Chapter 3: A Jester's Instincts
"Let's address the elephant in the room. Who the hell was that girl? And why did she have 'Main Character Energy' written all over her?"
Selene. Just her name feels suspiciously plot-relevant. Green eyes, silver hair—classic signs of someone who's about to turn my life into a chaotic mess. She knew too much, and her cryptic warning wasn't helping.
"Be careful, Akira," I mutter to myself, mimicking her tone as I leave the bookstore. "Forces that would destroy me? Lady, I am the force."
But if she's connected to the Council of Shadows, I can't afford to take her lightly. Even clowns have limits.
---
I step into the crowded streets outside the bookstore. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the city, but my instincts are on high alert. It's too quiet, too…expectant.
"Alright, world," I mutter under my breath. "Hit me with your next plot twist. I'm ready."
Spoiler: I was not ready.
---
As I turn the corner, the street ahead warps. One moment, I'm surrounded by the sounds of bustling life; the next, silence.
I'm standing in a black void, the world around me replaced by swirling shadows.
"Oh, come on!" I shout into the abyss. "Can't a guy walk home in peace?"
---
A figure materializes in front of me, cloaked in darkness. Its face is obscured, but its presence is suffocating. Definitely not your average pickpocket.
"Akira Tanaka," the figure says, its voice echoing unnaturally. "You have hidden yourself well, but your reckoning has come."
I roll my eyes. "Great. Another dramatic villain. Did you guys take the same theater class or something?"
"Silence, fool!" the figure snaps, its shadowy tendrils lashing out toward me.
---
The tendrils hit an invisible barrier around me and dissolve into nothing. I haven't even tried yet, and this guy's already embarrassing himself.
"You're gonna have to do better than that," I say, casually brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder.
The figure pauses, clearly reevaluating its life choices. "You underestimate the power of the Council—"
"Yeah, yeah, Council of Shadows. You guys have the most generic evil name I've ever heard," I interrupt. "What's next? A secret lair in a volcano?"
The figure growls, losing its cool. "Your arrogance will be your downfall!"
---
This is getting boring. I snap my fingers, and the void around us collapses. The figure stumbles as we're suddenly back in the middle of the street, surrounded by oblivious pedestrians.
"Wait—what did you—"
I step closer, letting just a fraction of my true power seep into my voice. "Listen, buddy. Go back to your little council and tell them this: if they want to come after me, they'd better bring something better than a glorified shadow puppet. Got it?"
The figure doesn't answer. It vanishes in a swirl of smoke, leaving behind a faint trace of dark energy.
---
Narration Mode Activated
"Let's be real here. That guy wasn't even trying. Probably just a low-level goon sent to scare me. If this is the best the Council can do, they're in for a rude awakening."
But something about this encounter doesn't sit right. First Selene, now this? The Council's suddenly taking an interest in me after years of silence. Why now?
---
By the time I get home, it's late. My apartment is a modest place, filled with the essentials: a fridge stocked with instant noodles, a couch that's seen better days, and a mountain of manga piled next to my bed.
I collapse onto the couch, staring at the ceiling.
"Okay, Akira," I mutter. "Think. What's the game here?"
The Council doesn't act without reason. If they're moving now, it means something—or someone—has upset the balance.
And then there's Selene. She wasn't just some random girl. Her warning felt personal, like she knew me. But how?
---
Before I can think too much about it, my phone buzzes.
It's a message from Reina:
Reina: "You better not skip tomorrow's test, or I'm coming to drag you there myself."
I laugh, shaking my head. Reina's constant nagging is one of the few normal things in my life.
Me: "Wouldn't dream of it, Reina. Don't forget to bring snacks for my funeral after I fail."
Her reply comes instantly:
Reina: "I'm bringing a shovel, too. Sleep well."
---
Narration Mode Activated
"See, this is why I keep Reina around. She grounds me. When you've been a dragon god and fought interdimensional horrors, it's nice to have someone who treats you like a regular idiot."
---
The next morning, school is…school. Boring lectures, sleepy classmates, and teachers who clearly wish they were anywhere else.
I'm sitting at my desk, doodling on the edge of my notebook, when the classroom door slides open.
"Class, we have a new transfer student," the teacher announces.
You've got to be kidding me.
---
Selene walks in, her silver hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window.
"Hello, everyone," she says with a polite smile. "My name is Selene Arclight. I hope we can all get along."
The class murmurs in excitement. Transfer students are rare, and Selene's striking appearance makes her an instant sensation.
She scans the room—and her eyes land on me. Her smile widens ever so slightly.
---
Narration Mode Activated
"Oh, great. She's one of those transfer students. The ones who immediately lock onto the main character like a heat-seeking missile."
Reina leans over, whispering, "Why is she staring at you?"
"No idea," I whisper back, trying to act clueless.
Selene takes the empty seat next to mine. Of course she does.
---
"Hello again, Akira," she says softly.
Reina looks between us, her suspicion levels skyrocketing. "You two know each other?"
"Not really," I say quickly. "We just met at the bookstore yesterday."
Selene chuckles. "And here I thought you'd remember me better."
Oh, she's definitely messing with me now.
---
The rest of the day is a mix of awkward tension and me desperately trying to avoid Selene's probing questions. Every time she talks to me, Reina gives me a look like she's trying to solve a murder mystery.
By lunchtime, I'm ready to snap.
"What do you want from me?" I hiss at Selene as we sit under a tree in the school courtyard.
She smiles innocently. "Nothing. I just find you…interesting."
---
"Yeah, well, I'm not for sale," I grumble, biting into my sandwich.
Selene tilts her head. "You're hiding something, aren't you?"
I almost choke. "W-What makes you think that?"
"Call it intuition," she says, her green eyes gleaming. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me…for now."
---
Narration Mode Activated
"Okay, readers, let's recap. In less than 24 hours, I've been attacked by a shadow assassin, warned by a mysterious girl, and now said girl is sitting here, acting like she knows my deepest secrets. If this isn't the setup for disaster, I don't know what is."
---
Selene stands, brushing crumbs off her skirt. "I'll see you later, Akira. Try not to get into too much trouble."
As she walks away, I can't shake the feeling that she's playing a game I don't understand yet.
---
Reina plops down next to me, glaring. "Spill. Who is she, and what's going on?"
"It's nothing," I say, waving her off.
"Akira," she says flatly, "you're the worst liar I've ever met."
---
Before I can respond, the air around us shifts.
A low hum fills the courtyard, and I spot a faint ripple in the distance. It's subtle, but my dragon senses pick it up instantly.
Another attack.
"Reina," I say, standing quickly. "Get inside. Now."
"What? Why—"
"Just go!"
End of Chapter 3