what I wanted...It just happened in one night. My grandfather never spoke a word of it," Hajime mused silently, his thoughts a tumult of confusion and frustration.

             As the bell chimed, signaling the start of the day, Toki entered the room, commanding attention with her presence. "Quiet down, everyone. As you know, we have a new addition to our class today. Please, introduce yourself," she prompted, gesturing towards Hajime.

            Nervously, Hajime cleared his throat. "Um, good morning, everyone. My name is Nonaka Hajime. I come from Hikuyama Village, and I'm from a farming family. It's nice to meet you all," he managed, the weight of scrutiny heavy upon him.

            Throughout the class, the whispers persisted, but Toki's intervention quelled them momentarily. "Don't bully him. He's one of us now. Or would you prefer a special counseling session?" Her words hung in the air, a silent warning to those who dared to ostracize their new classmate.

           As the day progressed, Hajime found himself navigating the vastness of Mahoh Academy, overwhelmed by its grandeur. "If not for that night...would I even be here?" he pondered, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

           During lunch, a fellow student approached him, breaking through the barrier of isolation. "Hey, Nonaka Hajime, right? I'm Kusonaki Yasu, your seatmate," the boy introduced himself with a friendly smile.

            Returning the gesture, Hajime nodded. "Yes, that's me... Thank you for reaching out, even though I'm...different," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.

           "Don't worry about it. We're not so different, you and I," Yasu reassured him, his eyes reflecting a shared understanding. "I may not be the strongest, but my magic is...unique. Just like yours."

           "Don't joke around, I'm telling the truth. Haven't you heard about that 'thing' inside me? No wonder you're okay being around me..." Hajime said, but Yasu just shook his head.

           "I've heard a different story about you—the strongest guy in our class, right? They say you can control black flames?" Yasu's words left Hajime stunned.

               "The reason I think we're alike," Yasu explained, "is that I, too, have a unique magical attribute. I was just an ordinary mage, and my power only let me briefly strengthen my body. Unlike the elite students with flashy techniques, I was pretty weak, right? But then, one day, something in me seemed to awaken. During a training session, I managed to unleash an energy wave. I knew it wasn't from my usual magic—it was from a different source of power."

           Hajime's interest was piqued, and he listened intently as Yasu continued.

          "Since then, I keep dreaming that my right hand has a glove, like a dragon's claw. In the dream, I often hear some creature whispering. I even sometimes dream that this glove has existed since the age of the gods—that ancient era when gods supposedly roamed the earth," Yasu continued, filling in more details.

         "So, you think there's a chance I might be able to use that black flame freely someday?" Hajime asked, and Yasu paused, considering this.

           "Well, you could just take everything I'm saying as nonsense. After all, we're just students, and it's pretty far-fetched to think we'd be able to wield such divine powers. So, just take it with a grain of salt. But unlike some others, I won't shun you. I'd be glad to be friends. This way, at least for future group activities, you won't be alone," Yasu replied with a smile.

           As lunch ended, Hajime felt his confidence beginning to return. "Well, time to get back to class," Yasu said.

           They walked back together, step by step, and Hajime felt the stares around him lighten, replaced by a sense of purpose. For the first time since he arrived at the academy, he felt a flicker of hope in the uncertainty. As he stepped back into the classroom, his stride was steady, his gaze firm—a silent testament to the strength he held within.