After the duel, everything changed.
Before, they stared at me like I was weird.
Now... they stared like I was a glitch in the matrix. Or a forbidden dessert nobody's supposed to have, but everyone wants a bite of anyway.
I walked back to class in a daze. Rin kept glancing at me every five seconds like I was going to burst into flames.
"You—You shattered a combat spell. Just absorbed it."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"That's not normal. That's not even illegal. That's just... cursed."
I slumped into my seat.
Note to self: Stop touching things.
Across the room, Akari was still glaring at me with a look that could sterilize planets.
But she didn't speak.
Not yet.
✦ Later, in the Cafeteria…
Lunch was chaos.
The school's cafeteria looked like a fancy enchanted garden—floating candles, holographic food displays, aesthetic magic butterflies fluttering around… you get the idea.
And everyone. Was. Watching. Me.
I took my tray and sat at the most isolated table I could find. Then Rin sat next to me.
Then a third girl appeared. A soft-spoken one with long white hair and glasses.
"Hi. I'm Lyssa. Mind if I study your blood?"
I choked on my rice.
"WHAT."
"You resonate with the Void type. That's extremely rare. I'd just like a sample or two—consensually, of course."
"No. Absolutely no—"
"I can trade. Information. A list of the top five students who've developed yandere traits toward you since this morning."
"…Go on."
Before Lyssa could open her notebook (yes, she actually had a list), someone else arrived—slamming her tray down.
Akari.
She sat directly across from me, placed her chin on her hand, and stared.
"You got lucky."
"Oh boy."
"That thing inside you... I don't know what it is. But it doesn't belong here."
"Gee, thanks. You make me feel so welcome."
"I don't like you. But I hate unknown variables more."
She leaned forward.
"So either you stay out of my way, or I'll erase you properly next time. Got it?"
"Sure. Fine. Can I eat now?"
She stood up. "We'll see."
I swear she says death threats like they're love confessions.
✦ Meanwhile… Somewhere in the Headmistress's Office
Headmistress Elira stood in front of a large floating projection of Nox's shattered resonance orb.
Her eyes were sharp. Calculating.
"So. The anomaly has Void-class traits... and yet he's still incomplete."
A voice from the shadows replied:
"Shall we begin containment protocols?"
Elira shook her head.
"No. Let him live. Let him grow. I want to see what he becomes."
She turned, smirking slightly.
"After all, even forbidden magic has a purpose... if we can control it."
✦ Back in the Dorm...
That night, I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Void-class? System voice? Why me? Why now?
Rin, in her bed across the room, mumbled sleepily.
"Nox... if anything happens tomorrow... try not to die."
I laughed softly.
"Thanks, Rin. I'll try."
I closed my eyes.
Unaware that by the time the sun rose, three new girls would be transferred into my class.
Each one with a special reason to get close to me.
And none of them safe.