I need to visit William for more information, Allen thought, as he began to walk to halls down to William's office.
It was just revealed that Allen, Thomas, Cecily and all the D ranks in Mr. Lyon's class were going to participate in the Magical Knights Training Program. They would go alongside the magical knights Philip Lycott and Jerome Mason, learning what they do on a day to day basis for four days, starting tomorrow.
The Magical Knight Training Program was more than likely the reason that their club's (and potentially other clubs), meetings were temporarily suspended, in order to give time for the training program. But, he wanted more information regarding the training program.
After class had ended, he had told Thomas and Cecily he had other matters to attend to, and told them he would either catch up with them later, or see them tomorrow morning for the beginning of the training program.
As he walked the busy halls of the academy (as class had just recently ended), he made an attempt to swiftly make his way to William's office. He hasn't seen William for about a week, ever since William revealed to him that their club meetings would be temporarily suspended.
As he made his way towards William's office, he thought he heard voices coming from the inside.
"-the safety of the students could be an issue if-"
"I understand. But there's only so much I can do if we include the D and F ranks this year," William's voice interrupted.
It sounds like William is talking to Philip?, Allen thought, as he tried to listen in.
"Yes, but…," Philip had started to say, but had stopped.
It sounded like they were talking about the training program starting tomorrow, but Allen wasn't completely sure. However, for the next moment, there was an odd silence in the room.
"You can come on in," William's voice boomed from within.
Looks like he detected me again, Allen thought. He even tried to hide his mana a bit, but by then it was probably too late.
Allen opened the door to find William sitting at his desk, as usual, with Philip and Jerome standing in front of his desk. The three of them all looked at Allen as he walked in, with Philip looking the most confused. Philip just decided to give him a nod to acknowledge him, but didn't say anything further.
Allen closed the door behind him, and then turned around. As Allen walked further up, he noticed Jerome looked like he had an annoyed expression on his face, but he remained quiet.
"Wil-"
"Allen, right?," he asked, an odd look on his face, as if he was studying him. "Apologies, but is this matter urgent?"
"I-" he started to say, but then stopped. Why was William greeting him like that?
He took a second to look at both Philip and Jerome, who both had curious, but confused expressions on their faces.
Then he just realized something - Philip and Jerome don't know that he knows William! He had just basically barged into his room, almost unannounced, like he had always been doing.
He made a mental note to be more mindful in the future, as doing more of this could cause problems for the future. He decided to play along with William, to ensure no problems.
"My apologies Head Director, but the matter is not urgent," he responded, sounding as respectful as he could.
"Very well," he nodded. "As you can see, I have a few guests with me at the moment. You may speak with a vice director, such as Ms. Clark or Mr. Garet, if needed"
"Thank you," he responded, about ready to leave the room.
"Actually, we are all finished here," Philip suddenly spoke up.
Jerome suddenly had a confused look on his face. "Wait-"
"Then, are you pleased with the matter?," William asked.
"Yes, I believe we went over everything we needed to," he nodded.
"Very well. Please contact me again if you have any further concerns," William smiled.
"Thank you. Now, allow us to excuse ourselves," he said, as he began to leave, and Jerome followed him out without another word.
Allen was confused why Philip had suddenly decided to leave, but had left it at that. Perhaps he may find out by asking William.
William began to speak again once Philip had shut the door and heard him and Jerome walk away. "So Allen, care to explain why you are here?," he grinned.
"I'm sorry, I should have realized you were talking to them, and left you alone," Allen apologized.
"Ah I see, so that's bothering you?," he asked.
"Well of course. I didn't mean to interrupt like I did," he added.
"No, no, it's alright. I was the one who told you to come in, after all," he smiled.
"You're right…," Allen agreed.
"But, just be more mindful next time, is what I will offer you. You have to realize that I am not on a first name basis with every student, especially when we have guests here," he explained.
"I'll be more mindful," he nodded.
"Thank you. Now since that's settled, I'd love to talk more, but unfortunately…"
"Unfortunately?," he asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"I have all this!," he exclaimed, reaching under his desk and slapping down a stack of papers the height of William's own head.
"Really?," Allen rolled his eyes.
"I promise you, this has NOT been stacking up like you think it has!," he exclaimed.
"Sure…," Allen sarcastically agreed.
"Anyways, unless your matter is truly urgent, I ask that you contact me later," William continued.
"It isn't, but I haven't been able to speak to you about it for almost a week now," Allen explained.
"My apologies, but I have been rather busy with planning the training program," he sighed.
"I understand. Take care," Allen smiled, beginning to leave the room.
"You too. And be safe!," William said as Allen opened the door.
"Thanks!," he said, before shutting the door behind him. He decided he would catch up with Thomas and Cecily.
Allen was about to head back before a voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Well, aren't you comfortable with the Head Director?," Philip's voice came from his right.
"Philip?," Allen asked, turning his head towards him.
Allen saw him leaning up against the wall, with his arms crossed. He had a slight grin on his face.
"Not referring me as Mr. Lycott? So you do remember me, don't you?," he asked.
"It's been months, but yes I do," Allen agreed.
"Care to explain how you're so familiar with the Head Director?," he jokingly asked.
"Well, I-," Allen tried to come up with an excuse, as he didn't realize Philip was just messing with him.
"Relax, I'm just joking," he laughed.
"Oh, you are?," Allen asked as he realized, then laughed too.
"How have you been?," he asked.
"I've been well, thank you. How have you been?," Allen asked.
"I've been well, but I've been rather busy than usual as of recently," he explained.
"Busier than usual?," Allen asked, wondering what he meant.
Philip remained silent for a moment, most likely thinking of an answer.
"Say… would you like to take a walk with me?," Philip asked, moving off of the wall and brushing off his uniform.
"Huh?," Allen asked, suddenly confused. Why did Philip suddenly want Allen to walk with him?
Without Philip really explaining further, Allen just decided to go with him. He decided he would figure out why he didn't answer and just wanted to do this instead. Perhaps he wanted to show him the answer?
Without wasting another second, Allen began to walk with him throughout the academy. He wasn't sure where he wanted to take him, but he would find out soon.
Luckily the halls were still quiet at this time, otherwise he would probably get unwanted attention since he was walking with a magical knight. It wouldn't have been that bad, if not for the fact Allen already got enough attention as was already.
Philip eventually led him outside of the academy, heading out to London's marketplace area. Allen asked him if it was okay for him to leave the academy grounds with him, and he said he would be fine, long as he sticks close to him.
While they were walking towards the marketplace area, Philip had asked Allen to tell him a bit about himself. Allen explained that he came from the village of Lyfast, west of London. He doesn't know who his real parents are, and is the only known mage in that village.
Philip also explained a bit about himself as well. He comes from a somewhat mid-class family, with him being the only mage out of his own siblings. He's worked hard to get to where he is right now, and is hoping to get to Division III soon.
While they were talking, Allen thinks back on when Philip had mentioned he was busier than usual, and decides to ask him once again about it once Philip was done talking.
"So, what did you mean by busier than usual?," Allen asked, as they were walking through the city marketplace.
"Ah, still hung up on that, huh?," he asked nervously, scratching his cheek. "Well, we've been running into more problems as of recently"
"Might I ask what those problems are?," he asked. He was very curious about what the magical knights are up to, as he wishes to become one himself one day.
Philip stopped for a moment, looking around before he answered.
"Well, by busier than usual, I mean there have been more problems regarding fire mages," he responded, keeping his voice low.
"Fire mages?!," Allen asked, catching his interest.
"Quiet," he said, looking around to make sure no one heard him.
"Sorry," he apologized.
"No, it's fine. Just know talk of things like that around here are considered… controversial. Especially for non-mages," he explained. "Even talk of them in the Triumvirate is restricted, and only spoken when needed"
"I see," Allen said, thinking to himself about his own fire magic and fire magic in general. How many other fire mages are out there? Are they in hiding? And what are they currently doing to get noticed, whether they want to or not?
"Anyways, I don't think you should worry about things like that, especially since you are still attending the academy," Philip continued. "All that kind of… information… will be explained to you if you join the Magical Knights Divisions"
"Alright," Allen responded, while still thinking to himself. Just why did fire magic have to be banned? Why did he have to live day-to-day knowing that if he is found out as a fire mage he will be executed?
Allen does understand that sometime in the early 1500's (About 40-50 years ago), the Fire Outbreaks happened. For whatever reason, fire mages went around several villages, murdering innocent people - mages and non-mages alike.
This resulted in the Council of Magic, the governing figure of magic at the time, to issue out the Anti-Fire Act - banning all use of fire magic effectively. As long as fire mages did not use their fire magic, they were fine. However, if they did use it, then they would be executed.
Approximately 15 years ago, the Triumvirate was formed, putting Solomon Windblade (William's brother) as the leader. The Triumvirate then took the Anti-Fire Act further, killing and executing any and all fire mages they could find, regardless of following the Act or not.
"Are you alright?," Philip asked, taking Allen out of his thoughts.
"Oh, yeah I'm fine," Allen responded with a smile, hiding the fact he was worrying about fire magic.
"Alright," he nodded, not prying any further. "Anyways, there's something I want to show you; I don't wish to take up more of your time"
"Oh, you're fine," Allen smiled, glad to be getting a head start on the training program.
"This way," he said, showing him off to an area outside of the main market area.
They wandered for a bit, with Philip talking about the Magical Knights Training Program on the way there.
The F ranks and the D ranks aren't of course the only ones participating in this program within this week. There are other classes within the academy of higher rank that will be as well. As such, unfortunately the higher ranks get better treatment.
The area that they will be touring is an area outside of the main market area, the place where Philip is currently taking him. He tells him it's not the greatest area, and he has to see for himself.
"Here we are," he responded, pointing around the area.
Allen looked around and immediately noticed what Philip meant. While it was still part of the market area, it mostly included shopping outside of magical related things.
This meant most of the people in this area were non-mages, or at least Allen suspected as much. While mages can obviously walk around these areas, they may not be as liked in the main market areas.
As far as Allen was aware, non-mages' opinion of magic could vary. Either they could look up to mages as a means of guaranteed protection, or they could look at mages as a means of their demise.
With this, caused constant tension in London, and Allen could almost feel it, especially where they were now.
"Can you tell now?," Philip asked, almost as if he was reading Allen's mind.
"Yeah, I can tell," he nodded, constantly looking around him. It felt as though they were being… watched.
"This is unfortunately the area in which Jerome and I will be touring you guys around. Mostly we just walk around, and talk to you students about what we do on a day-to-day basis, so where we are doesn't really matter too much. It would just mean you guys would miss out walking around the main marketplace," he explained.
"Well, I suppose that isn't too much of an issue, considering we can tour around London outside of our class time," Allen responded as they continued walking.
"That is correct," Philip nodded. "It's just a safety issue, is what I foresee"
"Do you think we will run into any problems?," Allen asked.
Philip stopped walking before speaking. "No, I don't believe we will. After all, you will have Jerome and myself to watch over all of you. Mr. Lyon will be with us as well, and is authorized to protect you all if needed"
"Do you think Mr. Lyon will be able to help us if for some reason you two are busy?," Allen asked, curious.
"Of course, he can handle himself quite well," Philip explained. "Good note to keep in mind is never associate what class your teacher is teaching with their former ranking. Just because Mr. Lyon mostly teaches D ranks does not mean he is D rank level"
"Yeah, that makes sense," Allen agreed. Now that Philip had mentioned that, he wonders how well his lazy teacher could handle herself.
"Most of the training programs run by the academy have gone without any issues. Even when they do run into an issue, it's normally very minimal. You shouldn't have anything to worry about," he grinned.
"Thank you, that is reassuring," Allen smiled.
As they kept walking, Allen noticed the sun was beginning to set. It seemed like Philip noticed as well, as he stopped dead in his tracks again.
"Well it seems like we are out of time, Allen," he turned to look at him. "You'll need to head back to your dorm room soon"
"Yeah, you're right," Allen agreed. He wanted to learn more about Philip and the magical knights, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.
"I'll take you back to the academy, and then from there you know where to go. We'll have more time tomorrow, with the training program," he explained.
"Sounds good," Allen agreed, following him back to the academy.
And with that, ended their conversation together. Allen was glad he knew he would have something to look forward to for the next few days.