Magic in Anterthon: The Awakening Fire

The café was quiet, save for the soft clinking of cups and the occasional murmur of conversation. A blue-haired man sat at a table by the window, his fingers loosely wrapped around a cup of tea that had long since cooled. He hadn't touched it. He never did. His eyes, an unplaceable shade, shifted lazily to the street outside, watching as the world passed by.

The street pulsed with its usual life—people rushing, cars threading through narrow spaces, and the distant echo of laughter. Yet, despite the activity, the man remained still, as if he didn't quite belong to the rhythm of it all.

He observed without engaging—just watching, as if this were all part of a play he had seen countless times. The wind picked up, and the rain began to fall in soft patterns against the glass.

Then, just beyond the café window, a small commotion caught his attention. Two older boys towered over a smaller student, their postures aggressive, their voices harsh. The man's eyes flickered briefly with interest, though his expression remained unchanged.

He could hear fragments of the confrontation through the rain—a familiar scene of bullying, one that played out in countless variations across the world. Mortals and their conflicts... fleeting, trivial.

His gaze shifted slightly as two other figures approached—a boy and a girl. Their purposeful strides and calm demeanor set them apart, tugging at the man's curiosity. He leaned forward slightly, intrigued.

The boy stepped between the bullies and their victim with quiet authority, and the man's eyes narrowed, recognizing the confidence radiating from him. The familiar girl stood just behind him, her presence watchful, yet calm and intense.

Interesting.

The man's interest was piqued for a moment, but he didn't interfere. Instead, he sat back in his seat, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had seen enough. Whatever happened next was no longer his concern. He returned his gaze to the rain-streaked window, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

＊＊＊

Kenneth closed his book with a satisfied sigh, a small smile playing on his lips. Sunlight poured in through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. It was his nth time rereading it, yet he never grew tired of the story.

A voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey, Kenneth!" Rika called from the hallway, her tone light and teasing.

"Yeah?" Kenneth looked up as she entered the room, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"What are you reading? The same novel again?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe, sunlight catching strands of her hair.

Kenneth chuckled, holding up the book. "Yeah, it just feels calming. I can't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity while reading it."

Rika raised an eyebrow. "How many times have you read it?"

"Too many to count," he admitted with a grin.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ash stepped in, his signature grin already in place. "President!"

“Ash! Congratulations on winning the nationals!” Kenneth responded, smiling.

Ash, the captain and pitcher of the baseball team, had led their school to victory at the national baseball championship with his monstrous athletic skills and excellent teamwork. Kenneth had always wanted to recruit Ash into the student council, but Ash’s packed schedule never allowed it.

“Thanks for organizing the cheering squad. Hearing everyone cheer really gave us a boost,” Ash said gratefully. He then turned to Rika, “Oh yeah, Hea− I mean Uncle's back and brought your favorite snacks. He wants to catch up with you. Let me know when you’re free, and I’ll pass the message along.”

Rika smiled, “I’m free tonight. I’ll drop by after I stop by home.”

"Okay! Then, see you later!" Ash waved and left, his energy leaving the room buzzing.

Kenneth chuckled as Ash hurried off. Rika and Ash had been childhood friends, a bond that had clearly stayed strong over the years.

After some time, Kenneth and Rika walked toward the student council room. Students greeted him warmly as they passed by. Kenneth was well-liked for his leadership and dedication to the school. Not only that, but he was also a model student with top academic marks, earning him the respect of everyone around him.

Rika glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “You make it look so easy, don’t you? Everyone here respects you.”

Kenneth chuckled. “It’s not just me. I’ve got a great team—and that includes you, Vice President.”

Rika smiled, this time more genuinely. “I guess it helps having a solid team to back you up.”

“Definitely,” Kenneth agreed as they continued walking, the camaraderie between them unmistakable.

＊＊＊

After school, Kenneth and Rika walked through the rain-soaked streets. Neither had thought to bring an umbrella, but neither seemed to mind. The rain was a steady rhythm, adding a quiet undercurrent to their conversation.

"I can't believe Ash still wants to organize a victory party for the championship," Rika said, laughing softly as she pushed a wet strand of hair out of her face.

Kenneth chuckled, water dripping from his hair. "He and his team earned it. Let them have their moment."

Their light banter was interrupted by a faint scuffle just ahead. Kenneth's senses sharpened as they turned the corner and spotted two older boys harassing a younger student. The rain made the scene feel muted, but the tension in the air was palpable.

"Looks like we're needed," Rika said quietly, her expression shifting from casual to serious.

Kenneth nodded, stepping forward without hesitation. "Hey!" he called out, his voice cutting through the rain. "Leave him alone."

The bullies stopped, turning to face the two newcomers. One of them, taller and bulkier, sneered, sizing Kenneth up. "Mind your own business."

"I'm making it my business," Kenneth replied calmly, his tone unwavering. "Let him go."

The second bully, undeterred, pulled out a small knife from his pocket, the blade catching a glint of the streetlight through the rain. "You think you can take us?" he growled, advancing.

Kenneth's gaze didn't waver. He stepped forward, his posture relaxed, yet there was an undeniable authority in the way he moved. "Put the knife down," he said, his voice firm. "You're making a mistake."

Before the bully could react, Kenneth swiftly dodged the knife, his reflexes sharp. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the bully's wrist, twisting it until the knife dropped to the wet pavement with a clatter. He followed through by sweeping the bully off his feet, pinning him effortlessly to the ground.

"Enough," Kenneth said, his voice steady even as rain dripped down his face. "Walk away."

The second bully, eyes wide with panic, scrambled to pull his friend up, muttering a quick apology before the two of them fled into the rain.

Rika watched them disappear, then turned to Kenneth, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You're always so calm. You didn't even flinch."

Kenneth shrugged, brushing water off his sleeves. "Didn't need to. They weren't a real threat."

The younger boy, still shaking, stammered a quick "thank you" before running off.

Rika and Kenneth stood there for a moment, rain falling softly around them, before continuing their walk. "You're pretty good at handling these situations," Rika commented, glancing at him.

"Someone has to," Kenneth replied, though his tone was light.

＊＊＊

As the rain continued to fall, Rika parted ways with Kenneth, her thoughts still lingering on the events of the day. She walked quietly down the dimly lit streets, the rain creating a soft, rhythmic backdrop. Her clothes were soaked through, but the rain had always been a comfort to her.

Suddenly, the world around her stilled. The rain, once cascading down in steady drops, froze midair. The hum of the city ceased. Time itself had stopped.

She turned slowly, already knowing who she would see.

The blue-haired man stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable as usual, though his presence carried a weight that Rika had always known. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the unnatural stillness. "Rika."

Rika inclined her head in greeting. "Headmaster."

His gaze held hers, serious and unyielding. "You need to return to Anterthon," he said, his words laced with quiet urgency. "The situation here is becoming dangerous."

Rika hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I understand."

For a brief second, the frozen raindrops hanging in the air seemed to shimmer, catching the light from the streetlamps. Then, with a soft exhale from the man who called himself the Headmaster, time resumed. The rain fell again, the city buzzed back to life, and the man was gone as if he had never been there.

But Rika knew better. Her time in the mortal world had ended.