Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

Esper’s academy.

The best school for training the future generation of adventurers and the only academy where everyone was beyond extraordinary. This was the reputation of this well-known school.

Many people even boast of it as the last line of defense between the dungeons and the human race. It had a lot to live up to.

And last but not the least, it was the place where the book ‘A legendary hero’ started, starring Howard Spencer.

And finally, it was time for the awaited hero to enter the academy. Howard Spencer had finally turned 13 and he along with his childhood friend Emma had finally made it into the Esper’s academy.

A lot had changed in the past 11 years. Some changes had benefited the human race, while others had caused a lot of conflicts. But despite all that, Horas could not help but like the current situation.

“Horas, are you excited? Are you going to go out and have a look at the new students? I heard that the top 3 in the entrance exam will give a speech this year.”

Horas looked up from the screen he had been coding and met Mark’s eyes. His mentor (and foster father in all but papers) had a playful look in his eyes. Horas knew he would not be let go of until he gave Mark an answer.

“Mark, I am aware of what you are trying to gloat me into, but I will not give in. I will get to the opening ceremony if I have time to.”

Over the past 11 years, a lot had changed with Horas as well. The previously skinny child had grown up to be a lean and strong teenager.

He had grown up to be 5’10, a respectable height for a man but still on the shorter side of most adventurers. Lady Heals had been surprised that he had grown as tall as he did even after what happened to him.

“Awww, come on Horas. Stop staying in all the time and go out to make friends. Surely this year you will not be alone?”

Mark had likely not intended his words to come out as jabs but that was how it felt to Horas. It was not like Horas was not making friends intentionally, but he just did not click with people.

Even those in his age group did not get along with him.

Horas had been in this world for almost 13 years but he still felt as if he was not a part of this world. His desire to go home was as strong as the day he had first arrived here.

“Alright, I heard you loud and clear. If work is the only reason you are not going out then I will help you out. Here, give me your keyboard.”

Horas almost yelped when he was pushed out of his seat and Mark took his place. He had been successfully dethroned out of his seat by his mentor.

“Now you have no more excuses to not go out, right? Enjoy your outing Horas and make some friends this time.”

Horas shook his head as he was forced out of the lab by his concerned caretaker. Mark pulled this every year at the start.

What Mark did not realize was that Horas already had an established reputation as the ‘Reaper’ of the Esper’s academy. Old students were afraid of him and new ones did not like to approach him.

‘Another year of awkwardness, I guess. But at least this will be my last. Principal Merbel will not be able to keep me on the academy grounds once I turn into an adult.’

“Horas, stop getting lost in your thoughts and hurry up. At your pace, the entrance ceremony will be finished already.”

Mark yelled from inside the coding room, successfully sending Horas off. The elder man knew Horas well.

“Alright, I am going.”

………………………….

Howard stood on the stage and looked up. He was finally here, at the Esper’s academy.

A lot had happened but Howard had finally made it into this academy with top scores. He was sure that Miss Julie would be happy for him in the heavens.

“Howard, I know you are happy to finally step into the Esper academy but you should not be standing around like this. You have to go to the opening ceremony to make the speech, right?”

Howard looked toward Emma, his childhood friend who had accompanied him all the way here. It had been hard for her to study to get into the Esper’s academy but Howard was happy to have her with him.

“Howard, stop spacing around and hurry up. You are already half an hour late.”

Emma reminded Howard again and he gave a sheepish smile back to her.

“You are right. Then, I shall be going now. Take care of yourself, Emma.”

Emma could only shake her head as she watched her childhood friend almost stumbling on his way out.

For a guy who had placed first at Esper academy’s entrance test, he sure was clumsy and often forgetful. Emma was almost afraid to let him go out alone.

‘Alright, I sent Howard off. But where do I go from here? Which way should the new students go?’

The only reason Emma had sent Howard off confidently was that she was sure she would be able to follow other students toward the arena. But when she finally dared to look around, there was no one around her.

‘It makes sense. Why would any new student come to the staff section? Why was I so confident about finding my way back?’

Emma felt bitter and annoyed at her current situation. But she also knew she had to accept it and move on.

And just when it felt like all hope had been lost, Emma saw ‘him.’ It was a teen, older than her by a few years, and donning a familiar air around him.

But for some reason, Emma felt her confidence waver as soon as she decided to call him. She did not even know this man’s name.

‘Get a hold of yourself, Emma. You are thirteen, nor a child. Do not let a childhood crush cause you panic.’

Emma took in a deep breath and braved herself to call the man in front of her. She would act calm and cool in front of this man no matter what.

“Ah, are you lost? I saw you debating about something and decided to help you out.”

Emma’s face went red and her breath hitched. Her courage also evaporated once she realized just how close the other teen was standing to her.

‘I c-can’t do this after all.’

………………………….

‘Ah, shit. Please don’t tell me that girl is Emma Dew. Why did I have to run into her of all people?’

Horas cursed his luck inside his mind.

Out of all the people he could have run into, he ended up bumping into a main character. How was it fair? How was it legal?

He did think about leaving Emma to her fate and running away from her, but he ultimately decided against it. Her pathetic face made Horas feel bad for her and also a little responsible.

Besides, he had already been spotted so he might as well come out.

“Ah, are you lost? I saw you debating about something and decided to help you out.”

Horas felt like he did not need to ask that question. Emma’s face was a little flushed and she looked sick. She was even breathing heavily.

It all pointed out to her running a small fever.

“I-I…don’t feel so good.”

Emma’s admission was both a shock and a relief. Horas would not need to spend a lot of time on her. A small trip to Lady Heals would cure her.

“Let’s go. If you are not feeling well then I will accompany you to Lady Heals. I’m sure you don’t want to be late for your first day here.”

Horas wanted to lessen his time with Emma, but he was also worried about her. Emma’s face was looking more and more flushed by the second.

“N-No, there is no need to. I-I just…I’ll head out now.”

In the end, Emma did not even give Horas the time to digest what happened. She ran as if the devil was on her trail and she left Horas alone in the hallway.

It would not have been that bad for Horas if he had been alone when that happened.

But he was not that lucky. Some of the students noticed Horas in the teacher’s hallway and the unknown girl running away from him. There would be rumors about it tomorrow.

“Yo boss, did you scare away another one? As expected of the ‘reaper’. No one can look at you and not feel intimidated.”

“Yeah, don’t mind. One of these days, someone will stick around and not be afraid of you.”

Horas sighed as he looked at a final-year student. Students typically grew out of fearing him and his reputation by the time they were in their first year.

His reputation had become rock solid not only among the students but the adventurer community in general. He doubted that people would stop assuming things about him long ago.

‘No matter what Mark said, I knew I should have stayed inside today.’