(Ken POV)
It was simply wonderful, that I can only describe what I'm feeling this instant.
From a mere commoner to the student of the legendary Hero and Magus of Infinity herself, Vivian Algrande.
Heh, no too shabby if I dare say so myself.
After Master Vivian declared me to be her student, it was time for us to formulate some kind of plan on how to deal with Asmodeus.
To be more specific, the Demon Emperor's reincarnation who was born somewhere far away from this land.
With a snap of Vivian's finger, two luxurious-looking chairs were conjured facing each other in front for us to sit in leisure.
"Now, let's talk about our agenda in taking down this shitty demon of ours, shall we?"
I nodded in response and begun listening to her intently.
"First, let us start by indulging some details that I left behind during our first meeting at the lake."
Vivian began by explaining to me the two conditions that were required before being allowed to release herself from her 500 years of imprisonment in the Rivershire lake.
The first condition involved Asmodeus being reincarnated so he may enjoy a battle with the Magus of Infinity once more.
The second condition was if she managed to find someone to inherit her magic of Infinity.
And that someone is I, Ken Bruce, simple farm boy from the humble village of Rivershire.
I got the gist of her situation and answered accordingly.
"I see. If you are now released, then shouldn't you be, I don't know? Anywhere else other than my mind? Not that I appreciate your presence or anything, Master."
Vivian took no offense to my remark and merely chuckled in a light-hearted manner.
"I see your point. To be perfectly honest, I want nothing more than to relish the sweet taste of freedom again. Yet this might be another one of Asmodeus's despicable machinations."
I raised an eyebrow in confusion at her last statement.
"Machinations? What exactly do you mean?"
Her smile disappeared in an instant and was replaced with a sad look.
That expression again, it does not suit her, not even one bit. A woman like her should be all smiles and giggles, as the expression that she initially displayed earlier when we were throwing insults against one another, not depression personified.
"He did not specify where I'll be released when he stated the first condition. Thus, I ended up instead in your mind, like a prisoner simply transferring from one cell to another by his jailor."
Her fist clenched tightly and I could see how pained she truly was as tears threatened to fall from her silver eyes.
"T-that damn demon, I should have known better than to trust his poisonous words. Release? Release my stupid ass. To him, I'm merely a means, one insignificant life out of the many that he already ruined, all for the sake of his goddamn ambition of war and destruction."
I stared in uncomfortable silence at how broken she was. To be honest, I've never seen anyone so fragile ever before, so I'm unsure how to ease this accumulated grief of hers.
500 years of imprisonment, accompanied by a hope that she would one day be free and among humankind once more...
All of her expectations, shattered in an instant, right at this very moment.
As such, I could not help but share her pain and anger...
That fucking Asmodeus. I'll personally make sure that he'll pay dearly for causing her suffering.
Thus, with newfound resolve, I held her shaking hands gently and stared at her with a soft expression.
"I'm not entirely sure what I can do to fix this situation of yours, but there's one thing that I can promise you..."
My lips curled a smile and I assured her-
"You will never be alone, Master. Even if you are to be trapped here inside my mind, I swear that I'll be your friend and will always be by your side right here. That way, you'll at least never have to experience the pain of solitude ever again."
I paused for a moment and took a deep breath, this time with a hardened expression that I steeled with extreme determination.
"I also swore on my family's name that I'll find a way to free you. After all, I'm the Magus of Infinity and inheritor of your magic. It wouldn't be long before I can manage to learn a spell to release you."
Master seemed to be in awe at what I had just declared to her as evident by her widened eyes and gaped mouth.
In the end, she let loose a soft giggle and wiped off the tears from her eyes.
"The student consoling his master. It should be the other way around, you know? Haha, my very first day as a teacher, and I'm all messed up. Nonetheless, thank you once more, Ken. I'm truly grateful for your troubles at cheering me up."
"Heh, anytime, Master. Being all depressed just does not suit you, not even a little bit."
As the sadness of the former Hero all but passed... hopefully, she and I continued with our talk once more regarding our plans in subjugating the Demon Emperor and also commenced teaching me about how my new magic of Infinity truly worked.
And after that... I supposed it's time that I finally awoke from this slumber of mine. While I was worried about leaving Master from her side, she assured me that such won't be the circumstance since she could speak from my mind while I'm conscious.
Hopefully, I won't turn mentally challenged just because I could now hear voices from inside my head.
(Ken POV)
Opening my eyes, I was slowly greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar room.
The room itself is rather quaint, consisting of a single white bed with a red blanket, a dresser with a round mirror, and a wooden cabinet. The interiors of the room are mainly blue in color, and it was kept quite clean since I was not able to find even a speck of dirt.
As I rid myself of the blanket that covered me and got up from the bed, I instantly noticed that I'm bare-footed and wearing a set of unfamiliar pajamas; a blue long-sleeved collared shirt and long pants of the same color scheme.
At the side of my bed rested another set of attire that was folded neatly. On top of it was a letter.
Curiosity instantly took over and I began reading the contents of the letter.
"Dear Ken Bruce, I'm sure the first thing in your mind is wondering where you are right now. After your Magicka with Anastasia Dragonheart, I arranged for you to be brought here inside one of the rooms of the men's dormitory of the academy after we have treated your injuries. And before you have any further inquiries as to why you were taken here of all places, then yes, it's my utmost pleasure to congratulate you Ken Bruce for being accepted here in Moonlight Magi Academy. Starting today, this will be your new room as well. If you are free and well enough, come see me in my office at the main academic building after you wake up. I'll be sending someone to pick you up. It would be a privilege to have a nice little chat with the esteemed Magus of Infinity himself."
- Arch-mage Grayford Moon Lunaria, Headmaster, Moonlight Magi Academy.
"PS: Tales of your remarkable feats during your Magicka have already spread throughout the entire student body. So I would exercise caution and watch yourself keenly if I were you."
I folded the letter and placed it at the dresser nearby. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, a smile involuntarily appeared at the one thing that mattered the most from the contents of the Headmaster's letter.
I got accepted... here at the academy.
My joy was unbound and I am now one step closer to my dream of becoming a Mage and a Noble.
Cheering myself for my efforts coming to fruition, my motivation soared high and I was looking forward to what this academy has to offer.
I then removed my sleepwear and proceeded to change into the attire that was prepared for me.
After changing, I looked myself at the mirror again and I nodded in satisfaction, pleased at what I saw.
I'm now dressed in a black collared blazer that I preferred fully unbuttoned with the crescent moon symbol on its left breast pocket. Underneath it was a white polo shirt. I also wore black jeans with a leather belt of the same color strapped around my waist. My footwear consisted of a pair of black boots fitted for both combat and style.
Overall, the attire made me look kind of badass, hehe. It was certainly a welcoming change from the farm clothes that I used to wore back home.
"Hmm, well, that indeed is a big improvement from the commoner clothes that you wore last time. As a woman with a great taste for fashion sense, I wholeheartedly approve!! No student of mine is going to dress like a freaking hobo starting today!!"
Oh right... voice in my head, courtesy of Master Vivian Algrande herself.
There was no need to open my mouth to speak since I can communicate with her telepathically.
Thank the Gods for that small mercy. I don't want anyone thinking I'm a deranged maniac from a mental ward just because I looked like I was talking myself.
"Heh, well I have to admit. I do look kind of cool in this outfit. Anyways, I'm supposed to see the Headmaster. Any comments on that?"
Silence reigned for a short while before Master gave her opinion.
"Well, it was our original intention to talk to him about our situation, so I say we go for it. This Grayford, other than his bag of Illusion tricks, also possessed the magic of the Moon as per the Lunaria name. His family has served me well back when I was still physically present in this world. In addition, one of my former companions, a dear friend of mine, was also a Lunaria, and that girl, along with her family, pledge their undying loyalty to me for lifting a certain curse from them. Meaning, the Mages of the Moon still harbor the obligation to adhere my will as per honor dictates."
Master sounded fully confident that the Headmaster would assist us without a second thought. It's been 500 long years after all, and I'm unsure if the Lunarias are still honor-bound to assist us. I hope Master wouldn't blame me if I feel skeptical about this whole dilemma.
In the end, I simply withheld my doubts and proceeded to trust her with this while sounding enthusiastic at the same time.
"Alright, Master. Let's give it a shot then. That Ass... modeus would be getting a beating of his lifetime with the Headmaster supporting our cause. Plus, that chibi bastard still has some explaining to do as to why he did not help me in the first place when I battled the Dragon lady in her full transformation."
Vivian snickered loudly at my creative yet vulgar use of the Demon Emperor's name.
"Pffft!!! Ass... modeus, haha. That's a good one, Ken Bruce. You are no doubt my most favorite student after all."
"That's because I'm your only student, old hag."
"Details, details, details, tehee. And yet, here again, hitting on my age. Oohhh... are you secretly into older women perhaps, my dear student? My, how bold of you!! Should I be worried about my chastity then?"
By Arkadia, that insufferable "tehee" remark again. I swore to the Magic God that I'm definitely going to go crazy if I hear another of that yet again.
Still, I supposed it was a part of her charm, no matter how annoying it truly was.
Oh, time to answer her back with my own barrage of playful words.
"Sure, maybe one day, when pigs learn to fly that is."
"Heehhh, really, Ken? With our magic of Infinity at our disposal, it is certainly a huge possibility, you know."
I smirked in response as she fell into the entangling web of my witty remarks, right where I want her to be, hehehe.
"Is that so? Heh, why don't you start flying then?"
Her head tilted in confusion at what I just said.
"Flying? Me? What in blazes are you talking about?"
The realization of my words then hit her as hard as a boulder in-
3...
2...
"Why you!!!! You dare refer me as a pig!!?? In case you are blind, I possess quite the slim and sexy figure desired by many back then, you cheeky little brat!!"
A second early, but irrelevant. Her baffled response was what truly mattered, hahaha!!
"Hahaha, sorry, or maybe not sorry, I just could not fucking resist, hahaha!!!"
I heard a sigh coming from Master, but I could feel that she did not take much offense in my words since what we are doing was simply plain good old fun of friendly insulting.
"This brat... Well, at least things won't get dull with you around."
"Hahaha, same here, Master, same here, hahahaha!!!"
"So, you really won't stop laughing, huh?"
Master seemed to have noticed as she sounded amused by what she said, much to my slight bewilderment.
But yes, her reaction, even by her words alone, was undeniably priceless!!
Meaning, I'm victor in this battle of words!!
"Hahaha, you got that right, old hag!! None can't win against me when it comes to the marvels of the sick burning words, not even the Magus of Infinity herself!!"
"Why yes, yes, I'm delighted by your grand triumph oh brave noble Mage. But I wonder... Can the same thing be said regarding your visitors from your doorstep?"
I knew she was being sarcastic, but she said a word that instantly caught my attention.
"Visitors?"
As I turned my head to the right, my eyes widened with shock at what... who I saw.
The Dragon siblings, Alexander and Anastasia Dragonheart staring at me like I'm some sort of drug-induced lunatic from the open door.
C-crap, since when did I speak my mind out loud??!!
"Ever since when you started laughing like a deranged madman plotting the end of the world. Hahaha!!! Karma is a bitch and that's what you get for calling me a pig, you shitty child."
Master pointed it out with the oh so kindness of her heart.
Alexander blinked for a moment as if he witnessed something quite unbelievable. He decided to speak up on behalf the both of them...
With deep worry in his voice.
And the sentiment, while genuine at its core, did nothing to make me feel better, not even a tiny bit.
As a matter fact, it only made things even worst.
"Hmm... I supposed this is not a good time then. You are obviously not yet... how shall I put this lightly... fully recovered. I apologize, perhaps my sister has hit you so badly in the head that it caused you to be in such a... concerning state."
Upon Alexander mentioning his sister, Anastasia averted her gaze from me while lightly scratching her right cheek sheepishly and turning all flustered with embarrassment and guilt.
Ah, fuck, now that the Dragonhearts thought that I'm a lunatic.
Damn that stupid old hag!!! She planned this, I just knew it!!!
It seemed that her title as the Magus of Infinity was not for show. She's a lot more cunning than I give her credit.
Speaking of said old hag, it was her turn to start cracking up loudly inside my mind. Damn her, now I'm never going to hear the end of this.
Just fucking great, what a wonderful way to officially start my life here at the academy.
It seemed that my fear of people thinking that I'm a deranged maniac from a mental ward came sooner than I expected.