Chapter 112: Reality Is My Fantasy
The Refined Arts Academy from years ago was different from the one Mikel knew. The current school imposed stricter controls on spiritual energy usage—even limiting it to a degree. Student fights were strongly discouraged.
But in this timeline, aside from a scolding, Sabel and the boy she fought—Everest—were completely fine. Surprisingly, Sabel had won the fight and trashed Everest almost without breaking a sweat.
They were good people, Mikel could tell.
After the fight, Sabel and Everest didn’t clash again—as if nothing had happened. Although Everest remained a little annoyed with her, there was no bad blood between them. In the end, Mikel and the younger version of Mister Nocty simply watched as the two served community service on campus, along with the other students in the group: Lara, Maris, and Jake.
[Master, you’re staying in this Anima longer than you’re supposed to.]
Mikel glanced at the glowing red-and-black screen before him. A shallow breath escaped him as he leaned back and turned his head toward the young man beside him. Right now, the group was lounging on the benches in the school’s open court.
Mikel and Mister Nocty sat slightly apart from the others.
"Mister Nocty, we should leave this place," he said, reminding his teacher of the real danger they were in. "This isn’t real."
"It is real." Mister Nocty’s youthful face turned toward him. "It may be an illusion, but it’s replicating a real memory. My memory."
His eyes drifted to the students on the court—the duo in the middle and the rest cheering from the sidelines. His expression softened, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
"They were all capable, gifted shamans," he murmured. "I was the weakest among them. Yet, they never made me feel useless. If anything, they always included me in everything. And when I couldn’t believe in myself, they believed in me."
The bitterness in his voice deepened. "Too weak for Zone Zero, but just strong enough to be an instructor at the Academy."