I Hate Being The Protagonist

Our Sword Saint professor Guille would be there, observing us and making sure everyone's safe. "Adam, no limits magic. Dorian, you know how to fight," he orders.

There were 60 students watching, as only three classes exist. I'm lucky to be picked from billions of people to go to this school. There are others like this one, but they are rare, with only one other in Holdanis, which isn't as good or as well funded as this one.

"This'll be interesting," Evy says while sitting on a log.

10 girls surround her, asking if 'Adam or Dorian are single', depending on their age.

"They are both gay actually, sorry."

After Evy got the girls off her back, she could enjoy the fight peacefully. She was excited to see my full power in action, as well as seeing how it fairs up against someone enlightened.

"Start!"

I rushed forward, casting an explosion spell. The giant burst of flames was actually comparable to a nuclear level spell going off, compressed into the size of a 4 story building. Of course, our professor Guille was enlightened, so he could control the blast range easily.

"Holy SHIT!!!"

The students went into uproar after seeing my power. Most of the kids here possessed these levels of power with their magic, as it was nothing weird for Obiwon. After all, what's a nuclear explosion when dealing with a higher being.

Guille silently watched, his eyes easily tracing our moves.

Anyone in Obiwon can manage a powerful destructive spell, but they differ in fine magic. Let's test his ability to tank those spells. I used spatial magic to teleport behind Dorian, striking him with a sword conjured from light magic. His head was already turned in the direction I would appear at, and he took my light attack like a champ. I didn't stop my sword, carving it into his eye, or at least that's what would've happened... If he wasn't enlightened. His eye destroyed my sword on impact. I tried freezing him, but he walked out of it like the thick ice was pure air.

"But can you defeat me? You might be invincible, but are you faster than—"

He suddenly appeared behind me, tickling my sides.

"AH!!" I screamed, jumping into the air as the crowd of students started laughing. He startled me, his speed unimaginably faster than me. My eyes were enhanced with magic, but my senses couldn't pick him up.

No fire of mine could burn him, no ice could freeze him, no lightning could electrocute him and no stone could smash him. He was truly impervious to all magic I cast at him. Not just magic, I tried to punch him, strangle him–all useless. It was like trying to bend solid steel. The problem was I could easily bend the toughest metals with my bare hands, but he was untouchable. Like trying to squeeze a mountain, it was impossible.

Of course it was. It is easier to destroy a planet than my friend over here.

I huff in exhaustion, while Dorian looks like he went onto a walk in the park. My aura dies down as I surrender. "That's incredible. I'm left with no words here, truly. You've surpassed me by a mile," I confess, sitting down on the burnt grass.

"I think there is a word for it—better," he teases, lifting me off the ground.

His hands felt so alien. I could still feel the warmth and softness, I could still see my friend and hear him... But he was different. No magic was present. My strongest sense failed me when trying to assess his presence. Detecting his existence wasn't possible–it was like he wasn't even there.

Our teacher claps his hands together.

"Good match. Now you see what it means to be enlightened. No amount of power or tricks will overcome the dimensional difference of an enlightened and non-enlightened being. Class dismissed."

-

I was later called into the teacher's office, probably to talk about the fight I had with Dorian.

"I hope I'm not in trouble, professor..."

"On the contrary, you did great. After all, I did give you a 'no limits' magic duel. What I want to talk with you about is your progress. I can't go and dedicate my teaching to all of you individually, but my head will be sliced off if I neglect a powerful talent like yourself."

"Teacher... You're flattering me," I smile, not knowing where he's getting at.

He clicks his pen a few times, turning in his chair. "You'll be taken into the chamber after a quick assessment. You're more than ready for the final steps. If you manage to gain enlightenment in the next month while in the chamber, it will undoubtedly be a world record."

"Ready for the chamber!? But I'm not training even for a full year! Screw a full year, I've been here for less than 3 months!" I argue, half-expecting this to be a prank.

"I believe you are ready. In this world, talent won't get you that far. There are many powerful people walking around, and pure talent ain't gonna cut it. People with amazing predispositions put hundreds of years of training only to be defeated by someone with the right guidance. You might not be able to reach the power of a Hand, but you will ascend to the top of the scale–I'm sure of it."

I looked my teacher in the eyes and shuddered slightly. He just compared me to the Hands–beings that lead the regions of Eviansis, stronger than any god, tougher than any demon.

"I-I've got nothing to say. Thank you..."

He crosses his hands, intertwining his fingers after putting the pen down. "No need to thank me young man. We can begin if you're ready."

My teacher first wanted to assess my full power, saying how he fortified the room with his magic. No matter how powerful my burst is, I won't damage anything.

I opened my arms hesitantly, letting a surge of energy fill my veins. I've never truly gone all out with my magic, even against Dorian. It wasn't because I didn't want to—I could've and nothing would've happened—but I'm not used to letting it all out.

I still haven't fought anyone to death, I still haven't had the need to unleash my full power. Although I have a lot of battle experience in theory, I've never truly faced opponents trying to kill me. The only time I did was when my mother died, and my power was insignificant because the demon was on a whole different level.

I released everything, as blue and purple energy gushed out of me like a supernova. I wasn't sure if it was light magic, thunder or fire. It was pure energy released as densely and as quickly as I could muster.

My body could not support my power, failing on me as burns appeared on my arms, legs and neck.

"We'll stop that here," my teacher utters, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I collapse to the floor, exhausted from my own strength. It was incredible to see the room fully in tact, not even a scratch on his wooden desk.

"That was amazing. Your full power could smite a mountain range. Forget nuclear spells, your magic surpasses any I've seen a kid your age use. It's time your potential is given proper care, as no mountain will fall under the magic of a lower being," he says, standing up ecstatically.

Guille was surprised by my magic strength, and excited to begin the final steps of enlightenment with me. He healed my wounds, noting how not even my body realized how much power it carries inside.

His dark blue eyes relax, prideful that a student of my level appeared in the school. "You are a blossoming star."

This reminded me of Rache and the cherry blossom in front of which he played Evil A.

He cleared his throat. "If we do not test our limits, how will we break them? Without challenges, how would we get better?"

The teacher's words stuck with me as I reached the chamber I would be training inside of. In the back of the cabinet, there was a giant circular metal door that you opens like a safe. Guille opened it, letting cool mist seep out into the cabinet. "I've never seen a talent like yourself. It's like you're a miracle, a one in a billion. No, a billion would be underestimating you. When you gain enlightenment, and word goes out, you'll become famous."

I chuckle, realizing this might be bigger than I thought. Never did I underestimate enlightenment, as it still seemed absurd, but I never thought about the repercussions. "Famous? I don't want to be that known..." I comment, thinking about abandoning this.

"You're not in search of worldwide glory, huh?" Guille smiles. "That's even better. You seem like a really righteous kid. If you'd like, I'll keep it a secret when you attain enlightenment. You won't reach the bright light of a celebrity."

I smile warmly. "I'd appreciate that, teacher."

All of my concerns washed away, my professor's hand leading me into the dark chamber. "You'll be transported into a pocket dimension, where your mind can handle the solitude needed for this spiritual and physical awakening. Just relax and keep your mind on progressing further."

"Is there anything I should watch out for?" I ask, all of this feeling a bit rushed. I realize my teacher wanted to go through with this as fast as possible, but I wanted to be safe and secure in the process.

He thinks for a second, tilting his head. "No, the right Hand of Nytria—Pluto—made this dimension. It is secure, and it only helps in the journey towards enlightenment. There won't be any people or conscious beings inside it, so you might feel a bit lonely, but the mental effects of the dimension should keep you at ease."

Pluto—the current leader of Nytria, another region of Eviansis—made this dimension? If the Hands can make dimensions, what are the Rulers capable of?

I enter the chamber, a completely sealed off metal room, without windows or doors, except the one I came through. There were no decorations, nothing except the claustrophobic emptiness and my own body.

"Ready?" My professor asks, leaning against the circular door.

I lie down, something mandatory for it to begin. The surface of the metal floor was cold, but it wasn't freezing. I gave my teacher the thumbs up, closing my eyes. He slowly closed the door, sealing me inside.

Nothing happened for a while, as my thoughts danced freely in the silence. Memories of my mother, what I could've done that time, of Julie and of my mentors. It all filled my head, regrets that always ate me up before sleep. Finally, after what felt like hours, my mind calmed down. Every thought washed away, as my spirit reached a homeostasis.

Then it began.

A warmth spread over my back, as the chamber started heating itself. It was pleasant, a delightful feeling of every tension in my body disappearing. The heat increased, until it felt like sunshine was hitting my body. There was no light though, as I was completely encased in a darkness I've only once seen before. This one wasn't malevolent, and didn't make me nervous. Quite the contrary, it was soothing.

The heat subsided, and something else started happening. I felt my body accelerating upwards, the g-force feeling stronger and stronger. I realized this wasn't an illusion, it couldn't be. A sudden light graced my eyes, as I opened them out of instinct. I was traveling at speeds I never achieved on my own, light warping around me like a tunnel waterfall.

The pressure was increasing, making it harder to breathe. I used magic to repel the effect, negating the acceleration fee I payed with my body. Finally, it stopped, and I was standing on my feet. It was instantaneous, my surroundings appearing in the blink of an eye.

I was standing in a field of pink flower petals, suspended on a hill with those same petals drifting in the air. So this is a different dimension, made by Pluto. It was exhilarating, all I could see around me were small hills—sea of pink. Above me was a white sky, devoid of any sun or star. It carried a distinct tranquility, the mana in the air moving like one giant structure.

I take a deep inhale, letting the fresh fragrance of flowers intoxicate my sense of smell. This was wonderful, and the landscape of rolling hills continued far off, beyond what my eyes could see.

Let's see what Pluto has created. It's time to ascend into the higher realm.