MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

Looking at the reflection of himself in the mirror, a young man was trying to tie his tie. The man was wearing a black uniform that perfectly fit his dark hair and black eyes. His handsome face was slightly pale as if he was being choked.

"Come on!"

Leo was being strangled by his own tie. He had never met a more complicated enemy, he couldn't even comprehend the attack patterns it had. In the end, Leo gave up and climbed downstairs, receiving assistance from his mother.

'How?'

Looking at her masterfully subduing the enemy in mere seconds, Leo couldn't help, but slightly blush feeling embarrassed.

Walking into the kitchen he grabbed a sandwich before looking at his wristwatch.

'I have some spare time...'

Feeling something nudging his leg Leo lowered his head only to see Ricky chewing on his slipper. Looking back at his sandwich Leo took a deep sigh and gave it to the dog.

'I'll grab something on my way...'

Receiving a hug from his mother and a nod from his father Leo bid them goodbye before leaving the house. Climbing into his car he took a deep breath before starting up the vehicle and driving towards the closest shop.

Pulling up to the small store Leo bought himself a chicken sandwich and a bouquet of flowers. He was planning to give the flowers to his teacher.

Looking at the time he noticed that he was slightly late, but didn't speed up. It was better to be late than be involved in a traffic accident. Driving through the gates of the university Leo grabbed the bouquet of flowers and left his car.

Since he was late there were few students outside the University's buildings, but the ones that were outside gave him curious looks seeing his car and appearance.

Yesterday Leo and his mother drove to the city intending to buy him a school uniform and his mother a few pairs of shoes. Accidentally or not Leo's mother caught sight of a barber shop and Leo ended up getting a haircut.

Even though he was not a man that would care about his appearance, he had to agree that he looked handsome.

'I just hope it won't bring problems my way...'

Feeling dozens of gazes aimed towards him as he was walking through the university Leo sighed trying to shake off the nervousness. Even though he had two lifetimes of experience Leo couldn't become a stone statue not affected by his surroundings.

'It's as you planned'

Stopping before his classroom Leo held his breath, he could hear the voices on the other side of the door.

'Smile off...'

Fixing his posture and expression Leo tried to make himself seem as unapproachable as possible and pushed the door entering the spacious classroom.

Walking into the unknown classroom Leo felt a few dozen of gazes instantly land on him, studying him. At the front, near the board there stood a middle-aged female with glasses and a neat costume, a teacher.

Walking up to her Leo gave her a polite smile before offering her a bouquet of flowers. Feeling the piercing gazes of his classmates he turned his head to face them and instantly felt most of them disappear.

Glancing across the silent classroom he noticed that only one seat was available.

'How the hell is it not taken?!'

With a face devoid of any emotions Leo took his seat near the female with white hair. As soon as he did, he felt many males gaze in his direction with eyes full of anguish and envy.

Leo couldn't be bothered to clash with them, his mind was already thinking of a way to change his seat without making any drama waves.

After the class calmed down, the teacher introduced herself to be Flora and recited some rules of the school.

"... Make yourself comfortable, because your current seats during the school year will be permanent!"

Leo could only curse while trying to keep his eye from twitching.

'How come nobody took a seat nearby Ava? Where's Eli anyway!'

Unfortunately, it seems that Eli chose a different course making her attend a different class from Ava and Leo.

Taking a peek at Ava he noticed that she was focused, listening to the teacher. Her white hair was neatly tucked behind her hair fully revealing her small and beautiful face.

'Focus...'

Growling at himself Leo bit his tongue, inflicting some pain to keep himself from gaping at the beauty beside him. Even though he had to force himself not to look towards her, Leo was doing better than all the other males in the classroom.

His fellow male classmates were openly glancing towards Ava every minute, not caring about whatever the teacher was talking about. Leo could even see some drooling while looking at Ava's cold, yet cute facial expressions listening to the teacher.

...

...

...

Leo knew that beauty was a powerful weapon, but to make a male so mindless he could drool was above his comprehension. Recalling that his eyes could also be used as a weapon he smirked.

'It's unfortunate that I have to make eye contact...'

Using his phone as a notepad Leo sighed feeling a certain gaze seemingly trying to skin him alive. Not even trying to see who was so gazing at him Leo closed his eyes and put his head on his hands.

Thud...

As the class period was over and the teacher left the class Leo felt someone hit his desk and lazily opened his eyes trying to see who dared to disturb his sleep.

'Fuck....'

Lifting his eyes Leo saw a man with red hair standing before him and could feel immediate annoyance gathering in his chest.

"Name?!"

Almost spitting out the words Theo started at Leo who was contemplating how to proceed. Looking towards the guy before him, he could only feel a headache coming his way.

"Leonard."

Replying, Leo buried his head back into his hands, closing his eyes, as if trying to escape from this classroom.

"Change your seats!"

Gritting his teeth Theo demanded, while Leo only snorted hearing him.

'If not for the tie, this wouldn't have been late...'

Not bothering to reply Leo kept lying on his table. He felt that ignorance would be the best route to escape from this situation.

"Didn't you hear me!"

Theo's face was now the same color as his hair, but Leo didn't care. No matter who Theo was, he had to obey the rules of society, especially in a district where security is the number 1 priority. Violence or any other hostile actions would not be tolerated and Theo knew it very well.

Ring... Ring...

Suddenly Leo's phone rang and Leo quickly took the call.

"Boss, I've successfully created an Intermediate Tier health potion!"

Since Ava and Theo were nearby Leo they could hear the muffled voice of Tia and both turned their heads towards Leo with eyes wide open. Both of them knew the value of potions and making an intermediate one was unheard of, it could've as well been the first time someone made it.

While Theo's facial expression became a frown, a strange glint appeared in Ava's eyes.

Not caring about their reactions, talking to Tia Leo stood up and left the classroom without looking back. He had around 15 minutes until the next period started.

"Which ones and how much of the herbs have you used?"

The most important thing to Leo was money, he had to make sure that making a potion would profit him as much as possible.

Taking notes Leo squinted his eyes calculating the price of the ingredients needed for the potion.

'It's still worth it...'

Thinking about various ways to gather ingredients in large quantities, Leo told Tia to sell the first potion and keep the money for herself as a gift. Leo felt generous today and bid Tia goodbye before slowly walking back to the classroom.

Taking his seat near Ava, he felt her gaze linger on him for a second, but soon she turned her eyes straight to the front where the teacher was standing.

Listening to the teacher Leo could hear some giggles and whispers spreading through the classroom.

Sighing he glanced at his watch feeling excited to play Fragmental after a long time.

Suddenly a small piece of paper was slid onto his table by a bypassing girl. Looking at the note Leo suspiciously glanced at the female student leaving the classroom.

Lazily picking up the paper Leo quickly read through its contents and crumpled it. It wasn't a romantic letter or something of that kind. No. It was a warning not to mess with Theo and comply with his demands.

'Who am I to bow?'

Snorting Leo threw the paper in the nearby bin with a smirk visible on his face. Looking towards Theo he stared at the back of his head as if trying to intimidate him with his gaze.

'Shit!'

As if feeling his gaze Theo suddenly shifted his head and looked straight towards Leo, who chose to act as if he was admiring the beautiful sight through the window.