Time was passing slowly with every second as I waited for the bus. I was nervous and disoriented.
Yoshida-sensei, the president of the student council and head of my department, despite his smiling and easy-going features, was the source of my anxiety, but his behavior said otherwise, and most students did not fulfill their requests, which made students see him as an arrogant person, and more importantly, he was once a student at this college, even one of the first, which made me ask unanswered questions, such as the following: Why is it that most people who get straight A's or are blessed with a certain amount of intelligence seem to exhibit signs of meaningless arrogance?
The bus arrived, I got on the bus, but the seats were full except for one, which was next to a girl with long black hair. I sat in the seat, the bus shook every time it passed over a bump or a rough part of the road. I looked out the window and saw nothing but buildings almost burning in the sun, there isn't much scenery here, but this seat was strategic, the cold wind was blowing towards me and the bus was crowded. The number of passengers gradually increased, most of them wearing their college uniforms. As I drifted off into the refreshing wind, I fell asleep and began to doze off until I gave up.
After that, the number of passengers gradually increased, most of them wearing the uniforms of the college where I study. As I drifted off into the refreshing wind, I fell asleep and began to doze off, until I gave up.
But before I fell asleep, an electronic billboard on the other side of the road caught my eye. It showed a time-lapse of students holding dazzling wands and navigating through shimmering spheres of energy, while the school's famous logo appeared in the corner:
"Ivy League - where elite mana creates the future of worlds."
I felt a tingle in my chest, the legendary school that is said to admit only those with high mana and those born with exceptional innate powers. They are the elite. Me... I'm completely different.
"My mana is like a dry swamp, with hardly any movement."
That's what the mana analyzer told me on my first test. I remember the nurse staring at me with pity before concluding the report with the words:
"Mana status is semi-inert. Low responsiveness."
Since that day, I've avoided talking about it, even with my few friends. No one likes to be reminded of their helplessness.
"Ivy League? Funny... Even a freshman there can harness a whole spectrum of elements, while I can barely feel the heat of my hands!"
I pulled my gaze away from the sign as if it were a harsh reminder of an inescapable truth, and fell asleep...
But my calmness and peace were suddenly interrupted: "Watch out, did you fall asleep?" He said.
"Eh? What?" I fell asleep on the back of this boy, a young man with white skin, white hair and a good physique, wearing sunglasses and wearing the uniform of the college where I was studying. "I apologize, I fell asleep." I said.
"It's okay, just get a good night's sleep so you don't fall asleep on the bus next time." He said with a smile
The pleasure of that nap was indescribable. I looked at my watch, not knowing if I would meet Yoshida-sensei at this time. When I went to look out the window, the girl sitting next to me was looking at my watch, then our eyes met for a moment, her eyes were completely different, she had an expressionless look. Then she took her eyes off me, and the pressure eased.
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes to calm myself down. Soon the bus arrived at the college, and I got off with difficulty, the friction from the passengers causing a slight tear in my pants. When I got out of the bus, I quickly crossed the road because I was late.
There's the gate in front of me, as if I'm entering an unknown dimension. I have to hurry
Hey, take a deep breath.
Okay, let's cross over to the other dimension!
Luckily the guards weren't at the gate, "Now I have to go up the stairs." I said
When I went up, I started dodging students but with difficulty due to my body, "Finally....I finally....reached...the...top...of...the...stairs. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha." I said out of breath
Now at full speed I have to run down the hallway to the stairs leading to Yoshida-sensei's office. "Shit, it's 1:34 p.m.," I ran as fast as I could, glancing at my watch. I run up the stairs and finally reach the office and Yoshida-sensei comes out of his office, seemingly locking the door. He catches a glimpse of my sweaty body; "Yeah, what's the matter? Why are you sweating? Didn't I tell you that running in the hallway is forbidden?"
"Sensei....I've got a problem, it's a big deal," I said, out of breath.
"Son, you see what time it is? My work time is over, you should have come earlier," he said.
"But Sensei, I'm forgetting---" I said.
"Email me, I have to go," he said, cutting me off.
Shit, what am I supposed to do now.....
"Is this how you treat your hardworking students, Yoshida Sae-san?"
Hey, what's that voice.....
"Kazuma-sensei, this student is disorganized, running around in the hallway like an idiot, which is unacceptable, and he came to me late. Text me later, I have something to do."
"But at least listen to what he has to say. Our students love you and appreciate your efforts, which is why you've been on the student council for the past five years, Yoshida-san."
In fact, if Kazuma-sensei had taken over the student council, things would have been different. He's one of the best and smartest professors in the university and likes to help students, especially since we have a good relationship and I've never failed a class exam in his class or the final exam. But I didn't know he would be at the college that day.
"Hmmm, I locked the door and I don't want to open it again because of an unruly student," he said.
How sly.
"Don't worry, my office is available, come on in, I want to talk to you," said Kazuma-sensei.
"But....Kazuma-sensei, I don't...."
"Yoshida-san, you've never turned down a request from me, will you turn down a request from your old friend?"
"Well, I agreed to your request because of our friendship, not because of you, kid."
"Thank you Yoshida-sensei, Kazuma-sensei, and sorry for running down the hallway," I said.
"Just don't be late next time and be on time, I don't like students who don't care about the importance of time" he said.
"Okay, I promise," I replied.
He convinced Kazuma-sensei, the student council president, who is very stubborn. But what's the secret behind their relationship? But before that, I felt like someone was watching us. I looked down and didn't see anyone, strange.
"Okay, I want you to give me your student card," Kazuma-sensei said.
"Yes, please, sensei," I said. But why did he ask me for the card when he knew my name and almost everything about me? Was it because of Yoshida-sensei so he wouldn't embarrass me in front of him? No, I don't think so.
"Fine, Yoshida-sensei and I will talk in my office. You wait here until I call for you," Kazuma-sensei said.
"Yes, thank you sensei," I replied.
Well, I'll have to wait here until I'm allowed in, but what are they going to talk about? I have to find out, I open the door a little, Kazuma-sensei's secretary isn't there. Well, here's my chance.
*Sound of the door opening*
"Hmmm, Ryoichi Ayajin. A second-year college student in the biology department. It seems to me that this student is in your class, isn't it?" Kazuma-sensei said.
"I teach in this division, yes, but if this kid is in one of my classes, that means his record is in my office computer, and the office is closed."
"Yoshida-san, I think I have his record in the secretary's office, just give me a moment."
"Okay, but don't be late."
"Have I ever been late for you, you lazy bastard?" he said with a laugh.
*Sound of footsteps*
This is bad, Kazuma-sensei is coming, I have to step down.....
"No wait, the door, I forgot it was open."
"There you are," he said.
Aye, disaster, or at least that's what I thought at first.
"Record Ryoichi-kun, there you are!" He said.
"Hey, I almost got caught," I said in a low voice.
*Sound of footsteps moving away*
"Kazuma-sensei seems to have moved away from the door, well I'll have to hear what they have to say" I said.
"What, did you find him?" Yoshida-sensei asked.
"Yes, and I hope I didn't leave you behind," Kazuma-sensei replied
"No, I just want to resolve this issue as soon as possible."
"Well, here's the record, take a look at it."
"Hmmm, Ryoichi then. He doesn't strike me as a diligent student, despite his good grades in some subjects," said Yoshida-sensei.
"Don't judge him, Yoshida-sensei, we may not know the reason for his low score."
"Yes, that's true, but that doesn't excuse it....Kazuma-sensei, look."
"What's over there?"
"The boy.... got a 9.9 average in this course, and did not pass both organic chemistry and chemical technical analysis, and got an 8 in both. According to the university rules, if he doesn't get at least a 10 in both courses, he will be expelled."
"What?" Kazuma-sensei said, "I'm sorry, but I can't, it's cheating, and if the dean finds out about it, the consequences will be dire. I apologize, but I can't"
"I know, but you won't do anything illegal, Yoshida-san."
"I want to ask you, Kazuma-sensei, why do you want to help this boy?"
"First, because he's not like other students who don't care about their studies; if he didn't care, he wouldn't have come running to you. Secondly, his father is responsible for my being able to walk on my right foot, so I can return the favor a little."
"True, that incident was 37 years ago and no one knows about your foot, if the dean knew about your foot, you wouldn't be a professor here. But who is his father?"
"Ryoichi Nishimura.
"What? Do you mean-"
"What? They're talking about my father, but I didn't know about sensei's foot-"
"Hey, wait a minute."
As I was listening to the important part about my father, I immediately stopped when someone tried to talk to me.
It was the girl sitting next to me on the bus.
"You've been eavesdropping behind the door for a while, why?" I asked with a stern look.
"What business is it of yours?"
"Do you realize that this is considered unethical behavior?
"I told you to stay out of my business."
"You can't embezzle or spy on others, it's an invasion of privacy."
"Hey, you're the one who was watching me before, right? You're the one who violated my privacy now."
"I didn't-" she said nervously.
"Stay out of trouble."
"Well then, let's see how you do."
"Hey, L-"
"What's going on here? What are you doing here, Mayuri?" Kazuma-sensei asked.
"Dad, that student was eavesdropping while you were in your office."
Dad said.
"Oh my god, I know. Don't make a fuss and Yoshida-san is inside."
"So, sensei, have you come up with a solution to my issue?"
"Come on in, Yoshida-san wants to talk to you about it."
"Okay, come on in."
I walked into the office and found Yoshida-sensei looking at the computer, clasping his hands, waiting for me.
"Have a seat, Ryoichi-san, I have something to tell you about your lack of success in that course."
"Yes, sensei."
"While Kazuma-sensei and I were discussing your situation and because you are a well-behaved and hard-working student, we came up with a solution. We will give you a special exam in the two subjects you didn't pass, and you have 3 days to prepare for the exam. That's the best I can do for you."
"Really? I don't know how to thank you."
"Just live up to Yoshida-san's expectations, don't miss this opportunity, it's irreplaceable." Kazuma-sensei said.
"I promise I won't disappoint your expectations."
"There's something I'd like to point out about your test, I'd like to keep this test a secret between us and I don't want it to spread to the general student body or there will be trouble between us and the dean," Yoshida-sensei said with fear on his face.
"Yes, sensei, but what about this girl?"
"Hey, who is this girl?" I asked angrily.
"Oh, you mean Mayuri, my daughter, she's the same age as you and your classmate, don't worry about her," said Kazuma-sensei.
I don't believe it, but throughout S3 I didn't see her in class. In addition to that, I never saw her wearing a uniform.
*Sound of phone vibrating*
I opened the phone, and Suzuni had texted me: "If you have time, let's meet in the cafeteria, there's a seminar on artificial intelligence today at 3pm. If you're interested.}
A seminar on artificial intelligence... "Interesting," I said.
"What did Ryoichi-kun say?" Kazuma-sensei asked.
"Uh...uh...nothing, I just have to go, I have to study already. Thank you again, excuse me."
"Take care of yourself and study hard," said Kazuma-sensei.
Now I had to find Suzuni.
After I got to the cafeteria, I spotted Suzuni pointing at me
"I'm here Ayajin-kun," Suzuni said.
"Hello Suzuni!"