Misfit At Magic Academy: They Wanted a Godly Summon, Got Me Instead

I completely forgot to talk to our class princess—though I imagine he's been a bit full of himself since yesterday's battle.

"Yo, Salazar! How's the whole nothing going for you?"

I approached him during the break. Would've been a sin not to use the chance while he's still studying at the same academy as me.

Lirael noticed me interacting with others. She threw a passing glance my way.

"You again?" Salazar muttered as he stuffed books into his bag. "What do you want now?"

"Oh, come on. Stop pretending I don't even exist. I sit right behind you, you know."

He paused for a second, then turned with a smug grin:

"So you're desperate for my attention, huh? Sorry, but I don't swing that way."

What a bastard. Got some guts on him.

"More unfunny jokes? Trying to piss me off?"

He yawned, like I already bored him to death.

"Wrong again. Associating with fools doesn't suit me. Kindly get out of my way, Atheron."

Salazar slung his bag over his shoulder and walked into the hallway. Naturally, I followed.

"You're no joke yourself, princess. I watched your little fight yesterday."

"I know," he replied. "I saw you in the crowd."

He turned, those piercing green eyes locking onto me — then suddenly turned white, his pupils forming the shape of a scope.

"The Tsugihara family possesses a unique ability. The Snipe Technique. I used it on you yesterday. I could detect your silhouette anywhere within the Academy. You glowed green to me, distinguishing you from the rest."

"What a creep. So your people stalk others through walls without their consent?"

I struck a theatrical, vulnerable pose. It got on his nerves.

"Enough with the act! Ahem. Anyway, I saw your face that day. You looked at me with such dreamy eyes—as if you were ready to leap into my arms."

"Lies! There's an arrest for slander, in case you didn't know!"

"Besides, I'm used to it," he marched on. "All my life's been sparring matches. People looked at me and called me 'the Future Savior.' As if I fight to bring joy to this land."

Hmm? So he's not into the whole fantasy-hero gig either.

"Then tell me, princess. Why do you train? Don't give me that 'for power' nonsense."

"Not at all."

His voice was soft, but filled with a quiet certainty—like he held the whole world in his palm.

After a pause, he added:

"All I want… is to kill Raigetsu Kurogane. That's all I'd ever dream of."

I blinked. Not just defeat him—kill? Am I chatting with a potential murderer right now?

"Bold words," I said. "Planning to take down the undefeated guy, huh? What did he do to earn your eternal hatred?"

"What do you think?" Salazar smirked. "Like I'd tell some worthless classmate like you. You think too highly of yourself."

Ugh. That smug tone seeps into my bones. In my past, I had… wait. Right. Amnesia.

Time for the oldest trick in the book: provocation.

"Oh really?" I mimed wiping tears. "Poor little princess had such a sad past he's ashamed to talk about it? I understand. Everyone has their embarrassing childhood trauma."

That got him. He tensed.

"Idiot!" he barked, scaring a group of passing girls. "Fine. If you're that desperate to know—consider this an exclusive interview for my number one fan."

Bingo. Like taking candy from a baby.

"I've known Raigetsu since childhood. One day, he crossed a line in the family sparring duels — humiliated our name. I can't let that go. He will pay."

He coughed and realized he'd said too much, then stormed off again.

"Hmmm," I kept up with him. "So he's the one who poured oil on the fire between your clans."

By then, we'd reached the cafeteria. I sat at his table.

"So what if you lose to him?" I asked between bites.

"With pessimists like you around, no wonder plans fall apart. And seriously—why are you still here?"

"Think about it. This Academy's full of talents—not just the ones Raigetsu already trampled. Slugboy… are you sure you can beat someone unbeaten?"

Not that I cared about him or anything…

But something in me stirred. Salazar was smart and strong, but could he actually win? I had to see their fight tomorrow.

Salazar's expression remained stoic, but his confident smirk returned.

"Heh. Don't even bother doubting. I'm the only one here who's truly unbeatable."

Those words stuck with me. If he knew Raigetsu personally, that meant they'd fought before, right? I wanted to know how those fights ended.

Salazar definitely knew more than he let on—and that knowledge might just be his edge.

Whatever his reasons are… I can't lose focus. Not with the exam looming like a guillotine.

Evening came. Silver moonlight spilled through my window as I sat in my room, glaring at a book on High Magic.

"Unlock your potential… Power resides in the mind… Accept the grace of the Almighty Crystal…"

I scratched my head. These pseudo-poetic lectures make my brain hurt. Can't they write like normal people?

It felt like I was reading a boring sermon.

I rested my cheek on my palm.

Damn, Dean's exclusive exam is almost here. How am I supposed to summon a High Magic Entity in such a short time?

Shouldn't have procrastinated… and Salazar's fight is tomorrow too!

What now… I can't do this alone.

Maybe it's time to ask the experts.

"Professor Dean!" I barged into his office the next morning. "How's it hanging? Still breathing?"

Dean nearly jumped out of his chair. Hair on his head stood up in shock.

"Atheron, would it kill you to knock before entering?"

"No time for manners, Professor. You're the one who gave me this deadline! Please, teach me how to use High Magic."

He looked at my hopeless yet determined face and sighed.

"So that's what this is about. Figures. The useless student finally wants extra lessons. You really don't care about my blood pressure."

"Come on, you're only thirty-something. Next thing you'll say is your back's giving out and your libido's crashing. You became a teacher to shape the next generation, right?"

Dean groaned in defeat.

"So I'm cursed to live a life of chaos thanks to you. Fine. You want to learn High Magic? But are you ready for it?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

He pointed a finger at me and grinned slyly.

"You skipped half my classes last year. But I figured out your problem wasn't disinterest. Atheron, you're afraid of High Magic, aren't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"There's only one reason you weren't expelled," Dean said, his tone darkening. "The Almighty Crystal is interested in you—and I want to know why. Atheron… tell me the truth. Are you a Dragonslayer?"

His piercing gaze threw me off. For the first time since arriving in this world, I felt a true sense of threat. Chills crawled down my spine.

I said nothing. Dean continued:

"You have no clue how to use High Magic. Yet in your fight, you displayed the element of Light. Plus, you're a high spirit. It's obvious what you really are."

His sharp words echoed in my head. The room seemed darker.

"I wonder… why did the Almighty Crystal choose you? Things just got way more interesting."

A pause. All the ambient noise faded from my ears as Dean said the next words:

"Especially considering… there are actually two high spirits in the Academy."

"W-what?.."

For the first time, my expression broke. Those words… shook me to the core.