I Hate Being The Protagonist

After entering the decrepit wooden house, I was hit with a wave of moldy smells emanating from the wet walls and the ceiling. It was dark, but I could see well in it by using light magic.

Golden and silver scarabs were placed on the walls, reminding me of my mother's jewelry. She used to have scarabs as decor on her purse and on some furniture as well.

There were rugs all over the walls, with weird symbols on them. I could sense strange mana behavior in the air.

"Oliver!" I called out, not being frightened by urban myths about this place.

It seems that this house does possess some abstract elements. For one, it is isolated from the outside world. Even though I could peek through the gaps in the walls on the outside, no sound got inside. There was barely any light coming through, even though half of the walls and windows were rugs and patched up holes.

Oliver didn't answer.

The living room I entered was empty. The kitchen was destroyed, with a rusty sink barely hanging on. Stairs to my left led up onto the second floor, while stairs to my right led downwards into the basement.

Chills ran down my spine while thinking about the basement. Was I scared? No way, I trusted my strength and magic power undeniably.

Still, I had my eye on that ominous basement.

I started ascending the old wooden stairs, trying my best not to collapse onto the floor below. The creeks were loud, but every part of this dusty house was, so I shrugged my shoulders.

After ascending the stairs, I found myself in the hallway of the first floor. There were three rooms, and I heard rustling from one of them down the hall. It was the last room, with the door wide open.

My hand condensed magic, ready to strike at anything trying to jumpscare me.

I first cleared the 2 rooms, expecting an ambush. They were empty, apart from the occasional furniture.

I gathered the courage and peeked into the last room, seeing Oliver sitting down. He was looking at someone standing near the window. The person wore tattered clothes, with gray balding hair. A homeless person for sure.

"Oliver, why didn't you answer?" I asked, weary of the homeless man. I couldn't sense his aura, but it was most likely because he was that weak.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you," Oliver answers calmly.

"Want to introduce me to your friend?" I ask, looking at Oliver to see if he sustained any injuries. Even a homeless man could harm Oliver, so I had to check.

"What friend?" Oliver asks, confused.

"The man stand—"

I was appalled to see no one standing near the window. Was that my imagination or is this some sort of advanced magic I’m unfamiliar with? Grabbed Oliver, I escorted him out of the house.

"Did 15 minutes already pass?" Oliver asks.

"20 minutes passed. What were you doing in there?"

As we set foot out of the house, Oliver blinked a few times.

"What? Was I in there?"

My look of horror couldn't be hidden. I quickly questioned Oliver about his journey through the haunted house, but it seems his memory stops at the front porch. He said he didn't have the balls to enter it, so he closed his eyes and turned back. But here he is, outside with me. He doesn't remember anything, including me escorting him out.

I took Oliver to the nearest hospital, from which he was released shortly after. They rounded it up to shock from fear, giving him a glass of water.

That night I dreamed of the man I saw standing near the window. He didn't say a word, only looking at me blankly. The man carried a soft smile, but I couldn't recall his expression in the house. When I woke up, I had a small crisis, asking myself if what I saw was even real.

That morning, I almost went back to the house, but remembered what happened the last time I was curious. I don't like repeating mistakes, so I brushed it off my mind and went to school as usual.

The day was uneventful, except for Oliver who didn't interact with me much. Usually, he would talk about the latest science project, or a new magic principle he learned in theory, but today was silent. He only talked when spoken to, and after I questioned him I got the response "Nothing is wrong," with a look of puzzlement.

-

I talked to Rache about it, but he had no answer.

"Maybe he is mad that you forced him to go alone like that," Rache rations, serving me lunch like usual.

I cherry picked my meal, thinking about it all.

"Lord Adam, leave mulling for after the meal. During lunch, focus on only the food. Philosophy sits best after eating."

I listened to Rache, leaving my thoughts for another day.

-

I was woken up to Rache holding a letter from the mail.

"You've been chosen to participate in the school for advanced learners like yourself. Your new school is called Obiwon, the most prestigious school in all of Holdanis."

"I'm being moved?" I ask, not really caring where I go to.

"Yes, and you're going somewhere where you'll be closer to your peers," Rache notes.

A school for talented students, something that piqued my interest. There was one issue though. "I'm assuming this school isn't close..."

Rache sighs, telling me that I'm right. I'll have to leave him for two months, after which I'll have a break week and can return to my home. Cycle after cycle, I'll live like that, having a dorm in my new school.

I was saddened by the idea of moving from Rache, but knew that was the best course of action for my growth. I accepted the invitation, packing a giant suitcase for the trip.

I had another day of school in my old one, with an opportunity to say goodbye to my old friends. There was no one in particular to bid farewell except Oliver, who just said a simple "Oh, have fun."

"Can you show at least a bit of empathy for your friend which invited you over a million times!? Look, I'm sorry I made you go into that haunted house, but can you at least say something to your friend that saved you from bullies and gave you a social life?!"

My outburst was met with "Ok, I hope you like your new school."

I waved my hand in frustration, giving Oliver a parting gift. It was a small bracelet made to strengthen your magic power that's made from precious metals and very expensive elements.

"Thanks.”

I walked out of the school vexed, looking back to see Oliver put a scarab into his pocket. Am I seeing things? I was too agitated to go back, just wanting to depart and move from this town.

-

I let out a tear while hugging Rache, thanking him for the wonderful 2 years I've spent with him.

"If you ever need anything, just call," he says while hugging me back.

"I will! How about a last game of Evil Antagonist before I go?"

"Of course, Lord Adam."

"If I beat you now, you'll eat your nails out for the next 2 months," I tease, knowing there is no way I'll beat him.

We sit down and start the game. We move our pieces in a silent harmony, showcasing our respect for one another during this game. No words had to be spoken, as I waited for my wizard, not being as impulsive as always. My pawns moved better, and I promoted my knight earlier.

"Archmage, 7th region. Take"

"Good, you've improved once again. But you can teach old dogs new tricks. Phoenix, red zone."

"Elite knight, 1st region, check."

"King retreated," Rache smirks.

"Archmage, 4th region, take."

"Hasty again, are we? You've worked well, and you'll work even better. This new life will send you in the right direction. Phoenix, 2nd region, check"

"I already know you've got something up your sleeve. I'll find someone better than you and learn their strategy in this new school. Archmage, 2nd region, take"

"Ah, boasting about someone else's achievements will get you nowhere, you have to think on your own. Checkmate."

"The mortar strikes again. You're never left with no options, huh?" I comment, standing up and offering my hand.

-

Bidding farewell to my caretaker, I set foot on a journey to new horizons. The train picks me up, and I sit down beside a girl with twin ponytails. Her jet-black hair sits neatly on her black and white clothes, her legs crossed as she reads a book.

"Ritual practice... Interesting title..."

After I said it outloud she averted her attention over to me, raising one eyebrow.

"You headed to Obiwon?"

"How'd you know?" I ask.

She was 3 years older than me, and could read aura. She could see my incredible manapool and versatile magic.

"A freak of nature? Where'd you come from?"

I was thrown back by her way of talking, but I answered her question.

She scoffed, but not in a condescending way. "From the capital? Only idiots go there, good thing you were moved."

"Why were you here then?" I ask.

"A relative of mine lives here, so I was on vacation," she explains, closing her book.

"So you also go to Obiwon I presume?"

"Smart kid,” she praises me. “I do, but I'm in the enlightenment program, not yet receiving true schooling there."

"What's enl—"

"What's the enlightenment program?" she interjects, "Enlightenment is when you elevate yourself into the next dimension, becoming a higher being. Think of our world as having 3 dimensions, and by becoming enlightened, you elevate into the 4th."

"W-WHAT??" I stammer, wondering if I heard this goth girl correctly.

She sighs. "Ugh... This is why your schooling sucks. I know dimensions are hard to grasp, but to put it simply, Heaven is an elevated dimension. If you are enlightened, you can theoretically enter Heaven. Also, by being enlightened, you are impervious to damage dealt by non-enlightened individuals."

"And that's step one?? You have to gain enlightenment as a requirement!? Only then can you start your schooling in Obiwon!?" I shout, alerting the entire train of our conversation.

"Yup, and the average person has to rigorously train for 10 years in order to achieve it,” she adds matter-of-factly.

"So I'll have to spend the whole lifetime I've lived in this world in order to enroll into the actual school program?"

She giggles, putting her book in its designated bag, ready to fully commit to our conversation. "You'll achieve enlightenment faster than that, don't worry. I'm already close if that gives you any comfort."

The girl's name was Evy, and she was quite eccentric. She was nonchalant while talking about becoming a higher being, explaining the fundamentals she went through to get closer to achieving it.

So, my mother was enlightened, and so were the 2 men that tested me when I was in school. My mentors which I could never defeat when I was younger were also enlightened, and so was Gabriel. Every single time I couldn't sense mana from someone, it was because they were literally a higher being than me.

And now here I am, being sent to a school where I'll elevate my existence to their level, just like that. It seems rather dreamy, but I guess anything is possible in the best school?