Aoi Torii Empire; Capital City: Sialia

Year: 542 of the Standard Calendar 

Despite the darkness of the dawn sky, the once quiet streets were beginning to bustle with activity. Usually, the Academic District was like a separate and isolated existence from the hustle of the rest of the capital, but today was the busiest day in the district because tens of thousands of students were moving into the dorms. As such, the air that always had a rich and subdued quality that distinguished the district as a place of learning was all but gone. 

Arc had taken a detour from the outskirts of the district, so he enjoyed a bit of calmness but that didn’t last long. It was almost like the world had completely changed once he turned a corner onto one of the main roads. 

Under only dim lamp light, the Royal Guard lined the streets to safeguard the students coming into the academy. These students wore all kinds of outfits. There were mages with robes and wands, martial practitioners with armor and weapons, rich nobles and merchants in fine fabrics, and more. This just showed the vast array of studies available at the academy. 

To match the diversity of the students, all kinds of beasts of burden pulled carriages filled to the brim with items. There were lizard-like animals, various hoofed mammals, colorful birds, metal contractions and automations, and even immaterial creatures composed of mana. However, there were also other methods to haul luggage about. For example, Arc could see dozens of crates floating above the traffic via some kind of telekinetic artifact. 

Arc wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry at the spectacle. It was the simplest thing to streamline the process, but it was a matter of pride. It was a one of a kind debut that allowed various powers to demonstrate their authority and wealth. Basically, Arc thought it was all bullshit, amusing, but still bullshit. Just use the warp gates, dumbasses. 

Perhaps, Arc was being hypocritical though and knowing this he scratched his neck. He went for a morning stroll instead of meeting up with his childhood friend, and instead of just moving into the dorms as soon as possible, he was out here treating the traffic as a show. 

‘Information gathering, yes that is a good excuse.’ He told himself. 

Arc nodded, but all of a sudden while he was thinking to himself, there was a change in momentum and like a domino falling the scene before Arc rapidly changed. 

There was no loud announcement, but the traffic seemed to part. As if it was the most natural thing, a large train of ornate carriages filled the gap. They were being pulled by demonic beasts. They were artificial and not real demons, but they were still imposing. To add to the entourage, there were dozens of armored escorts. Their black armor was even more intimidating than usual given the current hours of twilight. 

The scene only caused Arc’s guilt to disappear as a feeling of playfulness overtook him. He began snapping his fingers. 

Arc was a powerful mage and despite his young age he could manifest a domain already, the ability to bind natural laws within a given space to his bidding. 

With each snap reality seemed to distort until the only one who was moving normally was Arc himself. Everything else moved slowly, almost to the point that everything was frozen.

Arc’s feet left the ground and he floated through the crowd. He placed his hand on the most impressive carriage and phased through it, bypassing all the defense mechanisms placed on it. 

A beautiful girl with wavy green hair stared out of the window, while a maid servant seemed to be trying to adjust her uniform. Arc took a seat across from them and snapped his finger again and everything began moving again.

“Come on now, Young miss, please.” The maid pleaded, “You're so beautiful…why waste it by looking like some backwater delinquent.”

Arc spent a lot of time in the slums, so he smirked at the maid, recalling a fond memory. ‘I’ll have you know that they are actually quite impressive. I’m sure they could take out the prestigious guards you have quite easily.’

But, Arc still had to admit that the maid was right. Sera, the Young Miss of the Black Swan Group, had the stereotypical decorum of a delinquent with how the sleeves of her uniform  dangled at her sides. 

Sera just waved her off. Although Arc couldn’t see her expression, from previous encounters he knew this young lady was always expressionless. He fell to the side and laid on the comfy seat. While propped up on his elbow, he pondered various pranks he could pull. This made him recall another memory. It was something he had just done the other day. He smiled to himself wondering how she would react if she knew he had manipulated her class assignment. It was just a whim but he was excited to see how it would turn out.

His only worry was that Sera would ruin his plans of getting his childhood friend a girlfriend. She always ignored Arc, but she always viewed Yue, Arc’s childhood friend, as a rival. Arc hoped admiration and rivalry wouldn’t spark into love; he knew Yue already had feelings for someone else. Arc fancied himself as a wingman, but he wasn’t going to get his friend a harem. 

Arc shuddered at the thought and went back to thinking about pranks, but just as he flexed his hands, the carriage doors opened and a sword slashed down on where Arc was seated. He grabbed the blade with two of his fingers and stopped it before his handsome face.

‘Yeesh.’ He shuddered slightly and pushed the sword to the side slightly away from himself. He was still unnoticed, but an intimidating man with long green hair sniffed the air. His face twisted, which made his scars stand out. His body was also covered in tattoos. He was the boss of the Black Swan Group and the father of Sera. 

While he seemed a little rough, there was a natural suaveness to him. He wore a black suit in the same way that Sera wore her uniform, the sleeves dangled at his sides. He brought his foot down, making it evident that he had kicked the carriage door open. 

“Father.” Sera’s voice was cold. It even sent a chill down Arc’s spine. “You should knock.”

“Hmph. I got an itch.” He scanned the inside of the carriage. His eyes seemed to stop on where Arc was seated. Arc stuck out his tongue. 

‘Father’s instincts are scary.’ But Arc didn’t even break a sweat.

“You're scaring my maid.”

The man scrunched his nose at the maid. “Take care of her. If any pervert even dares to touch my princess…” He looked at the maid and brought his hand to his neck.

“Father!” Sera’s voice was louder but not to the point of a shout. Her face still had listless eyes despite the anger in her voice. Arc couldn’t help but feel the father’s concerns were misguided. Think about the poor man who caught her eye! This cool beauty would dominate them— strip their pants right off all the while not showing a single bit of emotion. 

As such, just as Sera’s father wanted to protect his daughter, Arc was resolved to protect Yue and his pants. The future hero should have at least that level of dignity. 

“I got it. I got it.” He nonchalantly waved his hand and stepped out of the carriage.

For some reason, Arc’s mood was ruined because of this interaction. The truth was that Arc wasn’t using any magic to be invisible. There were no illusions. They just couldn’t see him. 

Arc himself didn’t know why people could inherently notice his presence. It had always been that way. Because of his current mood, he tried to think back. There was something at the back of his head. 

A vague memory? A warm smile of an older woman. He was smaller, much smaller, than he was now. The woman had picked him up and said, “I found you, my little trickster.”

Who is she? He should have been able to figure it out, but something was blocking him from prying deeper. He could only push the memory down. Seeing the back of Sera’s father, Arc felt something churn in his stomach.

With a frown, Arc gave Sera a look up and down one more time, and snapped his fingers again and escaped. 

***

He had teleported away, finding himself in a messy room. Snoring could be heard a short distance away. He smiled and kicked a blond figure that was completely sprawled out on the bed.

It was his childhood friend that Sera saw as a rival, but for Arc the man was the perfect tool. His personality and strength were truly perfect, an ideal hero candidate. 

Arc could then hide in this man’s shadow. He would bring about justice to sinners while living  the perfect mooch life. He rubbed his hands together. It was true that he could have remained invisible to other people, but he couldn’t have fun without an actual identity. He needed to be seen but not seen through.

“Get up already.” Arc kicked him again.

“Give me one more minute….” Yue clung onto Arc’s leg, which Arc viciously shook it to get him off. Needless to say, Yue eventually woke up but he was covered in bruises. 

“Shameless. If you want someone to keep taking care of you better find yourself a girlfriend already.” Arc grinned at the man’s change in expression. The blush revealed his thoughts. “Why don’t you come to the next mixer. I’m sure I can find you one…”

Yue frowned and shuffled in place after finally getting up. “I’d just scare them away.”

Arc shrugged his shoulders. “I’m popular enough to counteract it.” 

Yue looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t refute it. Truthfully, Arc wasn’t necessarily popular but Yue had no way of knowing. 

Furthermore, if anyone else had heard this, they would think Arc was being arrogant and just spewing out random bullshit to someone who didn’t know better. 

Arc noticed his friend's shy expression and teased him some more. “Don’t worry I’ll help you with that one girl.” 

“What…how…I mean no…”

“She might even be in our class.” Arc continued to tease him.

“Our class…class assignments haven’t been publicly posted…”

“Ah, don’t worry. I manipulated them.” Arc put a finger on his lips. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“So Luna…” Yue’s eyes seemed to fill with hearts.

“Luna….I thought you liked Sera…whoops…” Arc feigned an apologetic face, “I might have made a mistake…”

“...”

Yue’s expression was perfect. The sense of hope transformed into despair. Arc couldn’t help but to wipe a tear from his eyes. “Nah, I’m just kidding. Although I put her in our class as well.”

Yue’s face was completely red. 

“Alright, get packed and get dressed.” Arc threw him a bottle.

“What is this?”

“Perfume. Take a shower and put that on. I’m sure Luna…” Arc snapped his fingers. He could feel that Yue’s level of embarrassment had peaked. It wouldn’t be surprising if in such a state he lashed out, and so Arc disappeared before he could face retaliation. 

***

He landed on a couch downstairs and put his feet on the coffee table like he owned the place. He instantly got a frown from an older woman in the kitchen. It was Yue’s adoptive mother, Elaine. Her attire made her seem out of place. Her decorated silver armor adorned with a white cape simply clashed with the simple aesthetic of the house. 

Arc smirked. “Hey, big sis you’re as pretty as always.”

“My face is covered.” Her voice, with a hint of annoyance, echoed out of a ferocious looking helmet shaped like a lion. It covered her face without leaving a bit of skin.

“It’s a man’s intuition.”

Elaine ignored him and focused her attention elsewhere. It was only when a ding sounded did she move. Even under the helmet, Arc could feel her anticipation. She instantly snatched up the piece of toast, only to realize she still had her helmet on.

Arc sighed and snapped his fingers and her helmet appeared in his hand. “Are you sure you will be able to take care of yourself with me and Yue gone?”

Although Arc lived in the slums, he could have easily lived in this house. He just refused to. Still, he visited often. The two clumsy fools needed him. 

Elaine stuck the toast, which now happened to be covered in butter and honey, in her mouth and gestured towards Arc. He threw her helmet back at her. 

“I’ll be fine…” She stuttered and began walking to the door. 

“The Commander of the Guard is going to be late on the first day…I can’t wait to hear the rumors.”

“...I slept in… I’ll just take the warp gates.”

“Did you forget what today it is?”

“Ah.”

Arc sighed thinking the mother and son resembled each other too much. “Finish the toast. You aren’t some school girl. You don’t need to be running out with toast in your mouth.”

She frowned. “I’m really going to be late…”

“I’ll just use teleport.”

“But…” She relented and took a seat at the table. 

Arc gave her a karate chop and she pouted. “It’s not like I’ll get caught.” 

“Did you wake up Yue then?”

“Yup, and don’t worry about that brat. I’ll take care of him at the academy.”

“I’m more worried about you though.”

“Says the one who can’t even take care of herself.”

Elaine’s face fell into the table in self depreciation. “I get it…I’m a failure.”

“There. There.” He pet her blond hair, causing her to freeze up. 

Elaine sighed and pushed Arc’s hand away. If she wanted to say something on the topic she didn’t, but instead changed the topic. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything for big sis.” Although Arc listened, he began to prepare her a larger breakfast. 

“I need you to watch some people during your stay at the academy.”

Before she went into details, Arc tilted his head while making eggs. “Who? The Jade Princess, the Ambassador for the Silverwind Elves, the Young Master of the Bear Tribe? Or do you mean… that Demon Princess.”

“All those are classified. Did you snoop into my reports?”

“Unneeded. I noticed when… nevermind I probably shouldn’t tell you.”

Elaine frowned, then sighed with resignation. “I won’t ask. But yes I’ll be needing you to keep tabs on anyone with a special background.” She stood up. “Alright, send me off.”

Arc pushed her shoulders down until she got back into the chair. “No need to get so anxious.”

Despite saying this, it was obvious that she was nervous by how her feet shuffled under the table. How can this person have been a secret operative? 

Arc sighed and put a plate down next to her lion helmet that was seated on the table.

“Why does it seem like you're still insulting me?”

“I’m just thinking about how pretty you are big sis~~”

“Tsk.”

“Why don’t you get yourself a boyfriend?” Arc watched her stuff the food down. “On second thought, I don’t think you could manage.”

Elaine gulped the food down and glared at him. “Hmph. Maybe I will…get myself a man…with my abundant feminine charm…”

“You better. Imagine the shame of losing out to Yue.”

“Yue? Wait, does he have a girlfriend?”

Arc yawned as if it was a done fact. “Soon if I have anything to say about it.” 

“Tsk. Womanizer. But if you're serious then make sure he introduces her to me…and you too…if you ever get serious.”

“...” Arc stretched but was unsure of what to say in response. He had no plans to tie himself down. 

“Alright, I finished eating. You…”

Arc wiped her lips of crumbs.

“...can send me off.” Arc eyed Yue, who just came down the stairs. Arc smiled at him and mouthed some words to him before snapping his fingers. 

Arc and Elaine disappeared from the house and reappeared in the middle of a forest. There was a rustle from behind a bush and a man in a suit of armor appeared. It had the same pattern as Elaine’s.

“Oh, Commander. We didn’t expect you to be so early.”

Arc floated above him and eyed the entourage of knights behind the trees. “Looks like they expected you to sleep in.”

Elaine glared at him. It seemed she wanted to say: ‘You, why are you here?’ 

“Oh, they can’t hear or see me. And as for why…” He laughed while floating upside down. “This seemed like fun.”

Elaine sighed, but her expression softened. She turned to the knight.  

“Of course. How could I be late on the first day?” 

Arc nearly spit, but he controlled his laughter to avoid annoying Elaine…too much. 

The man scratched his neck. “Sorry, about all this, but we heard reports of the Children of Sin making a move on the Jade Princess.”

Arc raised his eyebrows and gave a serious warning. “Whether he means it or not, what the man says is false.”

Elaine gave him a questioning look, but he feigned ignorance. But Arc also knew that the Children of Sin wouldn’t be involved in whatever was going on. He had raised those little shits in the slums after all.

2-Degenerate

Not sure if meme but I saw an article that blamed the decline of rice consumption in Japan on the "Girl Running With Toast" trope. As an avid rice fan since my Uni days...I'm ashamed of myself. Long live rice!