Lich reborn as a magic school student

I am Tsunematsu Kaede. For my entire life, I have always excelled at everything I do. However, I do not fall into complacency. I always try my best at everything I do, and I always try to achieve more. The reason for this lies in my parents. They do not love me. I know this, and I have known it for a long time.

Still, I’ve tried my best to be loved by them. In studies, I am second to none, and I can confidently say that my strict exercise and skincare routines alongside my natural beauty make me the best looking in my entire school. However, no matter how much I try. My parents do not love me.

Earlier today, I returned to my parent’s house for the first time in a long time. I was hoping to gain any acknowledgment from my parents as I had just aced all of my tests. However, what I received was those words that broke me. “I hate you” are the words my mother spoke to me.

When I left it began raining. I sat down at a swing and began contemplating. Why can I not be loved? What have I done wrong? No matter what I do. I always end up not getting it. Am I truly that unlovable?

Then I notice someone approaching me, but I don’t pay attention. I don’t want to be disturbed, but that person doesn’t seem to realize and speaks
“You’re going to get sick if you stay in the rain too long”
Hah, does this person even care? No, he’s probably just trying to pick up a weeping girl. I look up and see long silver hair, pale sickly skin, a drenched skinny boy that I recognize as Kashra. The gloomy person from my class who never tried to interact with anyone. But for some reason, his always-dead eyes seem something else now. I try to activate my magic which can see the emotional state of a person, but I feel something is wrong. Something is wrong. Inhuman. The emotions within those eyes are beyond what humans should be capable of. Pride, Anger, and Emptiness are in a blend of ever-shifting chaos. What is he feeling, and why do I feel so insignificant in front of him? A slight surge of anger comes out of me. Am I not supposed to be the sad one? I want to be alone. “Kashra? This doesn’t have anything to do with you, so don’t bother with me” I say back.
But for some reason, he seems confused and asks “Do I know you?” What? This person didn’t even bother to learn the names and faces of his classmates. “We’re in the same class,” I say back.
“I See”
I look down hoping that he’ll leave me alone if I don’t pay attention to him, but I notice him approaching closer and I look up and see he’s holding out an umbrella “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Don’t stay in the rain too long” he responds instantly and then without a second thought turns around and starts walking away.
“wait” I whisper, but he doesn’t hear me. Why is he giving this to me? He’s going to get soaked in the rain himself. Now that I think about it he did seem already soaked when we began talking, but why would he be if he had an umbrella? I’m confused.

I don’t know why, but after that encounter my mind started to clear up.

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My parents hate me. When I showed my first traces of magical affinity, and the government subsidies for young mages came to me, I was forced to move out. Those subsidies are barely enough to live off of, but with many years of experience, I’ve learned to manage.

Returning to my empty apartment I take a bath and make some dinner. While the reason for my lifestyle was to gain love from my parents even now that it is impossible does not mean I’m going to stop. Strict discipline is the core of my way of life. After eating dinner I study, and then when the clock hits 21:00 I go to sleep.

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5:00 on the dot I wake up. I make breakfast and eat it by 5:30. Then I continue to study, however today I’m having trouble concentrating. I already know why that is. Yesterday I was very rude to Kashra. He was just trying to help me, but I treated him as a flirting bastard. To clear up my mind I head out to the store to buy my groceries.

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When I’m returning to my apartment building I see 3 tattooed men banging loudly on the door right next to mine. Now that I think about it I think Kashra lives there, but why are these scary-looking people banging on his door? I see the door open and the three head inside.

I quickly head into my apartment, and try to hear anything from the other side, but it’s futile. I decide to go and unpack the groceries, and when I’m done I hear another bang from the other side. I go to my door and slowly peak out, and I see one of the tattooed men walking away.

I’m curious. What was that about, I also want to apologize to Kashra for yesterday. I head over to his door and knock. After a little bit, Kashra appears from the other side. His eyes seem out of focus, his sickly skin seems even worse, and he seems to be wobbling. Before I can say anything he collapses.

Before he can drop to the ground I hold onto him. I put my hand to his forehead, it seems he has a high fever. I lift him up and notice how light he is, but that isn’t the current concern. I take him to his bed and make him lie down.

Looking back on the floor, I notice that out of his pocket, his wallet fell down. Picking it up I notice how light it is, and as I feared it is completely empty. Another fear comes to mind, and to confirm it I go and check his fridge I find it completely barren.

I look back at Kashra and notice how skinny he is. No, now that I look more closely it’s more like he’s malnourished. He lives alone, and I heard somebody at school call him an orphan. I am barely able to manage with the money given by the government. However, Kashra is less talented than me so he will have even less money.

I hold onto his hand and whisper “You poor thing” Pity I guess that’s the feeling I feel towards him, but holding onto his hand it feels a little strange. It feels like he has two pulses, but that can’t be true. Anyway since he tried to help me, and even gave me his umbrella while in such a situation I want to help him back. With that determination, I stand up.