The Lingering Dream and a Spirited Morning

In the dream…

Crimson karmic flames writhed menacingly across the smoke-shrouded sky, stirring the vibrant lotus blossoms that pulsed upon the ground.

Faint, mournful cries encircled me from every direction.

****

Like an endless cycle of chains, monstrous beasts were pierced, bound, and their roars turned to whimpers by the dark iron links.

Across the plains, where the scent of burning sulfur seemed to hang heavy in the air, lay the wreckage of fallen stars, remnants of their futile collision with this boundless land.

Gem-like eyes floated in the firmament, gazing solemnly upon the vast expanse.

On the closest floating island, a great black sword was plunged deep into the earth, seemingly cleaving the screen-like peaks of the isle.

****

‘Eh?’

Within a pool of sulfurous fire, my own reflection shimmered.

‘It seems I’ve glimpsed something extraordinary…’

***

Upon waking, all memories of the dream played hide-and-seek, retreating into the deepest, most elusive corners of my mind.

The only sensation that lingered was a profound stirring within my spirit.

My potent flow of spiritual energy, usually abundant, had strangely been depleted entirely after I awoke. Logically, such a thing should have been utterly impossible.

****

Weekends always ended with such abruptness, especially those spent with Youli, which seemed to vanish far more swiftly than the usual days spent cooped up at home.

Now, it was time for school once again.

****

“Good morning, Class Monitor.”

“Good morning.”

“Uh… Class Monitor… morning.”

“Morning.”

“Class Monitor… you…”

“Hm?!”

“I’m sorry! Good morning!!”

“…Good morning.”

At this moment, students were all staring at me with immense curiosity.

—at something on my neck.

I had turned up the five-centimeter-long collar of my male school uniform jacket.

It evoked a distinct, almost medieval style.

****

But even with the collar turned up, I couldn’t hide it!

It was so obvious! Who was I trying to fool?

Even the buzzing of flies could be accurately perceived by an Awakened.

But what if this cacophony was directed at an [Original Esper], one who had even cultivated their spiritual energy?

The result was that my brain would precisely filter out unnecessary sounds, retaining only speech relevant to me.

I, however, was currently enduring an invisible torment of sound waves.

Whispering: –Clearly, our Class Monitor must have… that kind of interest…–

Even softer: –Heh heh… No need to say it… I already get it…–

Whispering: –Even as the Class Monitor… I never expected her to have an interest in… [that kind of play]…–

Even softer: –Oh, oh! You’re right, could it be… training?! No, no! Not that, surely?–

Whispering: –…Heh heh… Exactly…–

‘…..’

I was now almost disgusted with the sensory amplification abilities granted by my spiritual energy. Things I never needed to hear were now polluting my ears. Even worse, these two fools actually believed I had… had… that kind of interest!

This was an insult! A tremendous insult to my male dignity!

I tidied the strands of hair falling across my eyes, slowly sweeping them back, then silently rose from my seat and joined their discussion.

I spoke, my voice so gentle it was almost grating.

“Heh heh heh… What might that be, my dear student?”

‘Unforgivable… Absolutely unforgivable… These conceited, intellectually stunted fools… To think mere boring middle schoolers would dare… dare…!’

The yellow-haired student before me hadn’t noticed me, and I couldn’t be bothered to alert him.

Yellow-hair: –Of course it’s… mmmph…–

As I approached, the social type with yellow hair was suddenly silenced, his mouth clamped shut from behind by the seemingly proper black-haired boy beside him.

‘…Truly, how fortunate…’

“Ah! It’s the Class Monitor! Oh! Today, I’ve come to school as spirited and lively as ever!”

Yet, the boy’s eyes were clearly darting to a particular spot on my person.

“Heh heh… Very spirited, are we?”

‘…Yes! Precisely! You will be very spirited, that much I can guarantee! Both physically and psychologically!’

The social type with yellow hair had now freed his mouth from the ordinary-looking boy who had covered it.

However, I could clearly see cold sweat trickling down Yellow-hair’s brow.

Even in his panic, Yellow-hair’s gaze remained sharp, like a hawk or a hound. A subtle gleam of maturity and shrewdness seemed to flicker within this otherwise naive second-year middle schooler.

“Ah ha ha… Yes, yes! Class Monitor! It’s a new week, and we are, as always, full of vigor, vitality, and strictly abide by the academy’s rules and regulations!”

“So, Class Monitor, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

I smiled.

“As I was passing by just now… I seem to have overheard some ‘…in..teresting’ remarks… May I ask… if the two of you would be so kind as to repeat them?”

“I! Am! Truly! Very! Curious! You see!”