The Legendary Programming Mage

(Inside the examination room)

In the vast white space constructed from high-tech cubes instead of bricks, three figures stood in an almost complete circle, though there were gaps between them.

"Guild Master Choi of the Crimson Monarch, it's been too long."

Choi, a man with red hair and glasses over his silver eyes, scoffed. "When did you get so courteous, Naomi?"

Naomi chuckled softly. "What? Aren't you a grade-two citizen now? We might have been the red-blue rivals back in the day, but you've lost your edge since you started doing all this guild nonsense."

Choi's lips curved slightly. "At least it's better than being a teacher."

"What's so bad about being a teacher?"

The voice that interrupted their argument was none other than the prodigy of the century and the Apostle of Steel, Beatrice Solrath.

"And can you two be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate."

"Concentrate while sitting on the training platform?" Choi asked with a raised brow.

Beatrice nodded. "The three of us, with Emily, used to sleep in the forest back in the day. I guess the habit hasn't left me yet."

Naomi sighed, settling beside Beatrice. "I guess that's you. I, for one, had to discard my old habits so I could be a better brother to my younger sister and brother."

Choi also sat on Beatrice's left side. "I didn't know you had a younger brother."

Naomi lowered his gaze to the ground, as though searching for a nonexistent ant.

Gradually, a smile spread across his face. "He isn't my blood brother, but I treat him as such. Plus, I like his aunt."

Beatrice gasped. "Wow!"

Choi laughed heartily. "That's very good, my friend. Only Beatrice is left in our group."

Beatrice's expression suddenly darkened. "Come to think of it, I saw a very manipulative child this morning."

The two turned to her as she continued.

"I guess I can't call him manipulative since I used my aura on him, but still, there was something odd about him, as if he was reading too much into me."

Choi's expression grew somber as well. "Is there anyone who would dare try that with you?"

Naomi chuckled faintly. "My younger brother could."

His chuckle slowly faded as his complexion paled. "Wait, how did this kid look, Beatrice?"

She tilted her head slightly. "He was very, very handsome."

"Bee, did you just call a boy handsome?"

She nodded at Choi's question. "He was actually quite handsome with red or pink hair and matching eyes. No, his eyes were a little softer in shade."

Naomi couldn't help but laugh again as he placed a hand on his face. "Dammit… that's my kid."

Immediately, as if summoned by their words, the door creaked open, and two figures appeared.

A stunning girl with white hair and golden eyes, and a striking boy with reddish-pink hair and eyes.

The moment they entered, the room quieted and all eyes landed on them.

The boy too froze under the weight of their gazes.

---

(Allen's POV)

It was after I confirmed that Beatrice, or rather the MC, was the professor at the academy that the thought struck me.

Did she know Naomi Blake?

Everyone knew protagonists loved their backstories and teams, and who said Beatrice was any different?

That meant back in her days she had her own team too. And probably has another now that she's in the academy.

All my speculations were confirmed as soon as I entered the white room.

Wow!

That was what I could have said if my eyes hadn't fixed on the beautiful main character.

Beatrice's gaze lingered on mine for a few seconds before she smiled.

She actually smiled.

Why did she smile?

We weren't friends or anything, were we?

I instinctively stepped back, only then noticing the piercing stares of most of the male hunters outside.

The females, along with some males, looked at me as if they were lovestruck or as though a delicate flower had appeared.

I exhaled heavily and shut the door.

"Are you Naomi's younger ones?"

Lifting my gaze, I noticed the man standing on the floor.

He had red hair and silver eyes, the complete opposite of Naomi, if you thought about it.

Hmm…

My mind drifted for a moment.

Red, Blue, and Yellow?

Power Rangers?

I shook my head. Focus, Allen.

The young man stared at me in confusion before stepping forward. "I've seen little Quincy before, but not you…"

He pondered for a bit, stepping down from the platform where he stood. "And why exactly didn't you register with the other cadets this year?"

Naomi raised his hand. "Choi, he's a special case."

Choi raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Naomi exhaled. "Allen awakened on his own."

Both Choi and Beatrice turned toward me with piercing gazes.

"What?"

The first to speak was Beatrice. "Naomi, did you say he awakened by himself? How is that even possible?"

Beatrice gave me a puzzled look, as if my very existence was bizarre.

She immediately rose to her feet. "Are you sure you didn't forget about the rift you entered? Because any other way is…"

Naomi didn't let her finish. "Bee, you do know the Hunter's Association keeps tabs on this."

He glanced at me briefly. "That means, if he did enter a rift, they would have known and sent him a message to report to the association."

Beatrice placed a hand on her chin. "That's true, but still…"

Finally, after the adults were done talking, I spoke.

"Naomi, can we start the registration?"

Naomi, as if just recalling the reason I came, nodded. "Yes, let's do that."

He glanced at Beatrice. "As the strongest, I think you should take the examination in the chairman's place."

Beatrice, still pondering with the same unreadable expression, turned to me. "Okay."

Without looking back, she turned and said, "Follow me. I too want to see what you are."

---

A/N:

Hey guys! I'd really love to hear your thoughts about the novel so far.

• How is Allen as a protagonist?

• Are the side characters fleshed out enough?

• Are the chapters interesting and enjoyable?

• And how do you feel about the overall story?

Your feedback means a lot to me! Also, if you're enjoying the story, don't forget to drop some power stones — it really motivates me and lets me know people are reading and having fun with the journey.