A Fourth Rank Sorcerer...
A human with the magical ability to go against, and possibly defeat a Fiend Grade Abyssal Creature alone.
"Welcome, young Sorcerers. My name is Leon Briggs, Fourth Rank Sorcerer, Head watcher of the City, and your guide... You can call me Leon."
Staring at the man calling himself their guide, Richard was consumed with a faint desire.
Like the light of a candle, it burned. Its flame was subtle, but it could illuminate a dark room through the bleak night.
In the world of magic and chaos, the most powerful were those who beat the odds and survived the most, regardless of how many times they brushed shoulders with death. A Sorcerer's rank was a direct reflection of that...
Although this wasn't set in stone, it certainly was a valid parameter when measuring ability.
Richard stared Leon, their Guide, straight in the eye...
Despite his his calm gaze, he could tell he was not to be taken lightly.
'Plato, take a seat for a while...'
In order to avoid any misunderstandings, Richard quickly hid his Demon.
Lean cleared his throat and spoke, his voice reverberating through the room,
"First of all, I'd like you all to introduce yourselves, state your rank, and your area of specification."
Richard thought to himself, 'Well, if anything, he is quite thorough. Perhaps he truly believes he can get us all to work together.'
Richard shook his head. Unfortunately, that would go against his plans. He couldn't have that happening.
Still, he decided his safest bet was to wait and see how things play out.
The first person to speak was Celine.
Understanding the temperament of a woman wasn't difficult. However, it was also a very complex sport, as it could change, depending on the time of day, weather, and many other factors.
Her face as passive as a dry wall, Celine spoke,
"Celine Rigborne. Second Rank Sorcerer. I can use all types of magics, but my strengths lie in Phenome-type and Soul Magic."
She could act cheeky with him, but before this man, she maintained decorum.
Leon nodded, a warm smile on his face,
"Miss Celine. Good to see you once again. Your grandfather has very high hopes for you."
Without a change in her expression, Celine sat back onto her seat, her eyes briefly meeting Richard's.
'Hey, what is this?! Could this be the legendary teacher's pet scenario playing out?'
Shaking, his head, Richard continued to watch...
The next person to speak was Gregory, standing with his back straight,
"Gregory Ludwig, sir! A First Rank Sorcerer, and I excell in Divination and Phenom-type magics!"
Despite his enthusiasm, Leon merely gave him a nod, prompting him to sit down awkwardly.
Feeling the dejection oozing off Gregory, Richard suppressed a chuckle. Perhaps he was still too green, but it was common knowledge in the magic world that those with connections got by with a higher survival success rate than those without.
It was the sad reality...
Despite also risking life and limb to aid the various families and organizations, it wasn't uncommon for a no name to be thrown into the jaws of death in place of a child belonging to a major family.
The Blood Sorcerer lady suddenly stood to her feet and spoke.
Surprisingly, her voice was far deeper and raspier than he had expected, which wasn't a bad thing, in a sense. Hearing it could make a man's loins tingle in a different way.
"You can call me Lady Umbra. Second Rank Sorcerer. Soul, phenom-type and Divination."
With a devilish smile on her face revealing her pearly white teeth, her words were laced with a strange, almost dangerous charm.
The next in line was the tattooed sorcerer...
There was a moment of silence. For a while nothing was heard on the room.
Leon frowned.
Just as it seemed he would open his mouth and say something, the tattooed man spoke,
"Vagabond. Second Rank. Enchantments."
His eyes opened slowly, and a faint mist seeped from his slightly parted lips...
Leon sighed, then shook his head,
"Then..."
Sensing that his time had come, Richard spoke calmly,
"Richard Bane. Second Rank. No specialties."
A crippling silence came over everyone once again.
Leon focused on his, his facial expression strange,
"Bane?"
Richard chuckled, "Yes, that Bane. But don't worry. I've been kicked out of the family, so you are free to use me as you wish." He said with a slight bow.
Leon fell silent, as did everyone in the room.
After all, who didn't know of the Bane family in the world of magic. A family who's history had become muddled in the annals of time.
Celine snorted, "Master Leon, please do continue. Do not allow this disturbance waste any more of our time."
Leon hummed.
Standing with his hands behind his back, his face settled into his original expression,
"Then if that is all of you, we can proceed."
Leon cleared his throat. His gaze sharpened and the aura surrounding him changed,
"Before we move on, I'd just like to say a few things..."
After a moment of stretched silence, he continued,
"Some of you here are used to doing things on your own. However, there is a reason you have been gathered into one team. These are dangerous times in the world of sorcery."
Richard suddenly raised his hand.
Leon frowned, but nodded at him,
"Yes, Richard? What is it?"
A subtle grin pulled at the corners of Richard's face, but he managed to stop it,
"Well, Instructor Leon... We might have a bit of a problem there..."
Leon's frown deepened, "And why is that?"
Richard smiled, "Well, you see... I don't plan on participating in any group activities. I work best alone. Don't worry. I won't be dragging anyone down. I just prefer doing things my way."
"I am of the same mind, Instructor Leon." Celine said with a frigid expression.
"Ah..." Gregory's head swiveled from one person to another, a look of confusion on his face.
Leon stared at both him and Celine for a few moments, his face impassive. It was impossible to read his thoughts.
'In the end, it doesn't matter. Even if he says it is necessary, I don't care. I simply won't answer any of his calls.'
Richard was already keen on doing things his way. That was how it had been since he could remember.
He didn't want anything holding him back. That way, if anyone lost their lives, it wouldn't have anything to do with him.
Eventually, after a few seconds of silence, Leon sighed,
"Alright. I can agree to that."
Richard nodded, a smile on his face. Just as he was about to go back to his seat, he noticed the corners of Leon's face contorting with a smile. He was immediately filled with an ominous feeling.
Lean chuckled, "Yes, I'll agree to it. On one condition."
Celine frowned, "And that is?"
"You both beat me in a battle..."
Richard's smile left his face rather quickly.
He let out an uncomfortable laugh,
"Wow, instructor... You are indeed quite humorous."
"That was not a joke, Mister Bane. If you want your freedom, you'll have to earn it, no? Same goes for you, Young Miss."
Celine gritted her teeth,
"But... I don't want to work with this distasteful bastard!" She said, aggressively pointing at Richard.
Leon shrugged, "Then defeat me. If you do, you won't have to see his face ever again."
Richard sighed.
Even a thousand Second Rank Sorcerers going against a single Fourth Rank was the epitome of foolishness, getting killed immediately would be a blessing.
It was so foolish, Richard didn't even consider it for a second. Perhaps if he was a Third Rank Sorcerer, then perhaps he might be able to do something. But a Fourth Rank? Absolutely no way! There were easier ways to commit suicide.
Richard snorted, "Or we could just not respond to your summons. Sure, that might rack us a few letters, and maybe even a suspension from the circle. But I won't be working with anybody."
Leon chuckled again, "That's not a bad idea. However, you are forgetting that as your Instructor, I have all your addresses. If you refuse to answer a summons, I'll be there first thing in the morning, ready to drag you out of your beds. If you try run or escape, I'll show you why it isn't a good idea to antagonize a Fourth Rank Sorcerer."
He turned to Celine, "Same goes for you, young Miss. I have permission from your grandfather."
Celine gritted her teeth, but didn't say anything.
'Moving straight to the threats, huh... How wonderful.'
Richard sighed. He stared at Leon who had a wide smile covering his face. However, that smile was equal parts jovial and ominous.
How to put it...
It was like staring into the salivating maw of a predator that had just downed a prey. Very terrifying.
Seeing both of them fall silent, Leon nodded in satisfaction,
"Alright, enough of that talk. Let's move on to the exciting part."
With a sigh, Richard plopped down onto his chair,
'I'll behave for now. Can't have a Fourth Rank Sorcerer breathing down my neck.'
Leon clapped his hands together,
"The best way to learn, is to have proper field experience. Which is why, tonight, we are going to go on a real mission. How does that sound?"