First Contact

"Whoah, who is he?"

"Let me look, let me look!"

Dozens of students pushed past each other as a crowd gathered in front of the front entrance.

"It's him, it's him!"

Eo could hear some girls squealing in ecstasy.

"Wow, he's so hot~"

Eo stopped and turned. He couldn't see anything due to the mass of bodies blocking the way. Eo waited. After about 10 seconds the crowd parted and a normal-looking boy walked through, extremely confused.

Eo couldn't help but grin. Despite the other people's remarks, he looked super… normal. Just like a typical protagonist.

He was, after all, the savior.

☆

"Wh-wh-what do you mean, I'm 'the savior'? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"You came in as the first new student on this exact date!"

"Huh?"

"Gaahh, just look at him~"

Eo turned his head with a dead expression on his face. He didn't get what was super amazing about this dude at all. Other than the fact that he was the supposed savior, of course.

"Come with me."

A mentor grabbed the new student and led him down the hall. Out of curiosity, Eo decided to follow.

The mentor and the newbie went into the Measuring Chamber.

"You have come here to start your time here, correct?"

"Uhh… no, but why…?"

"Welcome to the Academy."

The mentor vigorously shook the newcomer's hand.

Eo was in shock. Not because of what was happening, but because what wasn't. He was so unsurprised he was surprised at his lack of it. Weren't things going a bit too slowly? Did they get the wrong kid?

Scarcely a week had passed since the confirmation prophecy, and due the amazing security behind their totally soundproof door, rumors had spread "only" six days later. Eo was expecting some sort of flash of lightning or an omnipresent voice booming down but none of that occurred when the "savior" came.

"Put your hand on the Grand Divinator."

"Huh?"

The mentor lifted the savior's hand and placed it on a transparent glassy orb. Tendrils of near-invisible essence flowed into the glass, magnifying and saturating in color.

The orb turned a shade of sea blue, but then a cloud of violent red billowed out from under. The two colors fought for dominance in the orb.

The new student turned his head in confusion. "What… is that?"

"Ah. How rare," the mentor said, though he didn't look very surprised. "You have the dual essence of water and heat."

Eo exited the room. As he was about to leave the room, however, he heard the mentor mutter something under his breath.

"Ice and fire, huh?"

The new student looked up.

"Huh?"

"No, it's nothing."

☆

"Hey, what's your name, savior?"

"Kyros. And yours?"

"Eo."

"Ah, Kyros, like the god of rebirth in Nyrrhyn mythology! How fitting!"

"Huh? And huh??"

Eo slid in next to Kyros, who was sitting in one of those long lunch tables. What an interesting protagonist name, Eo thought. It sounded cool, and was even related to his prophecy!

"So, Kyros, do you know why people call you savior?"

"Uhh, no…"

Eo continued.

"A long time ago, there was this prophecy that spoke of a hero that could stand a chance at sealing the Horde Chasm."

"Wait, that's possible? I think I might've heard this before… but it's just a myth, right?"

"Anyways, that prophecy predicted the hero would come in one thousand years."

"Bummer… I feel bad for the people who felt hope…"

"That happened one thousand years ago."

"Oh, so the hero's coming soon, right?"

Everyone looked at Kyros.

"Why are you all looking at me…Oh. Wait a minute, are you saying that I might be the-"

Eo continued, cutting Kyros off.

"A week ago, there was a confirmation prophecy. It specified the exact day you would come. Other people weren't supposed to know, but somehow it got leaked…"

Kyros stared, openmouthed.

"I- I'm the hero??!"

Eo facepalmed.

"Yes, now please enlighten us."

Almost immediately, Kyros shot up from his seat. "I, Kyros Uhald, will, without a doubt, seal the Hordes!" Kyros had a face full of absolute determination.

Everyone cheered. They apparently loved Kyros.

Meanwhile, Eo shrank back in cringe. He'd definitely need to learn to rely on his own strength. No doubt about it, especially after this incident.