A Normal Day?

Reo woke up the next morning as sunlight streamed through his window. He let out a long yawn. When was the last time he’d slept so peacefully? He couldn’t recall—though he knew it must have been at least fifteen years ago, before they’d been summoned.

He stretched out his limbs, moving through his usual morning routine: first his upper body, then his legs, finishing with sitting cross-legged to meditate.

Normally, meditation required an empty mind or focusing on a single thought—but today, Reo’s head swarmed with memories like a raging tide.

The main reason he’d agreed to the plan of killing the summoner was the Hero's Stigma.

A mark that appeared on a hero’s body—it increased their mana particles, but it also functioned like a tracking device. Even if they tried to live out their days quietly, they wouldn’t be able to change anything. There was no way to remove the stigmata either—and even if they managed it, the summoner would know immediately.

They were cautious because they didn’t know what the summoner truly was. Not only that—it was absurdly powerful. It possessed around 10,000 MP; even as heroes, they’d struggle to defeat it.

Their only real chance was right after the summoning, in the Silent Space—a blank, white void where mana particles were sealed off. It was the perfect opportunity to strike. But before that, they needed to wait for Itsuki to get the weapons.

Reo inhaled deeply, then exhaled through his mouth. He rose and headed to the kitchen.

He prepared a simple breakfast and a cup of tea, then sat cross-legged on the soft white rug in front of the TV. He set down his plate—toast with butter, a fried egg, and two strips of bacon—on the small table.

He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. The news droned on—nothing interesting, but he watched idly as he ate. About thirty minutes later, he was done.

Then, he got ready for school. He’d seen in the group chat that some were staying home today, but he figured he’d at least show up once.

After finishing his preparations, he left his apartment and set off.

***

Reo was among the first students to arrive. Normally, the gates would be bustling with noisy teenagers, but this early—plus the chilly fog—only a few wandered in.

There was one reason he’d come so early: he wanted to check out the kenjutsu club. Compared to when he was a hero, his body felt frustratingly weak. 

His mind was as sharp as ever, but his body lagged behind—like trying to move underwater.

Reo glanced at the building to the left and headed that way.

***

Inside, the room looked just like a dojo—wooden flooring, soft light, racks of wooden and practice swords lined up neatly. Luckily, the door was unlocked; if not, he’d have just come back tomorrow.

He set his school bag aside and took off his shoes, stepping over to pick up a practice sword.

He tested its weight, murmuring, “Heavy…”

He swung it a few times through the air, then moved to the center of the room.

Gripping the sword with both hands, he closed his eyes. One training method he liked was visualizing a practice partner. It required vivid imagination and focus—both of which he had plenty of.

He took a breath. He thought about visualizing the king, but at his current level that was pointless—one strike and he’d be dead. So instead, he imagined himself back when he’d just become an apprentice knight.

In the pitch-black space of his mind, a man in his mid-twenties stood before him—black hair tied in a ponytail, piercing blue eyes brimming with determination.

His older self struck first—

‘…huh?’ The world was upside down. His opponent was gone. His eyes shot open.

He gasped for air, clutching his neck. He’d been beheaded in his own visualization, without even seeing how it happened.

Flashes of his execution flickered behind his eyes—he could almost feel the circle tightening around his neck. He looked at his trembling hands and frowned.

“Am… I afraid?” he muttered, then clenched his fists so hard his nails bit into his palms.

He shut his eyes and tried again. His apprentice self appeared once more—this time Reo blocked the first strike, only to lose his head to the second.

Again and again. On the 116th attempt, he blocked the first blow—but the next shattered his cracked sword and the next ended him yet again.

Panting, he crouched, leaning on the practice sword for support. His breath was ragged; sweat dripped from his forehead.

His body was completely out of shape. He had about a week to get it ready for the fight with the summoner.

Steadying himself, he stood up, ready to try once more—

But a sudden squawk from behind startled him. Instinctively, he swung his sword, stopping its tip just before someone’s neck.

“W-Wait! Wait!” a girl squealed, hands raised in surrender.

She had dark brown hair brushing her shoulders, eyes of the same warm hue, and a few small braids tied with a red ribbon by her temples.

Reo lowered the sword. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Years as a hero had made him ready to strike at any moment—assassins had come for him too many times to count.

The girl waved her hands frantically. “No, no! It’s my fault for sneaking up. It’s just… what you were doing looked just like our team leader.”

Reo tilted his head. “You mean the visualization?”

She cocked her head to the side. “Is that what it’s called? He never told us. But—” She leaned closer, squinting at him. “I’ve never seen you before. Are you a new member?”

“No. I just came here to practice.”

She leaned in even closer and grabbed his free hand. “Then… do you wanna join?” Her eyes sparkled with hope.

‘Too close…’ Reo thought.

“I don’t think so. At least not for now.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I knew it… Nobody wants to join the kenjutsu club anymore. And the few who do, only come to get close to the captain…”

“That’s rough. But, uh—could you let go of my hand?” Reo said with an awkward smile.

Her face turned bright red. She let go instantly, flustered. “S-sorry! I didn’t realize…”

Reo chuckled softly. It was the first time he’d seen someone so embarrassed about holding hands. In Primordia, kissing a lady’s palm was standard courtesy for a knight—so seeing someone act this shy was oddly charming.

His chuckle made her cheeks burn even hotter; she covered her face with her hands, mumbling incoherently.

Just then, a voice cut in from the doorway. Both of them turned.

“Yuki… What’s going on here?” A boy with sharp black hair and two different colored eyes, one blue the other black. He stood there, his tone low and serious. His face was almost unnaturally handsome—too perfect for a regular guy.

He looked like the type to draw everyone's attention when he entered a room.

“Captain!” Yuki squeaked, running over to him.

They exchanged a few words; he flicked her forehead lightly, then turned his sharp gaze on Reo. “So? What are you doing in our clubroom?”

There was a faint sneer in his voice—like he owned the place. Reo caught it immediately.

“I was thinking about joining…”

The moment he said that, Yuki’s face lit up, while the captain’s eyes narrowed for just a second before he plastered on a smile. “Yuki, could you fetch me a towel? We can’t have our new member walking around the school looking like he ran a marathon.”

Yuki nodded, shooting Reo a bright smile before rushing off.

The instant she was out of earshot, the captain’s expression darkened. Hatred and jealousy twisted his features.

“You. What’s your game? Why did you approach Yuki?” he growled.

Reo blinked, surprised at how quickly he dropped the facade.

“I didn’t approach her. She came to me while I was practicing—”

“Save it,” the captain snapped, stepping closer. “Stay away from her. Don’t even think about joining this club. It’ll save both of us trouble.”

Reo sighed. “Fine.”

He had no intention of getting dragged into someone else’s obsession. He had bigger problems to worry about.

Yuki returned soon after, towel in hand, confusion in her eyes. “Captain? What’s going on?”

Just like that, the captain’s fake smile returned. “Nothing. I was just reminding our new member to take this club seriously.”

Yuki nodded enthusiastically, completely buying it.

Reo thought, Wow. To lie that smoothly without batting an eye…

It reminded him a little too much of the king.

And so, as the school bell rang, Reo had caught someone’s interest—and someone else’s hate.