The cafeteria buzzed with voices, trays clattered, and laughter echoed through the wide, open-air lunch space of Mizujin Academy. Riku Aoyama sat near the far window, a plate of curry rice in front of him. His chopsticks paused midair as he observed the crowd. Most students were still in the post-vacation daze, moving lazily through their routines.
But not Riku.
His system interface blinked faintly before his eyes—visible only to him.
> [System Passive Scan: 12 Minor Skills Detected Nearby. Notable: Quick Memorization, Retentive Hearing, Enhanced Focus (Lv. 1–2).] [Social Visibility: +13 (from last week). Female Affection Metric (General): +8. Teacher Curiosity Index: +5.]
He smirked slightly. Looks like people are starting to notice.
A soft voice broke through his focus.
"You're not going to eat that?"
He turned to see Ayumi standing beside his table, holding a neatly prepared bento. Her auburn hair was slightly tousled, and her uniform pristine as always. Behind her glasses, her brown eyes observed him with mild interest.
"I am," Riku replied, setting his chopsticks down and offering a smile. "Want to join me?"
Ayumi hesitated—only for a moment—then nodded and sat across from him.
"Your reputation's changing quickly," she said, unwrapping her bento. "After that written quiz this morning, the teachers are already gossiping."
"Let them gossip," Riku said, spooning curry into his mouth. "A few correct answers shouldn't cause a stir."
"You didn't just answer correctly—you finished a 90-minute logic test in 18 minutes and solved the bonus problem even Professor Kaede couldn't explain."
Riku shrugged. "Lucky guess."
Ayumi narrowed her eyes. "You're not fooling anyone, Riku. I've been in this academy three years. I know geniuses when I see one."
He paused, chewing slowly. Then he met her gaze.
"Do you admire geniuses?"
She blinked, slightly thrown off. "I… I admire effort more."
"Hm. Then I'm sorry to disappoint." His tone was playful, but his eyes twinkled. "I cheat with style."
Ayumi looked down, hiding a soft smile behind her chopsticks. "You're different, that's for sure."
As they continued eating, several girls from the neighboring tables threw glances toward Riku's table. Some whispered, others giggled. One even approached just to ask what book he was reading yesterday.
When she left, Ayumi raised an eyebrow. "You're becoming popular."
"I'm used to attention. Being a dropout turned star student has its quirks."
"And what are you planning now that you're back?" she asked, her voice more serious.
Riku paused.
He thought back to the system notifications he'd received earlier that morning:
> [New Feature Unlocked: Campus Opportunity Scanner – Tracks potential for social leverage, event triggers, and undiscovered quest chains.] [Teacher Noticed You: Professor Yurei, History of Warfare. Curiosity Level: Moderate.] [Opportunity Hint: There's a hidden competition forming among third-years.]
"Let's just say… I plan to make the most of this place. Every classroom, every competition, every chance to grow stronger."
Ayumi nodded slowly, intrigued. "That sounds... ambitious. Maybe too ambitious for a second-year who re-enrolled just a month ago."
He leaned forward slightly, voice low but confident.
"When you've seen the world from the outside, Ayumi, you stop thinking in semesters. You start thinking in empires."
She blinked. For a heartbeat, something fluttered inside her. She wasn't sure if it was intimidation or... admiration.
---
Later that day – Battle Theory Class
"Pair up!" Professor Yurei barked. "You'll be running real-time mock duels today—no direct magic, no weapons—pure reflexes, predictive movement, and skill projections only."
Students scrambled to find partners.
Ayumi looked around, but her usual partner wasn't present.
Before she could decide, Riku stepped beside her.
"Wanna pair up?"
"…Sure."
They moved into the virtual battle room, where their consciousness would be projected into a zero-harm, high-intensity simulation space. As they connected their devices, Ayumi glanced sideways.
"You're serious about all this. You've changed."
Riku gave a small smile. "You've always been sharp, haven't you?"
The simulation flickered to life—a neon grid-style arena with shifting platforms and glowing hazards.
> [Mock Duel Begin.]
Ayumi acted fast, projecting a Phantom Step feint toward his right flank.
> [Skill Detected: Phantom Step – Creates afterimage illusion for split-second misdirection.]
Riku countered effortlessly.
> [Skill Used: Prediction Thread – Lv. 2 Passive] [Effect: Anticipates movement based on body tension, visual cue, and past motion.]
He sidestepped and simulated a counter-punch that landed cleanly.
"Point: Riku Aoyama."
Ayumi narrowed her eyes.
"You read me like a book."
"You broadcast your foot tension when you use Phantom Step," he said casually. "Too clean. Next time, stutter your pace."
Ayumi stared at him. That wasn't mockery—he was teaching her.
Their duel continued, Ayumi adapting. On the fourth round, she finally landed a strike.
"Point: Ayumi Tanaka."
A soft grin curved her lips. "So you can be beaten."
"Only when I let my guard down."
"Or when you underestimate someone."
Riku chuckled. "Touché."
---
After Class – School Courtyard
Riku walked alone, browsing the system menu in his vision.
> [Point Total: 1,400] [Available Coupons: 2x Random Skill Upgrade, 1x Knowledge Burst – Academic] [New Perk Unlocked: Passive Aura – "Subtle Dominance": Increases perception of charisma and leadership.]
Interesting. The system was evolving not just in combat or economy, but social leverage too.
He looked up—and spotted Ayumi sitting by the koi pond with a notebook.
"Stalking me already?" he asked as he approached.
She gave him a flat look, but there was a small smirk hidden under her calm expression.
"You're interesting to watch."
"Careful, you might fall for me," Riku teased.
Ayumi blushed faintly and looked away.
"Maybe."
That single word lingered between them longer than anything else they'd said that day.
---
Meanwhile – Faculty Room
Professor Yurei placed Riku's dossier on the headmaster's desk.
"This student… Riku Aoyama. He's abnormal. Skill growth off the charts. Flawless predictions. And he's hiding something. I don't know what yet, but I'd bet my career on it."
The headmaster folded his hands. "Keep watching. We might be looking at the academy's next rising star… or its greatest anomaly."