The first day at a new school. It's an exciting day for students and teachers alike. Dreams, ambitions, and new friends were waiting just around the corner. The first years had gathered outside the gates, fueled by enthusiasm.

That was everyone except Cole, who was already on his second bong rip.

Maybe prison would have been better than this shithole... Well, at least I got weed here.

He already had doubts about his life decisions and didn't even know if this was the right place. He hoped Rogg or Fellia would know better.

"Are you guys sure we're supposed to wait here?"

Sure enough, Fellia had studied the place and knew its ins and outs already. It was the famous Magic Academy, after all.

"Yes, the first years always gather at the front gates on the first day. Afterwards, there will be the principal's speech! But umm... Are you sure about hitting the bong on school grounds? I don't think the professors would be happy if they see you."

"Oh, don't worry about that! I've got permission from this weirdo called Abigor to smoke as much as I want. Do you want a hit as well?"

Most people would have started laughing at Cole's absurd lie. Abigor is currently the most prominent demon on the continent, and he had personally permitted using drugs inside the Magic Academy? It sounded completely ridiculous. However, Fellia had no choice but to believe it. Nothing could surprise her anymore.

"Really!? How did... No, I won't even ask. In that case... I guess a little wouldn't hurt."

Fellia looked guilty as she took a hit. Smoking weed on the continent's best school must have made her feel uncomfortable. Rogg was watching from the side and clearly needed some THC in his body as well. He stared at Cole like a five-year-old wanting candy.

"Can I have some as well? I'll pay you back later, I promise!"

"Of course! But why would you need to pay me back? The Drug Store was successful because of our efforts, not just mine. That means the 100 weed plants are ours to share!"

Cole looked like a god in Rogg's eyes. Nobody would be as nice as him unless they were a god. If he hadn't met Cole, he would still run the crappy inn and live in poverty. Instead, he is now well above average in wealth and lives in one of the best apartments on the continent.

"Really? But it was your idea to start selling weed! You're still giving them to us?"

"Well, I can't smoke all 100 plants by myself anyway. It's really no big deal."

Rogg was about to cry once again. Seeing a grown male get so emotional filled Cole with mixed emotions, but he also felt happy. It felt like a blessing to have a chance to spend more time with his friends, even after all that had happened.

"Thanks a lot, Cole! I'll surely pay you back someday!"

"Sigh... Didn't I say there's no need to pay me back..."

While Rogg was taking a large bong rip, Fellia tried to say something to Cole. Her cheeks reddened, and she failed to make eye contact.

"Your red horns... They look good on you!"

!!

Cole was surprised by the unexpected compliment but didn't completely shut down like previously. He couldn't even remember the last time someone had complimented his looks and had forgotten the feeling.

"Really? Thanks!"

For the first time, Cole actually managed to respond half decently. It helped that Fellia was just as bad as him at complimenting others. Her blushed face was quite a heartwarming sight.

Cole barely considered horns a part of his body, as he had grown them after being summoned. Even still, he felt surprisingly happy. This compliment would surely become a core memory for years to come.

Both feeling embarrassed, there was a moment of silence between the two before a loud noise broke the silence.

"Ahem!"

It was finally starting. The principal was floating over the gates using magic. Cole was quite far away but saw his features due to excellent eyesight. He was quite old with a small grey beard and short black horns. His body looked to be in good condition despite old age. Unlike the students, he wore a dark robe with a white shirt underneath. All that was missing was a pointy hat, and he would look exactly like a typical wizard.

He didn't possess a strong aura like Abigor or Xylliza, or maybe it was just hidden. Even still, his presence was overwhelming.

It seemed like the principal's speech was being held right outside the gates this year. Even though there were no microphones, his voice was clear as day. Maybe he increased the volume using magic.

"First years of the Magic Academy! All of you have proven your skills through multiple tests and passed the entrance exam! From today onwards..."

Great... Already an unskippable cutscene. This is too early! Well, it can't be helped.

Cole listened for less than five seconds and got bored already. These kinds of gatherings were common in his previous school, and they were always a complete waste of time. He had saved a bag of beef jerky for an emergency such as maths class but decided it has to be used now. If his brain gets filled with useless information this early on, there would be no hope of learning anything for the next few weeks.

Snacks are a crucial part of keeping his sanity in check, so consuming it this early on will be risky. Cole would have to survive the rest of the day without anything to eat.

I should be fine as long as today doesn't include math or literature classes.

The opening speech is usually considered an important event, but to Cole, it's just an annoyance. He has always had the attention span of a goldfish, especially during uninteresting subjects.

Minutes passed, and Cole has barely understood a single sentence. To him, the speech was no more than background noise while he enjoyed the beef jerky. Everyone around him was dead silent, so the loud voice was quite relaxing.

"For the last three years, we haven't had a single special student. This year, however..."

Holy fuck! Can't he just get to the point? Special students? Who cares? Thank fuck, I have the bong with me.

Cole accidentally listened for a few seconds and immediately regretted it. In turn, he loaded the bong for the third time, hoping to leap in time till the end of the cutscene. Even if he missed out on some important information by doing so, it would surely be worth it.

Quite a few people took glances at Cole, who was carelessly smoking weed and spreading the smell of cannabis amongst the crowd. He certainly looked out of place.

Everyone else has spent a great amount of effort just to pass the entrance exam. Some even had to spend their life savings to be let in. They were all honoured to be here and paid attention appropriately. Naturally, Cole's arrogant attitude pissed them off.

Fellia grew concerned at the situation and nudged Cole with her elbow. She spoke quietly to avoid disturbing others.

"Cole! People are looking at us weird. Maybe we should wait for the speech to be over before smoking more. This is an important event, you know?"

"...Huh? Are people actually listening to that old man? They can glare at me all they want. Not like it's my problem."

Fellia looked pouty but dropped the matter. Arguing with Cole would be pointless in this situation. She hoped their reputation wouldn't drop too low on the first day.

5 minutes went by, then 10 and 15. The event had gone nowhere, and the principal had mostly just bragged about his and the Academy's achievements. Most people were still excitedly listening, but Fellia was starting to get restless. Yes, the speech was boring, but that's not why she was antsy. The real reason was Cole, who kept just eating beef jerky.

Still feeling high, she undoubtedly wanted in on the action, but her pride prevented her from doing so. Cole noticed this and offered to share.

"You want some? It's the best jerky they sell around here! I think."

"...Uh"

Fellia's mind went blank. She was tempted but couldn't make a decision. Instead, Rogg was the first to reply.

"I'll take one, please!"

"Sure! Only a few, though. I'm trying to save a few for later, you know."

Rogg grabbed one and put it in his mouth. He spoke doubtfully while still chewing.

"Save? You've been at it for quite a while now. I don't know if that can be called saving..."

Cole ignored the remark and kept stuffing beef jerky into his mouth.

Fellia had tried to avoid looking in their direction but a bit later succumbed to her temptations anyway. Avoiding a snack while high definitely isn't an easy challenge, and Fellia wasn't prepared to take it on. Looking defeated, she turned to Cole.

"...Um, can I have one as well, please?"

"Oh, changed your mind? Here!"

"Thanks!"

Fellia paused and looked like she wanted to ask something big. Knowing her, Cole assumed it was going to be just a simple question.

"...Can I hit the bong as well?"

"Sure! But, didn't you say... never mind."

Sure enough, it was a simple question, but Cole was surprised. Previously she had been against smoking during school hours, and Cole was expecting to hear her nagging about it for the next few weeks. His experience with women back on earth had been exactly that, which is why he's rarely open about smoking.

However, Fellia changed her mind in under half an hour and even wanted in herself. Cole's appreciation of her was growing quickly. He happily handed over the bong with a smile.

People around them were starting to get disturbed by the chatter, but it made little difference to Cole. He knew Abigor wouldn't suspend him no matter what. Even if he did, Cole would happily take a few days off.

A lot of time passed, and all three of them were quite baked. None of them had paid attention to their surroundings for quite a while. The mass of people had started shrinking, and the principal wasn't talking anymore either. Rogg was the first to realize something's amiss.

"Guys? Where did the loud voice go?"

"What voice? Oh yeah, the unskippable cutscene! Is it over?"

"Haha, what are you talking about? Oh crap! doesn't class start at 10 am? It's 9:54 right now!"

Cole had succeeded in his time leap but had no idea what to do next. The class would be starting in six minutes, and he didn't even know who his teacher was. Thankfully, he had a reliable friend next to him, called Fellia. She would surely know what to do next.

"Fellia, you must have listened for at least a little bit, right? Where should we go now?"

"..."

She quickly looked away without responding. This was not a good sign.

"Did you perhaps... Sigh... We're going to be late!"

"I'm sorry! I couldn't help it!"

Fellia looked genuinely apologetic as if preparing to get scolded. Maybe if she was still a maid, her master would get mad, but Cole wasn't that cruel.

"No, I'm sorry. It's not your fault. We'll just be a few minutes late, no problem! I already have a perfect excuse!"

"Really? Let's go then!"

20 minutes of painful searching later, they had gotten nowhere. The whole academy was like a maze. Cole was expecting to be late by a few minutes, but 15 minutes was a bit too much. He was starting to get desperate.

"WHERE THE FUCK ARE WE!"

I guess I'll have to ask Abigor... Dammit!

And so, Cole was late on the first day of school for the 12th time in his life.