Instantly I cast a bind spell causing chains to wrap around the man. However, despite the situation that irritating smile was plastered on his face.
Before I could do anything the chains shattered before turning into small moughts of lights. Suddenly I was on my couch wrapped with golden chains. Before I could do anything I tried to break free but I couldn't.
"Now, please calm down, I promise this will be worth your time," sitting on the couch I looked at the man. I tried to observe the man's strength but immediately shrunk back on the couch.
The word "strong" would be an understatement here.
From what I could see this guy, no monster was way stronger than I ever was. If he faced the demon star he could probably beat him with a single fireball spell.
Taking a breath I calmed myself down. With a calm voice, I asked "Is that so?"
Smiling he snapped his fingers and the chains disappeared. When they disappeared I observed the man. He had long white hair and golden eyes. He was wearing something that I could only describe as a Japanese kimono.
"I suppose you realized it by now but magic exists," waving his hand a butterfly made of mana started to fly around the room.
I nodded "Now you may not know this but there are many academies that train people like you," he pointed toward me "Of course getting in is pretty hard and that's not mentioning the price,"
I narrowed my eyes "Ok spill it what do you want?"
I wasn't a moron I could tell he wanted something. If I had to guess it was related to the academies.
"ahem," coughing he said "Well I would like you to join an academy, the academy I teach at specifically,"
"Why?" I asked
Hesitating he then told me the reason "W-well you are extremely talented from what I saw, so if I invite you my pay will increase,"
I nodded "Alright but what exactly are the requirements for the academy?"
"Extreme talent," I nodded "I guess it's a famous place?"
"The best of the best,"
"I see," However, my face grew dark "Then how much?"
"Oh, you wouldn't be able to afford it, however, you can still take the exam,"
I was surprised "When's the exam?"
"Yeah about that…the exam for you at least ended 5 months ago,"
"but there should be some way for me to transfer correct?" he nodded "Yes if you are able to get a recommendation from a teacher then you can enter the academy but…"
"But what?"
"I can't just recommend you just like that,"
"What why!?" I asked confused
What did he mean by "just like that"?
"As I said Evergarden Academy is the best of the best so the requirements are strict. Even if I recommend you…your track record is… non-existent," But he then realized something "Ah right I forgot how long have you been using magic?"
When he asked that question his eyes turned blue causing my heart to skip a beat. I thought about what to say, saying"2 days," would sound like I would be super talented.
But for all I knew there was probably some prophecy or something that said a super-talented mage would destroy the world.
Listen I'm trying to look at this from all angles, here. I need to be paranoid here I barely know anything about the mage world so being paranoid could save my life.
Besides, if I lie I'll be caught.
The reason?
His eyes. I've seen them in Arcada, the "Eyes of Truth", eyes that allow the wielder to see the truth and nothing but the truth. The holy knight Julian possessed these eyes and was a fearsome opponent.
'I guess I have to say a little of the truth'
"I honestly don't know, a few years maybe?" I said trying to recall the amount of time I spent in Arcadia.
"And you didn't have a teacher?" I shook my head
In Arcadia, I had to learn magic on my own. I stole some knowledge from passing adventurers but I learned most of my magic by myself. This was largely due to me being an "outworlder" thus people thought of me as a threat just like the outer gods.
He seemed surprised but accepted it however, I could see a twinkle in his eyes.
"So what exactly are the requirements?" I asked again
"Well considering this is a prestigious institution you would need to do something incredible," His smile widened "Per say oh I don't know you catch the killer who is on a rampage and has killed over 1,000 people?"
"wait, 1000?" he reconfirmed with a nod "Yes the 12 victims that were on the news were ones that were found by the police while the rest were found by the Magi association,"
'Magi Association?'
Putting that to the back of my mind I asked the more important question "Are you saying the thing that is killing people has killed over 1,000 people?"
"Mages were included,"
I looked at him as if he were an idiot "I apologize if this sounds rude but what in the flying fuck do you think I can do!?"
I know I am strong, however, I haven't accurately measured the threat not to mention the magic system of this world. I know for a fact that it is different due to the guy not having a magic circle but rather it's like his entire body is the magic circle.
So what about the creature? Does he really think I can take care of it?
"Don't worry I wouldn't have given you the task if you couldn't do it," He reassured me however I looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"You have about 2 months," he raised 2 fingers "2 months until the Magi Association takes the lead in this investigation,"
I nodded however I raised a question "Say if I reject your offer what then?" I asked
He seemed taken aback.
As I have said multiple times I want to live a chill and relaxed life nothing too chaotic. And from what I can see the magic world doesn't seem to be a chill and relaxed world.
Also, the guy in front of me didn't even tell me about the world. He immediately told me about his academy. He said that he wanted his salary or whatever to raise if I joined but what if he is lying?
But as I gazed at his strength I wondered if I even had the choice to refuse.
"Well, I'd have to tell the Magi Association where there are rules which will be explained to you, however, you'd be under the watch of an organization that is the ruler of this area. If you use your magic to do something illegal then you'd be punished,"
After listening to his explanation my face hardened.
With a sigh, I gave my response "Fine, but there are a few questions I have," I asked
I looked at him with a serious look "First how am I supposed to contact you after I killed it,"
"You don't need to worry about that. There will be an investigation and I'll make sure to question you,"
I nodded "If I don't kill the creature what then?"
"Well, I'd have to give you up to the Magi Association,"
'Seems reasonable,'
"Finally compared to the students and Evergarden Academy how strong am I?"
He thought about it "I'd say…you'd be in the top 100,"
'100?'
It was safe to say I was disappointed. But I wasn't really surprised as I wasn't even at my full power.
"Ok," I nodded
"Great see you when you kill it," suddenly the man disappeared
After the man left I let out a breath and leaned back on the couch.
"Were They lying?" I asked a sudden flood of knowledge flooded my mind causing me to frown.
This was a spell I made that helped me to detect lies. But instead of using mana, it was using something called "Ether".
It is something I don't really know much about, not even people in Arcadia knew what it was. But it was thanks to it I was able to get back home with some of my power intact.
From what I could gather it affected existence itself.
Things, like destruction or life fall into this category.
Well, that's all a theory anyway, a game-ahem you know.
However, I also learned it was basically impossible to manipulate them. On their own anyway. But I was able to figure out that you could use them through runes.
As an experiment, I wrote a rune on the floor which seemed to have worked. It was just a basic lie detection spell if you can even call it a spell. After I had written the ruin I just had to say the command to activate it in this case "Were they lying".
"Why the hell did he lie about the reason?"
As I went through the information I noticed one lie.
He lied about the reason I was invited to the academy.
"I guess I can trust him a little…for now at least,"
Heading toward the basement of my house I started to strategize.
Waving my hand a ring appeared on my thumb "Those morons should've taken away my stuff first,"
This was a dimension ring, I'm sure I don't need to explain it. But for those of you who don't know it is basically a storage device.
From a mask black fox mask, a black katana, a golden spear, and a normal-looking sword appeared.
With a pained sigh I looked at my black katana "Wish I could use you," putting it and the golden spear back in my inventory, I picked up the sword "You'll due just nicely though"
Grabbing the fox mask I looked over the runes engraved on it.
This was the first artifact I had created using Ether. I could basically see mana, elemental energy and ether but I could also see 5 to 10 seconds into the future.
"Now I guess I should contact a spirit,"