Wonderful! First day of attendance, and I’ve already got indecipherable homework!

  Nobody likes homework, but it’s something you’ve got to sit down and accept, like a lot of things in life, especially the things you don’t like.

  But for my circumstance, being able to understand it even a little would be a boon of information. Being expected to capably complete it wouldn’t come until I’ve figured out the issue of the language barrier.

  Wanting to push the issue until later, I followed my summoner at his insistence, folding and pocketing the sheet as I walked. Everyone else seemed to be migrating in the same way. Seeing so many people walking in the same direction made me feel like an animal in a herd.

  Was there an announcement I couldn’t comprehend? Is there some big event I happened to reincarnate in?

  My questions were answered the moment I stepped foot in the cafeteria again.

  Damn it! How is everyone else getting up and serving themselves food to their hearts' content?

  The last few times I was able to eat, someone was there to vouch for me. Can my summoner accomplish the same thing?

  Wait, I’m a student now! Maybe the privilege is unanimously given to all students?

  After grabbing a tray and getting in line, I stood in front of the staff member currently distributing food and pointed to a small selection of food I found appetizing. I wanted to indulge in good-tasting food without making my new body fat too quickly.

  Like before, I was met with the same cold reception.

  What the hell am I supposed to do?

  I heard my summoner clear his voice in a way that wanted his attention. I turned to see him making a twist motion with his hand while pinching his fingers.

  What is that supposed to- OH!

  I put down my tray on the counter and took out my room key, holding it in front of the lunch server.

  They took a glance at the key before putting servings of the food I asked for on the tray. I nodded, as it was the only way I could thank them without bringing attention to my spoken language. After getting my desired portions, I got a spoon and a fork at the end of the line. The whole setup reminded me of mall food courts and mess halls I’ve been to.

  I had forgotten that showing my key was a step in being granted food.

  With one less worry dealt with on my growing list of concerns, I followed my summoner and sat next to him. I wanted to enjoy the food and not have to think about weird looks directed my way while eating. My experience with Ms. Grey wasn’t exactly pleasant, despite how delicious the food was. Being watched while eating just felt… uncomfortable, enough for it to give me goosebumps.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Whatever, I don’t want to think about unpleasant things while being given free food.

  The food I had gotten appeared to be meat, mashed potatoes, and pasta with an obligatory serving of green beans, as I didn’t recall pointing to the vegetables. Perhaps it was part of some mandatory healthy diet protocol the school had. Oh well, they look appetizing, and I won’t know until I try it.

  Oh wow.

  The meat was savory and tender, and the flavors weren’t so intense that they needed to be washed down with a drink.

  Actually, where can I get water?

  Seeing other student with their meals, nearly every one of them had a cup next to their trays.

  I turned to my summoner, tapping his shoulder before cupping my hand and making the drinking motion.

  There was a glimpse of recognition on his face before he got up, leaving his tray next to mine.

  I wanted to follow him, but we were the only ones sitting at our table, and the thought of leaving out such perfectly good food unattended made my stomach churn.

  I’ll be the guardian of our meals, Gioni!

  I pulled my summoner’s tray closer to me while attentively eating from my own, considering making a custom cover to avert passersby from taking food from the unattended tray. I decided against it, recalling the reactions to manifestations of my power.

  As I was enjoying my meal, I heard repeated shouting behind me.

  Curious, I turned around, food still in my mouth.

  It was the water assailant, with the girls I threw dodgeballs at behind him.

  I could understand those two wanting an apology from me, since sending a projectile in their face out of reflex is uncalled for. Fairly certain they even told that class’s teacher about me. But what does this fucker want with me?

  Whatever words he was shouting were directed at me. I noticed his shouting had gathered a crowd, with many pairs of eyes watching our one-sided conversation.

  Hmm… aggressive confrontation. Defenseless tray of food. Needless insults or a demand for an apology.

  Damn it, what’s their universal gesture for apologies?

  As I was thinking about how to apologize, I saw 2 orbs of water appear.

  Seeing them reminded me of water assailant’s vicious expressions.

  Reminding me of what he did to my summoner.

  I panicked, and the first thing I imagined was a force pushing the water assailant off his feet, high into the air, toward the wall behind him.

  Perhaps it was a combination of believing I had inadequately used my power then, or the fear of not wanting to be killed, or being beaten into a near-death state, or the lingering feelings from my past life, believing I hadn’t been decisive enough.

  Regardless, I had made my move.

  I saw students who were still seated immediately turn their heads to the sight of water assailant flying through the air. The crowd that had gathered, along with new bystanders who started watching the spectacle, instinctively moved away from the trajectory the water assailant had taken. The sight looked like a miracle had parted the waters, revealing the seabed.

  For a moment, I thought I had inadvertently killed someone. Although I believed the water assailant deserved it for bullying my summoner, I doubted I’d be able to live with the consequences of killing someone, deserved or not.

  What I saw next reminded me of something crucial that I had forgotten: This is a world of magic, and magical talents attend this place.

  He turned midair as he flew and posed like a frog, before gathering water at his hands and feet and extending appendages toward the wall. This resulted in him clinging to it like a frog, the sight of which reminded me of a certain wall-crawling superhero.

  He slid down the wall, with his water trailing behind like a raindrop sliding down a car window, pushing off at the last moment and landing upright, his knees bending to cushion the impact.

  And then he turned, wearing a toned-down version of the furious expression I had seen before.

  Unlike before, I wasn’t as intimidated. This short exchange reminded me that I can fight back.

  I just needed to imagine how.