The Main Character Everybody Hated Is Back

They talked for a little while longer, well, it was mostly Selene doing the talking until Axel finally managed to shake her off with the excuse of class prep.

They exchanged phone numbers. She'd hesitated before giving hers, like she wasn't sure he'd actually want it, and mumbled something about how happy she was that they were "still friends."

Then she ran off. Literally.

Axel watched her disappear around the corner before turning the other way.

He didn't have class yet, but he had something else.

A plot-point errand.

…

The Atherion Garden was one of the most beautiful spots on campus. Large, open, ringed by ancient trees with pale blue flowers that only bloomed under concentrated mana. The kind of place students used for photoshoots and a hangout spot.

He wasn't here for either.

She was already here.

Mico Valeine.

The third and last heroine.

Short, rich, and pretty. 

She stood on a high stool, reaching for a piece of cloth stuck in the branches of a glowing barkwood tree. Her white-and-gold academy uniform looked freshly pressed, her red hair flying elegantly in the wind. Her face was scrunched in frustration, amber eyes narrowed at the stubborn handkerchief above her head. She stretched—-

Then slipped.

Axel already had his arms out, prepared for this moment.

She fell right into his arms.

Their eyes met.

Then Mico jumped back like she'd touched a stove, brushing herself off quickly.

"Thank you for catching me." Her voice was calm and polite.

Axel shrugged. "No problem. Need help?"

"No. I'm fine."

She turned away, too quickly.

He sighed loud enough for her to hear. Axel stepped up onto the stool and, with a small hop, plucked the handkerchief from the branch.

"Here." He handed it to her casually.

She stared. "...I didn't ask for your help."

"Hm? What was that?" Axel tilted his head innocently.

"I said thank you for the help." She forced it through gritted teeth.

"Thank me with money." He waved lazily and wandered off.

… 

Mana Theory.

Axel arrived early. The classroom was dim and cold. One of those rune-lit, low-ceiling rooms designed for lectures and naps.

He slumped into the seat furthest from the board and scrolled through his phone.

Ten minutes later, the seat beside him creaked.

He didn't look up.

Until someone scoffed loudly. 

He glanced sideways—

Mico Valeine.

Again.

Her amber eyes met his with an unreadable look.

"...Hey?" Axel made the first move.

"Hi. I'm not one to owe favors, so consider this me paying you back."

He blinked. "How exactly are you paying me back?"

"With my presence~." She smiled, her head held up high.

Axel finally looked around.

Heads were turning. Students were whispering.

This girl was giving him a migraine already.

"It was just a handkerchief. Not that big of a deal."

Not that Axel could've known it was a keepsake from her mother, given to her just days before her mysterious disappearance. But that wasn't common knowledge.

"I won't hound you over it. I genuinely don't care." He turned back to his screen.

"How do I know you're not playing hard to get to grab my attention?"

"Guess only time will tell."

"But—"

"Shhh," Axel cut her off. "The lecture's starting."

Professor Vivian Mireille walked in.

Tall, elegant, mid-thirties. Hair wrapped in a tight black bun. Thin gold-rimmed glasses. Sharp red lips. She had a mature, sophisticated air around her. 

Students quieted immediately.

Axel stayed on his phone. He hated taking mana theory, it was so boring.

Mico stared at him in disbelief.

Then a shadow fell over his desk.

Tap. Tap.

He looked up.

Vivian.

She looked down her nose at him like she was inspecting a bug.

"Finally paying attention?" she said coolly. "You. Define mana."

Axel closed his phone.

He didn't panic.

"Mana," he began, "in its simplest form, is a flow of energy influenced by intention. It has no physical mass, but it responds to will. It requires concentration, control, and self-understanding to direct properly." 

Vivian stared at him.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

"Well put." She looked at the rest of the class. "Let this be a warning. If you're going to slack off in my class, be ready to answer questions just as cleanly."

She walked back down.

Axel didn't exhale until she was gone.

His pulse was in his ears.

"Congrats," Mico whispered beside him. "You managed to survive."

"I'm not opening my phone again unless I want a heart attack."

…

Class ended.

Axel was halfway out the door when a hand yanked his shoulder back.

Mico again.

"What now?"

"I'm serious," she said. "I don't like owing people. What do you want? And don't say a million gold, I'm not that rich." 

Axel tilted his head.

"A good-quality sword. Better than those dull wooden ones at the training center."

She raised a brow. "A sword? That's doable. Text me what you want."

"...Aren't you handing out your number a bit too easily?"

"It's never bad to have more connections." She smiled. "Especially handsome ones. What rank are you?"

"...3321."

Mico's smile twitched. "...There's always room for improvement."

They exchanged numbers.

"It was a pleasure, Axel." 

Then she left.

Axel stared at his phone.

Two numbers added today. Two heroines. There was only Yanin left. 

He slipped the phone into his pocket and walked down the hall.