Celestia Arcane Academy was the crown jewel of magical education. Floating towers, dragons as janitors, and students who could blow up a forest before breakfast. The Hero of Light trained here. So did the Empire's royal heirs. And tucked into the last row of Class F, seat by the window, sat Rei.
He wore the same plain uniform, carried the same worn-out grimoire, and scored average on every test—intentionally. Because while everyone else struggled with casting a basic flame spell, Rei had accidentally summoned an eldritch god trying to heat his tea.
He hid his power. Not out of fear—but out of boredom.
While others practiced swordplay, Rei trained in silence. While the Hero sparred in front of crowds, Rei dodged dimensional blades in his dreams. While everyone laughed at the clueless commoner, Rei listened to the voice of the world itself whispering secrets only gods knew.
He didn't want glory. He wanted peace. Warm bread. Quiet naps. Maybe a cat.
But fate had other plans.
The sky cracked open during battle drills. A rift—a bleeding tear in space—spilled monsters into the academy. Students screamed. Teachers raised barriers. The Hero? He froze.
And the background character stood up.
With a sigh, Rei raised one finger. The rift groaned—and closed. The monsters blinked—and turned to ash.
Nobody clapped. Nobody saw. And Rei, the boy written to die, sat back down like nothing happened.