I Hate Being The Protagonist

The executives of my school did a thorough investigation, even going so far as to ask me if I wanted a night guard in front of my room. I rejected their offer politely, as I didn't want to cause any ruckus inside the school.

Whoever wrote on my desk didn't want to kill me. The message was a warning, a general warning that I'll have on my mind.

The questions of who, what, why and how were in my mind for the whole night.

All of those questions were tucked away when I started training with Lucidel again.

For the next two months, I devoted a hundred percent of my focus to training. My swordsmanship got better, along with magic control and even my manapool. I could now be considered a tier 2 mage, since my manapool deepened into half a glass full.

In just two months, I surpassed every kid in my class, all the way to the seniors. I was equal in quantity of mana to some kids, but not in terms of magic casting and fighting. Lucidel started joking that I'll start leading the class with him soon.

Putting my intense training aside, the time to visit Rache came. We had exchanged many messages during these two months, on our devices that he gave me. I was amped up to see my favorite butler again, since I needed a break from the hard persona of my teacher, and the softness of my other teacher.

-

I entered the capital, seeing many people permeate the area. The crowd went by their own lives, not shooting a single glance to the higher being walking through. It was crazy for me to realize I've been in their place, and wouldn't notice someone enlightened walking past me. I didn't activate aura sensing all the time, so an enlightened walking beside me would go past my radar in the past.

A being of such great power, that you can't influence it in any way, shape or form. I was that being now, traversing the capital like any regular person.

I passed by my old school, searching for Oliver with my eyes. I couldn't discern him from the rest of the kids with aura sensing, for his lack of mana makes him almost invisible. Not finding the nerdy ex-friend and foe, I continued forward.

Rache was waiting for me like always, with a plate in hand with my favorite dessert on it. Panna cotta with a strawberry jam on top with bits of strawberries all over.

"How's it going Rache?"

"Splendid as always, Lord Adam."

I sat down on the table in our front yard, having my dessert while Rache sits down and eats nothing. We only dined together when I insisted on it, since his philosophy was that royalty should only eat alongside other royalty. This would make me lonely, so Rache would sit down with me and eat nothing.

"What have you been doing while I was gone?" I ask, interested in my butler's personal life.

"I've kept the house in perfect condition."

"And that's it? You only did chores and played Evil Antagonist against yourself??"

"I did. Of course, I attended a club for Evil A. players where we duke it out on the board. The human mind such as myself would get lonely after 2 months of isolation. I keep my social life active enough that I don't develop any mental illnesses while you're gone."

"So you are capable of having fun," I mumble while stuffing myself with dessert.

"The most pleasurable experience for me is serving you, Lord Adam."

"I appreciate you, Rache," I comment, laying back from enjoyment of the dessert.

"You really have a tooth for sweets," Rache notes.

"Well, I still am a kid..."

"When I talk to you, it certainly doesn't seem that way. You're surrounded by grownups your whole life. While looking at such a serious tone of living, you're forced to mature. I worry that your childhood was ripped from you too soon."

"Don't worry Rache, I had plenty of fun with peers at my school," I lie, wanting to brighten Rache's mood.

"Really? I know that school trains and educates young boys like yourself into successful men with pristine jobs. If you're having fun at school, that makes me glad."

Having fun? More like being tormented by Lucidel. I don't complain of my general, as I've chosen the path I walk myself. Thoughts of a life I could've lived occasionally cross my mind, that of playing with other kids and having normal relationships. Once my brain reminds me of the horrors I witnessed, I'm motivated to never stray from my path again. I can enjoy a peaceful life when I'm strong enough. My goal is to see Dorian and Evy again, as I've really bonded with them in the short time we hung out. I want to protect them, along with Rache.

Never again do I want an incident like Oliver to happen again, and I'll insure that my future goes according to plan.

-

I managed to achieve a draw 2 more times during this week, proving my progress. If only I played Evil A. in Obiwon, I would be able to beat Rache. I only trained and received regular education, having no one to play against. This bothered me a bit, since I wanted to show Rache some progress, and finally enter the competitive zone like I've done with Dorian.

"You seem sulked, what's the matter?" Rache asks.

"Well, there's no one at my school that knows how to play Evil A. Not a single one of them has what it takes to play like we do, with only my teacher fitting the role."

"Why don't you play against your teacher then?" Rache asks the obvious.

The teacher I was referring to is Lucidel. I tried playing against my other teacher, but I would win every time, since he wasn't talented for the game. My teacher is certainly more knowledgeable than me, but lacks the strategic mindset.

Playing against Lucidel was out of the question since he did nothing but teach physical exercise along with magic lessons. The general isn't someone you can borrow for a game of Evil A. I explained this to Rache, to which he sighed with worry.

"Not doing what he likes is detrimental for a child's growth..." he notes.

"I'm fine!" I assure Rache, flailing my arms in defense. "I've played other games with kids my age, so don't worry!"

"Ah, that's good. What kind of games do you play?" he asks.

"I uhh.."

I try to make something up, since the only interactions I had with other kids was sparring lessons.

"Tag! We play lots of tag!"

It has some truth to it, since we would play a kind of game that could be considered tag. It is formally called 'evasion tactics', which involve a fire augmented fist chasing us while we dodge and simulate a counterattack now and then.

"So a physical game? That's good, you have to be in shape. Considering your inclination towards desserts, spending calories like that is a must."

That definitely hit the heart. Rache is basically telling me that I would get fat if I didn't exercise. He isn't wrong though...

"Are all the kids in your school from Eviansis?" Rache asks.

I didn't really talk with other kids, so I couldn't have found out that way. My regular teacher talked about how I was the only foreign kid.

"I am, but it doesn't bother me. The others don't care about it since I'm the strongest there."

I didn't want to lie Rache, so I limited myself to tell as much truth as there is to tell. The other kids either accepted my existence by themselves or with force. They could see my growth and strength from day one, so none of them interfered with my life. None of them should hold anything against me since I do my own thing while they do theirs, respecting my path.

Rache asked me about the teachers and how well they operate. This was the moment I started talking about Lucidel, going on and on about my experience with him for the last two months. I left some stuff out, so Rache doesn't find out I spend hours every day only focusing on my training.

Lucidel has become somewhat of a caretaker of mine, almost raising me to his image. I didn't want to adapt my personality to his, trying to remain myself during this time. That said, I have begun to see some correspondence with our way of talking and standing.

"This general seems like a pain in the ass, but if you like him and have decided he is the right teacher for you, then be it," Rache shrugs.

-

The week passed by quickly, as I had my bonding time with Rache. I almost didn't want to leave for Obiwon, as I've been pampered for the last week like a child living his dream. Then I remembered what happened the last time I wasn't careful and where that led me. I can take a rest after the 2 years I've set in my head.

Until the timer is done, my only goal is to grind as hard as I can.

As I walked to the subway station, I saw Oliver across the street. Deciding to investigate him a bit, I crossed the street to his side. He noticed me and froze in place, sweat building up on his forehead. I approached him, gazing into his eyes with a cold expression.

He immediately bowed before me, asking how I've been while stuttering.

"It's all good. You listening to my instructions like I've told you?" I ask.

"Down to the letter!" he shouts.

I nod, passing by him slowly. I traumatized this poor kid. He didn't do anything to me, but I still had to get rid of the danger. What had to be done was done. Oliver remained his nerdy self, without friends and already starting to be bullied. His bullies aren't as strong as I am though, so he won't venture into the haunted house even if they try to force him.

Oliver is taken care of, everything is according to plan. I've spent the week with Rache and rested, now was the time to get back to work.