Uncertain Foundations

As Basil's face filled with curiosity, I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and gratitude towards him. He had been nothing but supportive since my arrival at the academy, and now it was time to confide in him about my struggles with magic.

"What did you do in the bathroom for so long?" Basil inquired, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. His question hung in the air, waiting for my response.

Before I could answer, the sword chimed in with a mischievous suggestion, laden with a sexual undertone. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, dismissing its attempt at humor. Instead, I opted for honesty, deciding to open up to Basil about my lack of magical proficiency.

"Can I be honest with you?" I asked, seeking his understanding and support.

"Of course you can!" Basil exclaimed, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "You're sorta like my best bro around here. I don't really know anyone, so yeah, of course!"

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts and spoke my truth. "I really don't know how to use magic, to be honest with you."

Basil's initial concern quickly transformed into relief, and he let out a sigh. "Oh goodness, I thought you were gonna die an early death or something. Of course, you're not going to be good at magic; that's why you're here to study. You dummy." He playfully tapped my shoulder.

A sense of gratitude washed over me as Basil reassured me of his support. "I'm sure I can teach you some spells of my own," he continued, his excitement palpable as he grabbed my hand. "You'll be fine! I got your back!"

The sword couldn't resist making a comment, injecting a hint of humor into the conversation. "You know, if he was a girl, he'd be the heroine in one of those weak-to-strong novels you read in your world."

I chuckled at the sword's remark, appreciating its attempt to lighten the mood. "Thank you for that," I said, grateful for their encouragement. "But I'm genuinely confused. I'm seeing this skill tree-type of thing, and I don't even know how to unlock spells. Especially when we spar, I'm going to look like an idiot."

Basil contemplated my predicament, his brow furrowing with thought. "Skill tree? Perhaps that's something related to your origin since I don't really have anything like that," he deduced, his eyes shining with curiosity. "You did mention that you can see tabs on top of people, which give you information about them. Maybe it works for you as well."

His words struck a chord within me. The tabs and skill tree seemed intricately tied to my presence in this new world, but the purpose behind it remained a mystery. Frustration and confusion began to cloud my mind, intensifying my anxiety.

"Whatever it is," I responded, my voice tinged with determination, "I really need to learn it. I can't afford to be clueless when it comes to magic."

As our conversation shifted, I couldn't help but be reminded of the unanswered questions that plagued my thoughts. Why had I been sent to this new world? What did the girl who brought me here want from me? The uncertainty weighed heavily on my heart, adding to the already mounting pressure of learning magic and fitting into this unfamiliar environment.

A wave of anxiety washed over me as I shared my inner turmoil with Basil, hoping he might have some insights or comforting words to offer.

"Honestly, you shouldn't be pressured to learn magic," Basil reassured me, his voice filled with sincerity. "We're still just starting out, and it's completely normal to feel intimidated. Look at that storm chaser, Lyn, who you sorta pissed off earlier. She's knocking out everyone in the sparring matches during orientation. And then we have a celebrity like Sophia, whom a lot of people adore, as our classmate. It's easy to compare ourselves to them, but we're all on our own journeys."

Basil's words brought a sense of comfort, reminding me that we were all beginners in this magical realm. It was important not to let the accomplishments of others overshadow our own progress.

Just as we were engrossed in our conversation, a sudden commotion erupted in the classroom. A man burst in, his voice filled with urgency and panic. "The demon king is raiding the school!" he shouted, sending shockwaves through the room.

Instantly, chaos ensued. Students erupted into a frenzy, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of fear and confusion. Panic gripped my heart as I realized the gravity of the situation. The demon king was a formidable threat, and the safety of everyone in the school was at stake.