012 Pioneer Css - Part 2 - Mark’s POV

  The first thing I did when I returned to my dorm was eat dinner, rest for a bit, and then head outside to train like crazy.

  Why?

  Because Mom demanded it.

  And because I liked training. It was a secret though. Mom must not learn of this secret.

  Northstar House was a high-end dorm, but I didn’t spend much time enjoying the luxuries it offered. Instead, I slipped out the back, making my way toward the academy’s forested areas. Technically, there was a curfew. Technically, students weren’t supposed to leave the dorms past a certain hour. But as long as I didn’t get caught, I didn’t see the problem.

  The academy had its own cryptid popution, mostly controlled and kept for study or training purposes. I used them as moving targets, pying hide and seek in the dark. Sometimes they were the hunters. Sometimes I was. Either way, it was good practice.

  I didn’t push too far into the restricted areas, though. Breaking curfew was one thing. Getting mauled to death by something the school barely had under control was another.

  After a few hours of running, dodging, and avoiding sharp teeth and cws, I called it a night.

  By the time I returned to my dorm, it was already te. I barely gnced at my phone before crashing onto my bed.

  The notification on my screen read:

  "Congratutions. You have been inducted into the Pioneer Css."

  I barely had time to process it before sleep took over.

  I woke up early, out of habit. Morning routines were simple—wash up, change into my academy uniform, and then figure out where to get food since I hadn’t done any grocery shopping yet.

  That meant eating outside.

  I found a small local eatery near the dorms, nothing fancy, just a pce that served simple meals. I pced my order and sat down, pulling out my phone to kill time. That’s when I saw the evaluation email waiting for me.

  I tapped it open.

  *********

  Subject: Pioneer Css Evaluation ReportFrom: Professor Reina Morningstar

  Mark Valentine,

  Your acceptance into the Pioneer Css was determined based on exceptional performance in the Entrance Exam. Your results indicate an advanced level of tactical awareness, adaptability, and efficiency in utilizing your ESP ability. Below are some key points from your evaluation:

  ESP Proficiency: Your ability provides you with an unorthodox yet highly effective form of stealth. Unlike traditional invisibility or misdirection, your ability works on a conceptual level—erasing your presence from active perception and memory. You demonstrated an intuitive grasp of how to manipute this in a high-stress environment, using it not only to hide but to control engagement on your terms.

  Physical and Combat Performance: While not the physically strongest in your year, your combat proficiency compensates for it. You fight with efficiency, favoring practical and lethal techniques over showmanship. However, there is room for improvement in sustained endurance and adaptability against overwhelming force.

  Tactical Awareness: You dispyed exceptional decision-making, prioritizing survival and long-term strategy over short-term gains. You utilized your environment effectively, minimized unnecessary risks, and capitalized on the weaknesses of both your opponents and the exam structure itself.

  Notable Achievements:Ranked 3rd pce in the Hide-and-Seek segment, sting nearly the entire duration of the exam.Dispyed an understanding of long-term engagement and survival tactics.

  While your skills are undeniable, there are areas that require refinement. Over-reliance on passive engagement may become a liability in direct confrontations. Strengthening your ability to operate in high-intensity combat scenarios will be crucial to your continued success.

  That being said, you have earned your pce in the Pioneer Css. Do not waste this opportunity.

  —Master Reina

  *********

  I read the email twice.

  It was about what I expected.

  Pioneer Css, huh? I guessed I should’ve been surprised, but I wasn’t. I had trained for this. Prepared for this. If anything, I would’ve been more shocked if I hadn’t made the cut.

  Still, the evaluation pointed out some weak spots.

  Mom probably would’ve said the same thing.

  I leaned back in my chair, watching as my breakfast was pced in front of me. Fried rice, eggs, and some side dishes. Simple. Nothing extravagant.

  I picked up my chopsticks and started eating, already thinking about how I was going to train tonight.

  There was no room for compcency.

  Not now.

  Not ever.

  I took a cab to the academy.

  The local train by the dorm was an option, but I had no interest in taking it. Why? Because I didn’t want to be the center of attention as the one guy in a dormitory meant for girls.

  Who even thought that was a good idea?

  I should petition the Archon about this.

  The cab ride was quiet, aside from the occasional small talk with the driver.

  "You a student?" the cabbie asked, gncing at me through the rearview mirror.

  "Yeah."

  "First-year?"

  "Yeah."

  "That expins the uniform." He chuckled, nodding to himself. "Bet you're excited, huh? ESPer Academy’s a big deal. You must be crazy talented to get in."

  "Something like that."

  "Well, good luck, kid. Just don’t blow up the school, alright?"

  "No promises," I muttered.

  The cabbie ughed. "That’s the spirit!"

  Eventually, we reached the Freshmen grounds. I paid the fare, stepped out, and took in the sight before me.

  The ESPer Academy was a four-year program, with each year level having an entire facility dedicated to them. These were based on the four cardinal beasts:

  Vermillion Bird(South) for Fourth Years.Azure Dragon(East) for Third Years.White Tiger(West) for Second Years.Bck Tortoise(North) for First Years.That meant I was standing at the Bck Tortoise premises, the dedicated area for freshmen. It was massive, built like an independent campus within the academy grounds. The buildings had a fortress-like design, with reinforced structures, high walls, and training facilities spread across the area.

  I walked toward the entrance gate, passing by groups of students—some chatting, some stretching like they were preparing for combat, others just loitering.

  Two students ahead of me were talking loudly.

  "Did you hear? Someone managed to remove their cuffs st night."

  "Wait, already? But they said those things were impossible to take off!"

  "Guess not. Some people are just built different."

  I gnced down at my pocket, where my own unlinked cuff sat. Yeah… it wasn’t that hard.

  Another conversation caught my attention as I passed by.

  "Man, I hope I don’t get stuck in a garbage css," a student grumbled.

  "Rex. As long as you weren’t dead st in the entrance exam, you’ll be fine."

  Easy for them to say. I already knew where I ended up. Pioneer Css.

  I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing yet.

  The Bck Tortoise uniform was simple—mostly bck, with a few golden yers here and there. Nothing too fshy. I adjusted my backpack, smoothed my colr, and took in my surroundings.

  A lot of students still had their anti-ESP cuffs on. Some were fidgeting, trying to figure out how to get them off, while others had clearly given up and just accepted their fate. A few, like me, were already free. I could feel the stares, though most of them were just curious gnces.

  Then, out of nowhere—

  "Hey!"

  A voice rang out, bright and overly familiar.

  I turned and immediately regretted it.

  A blonde guy with an easygoing smile was striding toward me like we were old friends.

  Ronald Ardent.

  Imperial prince. Heroine’s canon love interest. My supposed arch-nemesis.

  What was I supposed to do here? Mom had drilled me on how to deal with Mirai. I had entire journals on strategies for that. But the heroine’s love interests?

  Nothing.

  Not a single note, except if it involved the heroine.

  I was flying blind.

  Ronald stopped right in front of me, still grinning like some overgrown golden retriever. "You remember me, right?"

  I stared. "No."

  His smile didn’t even falter. "Sure you do! We sat near each other at the orientation!"

  I tried stepping around him. He stepped with me.

  I sighed. "Look, I don’t know what you want, but I’m busy."

  "Busy?" He tilted his head. "You’re just standing there."

  I opened my mouth, then shut it. Damn it, he got me.

  Ronald cpped a hand on my shoulder like we were buddies. "C’mon, no need to be shy. We’re in the same css, so we should get along!"

  I gnced at his cuffs. Still on. Good. That meant he couldn’t use his ESP yet.

  "I don’t remember you," I repeated, stepping away. "And I’m not looking for friends."

  Ronald just ughed.

  Not offended. Not annoyed. Just ughed, like this was all some joke.

  "Man, you’re fun."

  Fun?!

  I squinted at him, but Ronald had already moved past it, shoving his hands in his pockets and falling into step beside me. Huh? When did he remove his cuffs?

  I tried to walk faster. He matched my pace.

  I slowed down. So did he.

  This guy…

  Mom, what the hell am I supposed to do with him?!

  I sighed and did what I did best—I vanished.

  Shrouding myself in my ESP, I walked away without a sound, letting my presence slip from the minds of those around me. Ronald blinked, confused, his gaze darting around for a moment. For a second, he lost me.

  But then—

  "There you are!"

  He locked eyes with me.

  I barely suppressed a groan as he jogged after me, grinning like he just won a game of tag.

  "So, what do you think our css is gonna be like?" he asked, falling into step beside me again. "I heard it’s super intense. We’ll probably be sparring by the end of the day. Maybe even throwing fireballs! Or fighting teachers! That’d be sick, right?"

  I didn’t respond.

  He kept talking anyway.

  "Though, I dunno about the whole ‘Master’ thing. Kinda weird, isn’t it? Calling the professors that?"

  I side-eyed him. "That’s what you’re worried about?"

  He grinned. "Hey, just saying. Feels cult-y."

  I exhaled sharply, quickening my pace.

  Ronald matched it.

  Around us, students whispered, pointing in his direction. Some were swooning, their eyes practically sparkling. Others looked at him like he was insane.

  Some of them were probably seeing something completely different—like a blonde guy talking to empty air.

  I resisted the urge to smirk. At least my ESP was still doing its job.

  Still, I needed to find our cssroom.

  I gnced around, scanning the hallways. Too many doors.

  Tch.

  I spotted a student standing by a vending machine and made my way over.

  "Hey," I said. "Where’s the Pioneer Css?"

  The student, a younger guy with gsses, lit up immediately.

  "The Pioneer Css?" His voice practically vibrated with admiration. "Oh, you must be one of them! That’s amazing! It’s right down this hall—third door to the left!"

  He pointed eagerly, looking at me like I was some kind of legend.

  I nodded. "Thanks."

  Then, before Ronald could start up again, I booked it.

  Ronald Ardent, or rather, "Ron," as he introduced himself, was still keeping up with me. No matter how much I walked faster or subtly changed my direction, he stuck to me like glue. The guy had a ridiculous amount of energy this early in the morning.

  “This is awesome,” he said, fshing a grin. “I thought I’d be walking to css alone, but here I am, making a friend already!”

  My lips twitched. A friend? When did that happen?

  I checked my wristwatch. If I hurried, I wouldn’t be te. The strategies in my journal had yet to fail me, and I wanted to keep it that way. The first day of css had an event. If I followed the pattern, something important should be happening right about now.

  We rounded the corner to our cssroom, and that’s when I saw it—

  A red-haired guy, completely floored, groaning in pain.

  Standing over him imperiously was a dark-haired girl.

  Huh?

  Something was wrong. Wasn’t this scene supposed to be the other way around?