Late..

The moment I saw him, my body locked up.

It wasn’t fear in the usual sense... There was no spike of stress, no instinct to run or fight. 

My heart simply stopped for a moment, as if my body had reached a conclusion before my mind could argue with it.

“Do not provoke him. The mana around his heartbeat is compressed into a wall. One wrong move and you will die.” Virgilia's voice echoed sharply in my mind, stripped of its usual amusing tone.

'I didn’t need your warning..'

The one in front of my door is the strongest S class mage of Japan. 

His hands rested casually in his pockets, posture relaxed. His red hair didn’t move despite the light morning wind that stirred dust and loose leaves along the pavement. 

A white scarf is wrapped around his eyes, hiding them completely. 
Yet I had the unmistakable sensation that he was looking directly at me.

“Have we met before?” 

Amaterasu broke the silence first with a question that i should be asking.

His voice was calm. 

“Uh.. N-No. I don't think so."

My mouth felt dry, as i forced the lies out. 
I had to get on his good side without evoking suspicion. 

“I’ve seen you on TV. Can I get-”

“I don’t sign autographs.” Amaterasu was quick to shoot me down.

'Tsk..'

I was trying to break the ice here.
But he ended up burning the ice itself to vapors..

'There's no use acting friendly anymore.'

The silence stretched. 

I could feel my heartbeat pounding far too loud, each pulse a reminder that I was standing far too close to danger.

“I know who you are.” Amaterasu said.

"What..?"

“That artifact you’re carrying... It escaped from my attention earlier. it won’t happen again.”

My fingers twitched at my side.

He tilted his head slightly, the movement minimal but deliberate.

“It’s the source of your power.”

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Any attempt at humor died in my throat before it could form. 
I'm genuinely confused. How does he know all this?

“But…I neither kill you..” he said. “Nor, hand you over to the Association.”

“But, when the time comes,” Amaterasu went on, already turning away, walking out to the pavement. “I will be the one to end you.”

"Uh...?" 

“Until then… live.”

The air heated where he stood, heat rippling across the street and in the next instant, he was gone. 

Vanished into thin air.

I stepped forward without thinking. The heat hit my face immediately, and i shielded my face with my palms. 

The ground where he had stood shimmered, asphalt scorched black and fractured, cracked like glass under sudden stress. The damage radiated outward in a rough circle, the street permanently marked by his departure.

“A jester who lives only because the king is amused..” Virgilia laughed. “How thrilling.”

"..."

I sighed, There was nothing to say. I survived but, there was no relief to be had with his words.
I turned back inside, locking the door behind me and leaning against it for a brief moment, just long enough to steady myself. 

My hands trembled faintly as I reached for the pendant beneath my shirt.

Right now, the difference between my strength and him is night and day.
I'll get a mage license soon and climb the ranks.

"Amaterasu... Just you wait.."

For now, I'll have to take care of this pendant. I can't go to the academy with it.

I pulled out my smartwatch and removed the straps carefully.

I attached straps to the clock, looping the pendant’s chain through it.

It looked wrong.

The weight of it sat awkwardly against my wrist, bulkier and oversized than any watch should be. 

'Hmm.. I have to conceal its form."

I layered a basic concealment spell over the bizarre watch.

It suppressed the demonic mana pattern, which transformed the complex shape of the clock head into a simple watch. 

The spell is fragile but serviceable. 

It wouldn’t hold if touched. But it would keep it safe from others' prying eyes.

It still looked oddly big compared to other normal watches.
But, it is far better than leaving it exposed as an pendant on my neck.

I bolted out the door and sprinted down the street, ignoring the burning feeling in my lungs.

'Shit.. I'm going to be late!'

The academy loomed ahead quickly.

I crossed the gates, barely slowing as I entered the grounds. 

My breath came ragged as I raced across the corridors and into my class.

"Ah!! May i come in, sir?"

Lee sensei glanced at me once.

His gaze flicked over my posture, and my breathing. 

“Stand outside.”