Chapter 10:

The Lowest of the Low

Misfortunes of a Real Magic High School Vol. 1


Ms. Kurokawa posted the refined class rankings on the classroom door. So of course, before class started, everyone swarmed the doorway trying to get a peek. Well, everyone except for Ryu Takanashi, that is, the original top ranked student of Class A who also won the First Month Trial. Winning the first major competition meant he undoubtedly retained his top spot in the rankings.

“Man I told you we should have come to school sooner,” Shun said disappointingly. “We won’t be able to read the list from all the way back here. This was my first day back on campus since my match with Ryu, and honestly, I didn’t even want to be here.

There were way more students crowding the doorway than there were kids in Class A. Even though all four first year classes had the trial tournaments, Class A students had somewhat of a celebrity status on campus given how strong most of them were. At a school like this, popularity was often tied directly to magical ability. And so, the large crowd in front of the classroom comprised of students from all four classes, leaving Shun and I to observe from the back of the crowd.

“I don’t think I want to see my ranking anyway, Shun. Takanashi clobbered me in the very first fight of the tournament.”

“He’s the top ranked student for a reason, man, I bet losing didn’t hurt you too much.”

I, of course, didn’t have very much room to hurt. Starting at rank 14 out of 16 class A students, the bottom wasn’t too far away.

“Wow, Ryu is so cool! I bet he’ll keep the top rank all of high school!”

“I bet he’s even stronger than some of the upper classmen in class A.”

“I wonder if he would take the time to talk to me…”

The conversations between other class students were eye opening. To say Class A students had celebrity status was no joke. Especially for someone like Ryu. I overheard endless praise and adoration for the usual suspects, Ryu, Yukino, and Shinobu, three of the top ranked students in our grade.

“That Yukimura girl is so pretty but so intimidating and strong.”

“Is that the Yukino Yukimura from the Yukimura family?”

The Yukimura family? Was Yukino part of some prestigious or wealthy family?

Before long, Ms. Kurokawa returned, and her displeasure with the crowd blocking her classroom could not have been more obvious.

“I swear this happens every year…” she said with a long sigh. “Get out of here you vultures, I have a class to teach.”

Her voice was so sharp it could cut diamonds. With no hesitation, the crowd dispersed.

“Everyone get inside, we have a packed schedule today.”

Ms. Kurokawa entered the classroom and my classmates filed in one by one behind her. As I walked into the classroom I quickly glanced at the rank sheet.

Ryu TakanashiKaede KunoShinobu Shiina

Looked like Yukino took a bit of a tumble down the rankings. She now found herself slotted fourth. She must have lost in an earlier round than anticipated, there was no other way her falling two ranks would make sense. Given Kaede’s bump up from rank three to two, she probably took down Yukino in their inevitable match up. Otherwise, the list all seemed to make sense. There weren’t too many changes throughout the middle ranks.

     14. Shun Adachi

Shun now found himself in my former spot, which confirmed I dropped at least one rank.

     15. Sakura Sato

Seeing another name 15th confirmed my worst fears. I was dead last.

“Hey Arata I made it up to 14th! Oh… sorry man.”

Shun quickly quelled his joy at rising a rank after realizing I was ranked dead last.

“I am so screwed,” I griped aloud.

“Keep your chin up man, we’ve got to rise the ranks together, remember?”

At least I had Shun by my side. Given Honoko and Yukino’s competitive personalities, I could safely assume they would want nothing to do with me now that I was the joke of the class. Emi didn’t have that kind of edge, but at the end of the day she did tend to fall in line with Yukino, at least when it came to stuff like this.

“Are you class clowns ever going to come in? I would like to teach this lesson at some point you know!”

Ms. Kurokawa was tired of us standing in the doorway. Shun and I just finished up our cleaning duty for the month, and not wanting to risk even more punishment, we hustled inside and took our seats.


The news of my complete embarrassment at the hands of Ryu spread through the school like wildfire. By the end of the week everyone in school had heard about the fraud student that somehow snuck his way into Class A. Rumors flew about my parents buying me into Class A, the school giving me preferential treatment, anything and everything that could explain how I somehow found my way into the highest ranking freshmen class. Even with Ms. Kurokawa and the administration doing damage control on my behalf, the rumor mill showed no signs of slowing down.

My finally “active” social life was taking a hit, too. And by a hit, I meant a beating the likes of which it could never recover from. Honoko said she couldn’t afford to hang around the lowest ranked member of the class since it would hold her back from reaching the top rank. Yukino distanced herself from me as well but afforded me no explanation as to why. Emi, naturally, stuck by Yukino’s side. I hoped that was a difficult decision for her to make, but that was probably wishful thinking.

Shinobu was still friendly enough with me but she was never truly part of our circle, if one could even call it that. Even Shun, my closest friend since the first day of school and fellow low ranking student, was starting to avoid me.

I guess practical performance was all anyone at this school really cared about. The rumors of my lack of magic ability were all anyone would focus on. It didn’t matter to anyone that I was scoring at the top of the class academically and on written magic exams. If only test scores factored more into class rank… or at all.


At the end of the day the classroom quickly emptied. It was Friday after all. Before I had a chance to speak to any of them, Honoko, Yukino, Emi, Shinobu, and Shun were all gone. I was the only one left in the classroom with Ms. Kurokawa. With a look of defeat I slowly tossed my things into my bag.

“I knew something like this would happen,” Ms. Kurokawa said as she gathered her papers. Since no one else was in the room I assumed she was talking to me. She was far too vocal to be talking to herself.

“What do you mean?”

“The way this school is organized fosters competitiveness between the students and leads to the development of cliques, mostly based on strength. I must admit I’m a bit surprised you ever got into a clique with students like Yukimura and Shiina given how strong they are, but with a performance like that you never stood a chance to stay there.”

She was right, but it still hurt. As was made abundantly clear to me, I was the first student in school history to be hospitalized for an extended period of time following a match. Talk about pathetic.

“You’re young for a teacher,” I said, without thinking. “How do you know so much about the intricacies of student life here? You can’t have been here for very long.”

“How flattering, but that flattery won’t boost your class rank, kid. I was a student here, I witnessed these cliques first hand. Hated it then and hate it now.”

“Oh… I see.”

I wonder which clique she belonged to, if any. Given her hatred for the school structure, it seemed she may have been an outsider. But at the same time, in order to teach Class 1-A now, she must have been plenty strong as a student.

“Listen, Nakamura. I don’t want you to think I’m being too encouraging because I still believe you’re doomed without knowing magic, but you’re very smart and have a shockingly magic oriented brain. You finished best in the class on the last written magic exam. If you keep studying hard and learn the deepest intricacies of the magic in this world, maybe you’ll be able to figure something out.”

That was the nicest thing I had ever heard from Ms. Kurokawa. Maybe she did have some teacher-like qualities after all.

Having occupied enough of Ms. Kurokawa’s time, I left the classroom. It was late enough now that the hallways were practically empty. This place really cleared out on Friday afternoons.

With no one to hang out with, I figured I’d spend some time studying in the library, inspired by Ms. Kurokawa’s words. She wasn’t one to say something encouraging if she didn’t believe it at least a little bit. She must have seen some potential in me, and it was my job to uncover that potential.

This was my first time in the school library since the welcoming tour. I almost forgot how expansive and impressive it was. An architectural feat, just like the rest of the school. Sadly, like most modern libraries, it was probably a severely underutilized resource. At the very least, it provided me a place to study quietly.

I approached an unoccupied desk by the corner and sat down. If I finished all my homework now, that would give me more time study and get ahead over the weekend.


A question on magic history left me completely stumped. Thankfully, I was in the library and thus had any magic related reference book I could dream of at my disposal. I got up and headed for the reference section. I turned the corner at the end of the aisle. A quick thud and the sound of books hitting the floor greeted me. I glanced down and realized I ran straight into a girl, knocking her and her books to the ground.

“I’m so sorry, let me help you pick up your books.”

I reflexively extended my hand. After a moment of hesitation, she took my hand and I helped her to her feet. Together, we gathered her books that I carelessly caused to her to spill on the floor. One of the books she had, “Religious Based Magic,” was exactly the book I needed for my homework.

“Sorry Nakamura, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“No, it’s entirely my fault. I should be more careful.”

Wait, how exactly did she know my name? I didn’t recognize her from anywhere.

“Sorry, have we met somewhere before?”

It was a fool hearty question, but one I felt the need to ask anyway. If we had met before, I would come off as the insensitive guy who can’t even remember the people he’s talked to. And if we hadn’t met, I’d just come off as some creep probably trying some lame pickup line in the school library.

The resigned smile on her face projected no disappointment that I failed to recognize her, yet showed a complete lack of surprise.

“I’m in your class. I’m Sakura Sato. I’m really quiet and don’t stand out much at all, so I don’t blame you for not recognizing me.”

She spoke so softly, but her words were like a punch to the gut. This was my classmate for over a month, and I didn’t even recognize her. Honestly, I couldn’t even recall seeing her in class, even once. I could have died on the spot from embarrassment.

“Sorry, Sato. Well, it’s nice to officially meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” she responded meekly, making no eye contact. It was clear as day that she was outside her comfort zone talking to a stranger. That was a feeling I could completely relate to. She reminded me of my middle school self, the person I was before meeting I lucked into meeting Shun and the others. I’m not sure what gravitated me towards her, but I wanted to befriend her.

“Are you working on the magic history homework?” I asked, making a calculated assumption based on her book selection.

“I am…”her reply was hesitant. Her voice was growing softer and softer, it was barely audible. I had a choice to make. Leave her alone and let her go about her business, or do something bold and try to push ahead? Maybe she was perfectly content being alone, or maybe she was waiting for someone to take that scary leap for her. Just like I was. Shun, by taking that leap, through what surely felt like second nature for him, helped me feel a sense of welcome and belonging at this school. Maybe this was my turn to pay it forward.

“Would you maybe want to work on it together? That’s actually why I came to the library, and you just so happen to have the very book I need.” I pointed to the religious magic book tucked under her arm.

“Okay… I am sitting in the back.”

Before I could respond she hurried off towards the back of the library. I quickly returned to my desk to grab my things before heading to the back of the library myself.


For the most part, we worked in silence, likely to the relief of Sakura. We were “working together” on the homework assignment in name only, as no actual collaboration was occurring. It was more like “sitting together to share textbooks out of convenience.” Oh well, this was nothing new for me.

“So Nakamura…” Sakura whispered, completely to my surprise. “Why are you at the library alone? I’ve never seen anyone from our class here before.”

No one from our class ever came to the library? I guess some, or most people let their Class A status go to their heads. Class rank was not based on intelligence, so being in Class A didn’t give one some special privilege to forsake the library and studies.

“I just wanted a quiet place to study is all. I have a lot of catching up to do.”

“But you always finish at the top of the class on the academic and written magic exams,” she remarked, with a bit more passion in her voice. All test scores were made public, but Sakura was definitely more observant than she appeared.

“That’s true, but I need to study even harder to make up for my lack of practical magic aptitude,” I replied with a half-hearted chuckle. “There’s a reason I dropped to the bottom rank of the class.”

My remark must have shocked her if her reaction were anything to go by.

“You’re bottom rank… so I moved up?”

The list posted on the classroom door last week replayed in my mind. After a moment of recollection, I realized that Sakura Sato was the name in the 15th spot. This was her, the formerly lowest ranked member of our class. I guess she didn’t bother checking the updated rankings, after all her first opponent was none other than Yukino, one of the strongest in our class. Sakura probably assumed a swift defeat at her hands would keep her in last place. My performance was just so abysmal that I leapfrogged her for last place.

“You saw my match with Takanashi, it’s not surprise I fell to the lowest rank.”

“I had to go up against Yukimura,” she countered. “My results really weren’t much better.”

I of course missed Sakura and Yukino’s matches, stuck in the hospital nursing my injuries. Honestly, I couldn’t even remember how exactly Ryu beat me, I just knew it wasn’t even close. The state of my body made that obvious.

“Well, it sounds like we both have a lot of room to improve then.”

Sakura let out a small giggle at my sarcastic remark. She quickly covered her mouth and blushed with embarrassment. She took a moment to recompose herself.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked quietly.

“Of course. What’s up?”

“Well, it’s just that I’ve never seen you training. Do you practice on your own?”

“Eh, I really don’t. I really should though, if the First Month Trial results are anything to go by.”

“You don’t train at all and are still in Class A? That’s impressive.”

It wasn’t impressive. I was in Class A based on pure luck, and the only reason I still found myself in Class A was because of the deal I cut with the Board. Relegation from a class didn’t occur in the middle of a school year anyway.

“I thought you might have been like me,” she continued. “I practice every day by myself. I’m too scared to spar in the courtyard where everyone can watch.”

It seemed like Sakura suffered from a classic case of stage fright. That did fit with the assumptions I made about her personality just from our meeting today.

“Well doing any training is better than no training I suppose,” I remarked. “I should probably start training on my own too. I don’t think I’m cut out for the courtyard just yet.”

Sakura fidgeted in her seat. She wanted to speak, but the words weren’t coming to her.

“Nakamura…” Sakura was so quiet I could barely hear her. I’m honestly not even sure if she said my name.

“Yeah?” was all I could say in response.

“Do you think… maybe… you want to train together?”

I dropped my pencil. It rattled as it hit the floor, snapping me back to my senses. Was my hearing impacted by my bout with Ryu? I could have sworn that Sakura just asked me to be her training partner. I certainly wasn’t cut out for the job, but I could tell it was a big leap for her to ask that question.

“You want me to train with you?” I asked, looking for confirmation.

“If you don’t mind…”

Well, that confirmed my ears still worked. Maybe training with someone wouldn’t be so bad? At the very least, I could improve my physical abilities. Someone like Honoko employed a close quarters combat style, something I could attempt to emulate, just without the magic. After all, there were no rules against combining physical attacks with magic attacks.

“Sure, Sato, sounds good.”

For the first time today, I saw a genuine, happy smile across her face. She looked away shyly. I probably stared too long.

Sakura glanced at her phone resting on the table. Her face lit up in a panic.

“Sorry Nakamura, I have to go!”

She quickly gathered all her things ready to run out of the library.

“Wait,” she continued. “Before I go, meet me tomorrow at noon on the east beach.”

“Okay, but where on the beach should I-”

Before I could complete my thought, she was scurrying out the door. Well, I now officially had a training partner. And so, my incredibly improbable but still potential journey to keep my place in not only Class 1-A, but at the Apex High School of Magic entirely, began. 

Israeli Kaiser
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