Mystical Fantasy : The Lazy Real Young Master [EN]

Chapter 46: Chapter 7.8 : When the Spotlight Becomes a Target

That morning, the school was unusually busy. With the upcoming exam prep program, students arrived earlier than usual. The moment Al stepped through the school gate, a familiar voice greeted him.

”Yo, mysterious boy!” called out Rina—the short-haired tomboy who proudly claimed to be Al’s only true friend at this school.

She gave him a light elbow jab.

”You’re early today. Don’t tell me you got cursed into studying all night?”

”You know why we have to be here early, and you still ask,” Al replied casually.

”Hahaha, can’t a girl make small talk?”

”Small talk? That doesn’t suit me,” Al muttered lazily.

Rina chuckled. Al could only sigh. Somehow, her friendly presence made the tense morning feel lighter.

But from across the school yard, Jogo—the martial arts team captain—watched Al with a scowl.

All his previous warnings seemed completely ignored. Worse, Al looked even closer to Rina now.

Moments later, Rudi walked by. His face looked rough, dark circles under his eyes, tie crooked, and hair a mess. He was walking not far from Al, who was still enduring Rina’s chatter.

”Al. Watch out, Rudi’s coming,” Rina whispered.

”Eh, he won’t bother me today.”

”Huh? That’s new. Why?”

”I don’t know. Maybe he had a nightmare last night. Something like... his fish being eaten by a monster from Nipponia,” Al said, raising his voice just enough.

Rudi stopped in his tracks, startled.

”You... knew?” he muttered, quickly looking away and walking off.

Inside, he was still burning with frustration.

His father had gone ballistic the night before. A huge investment deal from Nipponia to the Indra family had disrupted Norvalien’s entire fishery business. Their costly move to ”teach the Indras a lesson” had backfired spectacularly—leaving them with losses and humiliation.

It had all happened so fast.

His father even suspected sabotage.

Rudi felt cornered. Humiliated twice in a row—first at the party, now at home.

Elsewhere near the school auditorium, Idham Tamarvich had already arrived. Known as the disciplined student, he was always the teacher’s go-to and a student role model.

But this morning, his gaze kept drifting to one place—Al.

He still vividly remembered seeing Al seated next to Miss Aiza, the young ”Goddess of Business.”

That... was not something an average teen could easily accept—especially someone like Idham, who believed he belonged among the school elite.

He always saw himself as the protagonist.

But now, a mere orphan had stolen his spotlight and sat beside a literal goddess?

One thought echoed in his mind:

”That guy is way too lucky.”

Standing beside Idham was a sharp-looking girl in glasses, her long hair neatly tied back, her intelligent eyes observing everything.

Dila Lataife, the only academic rival who could keep up with him. Their rankings constantly flipped back and forth.

”Idham, let’s make a bet,” Dila suddenly said, turning to him with a piercing gaze.

”Whoever scores higher on this tryout.”

Idham glanced at her lazily, still in a sour mood.

”Not in the mood.”

”That’s new,” Dila replied, squinting at him suspiciously as if trying to figure out what was off.

Then suddenly, an idea crossed Idham’s mind.

”...Fine. I’ll take that bet. But if I win, you have to grant me one wish.”

Dila raised an eyebrow.

Her eyes widened a little at the implication.

”Wait—Idham? You’re not... don’t tell me—”

She crossed her arms.

”What kind of bet is this? Don’t get any weird ideas!”

”Ew. Get your dirty mind out of the gutter,” Idham scoffed. ”I’m not into you.”

”You’re the worst,” Dila muttered under her breath.

”If you win, I’ll also grant you one wish.”

Dila thought for a moment, then nodded.

”Hmm... Fine. Deal.”

And just like that, their bet marked the beginning of today’s tryout session.

---

Later That Afternoon – After the Tryout

Students crowded around the digital announcement board. Names popped up in ranked order.

Everyone assumed the top would be either Idham or Dila.

But then—something unexpected happened...

Top 3: Dila Lataife – Score: 99.3

Top 2: Idham Tamarvich – Score: 99.4

And...

Top 1: Al – Score: 99.7

Silence.

”Huh? Who’s Al?”

”Al? Wait, that orphan kid?”

”There’s an orphan in this school?”

”Wasn’t he in the martial arts competition during the festival?”

”How could he get top rank? He must’ve cheated.”

”Yeah, definitely cheated.”

Suddenly, everyone was talking about one name.

People began searching for him—like a witch about to be burned at the stake.

Idham, who had been confident he’d be number one, glared at the screen.

”What the hell...” he muttered in disbelief.

”Al? No way. Since when? He must’ve cheated!”

An invisible dark aura wrapped around him—his fury growing.

”He beat me... again... I have to destroy him. I must—”

But his spiral was abruptly interrupted when Dila tapped his shoulder.

”You know him?” she asked sharply.

”Huh? Wha— He’s... he’s nobody,” Idham stammered, then stormed off.

Dila watched him go.

”Nobody?” she repeated quietly.

”Interesting. I didn’t know there was someone in this school more talented than me or Idham. But... I lost the bet. Ugh. I just hope his wish isn’t something weird...”

---

Meanwhile – In an Empty Classroom

Al sat alone, looking completely miserable.

”Great,” he groaned.

”Knew this would happen... all because of that toxic witch...”

Flashback – Two Days Ago at the Indra Residence

Al stepped into the garden and made a call. It barely rang twice before someone picked up.

”Hello... Boss? Wow, a call? It’s not even my scheduled week. Is something wrong?”

”You could at least ask how I’m doing first,” Al replied.

A light laugh came from the other end—a woman’s voice.

”So? What’s going on? This is rare.”

”I just thought... maybe you missed me.”

”Ha? Me? Miss you? N–No way!” she stammered.

Al chuckled, then explained the situation with the Indra family and asked for her help.

”Okay, I can make it happen,” she said.

”But... there’s a condition.”

”A condition?”

”You have to get the top score in the national exam.”

”Hah?! No way, you know I’m—” Al protested.

”Boss, pleaaase, just this once...”

”Why that condition, though? Can’t it be something else?”

”Nope. That’s the one. At least let me have something to brag about when I talk to my strict-as-hell parents. You know how they are.”

”Hm... Are you trying to talk about marriage?”

”Hah?! No! I mean—my friends have to be academically brilliant too. That’s what I meant! N–Not marriage!”

”Hufff... anyway, you’re impossible to negotiate with. Fine. How about this—there’s a tryout in two days. I’ll top that instead.”

”Hmm... the tryout? Let me think for a second... Hmm... Fine. Deal.”

”Good. I’m hanging up now. Take care, toxic witch.”

”You too, Boss.”

The call ended.

Far away, in a modern nature-themed office surrounded by glass and greenery, a young woman in a sleek white blazer smiled at her phone.

”Miss him? As if...”

But her smile lingered.

She couldn’t lie to herself.

---

Back to the Present

Al ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

”They’re probably losing their minds right now... Ugh. Thank god it wasn’t the national exam. That’d be even worse...”

He lay there lazily, back turned to the door. His eyes stared blankly at the foggy window.

A moment later, Rina appeared in the doorway.

Hands on her hips, looking both amused and confused.

”Ohooo... the school’s top scorer is hiding in here? I’ve been looking for you.”

”It’s just a tryout,” Al said without turning around.

”Just a tryout? Dude, you’re number one!”

”What’s the point if I bomb the real exam later,” he muttered, yawning.

Rina sighed and walked closer.

”Well... fair. But don’t you want to show your face? Everyone’s dying to meet the guy who broke the epic battle between Idham and Dila. Come on, this is your big chance!”

”I’d rather no one knew me at all,” Al replied, eyes closed. ”The more people know you, the more problems you get.”

---

Not far from that room, someone was walking through the hallway.

Jogo, the martial arts captain, moved briskly—until he spotted Rina standing by the classroom door. A faint smile crept across his face. He walked toward her.

”Rinaaa, I—”

But as he got closer, he saw something that stopped him cold.

Rina... was with Al.

Al was lying back on the bench, Rina standing close beside him. Too close.

Jogo’s eyes narrowed.

His mood soured instantly.

Jealousy.

A hot lump rose in his chest. His fists clenched.

---

At that moment, Rudi came down the same hallway, deep in thought.

His mind still clouded with anger over everything—his father’s rage, the tryout results, and worst of all, Al outperforming him.

He was exhausted. Emotionally drained. And then—bam!

He bumped into Jogo.

”Hey! You—”

Rudi snapped, but froze when he saw the tall, muscular Jogo. Then he remembered—he had the higher social status. He lifted his chin.

”You... step aside. Don’t block the hall.”

Jogo didn’t reply—just glared. He knew Rudi came from the Norvalien family. A dangerous family to mess with.

But then Rudi noticed where Jogo had been staring—toward the empty classroom.

Toward Rina... and Al.

Rudi’s expression shifted. A wicked idea flashed in his mind.

”Jogo... you hate that guy, right?”

Jogo stayed quiet. Then nodded slowly.

”Of course.”

Rudi smirked.

”Then... how about we work together. Crush him. Destroy him. You get what you want. One clean strike—take him down.”

He leaned in and whispered something into Jogo’s ear.

A plan. A scheme. The twisted minds of the elite in action.

Jogo’s face changed. A smile crept across his lips.

”...Alright,” he said quietly.

”Then let’s begin. Right now.”

---

Back Inside the Classroom

Rina stepped back, ready to leave.

”I’m heading to the auditorium, Al. Not coming?”

”Nope. Gonna sleep here,” Al replied flatly.

”Ugh. You and your laziness,” she scoffed, heading out.

As she walked away, Al remained behind—alone.

He didn’t know it yet...

But today, he had become more than just the center of attention.

He had become the first target... of a rising conspiracy.

---