A/N: Longer chap than usual, so allow the slight lateness of it.
A/N: Finals in like a month, I'm fasting and that coz Ramadan so less chaps than usual. Can't do much ab it, esp the final exams coz yk, final exams 💀
Valier POV:
It was Monday morning and I was currently wearing my school uniform. This consisted of rather standard clothing: first of all, a white blazer with gold on its cuffs and edges, along with a white tie embroidered with golden stripes. The blazer had a breast pocket which's edge also had a lining of gold coloured thread. I also had a plain, white shirt and plain, black trousers on. The school's uniforms weren't made of some amazing, rare materials, instead, they were simply expertly made by using relatively good quality materials. However, this combined with the expertise of the makers resulted in an extraordinary set of clothing both in terms of looks and in terms of comfort. The uniform would never arouse a single complaint from the students or parents. Everyone had to wear the same uniform as well.
It essentially symbolized what this school could do, it could turn someone 'good' into someone extraordinary. And this was also combined with the fact that everyone would be treated as a student, not a noble, a beggar, or a royal.
This school was situated in a neutral land that had no singular ruler, it was essentially the central country.
This country was known as "The Land of Knowledge, Doctrina" which was the Latin word for learning, or so I was told. Anyways, this country had a bunch of prestigious schools, and it didn't limit anything by race or by wealth. Babylon was the school that I wanted to go to because that was where every main character was. And on top of that, my siblings were... Or rather, my sister was practically destined to go there. As was Angelica, Artorius, and Leon, along with the other relevant people. There were obviously some less relevant rival type characters from other schools though.
As I fixed up my clothes, making sure they fit properly, I looked at myself in the mirror. The school asked for your measurements earlier on, it was part of the application form. I was quite tall and quite heavy, so I'd have to present myself as someone who's heavily physically oriented in combat which wasn't necessarily wrong, but I'd have to make myself seem absolutely incompetent at magic despite being able to use a Derivative Magic.
I'd also have to hold back a fuck ton, and if I used magic, it'd be limited to very basic fire Magic.
Not everyone got to use Derivative Magic as that was based more on talent/luck, whilst anyone who had an aptitude for two elements could use Fusion Magic with enough effort. Honestly, this whole holding back thing was weird to me. But it was necessary, if I didn't hold back, then... well, I'd struggle to control myself.
Previously, it didn't matter when I killed someone, but now, every life had a weight and an impact. Every death could have an impact, so I couldn't mindlessly kill. But that didn't mean that I wouldn't kill, I'd just do it sparingly. But, if one thing led to another, then, I wouldn't hesitate to return to my old ways.
I left my room, closing the door behind me. I headed towards my class, memorizing the layout of the school while doing so. The academy made everyone learn about Mana, even if they weren't Mages. That's because Mages were the most common opponent one faced. Of course, people like me who had a bloodline, Magic, and a physique were one of the more uncommon types.
Soon, I made my way to class and finally arrived at my homeroom. I took a moment before going in; it was then that someone behind me tried to move me aside with their arm. But I didn't budge. I turned around, and saw a familiar face, blonde hair and blue eyes. A well built body that was built to use the spear.
Just as the boy was about to speak, he tripped while standing. Before he fell, I caught him by his blazer's collar.
"It's fine to fall, but don't dirty your uniform, it won't make a good first impression, will it?"
I then pulled him up and allowed him to stand, I didn't speak to him with any amount of malice nor was I distant. Well, for my standards. Leon was pretty handy, his existence made my sister shut up about making friends and shit. So I was quite thankful, and because of that, I would maintain an amicable relationship with him.
He was also the loyal type, so he'd have my back if I needed him, and I doubted he'd turn on me. But if he did turn on me...
Well, it'd be a shame.
"Thanks Valier, you've gotten stronger haven't you? Must've been rough, I'm sorry I couldn't visit you over the last year or so. I didn't know how to face you. And even now, I don't know how to talk to you with all that's happened to you. But... I'm glad you're alive, my dear friend."
"Thanks."
I headed into the classroom, and sat down in the first seat I could find.
Then, people of all sorts began to pour in, some with dark skin, some with light skin, some who looked more beast than human and others who weren't human at all. This class was a class filled with some interesting people, Angelica, Leon, and some others.
And last, but not least, Artorius.
On cue, he walked in; he had black hair and white eyes. The white eyes came from being blind, although his sight recovered due to the surge of Holy Magic that came from when he awakened, the discolouration of his eyes was never fixed. His eyesight wasn't anything special though, it was average at best. The reason for his blindness wasn't something I bothered to remember. But it wasn't anything serious, he just couldn't get it treated and so, it turned into blindness.
Due to being blind for many years, like myself, he developed ways to circumvent it to live an ordinary-ish life. I created a 6th sense that granted me impeccable spatial awareness, his body simply made his ears absurdly good.
His ears could hear fucking thoughts from time to time, he could hear the fucking future later on. It was a weird ability for anyone to even think of. He also had insane talent and instincts. He had never been formally trained, so he was always fighting off instinct. He just moved in a way that felt right.
It was a talent that I was not fond of. It requires no skill or effort, or even any thinking. You couldn't even call it technique, he just sorta guessed how to move and it'd be one of the best moves possible for his current abilities.
Now, he was not like me or any other respectable warrior who actually understood what made a move good or bad. His instincts just made him do the best moves. It was the lowest of talents that even a toddler could make use of.
It disrespected those who'd trained their entire lives and had dedicated everything to fighting. It was absolutely disgusting.
I sighed, it wasn't like me to be so passionate about anything. Taking a deep breath in, I relaxed.
'Man, I want a cigarette, I should've used one before coming here.'
People kept pouring in, the first to sit beside me was Angelica. Of course, it wasn't for any reason but to keep me in check.
"Don't do anything that would embarrass our country, or put me on clean up duty. You still owe me for that."
"Ah, you're right, I owe you for two things then? Fine, tell me your two requests later, we're in class now."
I wasn't the type to avoid paying back debts and favors, now that I had a choice, I didn't want to be the type of bitch that didn't pay back favors.
My master hated those kinds of people, and she did cover me for that one murder I did a few years ago, and she's also kept my power under wraps.
"What? You actually care about this class? I didn't expect that from you of all people."
I looked at her, she was starting to annoy me. I wasn't the type to slack off in training, and to me, this school was a sort of training.
"And what are you basing that off of?"
"Oh- Yeah, fair enough, that was my bad, I don't know you very well, do I?"
"No, you don't."
"Today, I want to have a conversation over lunch time. I want to clarify the terms of your service."
"Terms of service? Don't mistake me for one of your lap dogs, I'm not a Saint nor a Knight or even a regular soldier. I'm just a man who owes you a favor or two."
She was somewhat taken aback by what I said, but she smiled.
"A man who owes me a favor or two? I like the sound of that, it'll be far easier on me if you die since you're not one of my subordinates."
I didn't reply, I wasn't socially adept enough to actually understand whether she was being literal or whether she was threatening to kill me.
And as everyone finally settled in, our teacher spoke.
"Silence."
I shut up instantly, I did not want to get on that man's bad side. After all, he was someone who I didn't want to fight any time soon. It wasn't often that I refused to fight people, but the reason for that was because I didn't see any possibility in winning.
Although I was willing to risk my life, I would not throw it away.
Edited By: WorthyAdversary