—Name?

  The counselor’s voice sounded dry, almost mechanical, accompanied by the constant typing of an old computer. Seiyi sat across from her, trying to ignore the stale smell of coffee and disinfectant that permeated the small office. Outside, a line of international students waited their turn, just as lost as he was.

  —Uh… Seiyi —he replied, wincing as a sting in his abdomen reminded him that a Cyclops had used him as a punching bag an hour ago—. Ninth grade.

  —Very well, Seiyi —the woman murmured without looking up—. Could you tell me your last name for the record?

  ?I hope she doesn't notice...? Seiyi thought, feeling a twinge of discomfort that had nothing to do with his injuries. With a defeated sigh, he let the words out:

  —Sakana… Sakana Seiyi.

  The woman smiled kindly, not noticing the slight tremor in his voice, and continued typing. On the screen, Seiyi’s data was filled in one by one, accompanied by the click of the mouse that sounded like hammer blows to him. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The counselor, trying to break it, crossed her arms and spoke in a friendly tone:

  —So, Seiyi, how has your experience been so far? Are you feeling well in school?

  —Yes… thanks. I guess I just have to adapt. I’ll be here for a long time, so there aren't many options —he replied with a forced smile.

  —That’s the spirit —she mentioned enthusiastically—. You come from Asia, right?

  —Half-Japanese —Seiyi corrected with a weary voice—. I lived there for most of my childhood, but my mother is from South America.

  —How interesting! —the counselor exclaimed with a smile—. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan! I find your culture fascinating.

  —Ah… yeah, I guess —Seiyi replied, glancing at the clock on the wall—. Is there much left?

  —Don't worry, we're almost done —she said in a tone intended to be reassuring—. Just a few more questions.

  Seiyi let out a sigh. It wasn't the first time he had been bombarded with questions about Japan, temples, sushi, or anime. By now, he had developed a special tolerance for the subject… but that didn't make it any less exhausting.

  —Is there any class in particular that interests you this semester? —she asked, without stopping her typing.

  —Hmm… I’d like to study advanced magic —he replied with a certain glint in his eyes—. I heard this school has a library with unique spellbooks, like no other.

  —Oh, that sounds ambitious —the counselor replied, laughing—. But those texts are reserved for university students pursuing a career in the F.O.W.

  —The career to apply to the F.O.W.?

  —Exactly.

  ?I want to study that… but do I have to wait that long?? he thought, crossing his arms in frustration.

  —Then what’s the point of this? I’m supposed to have come here to learn from the best, to get into the F.O.W. And now I’m told being here won't matter until university?

  —No, no… don't think of it that way. Studying at this school guarantees you the highest prestige.

  —Prestige for university… —he snorted—. Is there really no way to avoid waiting an absurd amount of time?

  —Luke Ulles, or “Spectre,” had to wait until he was seventeen to study advanced magic. Patience is the key to success.

  —Yeah… I have patience, but I don't know if she… —He stopped before mentioning Miyu.

  —By the way, can I ask why you didn't stay in Japan? —The counselor looked at him curiously—. I understand that traditional magic teaching there is much more… disciplined.

  —I already said it… Because I want to join the F.O.W —he replied without hesitation—. If I want to learn advanced magic and be like them, I have to go to the best schools…

  —I see… —she said understandingly—. Well, you’ve chosen well. Renowned agents have come from here, even “Ann Varga,” better known as “Wind-Breaker,” do you know her?

  —Yes, of course… —Seiyi murmured.

  —I see… you lack no ambition —she concluded, typing rapidly—. Good. I’ll place you in History of Loryenna II and Fundamentals of Magic V. To make room, I’ll have to drop Math, but I assume you don't mind… you Asians are natural-born geniuses with numbers anyway!

  Seiyi stared at her with a look of absolute disgust.

  ?My God… is this woman my only guide in this building?? he thought with resignation.

  —Well, Seiyi, that’s all. See you later! —she exclaimed cheerfully, reaching out her hand to say goodbye.

  —Yes…

  ?I’m just continuing to learn useless things… but I guess the good stuff will come later…?

  He stood up, ready to leave that place as soon as possible, when the counselor spoke again with genuine curiosity.

  —Ah, I almost forgot. I love the Japanese language; your names always have beautiful meanings. What does yours mean, Sakana Seiyi?

  Seiyi’s heart stopped cold. His body froze, his eyes went wide, and a bead of cold sweat ran down his cheek. For an instant, time seemed to stand still. The air grew heavy, the wall clock ticked louder than ever, and only one word could repeat in his mind:

  ?No… NOT AGAIN! I thought I’d gotten away from this...?

  The woman waited, smiling with genuine curiosity.

  —I… uh… no… —he stammered.

  —Come on, don't be shy. I love knowing those details —she insisted, leaning forward.

  He closed his eyes. There was no escape. With a sigh of defeat, he said:

  —My last name… —he murmured in a weak voice—. It means… “fish.”

  —Pardon? I didn't hear you well.

  —My last name… means “fish.”

  Absolute silence reigned in the office for three seconds. Then, the counselor let out a nervous giggle that she tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle with a cough.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  —Fish? Like… a fish? Oh… heh… how… how quaint.

  ?Kill me now,? Seiyi thought, feeling his cheeks burn.

  —Well, Mr. Fish… I mean, Sakana —she stammered, holding back another laugh—, you may leave. It was a pleasure meeting you!

  Seiyi lowered his head, left the office, and closed the door with a softness that hid his urge to kick something. Outside, in the hallway full of students, he took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.

  ?I’m never going to escape my last name, am I?? he thought as he walked down the hall.

  And with that, his second semester at Veridion had officially begun.

  —Of course! I have to improve my art style… How do I expect to study design if I keep drawing this badly?

  The Veridion cafeteria buzzed with the characteristic noise of the first day: friends chatting, trays clattering, the aroma of freshly baked bread and exotic breakfast stews bubbling in the back. Miyu was sitting with her best friend, Ana, catching up on everything they had missed over the summer.

  —By the way —Ana murmured, lowering her voice and pointing discreetly with her chin—, what do you think of that guy over there?

  Miyu looked up. Amidst the crowd queuing to pay, a boy with messy black hair was fighting with a vending machine that didn't want to accept his card.

  —That one? What about him? —she asked, taking another bite of her lunch—. Mmm… the basilisk with vegetables isn't too bad today.

  —Since last semester, he’s been looking at me too much. Don't you think it's weird? —Ana insisted with an arched eyebrow.

  —Uh? In what sense?

  —Well… —Ana leaned over the table with a mischievous smile—, rumors say… he likes me.

  —Oh? Well… that’s good, isn't it?

  —I don't know. He’s not ugly, but he could be taller —Ana crossed her arms—. What about you?

  —Me?

  —Yes, dummy! Do you have a type or what? Anything you find attractive?

  —Ana…

  —Come on! It’s not that hard.

  Miyu looked away, playing with her juice straw. The question caught her by surprise.

  —I guess… if someone gives me flowers and chocolates, I could marry him —she replied with almost childish sincerity.

  —That’s what I like to hear! —Ana let out a laugh, giving the table a small tap—. I’ll tell Jurith that! I saw how you were looking at him last semester.

  —Hey! He’s an elf… he was just interesting to me, okay?

  Ana let out a laugh that was lost in the din of the dining hall. On the other side of the cafeteria, the atmosphere was a bit more… direct. Two boys waited in the endless line, watching the parade of students as if they were judges in a beauty pageant.

  —What about her? —asked the one with the afro, leaning toward his friend.

  —Seven and a half —replied the other, who wore glasses and had barely any hair—. I don't like the way she dresses.

  —I’d go for it anyway —murmured the one with the afro with a sigh.

  After receiving their trays and a hot breakfast, they walked to a table with integrated benches, typical of Veridion. The noise of chatter and laughter was deafening.

  —Hey, SeyShi! —said the boy with the afro, with a sly smile—, what do you give that one passing by?

  Seiyi or “SeyShi,” as they jokingly called him since some idiot mixed his last name with the word “sushi,” looked up. His eyes were sleepy and a piece of basilisk was sticking out of his mouth.

  —Huh? That one? The one in green?

  —Yeah, that one. They say she’s new.

  Seiyi observed her for a few seconds with a detective-like air, analyzing every detail as if he were reading a technical report. Finally, he nodded.

  —A well-deserved nine. Good posture, serene expression, well-kept hair… Where could she be from?

  —See, Manny? —the afro boy laughed—. I told you, you have the taste of an old man…

  —I told you I don't like them showing so much skin —Manny grumbled, taking another bite of his food.

  —Haha, your loss. —The afro boy joined his hands as if praying in front of his tray—. Well, “Itadakimasu!”! Did I say it right?

  Seiyi raised an eyebrow with a half-smile.

  —Heh… screw you, Yarin.

  Just as he said it, he clutched his chest. A sudden sting made him hunch over slightly.

  —Eh? Why do you keep grabbing yourself there? —asked Manny, somewhere between serious and curious—. Does your stomach hurt?

  —Oh, no, it’s nothing —Seiyi lied, taking a deep breath—. The pain is already passing.

  —Cramps? —Yarin snorted, laughing.

  —Your damn mother… —Seiyi replied without looking at him, but with a tired smile.

  After spending a while talking and finishing their breakfast, Seiyi and his friends heard the metallic sound of the bell echoing throughout the school. Manny, with his typical calm, reached out without looking and took a glass bottle from the table. The glass was still cold from the juice left inside. He took a swig as if it were nothing, not realizing it wasn't his, and then distractedly tucked it into his backpack before following the path to the classroom.

  Meanwhile, on the other side of the dining hall, Miyu and her friend were also gathering their things.

  —It was on the second floor, right? —asked Miyu, looking at her schedule with a look of doubt.

  —Sure, right next to the library. How have you not learned that yet?

  —It’s just that they changed the rooms… I haven't seen exactly which one we're in this time.

  —Miyu…

  They crossed the narrow corridors of Veridion, where the murmur of students filled the air with shouts and bickering. On the walls, some panels with basic runes served to illuminate the corridor with a warm light that flickered slightly as students passed. The smell of parchment and metal came from the nearby classroom. Suddenly, Miyu spoke in a more serious tone than usual.

  —Hey… can I ask you something?

  —Sure, you spend your life asking me things —Ana replied with a playful smile.

  —No, this time… it's different. —Miyu lowered her voice, avoiding the gazes of those passing by—. It’s just… I’m not very sure.

  —Spit it out.

  Miyu stopped for a moment before continuing to walk, her eyes on her shoes.

  —What would you do if you were really good at something… but you knew it wasn't your thing?

  —Eh? What kind of question is that?

  —It’s just… I don't want to hurt anyone. I’m not that brave.

  —Hurt? What are you talking about?

  —My brother wants to join the F.O.W. —Her fingers gripped the edge of her notebook tightly—. But I… I can't be like them. I saw how they act in person; they have no compassion for anyone. I don't know if I should become less kind just to fit in…

  —Oh… —Ana lowered her tone a bit, trying to sound calm—. So… you don't want to study here? Relax, it happens to all of us.

  —I… —Miyu looked away toward one of the runes on the wall—. But he wouldn't understand… damn, I need to think.

  —Hey, Miyu…

  Before Ana could continue, Miyu pushed ahead through the crowd climbing the main stairs. The avalanche of students pushed her helplessly to the second floor, right in front of the library entrance. She stopped, confused.

  ?Ana said the room was next to the library… but I don't see any sign. I just want to get there and sit for a while,? she thought, feeling the crowd begin to stifle her.

  She tried to find the room among the people, but as she turned, she collided with a woman coming out of the library. The books the woman was carrying scattered across the floor with a dry thud.

  —I’m sorry! I didn't notice, there are so many people… Let me help you! —Miyu exclaimed, crouching down by pure instinct to pick up the texts.

  —NO! —the woman suddenly shouted.

  Her voice resonated with a force so deep that several people stopped to look. Miyu froze. In one of the books that had remained open, she managed to see symbols engraved on the pages: complex lines that glowed faintly.

  ?Books with runes?… And those say “Master” ... Could she be a teacher??

  The woman, aware that she had drawn too much attention, took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

  —I’m sorry… it was a reflex. I’m fine, don't worry —she said, though her gaze was still terrifying—. Just… step back for a moment, please.

  When she looked up, Miyu noticed something strange: under the woman’s glasses, red marks extended, like delicate lines starting below the eyes. Her hair, dyed a dark blue with silver highlights, shimmered under the hallway lights.

  —Oh… I like your marks —Miyu blurted out without a filter, as she usually did—. They’re… weird. Can I ask you a question?

  The woman arched an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the girl’s nerve.

  —Y-yes… sure. What do you need?

  —Are you a teacher? I hadn't seen you before, but you’re carrying books that say “Mast…”

  Miyu froze mid-word.

  —SHIT! —she murmured, immediately covering her mouth with both hands.

  ?Oh no, I almost ruined it! Stay quiet, Miyu! You're not supposed to be able to read that!?.

  The woman observed her in silence for a few seconds. Her expression changed completely, becoming cold and analytical.

  —Hey… how do you know what these books say? You said “Master,” right? —The woman took a step toward her.

  A chill ran down Miyu's spine, forcing her to compose herself while struggling to regain control of her legs.

  ?This is bad… very bad. I have to disappear!?

  Without answering, she took a step back and lost herself in the crowd, clumsily dodging students and backpacks. Her breathing quickened as she sought an escape. Until…

  BAM!

  She collided with someone again, this time with such force she almost fell on her back.

  —Ouch! I’m sorry, I’m really distracte—… Ana?

  —Agh! Be more careful, Miyu… —Ana rubbed her arm, annoyed—. Where did you go? I lost you on the stairs.

  —I’m sorry, I got lost in the crowd —Miyu stammered, glancing back toward the library—. Can we leave now, please?

  —Why are you acting like this? If you have a problem, we can talk about it.

  —I’m sorry! I just… overthought it, I guess.

  —This is going to leave a bruise —Ana snorted, grabbing her by the wrist so she wouldn't run off again—. Let’s go. You’re going to tell me everything from the beginning as soon as we sit down.

  With her heart still pounding, Miyu followed her toward the classroom. The images repeated over and over in her mind.

  ?Was that woman new? I’ve never seen anyone with those marks… or with that hair color. No, don't think about that now. Remember the first rule… No one must know.?