The morning sun filtered through the window of Subaru's dorm as he sprawled out of bed, stretching with a groan. His legs hit the ground, and he instinctively pulled on his shoes, ready for his usual morning routine. Renwald and Tekka, still cocooned in their blankets, snored softly in the background.
Subaru quietly chuckled to himself as he slipped out the door. "Lazy bums," he muttered under his breath before taking off at a brisk pace.
Outside, the academy grounds were calm, with only a few early risers wandering about. Subaru hit the track, his legs moving automatically as he settled into a rhythm. His breath misted in the cold morning air, and his mind began to wander. Over the next few weeks, things had settled into a predictable routine. He raced around the track, studied in the library, attended classes, and occasionally found himself subtly observing Algol.
Not in an obvious way, of course.
Subaru made sure to keep his distance, his curiosity discreet. Sure, she was shy and quiet, but that wasn't unusual. She didn't seem to be hiding anything. If anything, she was just… normal.
Subaru's inner monologue was a constant hum as he ran laps. Maybe Jonah was just being an asshole, again. The guy probably mistook her reserved nature for something sinister. That wasn't exactly a leap for Jonah, considering his superiority complex. Subaru rolled his eyes at the memory of the self-important smirk Jonah always wore. What a jerk.
His daily life continued in this way for the next few weeks—a blur of lectures, library visits, and exams looming on the horizon. Subaru buried himself in study sessions with Renwald and Tekka, though Tekka's Kagaragan-style complaints often made focus difficult. When he wasn't with them, Subaru often found himself observing Algol in passing, as if trying to piece together a puzzle that didn't even exist.
She was quiet, reserved, and diligent. Her movements were precise, her demeanor polite. Every time he saw her, Subaru couldn't help but think to himself: She's just an ordinary girl. Right?
By the time exam week was only days away, Subaru had convinced himself that Jonah's paranoia was baseless. He chalked it up to Jonah needing to feel superior and shrugged it off. Still, one thing nagged at Subaru's mind.
He hadn't actually talked to her.
So, in a moment of impulsive determination, Subaru decided to change that. After class one day, as the students began to shuffle out of the room, he caught up to her. Standing by her desk, Subaru planted his hands on his hips and gave her his usual casual grin.
"Hey," he started, watching as Algol slowly turned to face him, her red eyes blinking with faint surprise. Subaru cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound as normal as possible. "Have you studied for the exams?"
There was a pause—longer than Subaru expected. Algol tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable as she regarded him. Then, quietly, she replied, "Yes, I have."
Subaru let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, his grin widening. "Good. Because I could totally use some notes if you have any spares."
Algol blinked again, then the faintest hint of a smile ghosted across her lips. "I'll… think about it."
The walk to the library was enveloped in silence. Subaru walked a half-step behind Algol, glancing at her every so often. She didn't say a word, her posture rigid but not unfriendly. It was more like… she didn't know what to say. Subaru, on the other hand, kept opening his mouth, only to shut it again. What am I even supposed to say to her? he wondered.
When they arrived, the library's calm atmosphere surrounded them, the faint scent of old parchment lingering in the air. The two found a quiet corner, tucked away from the usual crowd of noisy students. Algol sat first, silently placing her notebook and a small stack of books on the desk. Subaru followed suit, leaning back in his chair with a grin that said, I totally belong here.
Algol opened her notebook without a word and began flipping through it. Her notes were meticulous, neatly written and well-organized, with diagrams that even Subaru had to admit were impressive. She slid the book toward him, her expression neutral. "Here. You can use these."
Subaru leaned forward, feigning intense gratitude. "Oh, you're a lifesaver. I'd be doomed without these."
She didn't respond, simply nodding and returning to her own book. Subaru, however, was only half-paying attention to the notes in front of him. Instead, his eyes drifted to a small corner of her desk where another book rested, its title just barely visible under the edge of her arm.
At first, he thought nothing of it. But as his eyes adjusted to the angle, he caught the title, and he had to stop himself from laughing.
It was a fairy tale book about an ogre who begrudgingly becomes a hero, initially for selfish reasons but eventually has a change of heart. The title was The Reluctant Ogre.
"Wait a second," Subaru said, pointing at the book with a mischievous grin. "This is what you're reading?"
Algol blinked, startled, and quickly moved her arm to cover the book. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and she avoided his gaze. "It's… just something to pass the time."
Subaru chuckled, leaning closer to tease her. "An ogre who doesn't want to be a hero but changes his mind? That's so cheesy. You actually like this kind of stuff?"
To his surprise, Algol didn't seem offended. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, regarding him with a faint, curious expression. "What's wrong with it? It's… nice."
"Nice?" Subaru repeated, amused. "You don't strike me as the 'nice fairy tale' type."
She hesitated for a moment, then gave a small shrug. "Even ogres can have their reasons."
Subaru blinked, caught off guard by her response. He hadn't expected her to actually engage with his teasing. "Fair enough," he admitted with a grin. "But you gotta admit, it's kind of funny. I mean, an ogre as a hero? Sounds like the plot of some ridiculous stage play."
For the first time since he'd met her, a faint smile flickered across Algol's face. "Maybe. But sometimes even ridiculous stories have a little truth in them."
Subaru leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. "You know what? I'll give you that. Maybe I should read it too—get inspired for when I become the next big hero."
Algol gave him a skeptical look but said nothing, turning her attention back to her notes. Subaru couldn't help but smile. For the first time, he felt like he was starting to understand her—just a little.
Subaru leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand as he glanced at Algol. "So, what do you think of school life? You enjoying it?"
She paused, flipping a page in her notebook, then replied with a neutral tone, "It's fine. It's not too different from what I expected."
Subaru raised an eyebrow, curious. "Not much of an opinion there, huh? You're just gonna leave it at 'fine'?"
Algol tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, it's a bit more entertaining than I thought it'd be… mostly because of your obnoxious friends."
Subaru gasped, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. "Obnoxious?! I'll have you know Tekka and Renwald are men of class and sophistication."
"Sure they are," Algol replied with a small chuckle, her voice teasing. "Especially Tekka. Th real picture of elegance, that one."
Subaru laughed along with her. "Okay, fair point. Tekka's a bit of a wildcard, but that's what makes him fun."
The two continued their conversation, with Subaru grinning widely. "Speaking of wildcards, what do you think of Professor Erlon's antics? I swear, that guy's like a walking storm of chaos."
Algol chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "He's… unique. I don't think I've ever met anyone so excited to explain how not to blow up a classroom—while simultaneously almost blowing up a classroom."
Subaru nearly doubled over with laughter. "Right? And the way he starts rambling about lightning magic like it's the best thing since sliced bread—if we had bread that sliced itself, anyway."
The two shared a good laugh, their conversation flowing easily for the first time. However, Algol's expression shifted slightly as she hesitated to speak again. After a moment, she looked at Subaru and asked, "So… what are your plans for after school?"
Subaru blinked, caught off guard. He scratched the back of his head, drawing out a long, thoughtful "Hmmmm" as he tried to come up with an answer. "Honestly? I'm not sure. Maybe I'll travel—see as much of this world as I can. There's so much out there, and I've only seen bits and pieces of it so far."
"That's a nice idea," Algol said quietly, her voice carrying a note of sincerity.
"Yeah," Subaru replied, nodding. "I think so too. What about you? What are your big post-school plans?"
Algol hesitated again, her gaze dropping to her notebook. After a moment, she replied softly, "I'll probably just go back to my family and… support them in whatever way I can. My mother is very demanding of me."
Subaru nodded, sensing the weight behind her words. "I see," he said gently. "Well, I hope you figure it all out. You're pretty sharp, so I'm sure you'll do fine."
As he stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder, he gave her a small wave. "See you around, Algol. I'm looking forward to our next chat."
Algol gave him a faint smile and nodded. "Yeah… see you."
Subaru walked away, hands in his pockets, trying to look casual. In his inner monologue, though, his thoughts turned back to Jonahh. That guy's such a dick, Subaru mused with a sigh. How did he even know about her being "different"? She's just a normal girl… mostly.
The scene shifted to the heart of Gusteko—the Royal Castle, a fortress of icy grandeur. The structure, more cathedral than palace, loomed under the pale light of the winter moon. Its spires clawed toward the heavens, and its stone walls gleamed as if perpetually frosted. The interior was no less imposing, with its dark halls illuminated by the flicker of blue mana crystals embedded into towering pillars. The air was heavy, carrying both the chill of the outside and the oppressive weight of authority.
At the center of this cold throne room, atop a dais carved from glacier stone, sat King Sugona. He was an imposing figure, towering even while lounging lazily on his throne. His muscular form was draped in flowing blue robes that barely clung to his broad shoulders, revealing pale, scarred skin. His white braided hair flowed down his back, a stark contrast to the vibrant blue mask that covered the upper half of his face. The mask sparkled faintly in the dim light, making his sharp jawline and smug grin all the more prominent.
Surrounding him were several priests and hooded figures, their forms cloaked in ceremonial garb, their faces obscured by shadow. They stood in silent reverence, their heads bowed slightly. The room pulsed faintly, an almost imperceptible thrum of mana that seemed to hum in the air like a distant heartbeat.
"Alright, alright, let's cut to it, my guys," Sugona drawled, his voice low and languid. His tone carried a mix of arrogance and disinterest, as though the weight of ruling was little more than a dull inconvenience. He waved a hand lazily, dismissing some papers a hooded figure had presented to him. "You're killin' me with the whole doom-and-gloom vibe. What's up with the border situation, huh? Gimme the short and spicy version, babe."
One of the priests, an older man with a quivering voice, stepped forward, clutching a staff adorned with glowing ice crystals. "Your Majesty, reports indicate increased Vollachian movement along the southeastern border. It is likely that the imperial factions are attempting to position themselves more favorably during their civil conflict."
Sugona rubbed his temples dramatically, as though the words themselves were giving him a headache. "Ugh, Vollachians. Those guys, man. Always pokin' at us. Why can't they just chill? Like, literally. It's freezing out there." He tilted his head back with a heavy sigh, the light catching the edges of his mask. "Hey, anyone got something stronger than this tea? My head's about to explode."
A younger hooded figure hesitated before stepping forward, clutching a parchment. "Your Majesty, there is… another matter. Regarding the recent reports of heightened spirit activity near the academy and along the border."
Sugona perked up slightly, one brow visible above the mask quirking in mild interest. "Spirit activity, huh? Love that for us. What's the big deal, though? Spirits come and go—why's this giving you guys the heebie-jeebies?"
The atmosphere in the grand throne room shifted dramatically. The faint pulse of mana, ever-present within the icy halls of the castle, grew louder, sharper, like the hum of an ancient force awakening. King Sugona, slouched lazily on his throne just moments before, straightened his posture with an uncharacteristic tension. His grin faded, replaced by a grimace of unease as the sensation of the room changed entirely.
The priests and hooded figures around him noticed it too. Their murmurs ceased, their movements stilled. Sugona's piercing gaze swept across the room, locking onto the massive crystal doors behind his throne. The frost-encrusted doors began to groan and tremble, as though responding to an unseen force. A chill that even Gusteko's harsh winters couldn't replicate swept through the room, sharp and biting.
"Out. All of you," Sugona commanded, his voice unusually firm. His casual arrogance melted away as his sharp tone echoed against the icy walls. Without hesitation, the priests and councilors shuffled out of the chamber, bowing deeply and murmuring blessings as they retreated. The crystal doors to the throne room sealed shut behind them with a resounding thud, leaving Sugona completely alone.
He froze, his body stiff as he took a cautious step back from his throne. His breath came in visible puffs in the increasingly frigid air. The massive crystal doors behind the dais began to open, the mechanisms grinding slowly, unveiling a raging blizzard on the other side. Snow and ice swirled violently, the storm reaching into the throne room as though summoned by the very heavens.
Sugona's eyes widened, and his breath hitched. Emerging from the blizzard was the unmistakable form of a claw—white and massive, its edges glittering like crystalline snow. Another claw followed, crunching into the icy floor with an earth-shaking thud.
Finally, a colossal head emerged, crowned with regal yet savage majesty, its piercing blue eyes gleaming like twin glaciers. Odglass, the Sacred Beast of Gusteko and Benevolent Mother of the Gustekan Church, had arrived.
The enormous white bear spirit exhaled slowly, her breath condensing into thick frost that spread across the throne room floor, encasing it in a layer of pristine ice. Her presence was otherworldly, ancient, and suffocating in its authority. Every movement she made seemed deliberate, calculated, as if she carried the weight of the world itself.
Sugona immediately dropped to one knee, bowing so low that his forehead almost touched the frozen ground. "Your Grace, Mother Odglass," he said, his voice wavering with a mix of reverence and fear. "To what do I owe this great honor?"
Odglass's massive form loomed over the throne, her breath steady and frost-laden as her deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber. "There is a disruption," she began, her words slow and deliberate, each syllable carrying a weight that made Sugona's spine tingle. "In the south of the kingdom's capital, the flow of mana has been disturbed. The balance is threatened."
Sugona remained bowed, his fingers digging into the icy floor. "I see, Your Grace. I will assemble my best men to investigate the matter immediately—"
"You misunderstand." Odglass's voice cut through his words like a blade of ice. Sugona flinched as the frost in the air seemed to thicken. "You will not delegate this task to others."
Sugona hesitated, raising his head slightly to meet her gaze. The blue mask that adorned his face did little to hide the unease in his eyes. "Y-Your Grace, surely my knights are more suited to—"
"You will do this yourself," Odglass interjected, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Make amends for the disgrace of your mishandling of the Mad Prince Vague Algard. Do not test my patience, Holy King."
Sugona swallowed hard, his arrogance entirely stripped away. He bowed his head even lower. "Understood, Your Grace. I will see to it personally."
Odglass exhaled again, the frost swirling more intensely as she began to retreat back into the storm. "Restore the balance, Sugona. There is no room for failure."
With that, her massive form vanished into the blizzard, the crystal doors sealing shut behind her. The oppressive cold lingered in the throne room long after her departure. Sugona remained kneeling for a moment longer, his head hung low, his breath shaky. When he finally stood, his mask could not hide the thin sheen of sweat on his brow.
He turned toward the empty throne room, clenching his fists tightly. "Great. Just great," he muttered under his breath, his usual casual tone laced with bitterness. "Thanks, babe. No pressure or anything."
The scene shifted to the crowded halls of the academy. The atmosphere was tense, with students buzzing nervously as the impending exams loomed over them. Among the chaos, Tekka was pacing back and forth, muttering complaints under his breath, his Kagaragan accent slipping in stronger than usual. "Why the hell do we have t' do this, huh? It's just papers an' magic! Put me on a battlefield, I'd crush it!"
Renwald, calm as ever, adjusted his glasses and gave Tekka a disapproving look. "You should've been preparing instead of complaining. It's not the exams' fault you procrastinated."
Tekka glared at Renwald, but before he could retort, Fob let out a loud burp, drawing all eyes to him. The boy looked down at the remnants of his meal—half a bread roll still clutched in his hand—and shrugged unapologetically. "What? Can't think on an empty stomach."
Subaru sighed heavily, seated on a bench nearby, flipping through Algol's neatly written notes. His brow furrowed in concentration as he muttered, "These aren't even my notes. Why am I even bothering?" But despite his grumbling, he read on, Algol's precise handwriting somehow reassuring in the midst of his nerves.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Subaru. He glanced up, startled to see Johnan standing there with his usual smug expression. Renwald and Tekka froze in surprise, exchanging wide-eyed looks as Johnan crossed his arms, clearly intending to stir something up.
"Subaru," Johnan began, his tone mockingly polite, "I thought I'd check in, seeing as you're the one I entrusted with... sensitive information." His gray eyes narrowed. "Tell me, what do you really think about Algol? Surely, by now, you've picked up on something."
Subaru's jaw tightened, irritation flickering across his face. "You're still on about that? Give it a rest, Johnan. Algol's perfectly normal. You're just paranoid."
Johnan's expression darkened, his air of superiority faltering for a moment. "Paranoid? I was doing you a favor, you ungrateful—" He stopped himself, letting out a scoff before snapping, "You're impossible. Screw you, Natsuki." With a dramatic turn, he stormed off, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
Subaru sighed again, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What a jerk," he muttered.
Tekka, recovering from the scene, nudged Renwald with his elbow. "What's his deal? Guy's wound tighter than a spring."
Renwald adjusted his glasses, his tone dry. "He probably doesn't appreciate being told he's paranoid. Subaru has a way with words."
Subaru waved them off, shaking his head as he stood. "Whatever. He's not worth the energy." He shoved Algol's notes back into his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "I'm heading to the exam hall. You two coming, or are you just going to loiter here?"
Tekka groaned but followed suit, Renwald trailing behind him with an amused smirk. As they walked toward the hall where the exams were being held, Subaru's thoughts drifted to Algol. She was perfectly normal... wasn't she? His gaze briefly flickered to the window, the faintest shadow of doubt creeping in.
But he shook it off, straightening his posture as they entered the hall. There was no time for distractions now. It was exam day, and Subaru had other challenges to face.
Exams were always a slog, and this one was no different. Subaru found himself staring blankly at his papers more often than he cared to admit, occasionally glancing around the room. He thought he did decently, but he wouldn't know for sure until the results were announced.
Across the room, he saw Tekka glaring at his paper, his fists clenched as though sheer intimidation would force the answers to reveal themselves. Then came the sharp slam of Tekka's fist hitting his desk, startling the students nearby. Subaru almost chuckled but quickly looked away, trying not to draw attention to himself.
On the other hand, Fob was a sight to behold. Subaru was almost certain he saw the boy sneak a dinner roll out of his bag during the written portion. How he managed to eat without being caught was a mystery, but Fob seemed unbothered by the pressure. Subaru shook his head, bemused.
Renwald, meanwhile, was the picture of composure. He moved his quill with practiced precision, his gaze never wavering from his exam sheet. Subaru couldn't help but feel a little envious of Renwald's calm demeanor, especially when compared to his own scattered thoughts.
And then there was Johnan. Subaru could practically feel the boy's eyes drilling into the back of his head at one point. Turning slightly, he caught a glimpse of Johnan's sharp glare, full of disdain and judgment. Subaru sighed inwardly. "What's his problem now?"
When the final exam was submitted, an audible wave of relief washed over the room as students slumped in their seats or stretched in exhaustion. The teachers promptly collected the papers and retreated to a separate chamber, leaving the students with an agonizing wait while the tests were evaluated.
The hour felt like an eternity, but eventually, the results were announced. Professor Erlon entered the room, his wild hair looking even messier than usual as he carried a stack of papers. He cleared his throat dramatically, silencing the chatter in the hall.
"Alright, everyone, the results are in! Let's give a big hand to the student with the highest score... Miss Iche!"
A small cheer erupted as a girl in the corner of the room—someone Subaru barely recognized—blushed and bowed her head modestly. Subaru clapped politely, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
Erlon continued, listing off the top scorers. "Second place... Renwald Kerrigan!"
Subaru turned to Renwald, who gave a small, satisfied smile but otherwise stayed reserved. Tekka elbowed him in congratulations, earning a sarcastic remark in response.
"Fourth place... Johnan Belvoir!"
Johnan stood up straighter, his expression one of smug satisfaction as his lackeys applauded him loudly. Subaru rolled his eyes, muttering, "Of course he's up there."
When Subaru's name was called, it wasn't among the top ranks, but he still placed in the top 30, somewhere around 27th. It wasn't stellar, but it was above average, and for a moment, he allowed himself a small, proud smile.
"Fob, 54th place!" Erlon announced next.
Fob pumped his fist in the air, unfazed by his average score. "Good enough for me!" he said cheerfully, earning a mix of laughter and groans from nearby students.
Finally, Erlon reached Tekka's name. "Tekka, 101st place..." He paused for dramatic effect, smirking slightly. "...on his first draft."
The room erupted into laughter, and Tekka flushed, slumping in his seat. Erlon's smirk grew. "But on the real list, you passed—barely. 68 percent."
Tekka groaned, muttering, "I'm doomed," while Subaru patted him on the back with a grin.
With the results out, the room began to clear as students went to celebrate or sulk in private. Subaru lingered for a moment, watching as the top scorers basked in their glory while Tekka grumbled about unfair questions. Despite his own mixed feelings about his placement, Subaru felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
"Could've been worse," he thought, walking out into the crisp Glacian air with his friends by his side.
Tekka groaned loudly, throwing his arms up in frustration. "How the hell did I do worse than Fob?!"
Fob, still munching on a piece of bread he'd somehow managed to sneak into the hall, simply shrugged. "Guess I'm just a natural," he said with a cheeky grin, crumbs spilling everywhere.
Renwald sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're not a natural, Fob. You're just... lucky."
Tekka grabbed Renwald's arm with a pleading look. "Come on, Ren! You have to teach me the basics again. I can't keep failing like this—I'll be the laughingstock of the academy!"
Renwald looked unimpressed but eventually relented with a sharp exhale. "Fine, but you owe me. No more last-minute panicking, got it?"
Tekka nodded eagerly. "Got it! I swear, Ren, yer the best!"
As Tekka and Renwald continued their banter, Subaru's thoughts drifted elsewhere. He found himself wondering how Elsa was doing back at the manor. Was she still training under Clind's harsh tutelage? Was she learning to control her talents with a blade? He imagined her fiercely practicing, her focus unshakable, and couldn't help but feel a pang of concern mixed with admiration.
He sighed, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Man, I really hope she's not pushing herself too hard," he muttered under his breath.
Renwald glanced at him. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Subaru said quickly, waving it off.
As the group made their way down the corridor, Subaru glanced around. Something felt... off. He realized he hadn't seen Algol at the exams. He thought back, replaying the crowded hall in his mind. She had to have been there, right? There were so many students, it was hard to keep track of everyone.
"Probably just got lost in the crowd," Subaru muttered to himself, trying to brush off the odd feeling. Still, a nagging thought lingered at the back of his mind.
With a shrug, Subaru turned his attention back to Tekka and Renwald. The trio headed toward the dining hall, Tekka still begging Renwald for tutoring while Fob trailed behind, happily munching on yet another roll.
Authors Note:
So a few things to mention, Fob. Relatively random, I didn't give the character much of an introduction, but thought it'd be fine, for the satire and what not? Still expiramenting with my writing and wanted to see how that went?
I see a few repeat questions, mind you if that doesn't seem right I am writing on two different websites, so there can be confusion. If you do have any questions or concerns feel free to voice them. As well for the readers, A03 contains the bulk of the author notes, I admit to my sloth, but can ya really blame a guy? They make it so convenient.
Either way, hope you enjoyed the chapter, a bit of a slow one, but it does well for world buliding.