On the sky above the continent of Ozmark, a three-meter crack in the space appeared out of nowhere and disturb the free flowing of the air currents and clouds near to it.
A few seconds later, a young man wearing a black robe, plain white shirt, black trousers and old looking brown shoes leisurely walked out of the crack without anything underneath his feet. He was standing in the air as if it was very natural to him.
"Hmm... It's been five years since the last time I came back here but I guess this place doesn't change at all." He muttered as he looks down on the huge piece of land.
Looking at the distance he turned to look at the west part of the Edinburgh Empire.
'Arias...'
A mixed emotion flashed in the look of his eyes but only for an instant before it went back to his laid back expression.
*bzzzzt...*
A soft sound of electric current hummed in the sky of Ozmark as the young man turned into a black strick of lightning and vanished into the distance.
******
"Look! That guy… He's the student who didn't take the entrance exam right?"
"I can barely feel magic coming from him. Is he really a mage?"
"He's early... he sure is enthusiastic for a newbie."
"In the end, he's just a beginner magus." (Info: magus = magic user)
Mockery sounded in the hallway, ridiculing laughter reached him from behind his back as he strode.
Long eyebrows, closed mouth, jet-black eyes and dusky brown hair with long bangs. His appearance can only be described directly as a commoner. He stood out even more because he is not wearing the school uniform.
The truth is that he was admitted by the Academy Director. And all the necessary procedures for his admission were already taken care of.
Academy of Time Axel
This institution is named after its renowned Academy Director, "The Witch of Time Axel".
In this institution, all the mage from across the empire is gathered and trained into fully fledged Magicians. Having a beautiful garden behind its castle walls, the school building lined with elegant spires seemed very much like a palace. —In fact, this was nearly entirely correct. Out of all the students attending this academy, almost all of them are genuine and proper nobles.
"To think that Manaria is this academy's director…" Regis muttered to himself. While ignoring the mockery of the other students, he walked along the red carpet covered hallway on the second floor of the school building.
"Where is her office?"
Proceeding down the hallway, Regis let out a small sigh.
...Depressed.
After all, so far nothing good had ever resulted from getting involved with that witch aside from training with her.
'... But, I can't ignore this.'
Thirty days ago, he had received a message crystal from Academy Director, Manaria.
If, what was written on it is true—
He might finally get some clues about that night.
Nevertheless, Regis could not deny the possibility that it was just some bait to lure him here.
'... It is useless to ponder on it. After all the other party is Manaria.'
And, here Regis stopped in his tracks.
In front of him was the thick wooden front door: the Academy Director's Office.
As Regis was about to knock on the door—
"Young lad, please come in."
Suddenly, a familiar voice could be heard from inside the room.
Regis twisted the knob and the office door was slowly opened.
Over there— was the figure of a witch completely unchanged from ten years ago.
Her long black hair was gently waving.
Her beauty extolled the seductiveness of an alluring adult.
Her eyes, the same crimson color of blood, were staring in his direction.
Witch of Time Axel— Manaria Sicily.
With the appearance of a bewitching, seductive, beautiful woman, she was an experienced mage that boasted the title of being one of the Three Greatest Mages [Magnus] of history.
The rumor that the highest ranked magician may transcend her age might have been real.
"—it has been five years, Regis. Looking at your face, it seems you have changed."
"... You just don't change, Manaria."
After Regis closed the door behind him, Manaria shrugged her shoulders and let out a smile.
"Hey. Although students in this academy are quite stronger than I imagined, I almost killed a few of them because of the interesting rumors they are talking about. I only refrained myself only because they are your ignorant students."
"Fu— of course. They are only curious why someone was given an exception for being admitted here without taking the exam. You're the very first since this academy is established." The crimson eyes, while staring at him, glistened sharply.
Regis took out a crystal in his coat's pocket, and then he slapped it onto the front desk.
The beautiful witch did not waver in the slightest. A detestable calmness.
Regis bit his lips and then asked Manaria.
"This, you sent this to me. Is it true?"
"Ah, it's true. I don't tell lies."
"It was... Indeed, you haven't told a lie. But, you've never spoken the truth either." Regis spat out what he wanted to say.
"... Well, whatever. Tell me what you know."
"Oh boy, is that the attitude of someone asking a favor? You were cuter ten years ago."
"After everything that you made me do to become someone like you. How do you expect me to be that kind to you?"
Regis, when he was saved by Manaria, he was trained hellishly to the point of almost breaking his body just for him to become the Third Greatest Mage [Magnus] in the history and to be given the title of the [Wizard of End].
"Well, you already roamed freely for five years. I admitted you here. And also, I will simply let you have some information." Manaria intentionally shrugged her shoulders and fixedly looked into Regis' eyes.
If he was the Regis of ten years ago, he will involuntarily be overcome by the pressure of that overbearing stare.
"The message that is contained there is true. They might come here soon."
Manaria does not speak the truth. But, she never tells a lie either.
"It's them... Those remaining forbidden magic practitioners, where are they?"
Regis raised his voice, leaning his body onto the office desk.
The witch without moving her eyebrow thrust her finger to the tip of Regis' nose.
"Don't rush, Boy. They will come here very soon. You just have to sit back and follow my instructions while waiting for the chance to annihilate them." Manaria told him in a shockingly cold voice.
"... Wait!"
"Till now you to roam freely and learn by yourself. But now, you will have to enjoy this student's life."
"But I don't need——"
"Regis Falna, it will help a lot if you will understand quickly. There's already that problem about your—"
"OK, fine. I just need to stay in this school right? Also don't call me by that name here!"
A cold voice followed by a heavy pressure finally came out of Regis; Manaria as if in regret shrugged her shoulders.
"… That's right. Ah! And also please find a suitable partner to enter the Magic Festival which will be held 3 months from now."
—Magic Festival
Every year, it is the largest magical event carried out in the Academy of Axel. Mages gather from another school and perform a grand magic battle festival of fellow mages. The school of the victorious pair will be given the blessings of the Ancient Magic, a guaranteed increase in their magical supply.
Together with a general assembly for the champion pair—Both their [wish] will be granted by the Witch of Time Axel.
"Win the cup, Sieg. Nevertheless, as of now, it might be somewhat hard for you... With a sealed body like that."
"Oh, please, even I'm like this I don't need a partner. You of all the people here should know."
The expected reply, Manaria let out a smile—
"If you like, I will personally get you a partner."
"Who?"
"Arias Ella Edinburgh— who is seriously stubborn, but she is of the type to become reliable when in need. I am sure she will be a good partner."
The moment that he heard that name, Regis's face froze.
Arias Ella Edinburgh — based from her spell attack, she uses Light Element which is greatly effective against those forbidden-magic practitioners.
'Arias...'
A familiar cute smiling figure appeared in Regis' mind.
Golden hair and blue eyes. She's also wearing a pure white dress that matches her creamy milk-colored skin.
'I will protect that smile.'
"Hmm… I'll think about that."
After hearing his reply; Manaria's crimson pair of eyes peered into those of Regis'.
"I'll look forward to your performance…"