* * * * *
(----Second year class 10, Yagane Takashi, can you please come to the Student Council's room.)
As soon as school was over, the voice of Iori Senpai was broadcasted and summoned out Takashi.
The location of the student council room was in the North Cathedral, just beside the staff room of the Magikas section.
After hesitating for a while, Takashi finally pushed the door open.
"Sorry to call you in all of a sudden," Iori Senpai apologised while smiling faintly at Takashi.
"It's fine Senpai, since you already said that there was something you wish to discuss with me yesterday."
As Takashi swept his gaze across the room, his eyes landed on a tall beauty beside Iori Senpai---an
With a neutral hairstyle and a gallant face, it would clearly make everyone recognise it as a beautiful boy.
"Ahhh...this is your first time meeting her isn't it? Her name is Claudia Shellingford, the Vice-President of the Student Council." Iori Senpai explained.
"Nice to meet you, second year Yagane Takashi. Please call me Claudia, I am the Vice President of the Student Council." Claudia Senpai extended her hand out. Looking at that peerless white skin, Takashi hesitantly shook back; "Nice to meet you."
"Now, Takashi-Kun, the reason I called you today was to discuss your duel with Moroboshi a few days ago."
Recalling that experience, the mood of Takashi became dull.
"I witnessed that battle myself. Although Moroboshi clearly had more magic power than you, you actually managed to overwhelm him; albeit for a moment. I am actually impressed with your swordsmanship; hardly have I ever seen anyone master the sword to such an extent. You do not need to feel bad even though you lost. But..the real reason I called you today was not only that. Actually, Moroboshi isn't the only student who has displayed such ridiculous power for someone who is not a Magika. We suspect that there is an external force in play that is influencing these students," Iori Senpai leaned towards the side and straightened her chest, "----yes; for example, a doping drug to momentarily boost magic power. Or, someone else is actually controlling them through some unorthodox means."
Takashi was dumbfounded at the amount of information suddenly displayed before him.
"Is such a thing even possible?"
"It is not impossible for such a scenario to take place. After all, the concept of Spiritual Beings and Demon Beasts still remains largely shrouded in mystery. No one knows the true extent of their powers, hence, it is definitely possible that the students are actually under the influence of a Superior Existence," Claudia Senpai intercepted from the side.
"Well, for now, we will simply monitor the situation of those students. But! Takashi-Kun, you must be careful! I checked the CCTV recordings of the street the three of you were at yesterday. That girl with the white hair...she seems to know you. However,----I am sorry to say this..but she is dangerous! You have to be mindful of your surroundings." Iori Senpai furrowed her brows as she warned Takashi will a low voice.
"Thank's for the warning Iori-Senpai." Takashi lowered his head once more before closing the door of the room shut.
Although he was grateful for the warning from Iori-Senpai, he felt another wave of anger rush through him like a burning vortex. The conversation just now had caused him to remember the embarrasing duel that occured a few days ago. It also served to remind Takashi how powerless he was after that duel, depleting him of nearly all his magic power.
"I am...I am still too weak! At this rate....I can't even protect anyone.." He clenched and smashed his fist against the wall such that the surface of his palm had produced a shade of red.
Takashi leaned his body across the balcony and stared in the direction of a certain forest.
A sudden idea popped into his head and at that moment, Takashi made a resolve. In order to protect the ones he love, to understand the meaning of his dreams, he had to get stronger.
And there was only one way for him to get stronger quickly.
Takashi revealed a faint smile while staring in the direction of the forest again.
-------------
Tommorow, he would change his fate.