The late morning sun filtered through the wide skylights of Ashford Academy's central building, casting geometric shadows across the polished floors. The air buzzed with chatter—students exchanged stories of their recent vacations, whispered rumors, and speculation about new faces and rising stars. And in the midst of it all, one name was spreading like wildfire:
Riku Aoyama.
He walked through the halls at a steady pace, shoulder bag casually slung, posture relaxed but confident. His expression betrayed neither arrogance nor humility—it was the look of someone who knew exactly where he stood.
"Is that him?"
"The one who solved Professor Yuma's triple-layered theorem in seconds?"
"No way, I heard he's got some military training—he dodged a thrown chalk like it was a kunai!"
"I swear he beat the school's mock combat simulator blindfolded."
"No, no. He's the one who tutored Ayumi Kirisawa and made her smile."
Riku heard most of it. The rumors were blown out of proportion, of course—but that was part of the plan.
Perception was power.
He didn't need to flaunt his system directly. His well-timed displays of intellect, calm under pressure, and the occasional "lucky" moment were enough to create an aura. Especially among the girls, many of whom now looked at him with curiosity... and some, with open interest.
He turned the corner toward Advanced Theoretical Combat Analysis, one of the more difficult electives available only to elite-ranked students. Though Riku had technically dropped out before the vacation, Professor Melvia herself had personally invited him back with the words: "This academy needs minds like yours. Consider your absence an extended field study."
She had power. Influence. And more importantly, she had noticed him.
"Mr. Aoyama," Melvia called out from the front of the class, voice crisp and composed as always. She was a tall woman in her late thirties, glasses perched perfectly over sharp green eyes, her long black hair tied in a scholar's braid. "Welcome back. Care to solve today's opening puzzle?"
Riku scanned the blackboard: a cluster of rune-inscribed formations, each representing movement patterns of magical units in a battle simulation. Most students in the room looked between the puzzle and their notebooks, already overwhelmed.
Riku smiled faintly and stepped forward. "With pleasure."
He raised his hand and tapped on the chalk with a finger.
> [System Interface – Skill Activated: Mental Calculus Lv.2]
[System Interface – Minor Spell Analysis (Assisted Mode)]
Lines of light appeared in his peripheral vision—vectors, energy flows, predicted movements. He adjusted one rune, then another, rebalancing the structure.
The board shimmered faintly, the system confirming the formation had been stabilized.
"There," Riku said. "If you route the auxiliary mana through the secondary formation and invert the defense glyphs at the flanks, the result would create a triple-layer defense with a counter-pulse trigger."
Melvia blinked.
The room fell silent.
"…Correct," she said at last, lips tugging into a small, rare smile. "Very few can see that pattern so quickly. You may be seated."
Riku turned to leave, noting how Ayumi Kirisawa, seated by the window, had been watching him the whole time.
She quickly looked away when their eyes met, a pink hue coloring her usually composed face.
---
Later that day – Academy Courtyard
Riku sat beneath the shade of a broad sakura tree, flipping through a mock-exam set on his tablet. Every now and then, students walked past and sneaked glances his way—especially the girls from other departments.
He didn't mind.
> [System Notice: Social Presence Level Increased]
[Charm Rating Adjusted: +2 Temporary Bonus – Noticed by 8 Individuals]
[New Interaction Log: Ayumi Kirisawa | Emotional State: Conflicted, Curious, Flustered]
He smirked lightly. That last one interested him.
Footsteps approached.
"Is this seat taken?"
Ayumi's voice was soft but clear. She wore a fitted academy jacket over a navy skirt, her long, jet-black hair tied loosely today. Her serious expression was tempered by the faintest twitch of nervousness.
Riku gestured to the spot beside him. "For you? Never."
She sat without a word. There was a long pause between them.
"You've… changed," she said eventually.
He raised an eyebrow. "For the worse?"
She shook her head. "No. Just… you seem different. Not just stronger. Smarter. More confident. Like you're ahead of everyone else, and you know it."
"Should I hide it?" he asked quietly.
"No," she said immediately. "It's… kind of admirable. Dangerous. But admirable."
He studied her. "You've been watching."
"You're hard not to notice," she admitted, looking away.
> [New Emotional Marker Detected – Interest Level Rising]
Riku smiled inwardly.
---
Training Grounds – That Evening
After classes, Riku headed to the academy's private training chamber—one he had exclusive access to now, thanks to Melvia's approval.
Today, he wasn't alone.
"Riku Aoyama," a new voice called.
He turned to find Serika Vandis, a second-year known for her lightning-based martial spells and arrogant demeanor. She was striking—short, silver-blonde hair and amber eyes that practically crackled with challenge.
"I want a duel," she said flatly. "I don't care what the rumors say. Show me what you've really got."
Riku shrugged and entered the ring. "Sure. Just don't cry when you lose."
---
Combat Initiation – System Online
> [Skill Equipped: Shadowstep Lv.1]
[Skill Equipped: Force Palm Lv.1]
[Passive: Danger Sense Lv.1 – Active]
[Weapon: Shadowsteel Dagger (Sheathed)]
Serika launched first—lightning danced across her fists as she closed the gap. Fast. Aggressive.
Riku ducked, rolled to the side, then activated Shadowstep.
In a blink, he reappeared behind her and tapped her back with two fingers.
"You're wide open."
She twisted, launching a shockwave burst. He backflipped and landed lightly.
> [Skill Activated: Force Palm – Concussive Impact]
His next strike connected with her guard, sending her sliding backward, boots skidding across the floor.
She grit her teeth. "You're better than the rumors."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
They clashed again—blows and flashes of light echoing through the chamber.
Melvia watched from the observation deck, lips pursed in quiet amusement.
> [Duel Concluded – Winner: Riku Aoyama]
Serika sat up, stunned. "You weren't even trying…"
Riku extended a hand. "I don't need to try to be myself."
---
That Night – Riku's Dorm
As he reviewed the day's events through his system log, he couldn't help but smile.
Ayumi was warming up to him. Serika would likely become another challenge—or ally. Teachers respected him. Students talked about him.
And the system?
It was growing.
So was he.
But Riku knew this was just the beginning.
Tomorrow, he'd push further.
And soon, everyone would know what true genius looked like.