『Death-Roes of High-School Life』
〔Lamar High〕
Houston, Texas
United States
The Lamar High campus resembled less a public school and more a miniature city. Glass walkways connected buildings shaped like corporate headquarters, while training arenas stretched out behind the academic wings. Even the outdoor courtyards featured reinforced barriers, just in case students accidentally unleashed their Summons during practice.
This wasn't a normal high school—it was a Summoner feeder school. Most of its students would graduate straight into one of the elite academies, with the biggest prize among them being Chiron Academy. And everyone knew it.
Arti and Jasper pushed through the large cafeteria doors. Calling it a cafeteria was generous; the place looked exactly like a mall food court. Neon restaurant signs glowed above counters—a pizza place sat next to a ramen bar, a burger grill shared space with a smoothie station. Students wandered around carrying trays, chatting loudly about training sessions, dungeon runs, and academy acceptance letters. In the center of the court sat rows upon rows of tables.
Arti stretched his arms behind his head casually. "So," he said, "you gonna let me cover your meal? Or am I gonna have to beg?"
Jasper snorted. "Lay off, Arti. I'll be fine." He lifted his backpack slightly. "I brought my own lunch."
Arti sighed like a disappointed older brother. "You know that's depressing, right?"
Before Jasper could respond, two long arms suddenly wrapped around both of them from behind. "Yeah," a deep voice chimed in, "but you need to eat more otherwise you'll never bulk up, Jasper." The arms squeezed tighter.
Jasper wheezed. "Sieg… oxygen… please…"
The grip loosened immediately. Standing behind them was Sieg Stein. He looked like someone had accidentally grown a warrior inside a laboratory—tall, almost six feet, with cream-white hair bleached pale by the sun and ruby-red eyes that glowed softly under the cafeteria lights. Despite his lanky build, the way he moved carried a strange density, as if his muscles were packed tighter than they appeared.
His outfit made him stand out even more: a black waistcoat over a white dress shirt, black slacks, and penny loafers. Who dressed like a Victorian noble at school? Sieg did. And hanging from his neck was his Summon—a small sword-shaped cross pendant.
Arti smirked. "You're crushing him again."
Sieg tilted his head. "Oh." He stepped back politely. "My mistake."
Jasper rubbed his ribs. "You say that every time."
The three of them moved toward one of the empty tables. Students nearby watched them with mixed reactions—some curious, some dismissive, most uninterested. The trio had a reputation: they weren't losers, but they weren't elites either. People called them The Mavericks—three oddballs who didn't fit the Lamar hierarchy.
Jasper plopped down and opened his lunch box. Inside was a basic sandwich. Arti stared at it. "That is the saddest meal I've seen all week."
Jasper took a bite. "Good. Means nobody will steal it."
Sieg sat across from him, and Arti sat beside him. The table felt calm for about ten seconds.
Then the cafeteria doors slammed open. Conversation across the room quieted instantly. Three students walked in, and just like that, the temperature of the room changed.
The first one was enormous—six foot four at least, with massive shoulders, a buzz cut, and a confident grin that said he knew exactly how intimidating he looked. Around his neck hung a pendant shaped like a wolf fang. His name was Marcus Reddick, and everyone at Lamar knew him. His Summon was legendary among the students: Dire Tyrant Fenrir – B+. Not just a beast—a Mythical Beast. Even at B rank, it already dwarfed most Summons in raw power.
Behind Marcus walked a second student: tall, lean, with hair slicked back like a corporate executive. He wore a dark blazer despite the Texas heat. His pendant was a gold coin. Elliot Crane. His Summon? A Human-class Mythical Heroic Spirit—The Merchant Prince – A Rank. A Summon famous for generating wealth and manipulating contracts. Most people said Elliot would be a future Guild King.
The third student entering behind them looked completely different: shorter, with sharp eyes and black hair tied into a warrior's knot. His pendant resembled a jagged black horn. Daichi Kurogane, an exchange student from Japan. His Summon was infamous: Oni Warlord – A Rank—a Demon Realm Warrior. Students whispered about it constantly. Demons were dangerous; Demon Summoners had been feared ever since the age of Cain. And yet, Daichi controlled one.
The trio moved through the cafeteria like sharks through water. Students parted automatically. Marcus grabbed a burger from the grill counter without even ordering—the cashier didn't dare complain. They approached a table near the Mavericks. Marcus's eyes locked on Jasper, and then he grinned. "Well look what we got here."
Arti sighed quietly. "Please ignore them…"
Too late. Marcus walked straight over, his heavy boots thudding against the floor. "Well if it isn't Lamar's famous trio of weirdos." He leaned forward. "Whatcha eating, short king?"
Jasper didn't respond. He took another bite of his sandwich calmly.
Marcus leaned closer, then flicked the key hanging from Jasper's necklace. It clinked loudly, the rusted metal swinging back and forth. Marcus burst out laughing. "Oh, man. It's even worse than I remember." He turned to Elliot. "Remind me again. What's his summon?"
Elliot adjusted his glasses, his voice smooth and steady. "Spare Key. Rank F."
The surrounding students snickered. Marcus slapped his knee. "BRO. You literally summoned a house key?"
Jasper kept chewing his sandwich. Arti watched carefully. Sieg stared silently.
Marcus wasn't done. He grabbed the key again and held it up. "Look at this thing. Is this what you use to unlock your mom's car?" More laughter erupted from nearby tables. Marcus leaned closer to Jasper. "You know what, academy applications are this month, right?"
Jasper swallowed his food. "Yeah."
Marcus grinned wider. "You planning to apply anywhere?"
Jasper looked up. "Maybe."
Marcus barked a laugh. "Maybe?" He tapped the key again. "You're not even getting into community summoner school with that thing." Then he leaned back and spread his arms. "Meanwhile." He grabbed the wolf fang pendant. Mana surged faintly around him. A massive spectral shape appeared behind Marcus—a wolf silhouette the size of a small truck, with golden eyes burning in the air. Students gasped. Fenrir. Even the partial manifestation radiated pressure.
Marcus smirked. "This bad boy is already B+. By the time I hit Chiron, it'll be A rank." He looked down at Jasper again. "Maybe you'll evolve your key into a padlock by then."
More laughter. Arti finally spoke. "You done?"
Marcus glanced at him. "Oh right. Pendragon's little errand boy." Arti's eyes sharpened slightly, but he said nothing. Marcus shrugged. "Relax. I'm just giving the little guy some life advice."
Daichi stepped forward now, his eyes studying Jasper quietly. Unlike Marcus, he wasn't laughing. "You're not afraid," Daichi said suddenly.
Jasper blinked. "Huh?"
Daichi pointed at the key. "Most weak summoners show shame. You don't."
Jasper shrugged. "It's just a key."
Daichi tilted his head. "Interesting."
Then Elliot spoke again. "You should still be careful." He smiled politely. "Even an F rank Summon grants Symbiosis. Which means yours gives you… approximately around zero combat benefits."
Marcus cracked his knuckles. "Meaning, if someone like me punched you…" He leaned down close to Jasper's face. "You'd probably explode."
Sieg finally stood up. The movement alone drew attention, because Sieg rarely got involved in confrontations. His ruby eyes looked down at Marcus. "Violence inside the cafeteria is against school policy."
Marcus laughed. "Relax Frankenstein. I'm not gonna hit him." He stepped back, then flicked Jasper's key one last time. "But seriously man. You should think about quitting Summoner life. Maybe locksmith school."
The trio walked away, laughter trailing behind them. The cafeteria slowly returned to normal noise levels.
Jasper exhaled quietly. Arti crossed his arms. "Sorry."
Jasper looked confused. "For what?"
"For not punching him."
Jasper chuckled. "Please don't start a war over my house key."
Sieg sat down again, his expression remaining neutral. But his voice carried a strange weight. "They are strong."
Arti nodded. "Yeah."
Sieg looked at Jasper. "But strength changes."
Jasper smirked. "You two are way too optimistic."
Arti leaned back in his chair. "Maybe. But every story starts somewhere."
Jasper finished the last bite of his sandwich. His fingers brushed the rusted key again. For a moment—just a moment—the metal felt warm. Strange. Like it had heard something.
Far away, in the silent depths of Jasper's mind, the colossal stone gate trembled again. Rust cracked slightly along its ancient surface. And deep beneath centuries of corrosion… gold waited.
Patient.
Like a king who knew his throne would one day be reclaimed.