Vija Magical Academy – Morning Assembly Hall
A shimmering dome of stained magic glass flickered with morning sunlight, buzzing with the chaos of excited voices.
Vice Headmaster Bolto’s voice boomed, rattling the reinforced mana pillars. Students quieted—except one snoring in the third row from the back.
Still asleep. Tie half-done. Foot twitching rhythmically as if dreaming of punching the snooze button.
Bolto cleared his throat, gritting his teeth.
"...As I was saying. The Royal Tournament of Houses will begin in three days."
A gasp went through the hall.
"Wait, this early? That’s suicide!"
"My team hasn’t even finished enchantment drills!"
"We’re doomed if House Valea joins again..."
The Vice Headmaster raised a hand and snapped.
> [Notice: Tournament Rules Modified by Royal Command]
A golden crest appeared in the air.
> "House Sama is seeded #1."
"WHO?!" "There is no noble house named Sama!" "Wait—wait—JAY?!"
Jay blinked awake as his name echoed.
"...Did I win something?"
Alicia sighed beside him, tugging his sleeve.
"You’ve been force-entered into the most prestigious, most televised, most life-threatening magical competition in the kingdom. Congratulations."
Jay blinked. "Can I forfeit?"
Echo, arms crossed, replied from behind, "Unfortunately, they wrote the rules to force your participation. Royal Seal. Non-negotiable."
Jay groaned. "Can I sleep through it?"
Alicia gave him a thumbs-up with an unsettling smile. "Sure! Right after the bloodbath."
In the royal castle, behind the scenes...
Princess Virelle—the eldest daughter of the throne—watched the announcement crystal.
"Interesting..." she whispered.
Lord Dazien of House Valea, arms folded, grumbled. "That commoner... ranked above my son?"
"The moment a nobody disrupts the hierarchy... you either crush him or crown him."
Dazien scowled. "Which one do you plan to do?"
Virelle sipped her tea.
"...Depends on how interesting he is when he bleeds."
Back at the Academy, students began forming alliances, drawing runes, and preparing for combat.
Jay was at the vending crystal.
He poked it. "Out of iced tea. Again."
Cipher approached, floating a scroll.
"Jay. You’re going to need a team. At least three members to qualify for the opening round."
Jay blinked. "I have to coordinate with people?"
Echo nodded grimly. "Yes. Your system powers don’t cover group projects."
Jay stared into the distance, deeply pained. "This is worse than dying."
The school courtyard buzzed. Among the students, three new arrivals appeared wearing transfer badges.
A swordswoman with one eye glowing like a system HUD.
A boy with chains for veins and a forbidden crest on his neck.
And... a smiling girl in a black uniform who radiated the same energy as Zero-One.
"Engage upon tournament start."
"Objective: Break the Lazy Genius."