(Ken POV)
It's been a week since my official admittance here at the academy and life had been good so far.
For one, I've been getting along reasonably with my classmates, finding them to be hospitable enough in their actions towards me.
Although, there's still some kind of grave issue that I've been facing, ever since for as long as I can remember. If I can't solve this immediately, then my tenure here as a student was going to be a rather problematic occurrence.
And that issue was the fact that comprehending spells the old-fashion way by book was still a tedious affair that bore no fruition whatsoever.
While I am capable of learning magic the unconventional way of looking at spells directly thanks to my Infinity magic, I still wanted to prove myself to be an academic in terms of the arcane. I can't call myself a true Mage if I can't understand what was stated even in a simple spellbook.
Thus, as to why I'm kind of feeling down the dumps recently on my desk, with a random D-rank spellbook that I borrowed from the library lying flat on the table.
We were currently on a short break and no instructor was attending to us.
"What's wrong, Ken?"
My seatmate and friend, Philip Oswold, asked me out of concern. As someone who doesn't want to be an asshole to him, I told him of my arduous predicament.
"I can't understand what's written on this fucking book right here. Even if it's at D-rank, my mind seemed to have been clouded or something like that."
"Clouded? What do you mean?"
"Ever since I was a kid, whenever I attempt to read a spellbook, my mind would turn foggy, and whenever I push myself to learn, a headache is all I get for my fruitless efforts. Ah, God-fucking-damn it!! And I'm supposed to be the Magus of Infinity and yet I can't even learn spells like your average Mage."
At least, that's what I always felt for as long as I can remember. When I asked grandpa about my strange condition, the old man would casually dismiss it, saying that it would be better if I do not bother with the complications of a spellbook and instead, focus on my training as a Knight.
While magic was what society deemed to be the apex, Robert insisted that a Mage can still be struck down by a blade, arrow, or bullet, just like any other normal person. A Knight's advantage over Mages was their incredible physical prowess, and if they manage to close in the distance, then it's game over for the latter since Mages usually were weaker physically and suffer less pain tolerance.
A Knight trained their body in their entire life while a Mage trained their mind instead. Such was the common logic that most people adhered to.
In short, Robert never approved of my dream of becoming a Mage and even came to view my predicament as some kind of blessing for him. He either wanted me to become a farmer or a Knight, with the first option being the more favorable one since he would not have to worry about my sorry ass dying out there.
Besides, being a Knight was the easier path since all you have to worry about was how many push-ups and sit-ups that you were going to do for the day, unlike a Mage who needed to constantly bury themselves in their books and rely on their numbers, runes, and other complicated machinations just to cast a single magic spell.
Of course, push-ups and sit-ups were not everything to a Knight. I'm simply making a point here.
While a Knight still cast magic to an extent, it was mostly a simple method of boosting their physical capacities by carefully channeling Mana in various parts of their body. Even my dumbass self was also capable of doing that since Robert taught me how in person.
My only issue was the books. If someone were to teach me directly, then I'm capable of learning like the regular man. Sadly, I did not have an opportunity for a Mage to teach me back home, and Robert would also refuse.
While I love the old man with all my heart, he's still one fucking bastard who stood in my way. It's also one of the reasons why I left Rivershire to pursue my goal as a Mage here at Magnaria.
As I chatted further with Phil regarding my problem, we were approached by someone who overheard us.
"Fufufu, It's most likely a curse then. Something that you have ever since you were born."
The one who said that was our black-haired classmate, another girl in our class.
Yeah, I thought as much. When I also asked Vivian regarding my problem, she as well made the same conclusion. But since she never heard of such a strange curse in her whole life, she had little to no clue on how to dispel it.
A curse that rejected someone to learn magic? That's so cruel and utterly despicable in so many ways.
She surmised that it must be a form of spell exclusive only to the era that I lived in, a modern kind of magic as what she called.
While today's magic was mostly based on the past, the curse was also quite complex with a bunch of new concepts that even Vivian had trouble deciphering. Although she could probably analyze and remove the curse eventually, who knows how many days, months, or even years it would take since she'll be starting from scratch.
"As much as I'm too embarrassed to admit it, curses were not exactly my forte back in the old days. Making things go Boom and Brrrtttt usually is my go-to tactic, ahahaha. I even sometimes forget that I have one in my already many arsenals of spells."
Yeah, even the Magus of Infinity herself shared some moments of shortcoming.
Really? Boom and Brrrrt? Hahahaha, yup, Vivian Algrande at her chirpy finest.
Of course, it's entirely another story if she saw the curse being cast firsthand. A curse was also another magic spell and she may be able to comprehend it easily with the magic of Infinity.
I could only mentally utter the words "fuck" over and over again for having such a grave misfortune since birth.
Did someone hate me so much even when I was just a freaking fetus inside my mother's womb!!??
Oh, how the Gods were sometimes cruel for allowing this shit to happen.
Going back to our female classmate, I looked at her and tried to remember her name.
Who was she again? Mabi, Mibi.... Miki?
No, Miki was another crazy chick, the one with pink hair who would always refer to herself in third person. I really fucking wonder about that and her overall sanity.
"Oh, hello there, Miabi. What brings you to our table today?"
Thankfully, it was Phil who solved my name dilemma as he greeted her with his usual accomodating demeanor. May the Gods bless him for how kind he truly was.
Ah, now I fully remember.
The girl was Miabi... Miabi Aventus, I believe. While I'm still in the dark about her background, I can say that she's cool enough and one of the sane ladies of 1-S alongside Gutrid and Mikoto.
So far at least from what I observed during my first week here.
Hopefully, my assessment was not going to be wrong.
The girl was also quite the beauty, showing creamy unblemished skin, a lovely face, and a pair of amber-colored eyes. Her black hair, long and styled neatly with two red ribbons tied on both sides.
She's also possessed a petite figure like Phil and also Miki, but she's a bit taller than the latter while shorter than the former.
Miabi stated her intentions as to why she was here talking with us both.
"I can't help but listen in when the both of you talk about a curse. As it happens, I'm quite capable of that type of magic since I've had my fair share of dabbling on it."
Wait, she can use curses? Then I supposed that she's the right person to consult about my weird condition.
I nodded in agreement and answered her.
"Uh-huh. Ever since I was young, I can't seem to learn any form of magic spells by reading its spellbook. It's like something is blocking or preventing me from doing so, and all I get in the end is a headache. I suspected that some kind of curse was the cause of this affliction of mine. That or I'm just a certified idiot who can't even comprehend even the most basic of spells, hahaha."
Miabi seemed to be amused by my remarks and chuckled in response.
"Fufufu, so the acclaimed Magus of Infinity, cursed by something as cruel like this. My, what an amusing tale this must be. It just so happens that I might be able to solve this issue of yours."
My eyes instantly twinkled in anticipation. Can she remove the curse that had been plaguing me for so long?
"Really?!"
"Of course. As I said, I've dabbled quite a bit in the intricacies of curses, and I'm proud to say that I'm quite good at it too. In addition, I've also encountered something similar in the past, so this shall be fairly easy. If you wish for the curse to undo, meet me at the Academy courtyard this midnight and I'll perform the ritual to end your malediction."
Suspicion immediately made its way to me upon her last request. Meeting her at that particular time of the night could spell some trouble on my part.
Miabi appeared to have realized my hesitation and suggested something to me.
"Fufufu, if you are feeling skeptical about this, you may bring someone to accompany you. I don't fault you for being rightfully cautious since we only just got to know each other for a week."
Phil instantly rose his hand at her advice and volunteered.
"I'll be his companion. Is that okay with you, Ken?"
With his pleading, adorable look, refusing him was like kicking a puppy in the gut. As such, I nodded and agreed.
"Sure, Phil. With you backing me up, I guess I don't have anything to worry about."
"Fufufu, you talk as if you are heading on the battlefield, Ken Bruce. Do you really not trust me that much?"
Miabi was far more amused than offended as indicated in that chuckle of hers.
And now I kind of wonder about that speech mannerism of hers as well. Fortunately, it's not as annoying as Master's insufferable tehee, so I don't pay much attention to it.
"Proposing that I meet you in the middle of the night of all times? Where all of the people are most likely asleep by then? Everything screams suspicious from top to bottom. And don't we have a 9 pm curfew that we follow?"
My answer never deterred Miabi's entertained expression.
"Fufu, I find your lack of faith highly amusing. Isn't it customary for classmates like us to help one another? Still, it's your choice in the end, Ken Bruce. Are you willing to take the risk and step forward to finally end your many years of torment? Or do you prefer to remain stale? Content with your current condition as you stick stubbornly with the existing status quo?"
Her powerful words certainly affected me and I pondered as a result with all of this.
Well, she does have a fucking point. If I wanted to get rid of this ailment of mine, then I should sometimes take my chances and grab the opportunity that was presented right in front of me.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Miabi added regarding my concern about the curfew.
"Indeed, while we must adhere to the curfew, my ritual only strictly works during around midnight. Thers's no other way for that. Not to worry, I'll take care of things so you may proceed outside tonight without issues."
I freaking don't like the sound of any of that.
"Miabi... I'm not sure I'm in agreement with what you said. Sounds rather sinister if you ask me."
"Fufufu, I know what you're thinking, but there's nothing to worry about. People won't get hurt in any way with how I'm going to take care of things, that I stake my honor as a Mage of the acclaimed Aventus House and Arkadia's name on it."
Honor... That's what Ana also said when she challenged me during the last Magicka. That word alone won't be enough to convince me.
Regardless, I then closed my eyes in thinking and consulted with the wise woman of Infinity inside my mind.
"Your thoughts, Master?"
Vivian thought for a moment before advising me.
"While I'm not sure of her motivations, she also does have a point. Hmm... Oh fuck it, I say go for it. Don't worry, Ken, I can also sense any foul magic, and I'll warn you the moment when she tries something funny. I was also going to suggest that we approach someone knowledgeable with curses and what better time to do that than the present?"
Well, with Master giving her assurance, coupled with Phil's companionship, I supposed that my safety was guaranteed.
In the end, I agreed and said to her-
"Very well, Miabi. I'll meet you this midnight. But if that ritual of yours is some kind of kinky play that involved my ass, then I'm instantly bailing out, got it?"
Her smirk turned wider and she said something that's quite suggestive on my part while her pupils turned right below me.
"Fufufu, sure. Such a pity though, you certainly do have an appealing backside."
That provocative statement of hers instantly caused myself to shiver and blush slightly in response.
Alright, even if that's a joke and she was playing along with my jest... probably, that statement instantly removed her from the list of sane ladies of 1-S. Now only Gutrid and Mikoto deserved to belong in that category.
Miabi Aventus sure was something else.
But I suppose that's not a bad thing and it kind of added to her charm and attractiveness, if I'm perfectly honest.
"Heeeehhhh, so crazy ladies are your type then, my cute little student."
Nobody asked for your opinion, Vivian!!!!