Prologue: Zerø–the Zerel Magic Academy

Zerel. The capital of Asura. It's a multi-race and cultural kingdom, similar to Riel, with a population of 790,000, though that's the rounded number. It's a large kingdom with different districts. Most people have their children attend two specific schools.

First, the military academy is called Asura Military Academy. Parents usually send their misbehaving children there, but nobles send their children there voluntarily to get stronger and for them to gain a name for themselves.

The second school is the more famous school. The magic academy is called Zerø, though the official name is Zerel Magic Academy. Zerø is the name of the first king of Zerel–they named it in his stead. Many go there to practice magic or for social reasons.

Today, in the year 924 and the month of October, there was a new student attending the magic academy. Mid-year transfers were rare in the academy. Most students expected the new student to be an important aristocrat's or duke's child.

In Class Phoenix, the teacher announced a new student. The students in the classroom started a ruckus. They started contemplating what gender the student would be, what social standing he/she would be in, and whether the student would be cute/handsome. Those types of thoughts were natural for teenagers like them.

The female teacher, Vermillion-sensei, silenced the class and looked over at the door.

'Come in.'

After five seconds, the door opened and a male student walked through. He was fairly tall, even for his age–around 15 or 16–his hair was jet-black and it was the same for his eyes. He had a sword, a katana, on his waist.

The girls started fawning over him, while the boys scoffed. The male nobles didn't seem to like him.

'As you can see, he's an Otherworlder. You'll treat him just like you would with any of your classmates. The same way you treat Arima-san. Please introduce yourself.'

The name, Arima, stuck itself with the boy. On the outside, he seemed poised. the boy bowed.

'I'm Tatsuya Kimihiko. It's a pleasure to work with you all.'

But in reality, he was arguing with his own consciousness.

(How... How the fuck did I get myself in this mess?!)

Shall we rewind to before?

◈◈◈

'I'm sorry, what?'

I asked Avera.

'You'll be going to the magic academy in the capital.'

It's been slightly more than a year since I became the Lord of Paragon Village. I won't lie, it's been hard but fun. My attendants are my friends. Ah, I have two other people too. Well, it's kind of long, but I'll try and summarise a year of my life.

The biggest part of that year was Arcana and Sirius. Once I was declared Lord of the village, they decided to become my servants. Unlike Sakurako, they both work hard and address me as "Lord." It was weird at first and I didn't like it, but they seriously insist to call me that. I've gotten used to it now.

The second largest was probably Snow. She was originally a part of a group of assassins, or so she tells me, but now she's my servant. She sees me like an older brother. I have to say that I was happy when I heard that. Snow works as my sub-Lord, I guess.

My secretary, the one who helps me the most, is Christ. Her full name is Christiana. At first, she was scared of me since, seemingly, the previous Lord used to touch her ass and boobs on occasion. It developed androphobia, but it calmed down over the year.

She's gotten quite comfortable as my secretary.

I'm Level 42 now. It's gotten hard to level up now since I'm getting near Demon King. Well, I guess that's the gist of my year here. There wasn't anything interesting. Not until now.

'Oi, oi. Tell me, where's this coming from?'

I asked Avera once more.

'First, you tell me to be the Lord of Paragon Village and now you tell me to attend the magic academy.'

'Well, yeah. To be honest, I didn't want to ask you because I knew you'd react like an idiot.'

Ouch. Ever heard of subtlety?

'Look, Tatsuya, the king of the capital asked me for a favour since there's a problem in the academy. If you succeed, then I can get a favour from the king and things will be easier.'

'Okay, but don't people from 13-18 attend the academy. My body is that of an 8-year-old.'

Avera stood up and walked over to me. She touched my chest with her hand.

'That won't be a problem. Not with my Singularity.'

Ah, I forgot that she has that ability. I need to know about what I'll be doing at the academy though.

'So, what will I be doing?'

The vampire walked away from me and strode across the room, back and forth.

'At Zerø, there's been a series of disappearances. All of the victims are somehow connected but we haven't found anything on it yet. That's why we need you to go in and act like a student.'

I feel like I'll be more like bait than anything.

'You'll have to try hard in your studies and the like. Think of it as though you were in school again. Ah. I'll have to seal some of your powers so that no nosy students get you exposed. Tatsuya, you'll be going tomorrow. Get your shit packed!'

Avera shouted, happily.

Man, I just hope that this mission is easy...