Over four thousand years ago, a group of ten strongest beings was formed, which included: Ophis, God of the Bible, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakra, Thor, Typhon, Hades, and Aton. Great Red was not included because this creature mainly does not participate in battles, although many claim that this is not true! Also, the "Two Heavenly Dragons" were not included. But the point is different: the overwhelming majority of beings on this list are gods. And this created a certain tendency: for thousands of years, the list remained unchanged in this regard... Until the appearance of the legendary figure - Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg.
Of course, since the creation of this "Tier List," powerhouses like Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, and others have appeared in the world, but none of them have earned the honor of engraving their name on this "Heavenly Stone." No one except Old Man of the Jewels. At a certain point in history, the appearance of this legendary figure shuffled all the cards on the world stage. That was when the Magical Association "Grauzauberer " was officially created.
And this man is watching over me? Is it my imagination or has my life been developing rapidly since receiving Gluttony?! As if everything that happened before that fateful meeting was just a prologue…
"Do you have nothing to say?" Mephisto smirked at me.
"No idea, really."
"It's not surprising. You don't learn every day that one of the strongest beings in this world is protecting you," the director continued after taking a sip of coffee. "So, you don't mind going with me to meet the great Tower Master?"
"Do I have a choice?" I replied challengingly.
"No. But I had to ask, it's still manners."
"How many millennia have you been around to adhere to human manners?" I started to get annoyed by such fake behavior. "I thought only young demons do that."
"You've become bolder after learning about Zelretch," Mephisto became more serious and continued. "But even with such a patron, I don't advise you to talk to me like that."
"Otherwise, what? Will you kill or maim me? Or, God forbid, exclude me from the academy?!"
You're playing your cards in front of me, but I have a Royal Flush in my hand, you damn old man!
"Even if we don't take the White Tower Master into account, you can't do anything to me. Killing, arresting or anything like that - other mages won't forgive you for it. I can already see the headlines: 'Mephisto Pheles infringed upon the freedom and life of a 3rd Circle mage apprentice at the academy...'" At that moment, I was surprisingly calm and brave. "So you only have one option - to expel me from the academy, but even then, you won't achieve anything. Everything I could learn here, I have learned. Will it close the doors of Grauzauberer to me? No, although I will be viewed with much more skepticism, it's definitely not a death sentence. So I ask you to treat me the same as any other apprentice."
After my words, silence filled the room. Odin was clearly amused by the situation, so much so that he didn't even try to hide his smile. Rossweisse standing behind him looked at me with undisguised surprise. Knowing her history, I could see that she clearly did not expect me to be so direct and rude to the director. As for Mephisto... he remained as calm as ever.
Well, he is a demon who lived at one time with the first lords of demons, so he is at least ten thousand years old... It would be strange if such an old demon emotionally reacted to the taunts of someone as young as me.
"Mephisto, this guy just schooled you! Do you have anything to say to him?" Odin laughed, clearly pleased with himself.
Mephisto only gave Odin an annoyed glance before looking back at me.
"You are absolutely right, except for one thing. The reason you became so much stronger is clearly not due to some infamous enlightenment, and certainly you did not use any magical elixirs. So if it turns out that you have used nefarious means, then no one will be judging me."
"And are you willing to put everything on that possibility?"
"Of course not. That's why we're going to the Tower Master," Mephisto answered with a smirk.
My grievances were about a different matter... The director knows how to redirect the conversation, but who said I would fall for that?! I had already begun to speak about how the old man shouldn't stray from the topic when another old man in the room interrupted us.
"Alright, gentlemen, isn't this foolish argument meaningless?" Odin of them began to lecture us, as if he were an experienced elder. "Ryan, you should show more respect to those who are stronger than you. Otherwise, someday in the future, you will pay dearly for it. And you, Mephisto. I never expected you to start picking on the boy. How old are you, anyway?"
"I don't think you can interfere in Grauzauberer's affairs, Odin..."
The director had just begun to speak when Odin interrupted him.
"How unfortunate that my friend doesn't think so. Ryan, Rossweisse, would you please leave us for a couple of minutes."
Immediately after these words, Rossweisse bowed slightly and headed towards the exit. I was still sitting there, watching Odin and Mephisto closely. And if the former was smiling relaxedly, the latter was initially bewildered by what was happening but quickly regained his composure and turned to me.
"Wait for me by the door."
***
The sunset was the color of dried blood. It spread over the light blue sky in red streaks, tinged the feathers of the clouds with purple. Against the backdrop of the wounded heavens, the pointed towers of the magic academy looked black as soot.
Why did the speech become so romantic? Because I was alone with such a beautiful woman!
After leaving the director's office, we saw a truly beautiful picture of evening romance.
"Do you have a problem, Romano?" Turning towards me, Rossweisse asked.
"I don't think so," I still looked cool, gazing at the sunset. "And you can just call me by my name."
Looking at Rossweisse, I reached out my hand.
"We haven't introduced ourselves yet. You already know, but I'm Ryan Romano, a student of the magic academy and a third-circle mage."
After looking at my outstretched hand for a couple of seconds, Rossweisse unexpectedly smiled and shook my hand lightly.
"My name is Rossweisse, I'm one of the Valkyries of Asgard and Odin's personal bodyguard."
Rossweisse's delicate and small hand and Ryan Romano's calloused and large hand. Aquamarine eyes met ruby ones... I think it's time to stop this romantic nonsense in my thoughts!
"Wait," Rossweisse grabbed my hand again. "Do you know Old Norse?"
"Of course. Is that unusual?"
"Incredible rarity to meet a person with such impeccable accent. At first, I didn't even realize that we were speaking my native language," the valkyrie looked at me with undisguised admiration. "You're definitely not a demon and you don't speak dialectos, right?"
"No, of course not. I learned quite a few languages while studying magic. And I need Old Norse for Runes."
"Runes! You're really interested in them?" Rossweisse exclaimed joyfully.
"I haven't had much time to study them lately, but Runes are my specialty," I continued after a short pause. "I took an exam on this topic, so I'm quite confident in my knowledge."
"Incredible..."
"Well, I'm not as incredible as you," I smiled, looking into Rossweisse's eyes. "You, valkyrie, are also Odin's bodyguard, and therefore clearly one of the strongest among your peers."
"Not really..." Rossweisse looked away. "I may not be weak, but among valkyries, the strongest is Brunhilda. And I'm not even mentioning the gods we serve."
"I think you're underestimating your strengths," I briefly closed my eyes, focusing on my "sixth" sense. "You're much more dangerous than Professor Vince, who's a 5th Circle mage. It's logical to assume that you're roughly on par with a 6th Circle mage, which is just incredible. On top of that, you're clearly young by supernatural standards, but already so strong."
"Are you saying that I'm young only by supernatural standards?!" Rossweisse threw me an annoyed glance.
How did you even come to that conclusion when you were talking about something completely different... Although I should have realized from the beginning that it was better not to mention the subject of age at all, since even Odin is teasing her by calling her a Valkyrie, whose age equals a period without a boyfriend
"You're thinking too much about it," I couldn't resist teasing the pouting valkyrie.
Mmm, here's the teenage rebellious phase when there's more life in the socks than the strongest yokai.
Noticing my gaze, Rossweisse didn't initially understand its meaning, but quickly realized and began to blush. Women... You first flare up and get angry, and then quickly cool down and become shy. How is a regular young guy supposed to understand you?
"And so, Runes, right?" Rossweisse couldn't bear such an atmosphere any longer and changed the subject.
"Hmm, yes, I studied Runes for a long time in my third year, and as I mentioned before, I took an exam in this subject," I confidently smiled, looking at Rossweisse. "I won't be modest, but even among professors, only Mephisto Pheles and Martin Vince know Runes better than me."
"A 16-year-old wizard from the 3rd Circle who knows Runes better than most academy professors? Either you're just boasting or the level of preparation at this academy is lower than I thought," Rossweisse gave me a skeptical look.
"Well, compared to the skill and wisdom of the Scandinavians, the professors here are nowhere near," I surveyed the academy and continued. "As for boasting, I'm sure we'll quickly find out if that's true if we start talking about Runes."
"And what exactly do you want to discuss?" Rossweisse asked, tilting her head.
"How about using Runes in barrier and sealing magic?"
"Have you read my research?" the Valkyrie was incredibly surprised by this turn of events.
"I told you, I took an exam in Runes," I smirked and continued. "The topic of my research was precisely barrier and sealing magic."
"What a coincidence, but when I was finishing Valkyrie school, I wrote an essay on this topic," Rossweisse exclaimed in surprise.
"I think we have a lot more common topics to talk about, don't we?" I smiled.
"Yes, it's like fate brought us together," Rossweisse laughed out loud.
I don't know about fate, but I hope that at least our joint efforts will save this world.
*****
A bit of post-chapter coddling:
Thank you very much for your support >3
However, if you guys collect 200 power stones, I will immediately release the next chapter.