The misunderstood genius

By the time Joe returned to his dormitory, he was drenched in cold sweat. The rumors had already spread like wildfire. The entire academy was abuzz with talk of the "Unparalleled Genius."

"Did you hear? Joe Hoeyol summoned a divine phoenix!"

"I heard the archmages personally requested to train him!"

"Apparently, he's been hiding his true power all this time!"

Joe collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling in horror. This was a disaster. He wasn't a genius. He wasn't even decent.

A sudden burst of flame erupted next to him. The phoenix had appeared in his room, looking at him with knowing eyes.

"You're going to tell them the truth, right?" Joe whispered.

The phoenix gave him an unimpressed stare.

"...I'll take that as a no."

Thus began Joe Hoeyol's journey as the world's most powerful magician—at least, in everyone's eyes but his own

~~~