It was horrible.

There is no other word to describe it than horrible.

By 'it', I mean the rest of the day.

I couldn't hear anything for the next 30 minutes. I didn't know when or how we went back through the gate. I did not hear any noise. Maybe it was just not noisy or maybe my mind was just too preoccupied. The only thing I could hear was a ringing sound that seemed to grow larger with each passing second. I could feel the cold sweat running down my back. My mind was blank.

By the time I came to my senses, I was at school.

The classroom was noisier than usual. They were talking about their newfound abilities and what they will do next and so on. But something was off. I looked around slowly and saw Gira.

Oh, I get it now. Usually, my friends flock to my table immediately. But this time, it was not me but Gira.

I went to him casually as I always do and called him out.

However, what he did was unthinkable. He looked at me with eyes that were something terrifying. The corners of his mouth spread wide as he spoke.

『What's up, trash?』

I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe. Maybe, if I just silently backed away now, I would have been able to evade the humiliation that came next.

『W-what do you mean, Gira? I just wanted to talk with you』

『Talk? What is there to talk? Or rather, are trash capable of even speaking? You are not worthy to talk to me, trash. You do not have any ability. Why don't you kill yourself? It's a waste of space for you to even be alive. Or wait, maybe you can be of use as a bread shuttle. After all, you have no future.』

He laughed. It was not the kind of laugh that comes out when you hear something really funny. Rather, it was one of contempt. Like, when a person who is well off laughs at a beggar for being homeless.

I was only focused on Gira, but I could feel it. All those eyes, who were staring at me in the same way as him. I could hear faint smirking and gossiping.

『But, why? I-I-I didn't...I was not the one.... 』

『Silence! You dare speak without permission?!』

As he said that, he flung his soldiers and punched me. Right at my face. Normally, I would have been able to dodge it. But the shock from all these events stopped me from moving.

Gira did not stop there. He sat on my stomach and continued punching me without hesitation.

『Have.....you learnt.....your.....place yet?! You.....are...not qualified.....to...talk to...me!』

My mind was still in a daze. I couldn't do anything. I just lay there. I don't even know where I am looking. I can't feel anything.

I woke up. When did I lose consciousness? Where am I? I looked around. It was the school infirmary. My head hurts. I can't think straight. What should I do now?

With all these thoughts swirling inside my head, I breathe deeply. Okay, let's go home first.

My parents won't be the same, right? They will accept me, right?

I slap myself on both my cheeks. What am I thinking? Of course, they will accept me. They will not oust me like my other friends. Is it even right to call them my friends anymore?

Again, like school, I didn't even know when I reached home. I stared emptily at it for some time and then went inside.

I went into the room where our family usually hangs out during evenings and it was empty. I was a bit shocked. Why was it on the same day as today that they are not there?

There was a note saying that they were going to my brother's academy for a visit and they will be back late at night. It also said that some instantly available food was on the dining table which would be my dinner tonight.

Strange, very strange. Until today, they never had to go to the academy, so why today of all days? Furthermore, they even left me instant food which would normally be unthinkable for my mother.

Huh? Why am I thinking these unnecessary things?

I shake my head to get these doubts out of my head. Once my head gets a bit clear, I start moving again.

It's not possible, right? They wouldn't have happened to get the news ahead of time and their work was related to me, right?