In a mansion that looks more like a castle, a young man takes a bitter medicine, the same one he takes every day of his training.
“Onix, now that you've taken your medicine, please use the spell twice, after that, we'll start physical training.”
“Understood.”
Onix Clairus, 10 years old, despite being extremely unrecommendable, due to his family's orders started magical training at a young age, intending to expand his core in the best period for the process.
“Uahhhh...”
“Onix, you can't vomit your medicine, it offers a little more security in this practice...”
“I'm sorry, Uncle Emanoel.”
“I will request more from the maids, but know that it is a valuable medicine, you can't waste it like that.”
“Sorry.”
“Remember that you are not talented like your brothers and you are far down the line of succession, so your only way forward is to get more powerful by any available method.”
“I understand.”
Emanoel Clairus was responsible for training Onix on a few days of the week, in addition, very expensive elixirs were used to provide more security in the use of magic with an unstable core, although many children still suffer accidents with this practice, the chances decreased considerably.
“Go to your room now and review what you studied this week.”
“Understood.”
After the physical training, Onix gets back to his room. When Onix walks by the mansion he is greeted by several housemaids, they all treat him with respect but keep their distance, after all, he is the son of the lord of the house. When he is about to open the door to his room he hears voices on the other side, probably maids who haven't finished cleaning the room yet.
“Will the young Onix be transferred to the secondary residence?”
“Yes, his results are displeasing the patriarch, so they plan to remove him from the house.”
“Unbelievable, being so cruel to a child... I heard he couldn't even be doing this training.”
“Yes, but that's the way things happen here, far from the succession, and with so many brothers with achievements in the war, he needs to show results.”
“I heard his older sister reached Silver 1 at just 18 years old, it must be hard for young Onix to compare to that...”
“Yes, it is like that all the talent went to the older brothers.”
Talent... it's always about that, always about me not having that talent.
Onix then opens the door, and when the maids see him, they immediately bow.
“Good afternoon, young master, your training ended earlier than expected, we are finishing the cleaning.”
“It's good enough, leave it that way, thank you, you can leave.”
“Understood.”
The two maids then leave the room and close the door.
As I have no talent, I need to train twice as much as the others, and I no longer have a chance of succession since they removed me from the main line, in addition, due to this lack of talent, I will not marry anyone from the branches of the family either, after all, they need more talented people to have more talented children, so what I was left with was the option to become as strong as possible and get recognition in the war. This is my last chance to remain a Clairus and make my father and mother proud. Even though I don't have that talent I still have a use, even though I'm just a puppet for them to use, I can still bring honor to my family in the war.
Every day Onix studied and trained, three times a week he used magic even though it was not recommended at his age, seeking to expand his mana core, during those days the only support that his family offered him was through elixirs that made the process a little safer. It had been 3 years since Onix had last seen his parents, his mother said she didn't have time for a meeting and his father had said that he was not valuable enough to have a minute of his time.
Usually, a mage would develop an affinity with magic around the eleventh year of his life, but some families had the believe that the earlier a child would show an affinity the more talented they were destined to be. All of Onix's siblings developed an affinity before reaching 10 years old of age, his sister the most premature one, developed an affinity with only 8 years old. Because of that, he was considered a failure.
Onix was completely isolated from the family, the only relative he was able to find was his uncle that started to train him on his tenth anniversary. Emanoel Clairus trained him three times a week for just a few minutes and treated him only as an obligation, Onix was the fourth son of the family and the youngest, because of that he had no value to them.
Because of the fear of missing the only opportunity available to him, Onix began to use magic every day, even without the use of elixirs, thus managing to expand his mana core to frightening amounts for his age, due to this risky training, Onix was close to reaching Bronze 2 at just 11 years old, it was the first time he received anything close to a compliment from his uncle when he noticed the number of times Onix used the same spell, he said that finally, the training was bearing some fruit. For the first time since his birth, Onix felt fulfilled, after that day, he again increased the intensity of his training, until the accident happened.
“AHHHHHHH!”
After hearing screams, the maids ran to the training yard, where Onix was writhing on the floor, tears streaming down his face. It was only a matter of time, due to overuse of magic, being only 11 years old, Onix damaged his magic core. Because of the family's resources, it was possible to save his ability to use magic, however, his core would be forever damaged and according to his family he would never be able to develop it too much higher levels, he would be limited for his entire life.
Another path was closed to me, is this the destiny of those who have no talent? Now… I am nothing more than a puppet that has lost its strings and can no longer be even used.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“AHH!”
Panting, Onix stares at the ceiling of his room at Asteris' academy, having just woken up he feels a large amount of sweat on his bed.
“Again, that damn dream...”
Onix then gets up, puts on a simple outfit, and leaves his room towards the academy's training grounds. The sky is completely filled with stars, and it must be around 3 am, at the Asteris academy the training grounds remain open throughout the day and night so that students can train at any time that interests them. Upon arriving at the training grounds, he begins to shoot fire spells with different intensities.
That man had said that it is not enough to just add magic to the spell, even if in the case of the fire element it is possible to increase the destructive power in this simple way, I need more, for me simple is not enough.
After firing the spell a few times, Onix sits on the floor panting.
“My core still hasn't fully recovered the mana used yesterday. I really don't recover at the same speed as others because of this damage.”
“Training at this hour? Well, in your case I would understand the desperation.”
“Hmm?”
When Onix looks in the direction of that voice, a boy with gray hair and red eyes with a face almost identical to his, but older looking, stares at him.
“Brother Csezar...”
Csezar continues to watch him quietly, Onix then immediately turns and bows to greet his older brother.
“You will not give up, Onix? We told you to not enter the academy, but our father ended up giving permission in the end just to remove you from the house.”
“I'll prove my worth here.”
“You won't. You'll just embarrass the family name, for now, I bet everyone must have been impressed with your Rank, isn't it? But what do you think will happen in the future, Onix? You used all possible elixirs to break through to Bronze Rank 2 even with your core damaged, but from now on it will be impossible for you.”
“I'll find a way-”
“Don't interrupt me when I'm talking, useless.”
“Sorry brother.”
“With your core defective, your classmates will catch up to you soon and then overtake you, you will be a laughingstock to the academy and an embarrassment to our family. Give up Onix, stop getting in our way, accept that the world is like this, some people are born with talent and others are not, you can no longer follow the path of a Clairus.”
Talent... path... then again, another path will be taken from me, again will I be without a purpose?
What is your goal?
Onix then remembers that man's question, the question he asked all the students.
Why are you here? To train for 7 years and die in a stupid war?
A stupid war? If he only knew how much I crave this reason he calls “idiot”, if he only knew what I would give for the chance to just die in a stupid war, but at least to die like a Clairus.
“Allow me to continue trying, brother Csezar. I beg you.”
Onix lays his head against the floor and pleads to his brother.
“This worm behavior of yours, it really disgusts me, you now.”
Csezar then kicks him in the stomach and throws him almost 5 meters away, Onix starts coughing up blood on the ground.
“A kick from a Silver 3 can end up killing a Bronze 2 very easily, do you know how much I had to hold back to not kill you right now?”
Onix is unable to answer his brother, due to the lack of air in his lungs.
“If I kill you here, I believe that would be the best way to sort things. I could ask Uncle Emanoel to deal with the problems, and I believe that our father would end up thanking me, it would spare our family a future shame, not to mention that you could die as a Clairus, wouldn't that be great, Onix?”
Oh? To die as a Clairus…that's what I was after, wasn't it? My fear of losing my name, being abandoned, and having no way to go, at least this way I can die as a Clairus, at the hands of another Clairus.
“Hmm? So, won't you even try to fight? You really are despicable.”
Csezar raises his hand and prepares a spell, a sphere of fire forms, similar to the fireball that Onix used, but giving a completely different sensation, the heat can be felt by Onix who is 5 meters away and it is enough to burn his skin.
“At least you won't feel pain Onix, even though you are useless, the blood of our family still runs in your veins, so I will kill you with a powerful spell.”
So, this is the level I would probably never reach? Is that the ability of someone with talent?
“Goodbye, little brother.”
Csezar casts his spell that burns the ground where it passes, moments before hitting Onix a wall of water appears in front of him, the spell crashes into it and disappears, leaving only a large amount of steam behind it. Amid all the steam, a man appeared in front of Onix.
“Hey, it's not too late to practice fratricide?”
In front of Onix is Yukiko, who is fanning himself due to the heat generated by a large amount of steam.
“What are you doing here?”
Onix can spit some words at his professor.
“I should be asking you the same thing, young man, at this time children should be sleeping, you are still growing, you know? That way you will never become as tall and charming as your teacher.”
Onix cannot show his indignation towards this man, he lacks air to complain.
“Are you the new teacher everyone is trying to remove?”
Csezar then interrupts the discussion between the teacher and the student.
“Hmm? It looks like I'm getting famous already, but if you want me as a teacher, I'm sorry boy, I don't like arrogant brats, although my class is full of arrogant brats... so I don't like arrogant brats... older! Yeah, I don't like cocky older brats! And I dislike people who try to murder their own brother at 4 am too, you should be sleeping.”
“Hmm? Why the hell would I want someone like you teaching me?”
“Oh, are you so upset that you're in denial?”
“Quiet commoner, you can be a teacher, but don't forget your place before a Clairus, this is a family discussion, don't intrude.”
“He's right, this is not your place.”
“You who can't even stand up should be quiet. These noble families are really annoying.”
“Control your commoner's tongue, now get out of the way of the Clairus.”
“Get out of the way? You really talk big to a brat, is this really how the Clairus raise their kids? How boastful are they for an 18-year-old brat who hasn't even hit Gold yet to talk like that?”
At that moment another sphere of fire appears in Csezar's hands, this one about twice the size of the first.
“I will make you pay for insulting me and insulting the name Clairus, regardless of whether you are a teacher or not. I will show you the difference between a commoner and someone destined to follow a great path!”
Csezar's fireball glows as bright as the sun and is ready to be thrown.
“Destined to follow a great path? And who decided that this path of yours is grandiose, brat? To me, it doesn't look very interesting looking from here.”
“Ah?”
Who decided? Doesn't it look interesting?
Onix is impressed by Yukiko's claims.
“Who decided? It was the Heavens, for I was born a Clairus and we are destined for greatness! Now, Disappear!”
“This heat is bothering me, brat, do you know how much mana you're wasting just to make this heat show? Put out that matchstick in your hand right away.”
After Yukiko finished his sentence and before Csezar could cast his spell, the huge sphere of fire that was in his hand simply... disappears, along with all the heat he had generated in the environment.
“What?”
“Okay, now we can talk more comfortably.”
“What happened? Did my spell fail? Impossible!”
“Impossible? Do the great Clairus, never fail? Ha-ha-ha!”
“You cretin, this time I will not fail, get ready!”
Csezar extends his hand to create the spell, but this time nothing appears.
“Oh? What's happening? I still have mana, so why? Why can't I use my spell?”
“Maybe because you are not destined to use it?”
“What did you say... when you?!”
Yukiko in an instant appears in front of Csezar, surprising him, then he raises his hand and swings his arm, hitting Csezar's face with a slap. At first, the movement seems slow and powerless, but the moment his hand connects to the opponent's face he is thrown at least 10 meters away, hits a wall, and falls motionless to the ground. Csezar struggles not to lose consciousness and as he grunts in pain, he vomits some blood.
“Is this the so famous greatness of the Clairus?”
“You cretin...”
Csezar can't get up, but extends his hand towards Yukiko, intending to cast a spell, however, nothing comes out again.
“What is happening...”
In the next moment, Yukiko is in front of him again.
“From up here you don't look that great.”
“AHHHH!”
Csezar can't get up, but uses all his strength to kneel, getting close to Yukiko's waist.
“Oh! Much better! This position suits you, maybe the Clairus were destined to kneel like this?”
“YOU-”
Again, Yukiko hits him with the palm of his hand, throwing him this time in the opposite direction. Csezar lands next to Onix, who is so surprised that no words escape his lips. Yukiko then again appears out of nowhere, this time between the two of them, he squats down to try to look Csezar in the eyes, but his face is glued to the ground.
“You see, I don't really care... hey are you still conscious?”
Yukiko grabs Csezar by the hair and lifts his head so he can look him in the eyes, Csezar finds himself with a lot of blood and bruises on his face, some broken teeth, and weak eyes, clearly almost losing consciousness.
“Ah, you're still conscious, that's great.”
“I... what... where...”
“Allow me to clarify something before you pass out, I really don't care about your name, your blood, or your whole family. And about the greatness you say you're destined for, I couldn't care less.”
Csezar soon after loses consciousness, Yukiko drops him on the ground and looks at Onix.
“Have you recovered? Is late, you'd better go back to your room.”
“How?”
Due to fatigue and surprise, these are the only words Onix can pronounce.
“Hmm? I'm a teacher you know, I need to be stronger than a brat, even though he's not much younger than me...”
“Why?”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you help me?”
“Why wouldn't I help you?”
“Hmm?”
“Onix, you are a child very attached to the concept of value, everything in your conception has a price, I bet you're thinking about what your value is to motivate me to save you, aren't you?”
“I...”
Onix can't answer Yukiko, at the same time a light rain starts to fall.
“I understand that this worldview was something ingrained in you by your family, but Onix, people are not objects, you know?”
“Hmm?”
“I once knew a person who considered any life priceless, even her own enemy life’s… Don't put something as ridiculous as a price on yourself, don't treat human life like that, that's a very ridiculous thought. My reason for saving you is simple, you are my student. That's enough for me and it will always be.”
Onix continues just watching this man, while he is soaked, Yukiko looks completely dry as if the rain deviated from his figure to not wet him. Finally, after a few minutes, when Yukiko didn't make a single sound, Onix speaks.
“So, what should I do?”
“That's something you must decide.”
“What is my purpose?”
“This is something you should find.”
“If you had let him kill me, if I had died, everything would have been easier, everything would have... been better.”
“Perhaps, but I didn't, and that was something I decided.”
“On your whim... on a caprice, now I’m obligated to live, what gave you the right to decide if I die or live?!”
Onix was frustrated, he didn't want to scream like that at this man who had just saved him, but he doesn't know what to do, he doesn't know which direction to go, he's never been so confused.
“Yes, it was a whim of mine, I'm a very selfish person, you know?”
“Hmm?”
“I decided that you would live, period, and even after saving your life I decided that I will not give you a purpose and that you will have to decide it for yourself. But Onix, it doesn't have to be today or tomorrow, don't forget that you're just a child.”
Yukiko then places his hand on Onix's head.
“Why? Why waste your time with me?”
“Hmm? Why? I already told you that I am your teacher.”
“It can't be, I'm not worth anything! You're wasting your time by saving someone like me...”
“Know that I already have 4 extremely cute disciples, do you really think I would be wasting my time here while I could be spending time with them? Don't insult my intelligence, I decide very well where and how to spend my time!”
“I...”
“Roxy, can you take care of the brat over there?”
“Yes, you really did damage to him... well, I appreciate that you didn't kill him at least.”
Roxy emerges from the rain and heads towards Csezar, picking him up from the ground soon after.
“Thanks!”
“Don't thank me, go to Maria's room later, you'll need to explain this.”
“Ok.”
Roxy then disappears, and Onix is not even able to say anything during the situation.
“Go back to your room and rest, Onix.”
“You told me not to put something as simple as a value on myself, but we all put values on each other, won't we? Do you think… I have any value?”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Again, this talk of value... but if you want to evaluate yourself, then yes, of course, you have value. A 13-year-old boy who was able to get to Bronze 2 with a damaged core obviously has value.”
“Hmm?”
“The time, effort, sweat, and tears you had to dedicate to achieve this already prove your worth as a mage.”
“How do you know about my condition?”
“I have good eyes.”
“Good eyes... but then you know, you know I won't be able to go far as a mage...”
“Why not?”
“Hmm? Because I am damaged, according to my uncle I will never be able to reach Silver.”
“And who is he to decide that?”
“What...”
Again, that phrase...
“If it was his core being damaged, then he could decide whatever he wants. But it's your core that we're talking about here, you decide whether to make it to Silver or not.”
Onix just stares at Yukiko without saying anything.
“Do you remember what I promised you all on the first day of class?”
“On the first day?”
Onix remembers Yukiko's most eccentric statement.
But if you want to reach the peak of magic, if you want to know the natural world and the secrets that compose it, regardless of your upbringing, blood that runs in your veins, or surname, I will guide you! And at the end of these 7 years, I will make you touch Gold!
“Did you think I was kidding?”
“It cannot be...”
“I was talking to every single one of you, with or without the damaged core.”
“That's...”
“Go to your room and think about how you are going to follow your path from now on.”
Soon after, Yukiko disappears, Onix then gets up and heads towards the dorms.
“What should I do...”
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In the board room of the Asteris academy, Maria Rosenfold sits in silence on her chair, in the middle of the room, Roxy Clairus is also silently on one of the available sofas.
“He really does whatever he wants.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think the Clairus reaction will be?”
“It won't be pretty.”
“Ah, all this could be avoided if he just...”
“Goodnight!”
Yukiko enters the room with a smile on his face.
“I see you still don't knock on the door.”
“This is basically a second house, Maria. I don't need to knock on the door to enter my house.”
“Do not play with me...”
Yukiko then starts to brew some cups of tea.
“Did you really had to put the boy in a coma?”
“I didn't mean to exaggerate, but he irritated me a little... Roxy, the Clairus need to train their descendants better, that wasn't supposed to hurt a Silver 3 that much.”
“Don't complain to me, I don't care about them.”
“Roxy, how long until he comes here to complain?”
“I don't think it will take long, Maria.”
Soon after, it is possible to hear footsteps towards the room, coming from the halls of the academy.
“See? He's already here.”
In the next second is possible to hear a knock on the door.
“Ah... you can come in.”
A gray-haired man enters the boardroom.
“Principal Rosenfold, I'm here due to the events....”
He immediately becomes aware of the members present in the boardroom and sees Yukiko preparing some cups of tea.
“The events about the conflict between Onix and Csezar, and the meddling of Professor Yukiko.”
“I imagined that Professor Emanoel would come, how is Csezar?”
“Very injured, Director Rosenfold, but our family is already carrying out the best treatments available.”
“I understand. Professor Emanoel, I imagine you have complaints to make.”
“Yes, the acts that Professor Yukiko committed are not acceptable, I don't know what trick he used to incapacitate Csezar, but it was clear that the intention was to kill him. I ask for his punishment in some way, it is unacceptable for a responsible teacher to behave this way.”
Meanwhile, Yukiko distributes cups of tea around the room, which makes Emanoel even more stressed.
“What do you have to say, Yukiko?”
“Hmm? I don't know what would be acceptable as a teacher since I just started, but there was no killing intent. I wouldn't kill a brat just because he stressed me out, it was just a corrective measure.”
“A corrective measure? Brat? He is the third son of the Clairus family, have more respect! What kind of correction sends a boy into a coma?!
“I figured he probably never had a proper upbringing, he must never have heard a no in his life, and from the way he was treating his younger brother, I thought that would be the most effective way. And boy? He may be a brat mentally, but he is already 18 years old, Professor Emanoel. A wizard 5 years older, Silver 3 who attacks a Bronze 2 with the intention of killing, being his younger brother even... and after that still attacks a teacher? I think he still came out in good condition.”
“You...”
“And tell him to thank me later, I won't seek any punishment against him, even though he attacked me.”
“How dare you! The Clairus family won't let it go. Roxy, don't you have anything to say?”
“Hmm? There really was no intention to kill, if there was, Csezar would definitely be dead.”
“That's it? Won't you defend your little brother?”
“I could ask the same of you, won't you say anything about Onix?”
“He's not the one who's in a coma!”
“Yes, but he could be dead if it wasn't for Yuki.”
“Yuki? You can only be kidding, as a Clairus you must defend the name of the family and its members!”
“Obligation? I've said several times that I don't want any more relationship with the family, I'm just here now to clarify things for the director, don't think I'm going to help you with anything.”
Emanoel, seeing that this isn't going anywhere, starts biting his lips.
“Kid, it's not over, I hope you're prepared or it's better to give up on our dispute and hand over your position soon. I was thinking of just teaching you a lesson in respect to principal Rosenfold, but if you show up in that fight, I swear I will take your life!”
“See you in a few days, Professor Emanoel.”
“Cretin...”
Emanoel then leaves the room and heads to his quarters, leaving only the three previous members in the room.
“Roxy, can you be responsible for class 1 for a few days?”
“Hmm?”
“I'll need to be away from the academy for a few days.”
“You know I don't like theory classes...”
“Do your best! Just do practical classes or talk about the war, they'll love it!”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Thank you very much! Here, deliver these letters to the girls too, there's a training regimen, it's a shame, but right after I get 4 unbelievably cute disciples I'm going to need to go away.”
“Okay, I'll deliver.”
“Disciples?”
“Oh, it's true, you don't know, do you Maria? Four girls asked me to train them personally yesterday!”
“Hmm? I didn't think you'd get someone, and the 4 are girls?”
Maria looks at Yukiko with some suspicion.
“Yes, and they are ridiculously cute! One of them is Mia.”
“Mia?!”
“Yes!”
“What is that girl thinking? Anyway, don't you dare to touch a single hair of her.”
“Maria, what are you talking about? Do you think I'm some kind of sick person? I will treat them as my dear daughters!”
“That itself is already a little sick...”
“Where are you going?”
Roxy then interrupts the conversation between the two.
“Unfortunately, it's confidential, but I'll tell you when I get back!”
“Okay, just don't take too long.”
“Understood!”
“Director Maria, good morning...”
Camila then enters the director's room and comes across the three of them.
“Oh, sorry Director, I didn't imagine you would be in a meeting so early in the morning.”
“Even you are not knocking on the door anymore, Camila? Has the sun risen yet?”
“Good morning, Camila. Sit down and I'll serve you some tea!”
“Hmm? Thanks.”
Yukiko then starts making tea while he talks to Camila.
“Here it is, I have news Camila, I got 4 disciples yesterday!”
“4?! Amazing Yuki! And all in one day, awesome!”
“Yuki?”
Roxy gets surprised seeing the intimate way Camila talks to Yukiko.
“Yes, there are 4 very promising students! And abnormally cute!”
“I see, congratulations!”
“Thanks!”
Yukiko then holds both of Camila's hands to thank her.
“Hmm? Is it getting hot in here?”
Camila then notices a murderous gaze being directed at her, with the source being the girl sitting across from her.
Her face looks completely expressionless, but I feel... that she wants to kill me...
“Well, I need to go now, I'm counting on you, Roxy! See you all later.”
At the same instant, Yukiko disappears as if he had never been there.
“He just disappeared?”
“He has the habit of doing things as he pleases, Camila, don't worry about it.”
“I see.”
Then the magic communicator on Maria's desk starts ringing.
“Ahh the day will be long...”
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In the room of class 1, the students were talking and waiting for their teacher, at that moment rumors about the events of the dawn have already started to spread. When Onix enters the room, he is clearly the center of everyone's attention, however, before anyone can ask any question, Roxy walks through the door and makes her way to the center of the room.
“Good morning, everyone. Professor Yukiko will be away for a few days because of a personal matter, so I will be replacing him.”
Immediately Mia raises her hand.
“Is Professor Yuki okay, Professor Roxy? Due to the rumors... if he needs any help dealing with the backlash...”
“He's fine, don't you worry.”
Muher Iris then raises his hand.
“His dispute with Professor Clairus would be in a few days. Will he really come back, Professor Roxy?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Mia immediately confronts Muher.
“No big deal, Miss Rosenfold. I'm just thinking about his situation, after the last event it would be even better for him to disappear, don't you think? For his own safety, I mean.”
“Muher-”
“He will return, I give you my word on that.”
Roxy immediately cuts off the argument between the two, leaving even Muher and the other students surprised.
“If no one has more doubts, I'll start the class.”
Roxy then starts using the tools in the room to start her class.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
During the theoretical class, Roxy sought to discuss more the issues of war and the empire, as they were subjects that she had more affinity with. Since many there want good results in war, having an experienced teacher who served for a long time was very exciting for the children, even more since the previous teacher always spoke of war as something stupid and meaningless.
“Professor Roxy, what was the hardest battle you participated in?”
“Hmm? If I had to choose it was an operation against the army commanded by General Helton Hermmanes, as he was a Holder, his army was composed of many powerful Gold and Silver rank mages.”
“A Holder?”
The whole class swallows hard, after the class given by Yukiko, these children's curiosity on the subject of higher Ranks mages has expanded.
“Yes, I didn't get to see him, but it was an extremely difficult battle, after a while when the fight was taking very large proportions, both sides withdrew.”
“Withdraw?”
“Yes, when a fight takes on very large proportions, they are usually stopped, so there is no time for either of the two empires to send some higher-class mage and annihilate the enemy. A Holder is a very valuable mage, if the empire knows of one's position it can immediately send a Manipulator to kill it and retreat quickly. When high-rank mages enter the war, it is usually in quick events.”
“Even in higher-rank mage wars? Like Rulers or Saints?”
“Do you really think that a war of this proportions is possible?”
“Would it not?”
“First of all, I don't think either side would have enough Rank Ruler mages to compose an army, much less Saints.”
“It makes sense...”
“Generally, Rulers are intended to command large armies from a distance, so that if the enemy makes use of a very powerful mage, the Ruler can quickly resolve the situation and avoid many casualties. Saints in turn are very rare on the battlefield, they are beings so powerful that they usually have their wishes respected and can remain in civil and war-free regions, as long as they are ready for a crisis situation and respond to the emperor when such a situation arises.”
“Are they some kind of secret weapon then?”
“I think you can define it like that...”
“Amazing!”
The kids all look at Roxy with their eyes shining with excitement, after all, their director is one of those amazing beings. Affected by the children's awe and curiosity, Roxy pushes the topic a little further.
“In the army, it is said that the presence of Saints on the battlefield is a sign of bad omen.”
“Bad omen, why?”
“Saints are only invoked by the emperor when there is no other way and their power is extremely necessary. Imagine a situation that only a Saint can resolve, any kind of situation like that would be scary, don't you think?”
“Yes, it would be something really terrible...”
“So, on the battlefield, the most common are lower-rank mages, often mages who do not have much training.”
Roxy became quiet for a few seconds as if remembering her years on the battlefield.
“Professor Roxy, so why not end it all with a single attack? If the Saints are so powerful, why not move a lot of mages of that level and dominate large regions?”
What Muher had said made sense from a practical point of view, the Levimus empire saw their enemies of the Leviathan empire only as insects, so why not carry out a big mass attack, kill as many mages as possible, and take territories quickly.
“The same could be said for the enemy, couldn't it? There is a fundamental reason to maintain balance even when our nations are at war.”
“A reason?”
“Even with our empires at war, there are zones where this war takes place, just think that even in decades of war the main cities of the empire were never conquered, they were not even attacked. The same can be said of the enemy. This is due to an unwritten agreement between nations.”
“An unwritten agreement, what would that be?”
“The nation of Leviathan has an emperor and three protectors, they are distributed throughout the empire's territory, on account of this, no nation dares to even approach these regions, these protectors usually do not answer to the emperor, they do not answer to anyone, but their presence is enough to avoid conflicts on a global scale. Thus maintaining a balance between nations, even if those nations are at war.”
“Three protectors?”
“Yes, Levimus' empire also has its protectors, everyone here knows that, don't you all?”
All students immediately understand what Roxy is saying, after all, all nobles and non-nobles in the empire know the figures that protect the empire.
“The 5 Sages of Levimus.”
One of the children answers it.
“Exactly. Sages are mages who have completely transcended the human concept, even time bows before them, decreasing its flow in their presence so much that allow them to live for centuries, they are the ones who maintain order in the current world, even at war. Their presence allows times and places of peace, allows a city like this to prosper, and allows the vast majority of the population to live far from a battlefield, engaging in mundane pursuits like agriculture and manufacturing. They are the last line of defense of any nation, and because of their existence, none of both empires plan a mass attack, as that would involve conflict with them.”
“The Leviathan empire has 3 Sages then, but doesn't that mean we could defeat them?”
“They have 4 Sages, just like Levimus' empire, their emperor is also a Sage. But even if our number is greater, a war would be impossible, it is not known the proportions that such a war would take, nor the impacts it would have on the world. We are talking about beings that could be considered Gods from our perspective. And none of them would risk a situation like that, none of them want to lose their life in battle against other Sages, or completely annihilate the life of the people in their territory, and as they are not obliged to answer to the emperor's orders, they would have no obligation to enter a conflict of this proportions. For them to remain in their domain and live their lives as they see fit is much more interesting and this is in common agreement with the empire.”
“So, we're safe thanks to their simple existence?”
“Yes, that's how much their power means. The 5 Sages of the empire of Lavimur, represented by the elders of the 4 great families of the empire and the emperor of Lavimus are the reason for the existence of the empire and also the reason for the Levimus empire having the largest territory in the world, since we are the nation with the largest number of Sages.”
The noble children then show pride on their faces after hearing Roxy, the very concept of nobility is due to the existence of these individuals, the 4 main families of Levimus have this position because of their elders protecting them.
“However...”
Roxy then stops her sentence before continuing, which makes some kids curious.
However, the Emperor is getting old, and even a Sage has a limit of permanence in this world, there are still rumors that his health condition has been degrading. If the emperor dies, he who is the anchor of the empire... I cannot imagine what this power vacuum could cause in the course of the world.
After contemplating for a few minutes, Roxy continues speaking.
“It's too early for you all, the important thing is for you to become strong, this is the contribution you have to offer to the empire.”
Even though she says these words in such a monotone voice that it seems like not even Roxy agrees with it, the kids respond enthusiastically.
"Yes!"
Roxy's class goes through a few more aspects of the war and then moves toward its end.
“That's all for today, I ask you to go to the practical classes shed now.”
As the kids start to get out of their chairs.
“Mia, Rose, Elia and Frederica. You four stay, I have something to discuss.”
When all the children finish leaving, Roxy goes to the 4 who were waiting next to the door.
“Professor Yuki asked me to deliver these letters to you.”
“Hmm?”
Roxy then hands each of the girls a letter.
“As he would be away for a few days, he prepared a personal training plan for you, any questions you have, you can contact me.”
“Wow, it's super detailed... how does he know I have difficulties with area spells?”
“It's true, there are even the best times to practice each thing.”
Roxy then smiles at the girls as they read the instructions.
“He may have that eccentric behavior of his, giving the impression that he doesn't care about anything, but he definitely watched all of you during this time and thought of the best ways to make you all stronger.”
When Roxy finishes talking, the 4 girls are smiling at her. Rose then addresses Roxy holding the letter very affectionately.
“Yes, we know. He really cares about us, doesn't he?”
“Yes.”
“We will follow the instructions of the letter, Professor Roxy, and please let us know of any news from Professor Yukiko!”
“I will.”
Then they all went to the training shed.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
At the end of the training, after Roxy dismissed the students, the only one still present in the shed was Onix.
“You could have rest for today. After all that, your reserves must be low, Mr. Onix.”
“Yes, but I can't stand still, soon they'll catch up to me. I have to get stronger, even if I... even if I can't go very far.”
“I see.”
“How is Csezar?”
“He will recover, but it will take a few days.”
“Can I ask you something, Professor Clairus?”
“What is it?”
“What is your goal? Do you have one?”
“Why do you ask? Are you looking for one, just like he recommended?”
“You heard?”
“No, but I figured he'd say something like that to you.”
“Got it, I just... I don't know what else I should do. When I was born, I was told that I could maybe inherit the house, but then they said it wouldn't be necessary since my brothers were more competent. Then, I was told that I would marry one of the daughters in the branches of the family, but after they evaluated my ability as a mage, they forbade me to marry within the family. Lastly, my option to gain some merit as a mage in the war has been taken away from me to, I just don't know what else to do...”
“I'm sorry, but I can't help you choose your future, Onix.”
“He had said the same...?!”
Onix gets surprised because, for the first time, his older sister calls him by his first name informally.
“But I can give you some advice.”
“What would it be?”
“You only told me about the orders given to you by the family, at no time you talked about what you want. Those orders aren't choices you lost, they were orders you didn't carry out, choices are something we decide for ourselves, they are not decided for us.”
Onix listened to Roxy's advice until the end.
“You asked about my goal, didn't you?”
“Yes...”
“I don't care about the Clairus, I was even about to abandon that name.”
“What? Why?”
“Everything they ever asked of me throughout my life was excellence. I could not inherit the family because I am a woman, so in this situation, we are similar. Soon I had two options, either marry some idiot or become strong. I chose the second one and when I had good results, they started treating me completely differently. They were proud to call me Clairus, they even started calling me to events. I thought I would feel fulfilled with that, after all, it was all I ever wanted, but you know what I felt in the end?”
“What?”
“Disgust.”
“…?!”
“They always treated me like trash for being born a woman, those same parents who didn't even want to see my face, now inviting me to dinners to show me off to others, how disgusting can they be? It was then that I realized something. During the war I was able to watch many of my companions wishing with all their strength to return to their homes, fearing the day of their death from coming before returning home, meanwhile, all I wanted was to stay there, because the Clairus never gave me a place to return to.”
“A place to return to...”
“So, I thought about abandoning that name, but in the end, it is useful for many things, a Clairus can enter several places, you know? Because of that, I made a deal with our father, having that name was interesting to me and my fame was interesting to them, so we agreed not to have any more relationships and the family not to contact me anymore.”
“That's why you never came back...”
“Yes, so what I can say, Onix, is that for a good part of my life, I also lived without any purpose, without any objective, I just sought to be stronger. No, that's wrong, I was looking for something, I was looking for… a place I would be longing to go back to.”
“A place...”
Before finishing his sentence, Onix was surprised by the scene in front of his eyes. Roxy who was always the example of coldness and discipline in his mind, was smiling, a truly beautiful smile.
“That's when I met him...”
“Him?”
“Did you ask me what my goal is?”
“Yes...”
“My goal is to follow by his side, regardless of the adversity, to follow by his side, because today I have a place to go back to. And one day, I want to be the same for him.
“Are you talking about Professor Yukiko?”
“Yes.”
“After all, who is he?”
“You'll find out soon enough. But as for your goal, it's something that in the end, you need to discover for yourself, Onix.”
“He told me something.”
“Hmm?”
“He told me that he would be able to take me to Gold, even with my core in this state.”
“Hmm? So, he said that.”
“Yes... isn't crazy? As if that was even possible.”
“If it's him, maybe it is.”
“What?!”
“No, I'm wrong.”
“Ah... yes of course.”
“If it's him, it's certainly possible.”
“Hmm?”
Onix then glares at Roxy, thinking maybe it's a joke, but her expression is serious as always.
“Think about your future calmly, Onix. That's all I can say to help you. Good luck.”
Roxy then leaves the shed, behind her is an extremely thoughtful boy who needs to define his destiny.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
A couple of days after the events that led to the hospitalization of the student council president, the matter was starting to cool down, both due to the days that had already passed and the event that was going to happen soon.
“He certainly won't show up, there are two days left for the dispute, he must have run away and won't come back.”
“I think so too.”
Some students in Class 1 discuss the event that would take place in two days, while a group of 4 students gets ready to interfere at any moment.
“He'll show up, of course, he will!”
Rose is the first to speak after she can't stand being silent any longer.
“Hmm? Don't talk nonsense, and you're just a commoner, don't meddle.”
One of the boys then gets up and threatens to go there.
“Oh? She can't speak because she's a commoner? In that case, can I?”
“Miss Rosenfold?!”
“Then, I can't either? Will you shut me up?”
“No! No way Miss Rosenfold.”
The students then sit down again and now change the subject.
“Thank you, Mia.”
“Do not worry, Rose! But these conversations are starting to piss me off, he could just show up and end this.”
“Yes, it would solve all these problems.”
“Hmm, do you miss him, Frederica?”
“What?! Of course not! Well, not that I'm not... but not like that! Aren't you the one missing him, Mia?”
“Yes, I am, very much...”
“You really have no shame...”
“The match is in two days, will he be able to arrive on time?”
Elia interrupts them due to her concern.
“He will, I know he will.”
The girls then smile due to Rose's serious expression. In the last few days, the 4 girls have grown much closer to each other and constantly end up getting involved in confusions like the ones they were in just now, the only reason things don't get more complicated is the presence of Mia, who uses her name to calm things down.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The day before the contest event, Roxy starts finishing her class.
“Well, we can finish here today. Tomorrow due to the event there will be no classes.”
A student immediately raises his hand.
“Professor Roxy, will Professor Yukiko arrive on time?”
The student is one of the non-nobles in the room, who has come to admire Yukiko after some time.
“Yes, he will.”
Roxy's decisive answer is enough to surprise all the students, but none dare to doubt the mage's words.
“Well, that's it. You are dismissed.”
The students then begin to pack their things and calmly leave the room.
In the halls of the academy, Onix makes his way to his dorm.
Is he really going to show up? After all that show, he's not just going to disappear, is he? He said he'd take me to Gold even… and to think I'd missed those ridiculous pranks… wait… do I miss him?
“It looks like the little mouse is going back to his dorm?”
Onix is interrupted by a familiar voice, as he lifts his face, he comes across his brother.
“Brother Csezar...”
“You seem surprised, it seems that without your protector your confidence is gone.”
“Confidence?”
“The way you kept walking freely around the academy even after what happened to me, how confident can you be?”
Csezar starts walking towards Onix when suddenly a girl enters between the two.
“Onix! Professor Roxy asked us about a war question from 400 years ago, can you help us?”
Rose appears between the two and addresses Onix.
“Oh?”
“Girl, what are you doing? You are disturbing me!”
Just as Csezar is about to force Rose away, another girl appears between them.
“Sorry, Mr. Csezar. Mr. Onix is excellent in these matters, so we thought we'd ask him for help!”
When Mia appears, Csezar retreats for a moment because of the girl's family. Soon after, Elia and Frederica also appear behind Onix.
“Miss Rosenfold, I didn't know you knew my younger brother, but I need to talk to him personally. Even if you want his help, you'll have to wait...”
“Csezar! I told you not to pester him again!”
“Uncle Emanoel!”
“Go to your room and rest, you're not completely recovered yet!”
“... Yes sir.”
After Emanoel's appearance, Csezar lowers his head, clenches his fists, and heads to his room.
“Sorry for the rudeness of my nephew, Miss Rosenfold.”
“Don't worry, Professor Clairus, it was no big deal.”
“Excuse me, but I'm leaving. And don't worry, starting next week you will have a worthy responsible teacher.”
Emanoel turns and starts to walk away, meanwhile, Mia clenches her fists, wanting to contest Emanoel's claim, but knowing it's not the best choice right now.
“We already have a worthy teacher and we will continue with him, thanks.”
The one who interrupts Emanoel's departure is Rose.
“Hmm?”
“Rose, you better not annoy him!”
The other girls try to calm Rose down, but in the meantime, Mia smiles a little.
“She's right, Sir Clairus. We already have a worthy teacher, thank you very much, but we don't need another one!”
When Mia finishes her speech, all the other girls were looking scared at Emanoel.
“Children still don't know much about the world, when you start taking my classes, you'll change your mind.”
Then he turns around and continues his exit. He was leaving the girls and Onix behind.
“I thought he would be angrier...”
“Yeah, he was surprisingly understandable, wasn't he?”
“Yeah... hmm?”
When Rose turns around to answer the comment she just heard, she finds Yukiko.
“Professor!”
All the students are startled by Yukiko's sudden appearance.
“Yes?”
“When are you? How?”
Frederica tries to put her indignation into words, but she can't. Mia interrupts to help her.
“When did you come back?”
“Now, I was going to Maria's room when I came across this encounter, so I decided to observe. Very interesting.”
“Observe? Why didn't you intervene?”
“I wanted to see how you would act, it is also a teacher's job to teach independence to his students.”
“That's... ok, I feel like I should have expected that from you.”
“You all did very well to help your colleague, I'm proud!”
The girls blush and smile at Yukiko's words.
“Why did you all help me?”
Next, is Onix who interrupts.
“Hmm... Professor Yuki helped you last time, so I figured it would be the right thing to do. And you're also our classmate, so it makes sense to help you out.”
Rose answers Onix without a second thought. After thinking for a few moments, Onix responds to Rose's statement.
“I understand. Thanks.”
“Hmm! You're welcome!”
“Professor!”
Frederica addresses Yukiko.
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Sorry for not defending you as well as Rose and Mia, we were silent during Professor Clairus' taunt.”
“Yes, we're sorry!”
Elia and Frederica apologize.
“Don't worry, it's necessary to be calm and analyze the situation, you two were the calmest and saw that it was better not to risk making Emanoel angry, you did the right thing! Very good!”
“You mean Rose and I were impulsive?”
“For sure! Think more about how to act, he is a dangerous man!”
“Aren't you the guy who will fight to the death with him tomorrow for putting his nephew in a coma?”
“The fight is for the right to be your teacher, putting his nephew in a coma was just another detail that irritated him.”
After being perplexed for a few moments, the girls start laughing.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
After talking for a while, with Yukiko not providing any details of where he's been these days, the girls say goodbye and head back to their rooms. Only Yukiko and Onix remain in the hallway. Perhaps because they felt that the boy had something to say to Yukiko, they withdrew a little earlier than they wanted to.
“Want to go to the dorms, Onix? I need to get something to drink.”
“Hmm? Sure.”
The two of them start walking through the academy's corridors, in a region that Onix never had been in, until Yukiko stops in front of a door and gets inside.
“Hum, is this?”
“My room.”
“Wait, is it ok for me to go into a Professor’s room?”
“If the professor is inviting you, of course, it is ok.”
Yukiko then tells Onix to sit anywhere he wants and starts preparing some tea. Onix goes to a place that looks like a tea table with some chairs and sofas around, sitting in one of the chairs. The place is relatively small, the area they were in was composed of a small kitchen and two tables, one for the tea and one dining table. There were more two doors visible, one probably for the bathroom and one for the bedroom. Yukiko then hands over one cup to Onix and sits down on one of the sofas available.
“Thanks...”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“ ...”
What do I want? At this point what I want is to be his student, I already realized that, but for that, I need to provide a worthy goal...
“If I say that my goal is to be your student, it wouldn't be enough, right?”
“Sorry, but it wouldn't be. I won't say I wouldn't be happy, but it wouldn't be enough to fulfill my requirement.”
After Yukiko's answer, Onix keeps looking down and thinking about how to continue.
“Professor, for you, what would be a person who never made any choices in his life? He was always presented with paths to follow, but when they judged that he was not capable, these paths were removed from him and new ones were placed until none more existed. What would a person like that be to you?”
“A puppet.”
“Yeah, I think so too. I've always been a puppet.”
“Didn't you decide to come to the academy by yourself?”
“I thought so too, but then I understood that no, what I'm doing is still according to my parents' wishes, they expect me to graduate and die in the war, or be killed right here in the academy. That's why they didn't stop me from coming and they didn't scold my brother for trying to kill me. In the end, even with my strings cut, I'm still dancing to their will... ridiculous, don't you think?”
“I don't know if I would call it ridiculous, after all, there was a lot of your effort on the way and I don't want to make fun of it, but it's definitely tragic.”
“I see, it's a kind point of view.”
After a few moments of silence, where Onix seemed to think about every moment of his life until there. Yukiko addresses him.
“What is your goal, Onix?”
“...”
I already told you, I'm a puppet, I don't have a worthy goal like those girls. All I ever wanted was to be a useful puppet for my parents, even knowing they never felt a thing for me, but in the end, I was never accepted as worthy. So, I have nothing, absolutely nothing...
“I don't have one.”
Yukiko continues to stare at the boy who keeps looking down.
“I don't have one... that's why... I want one. I want to find my purpose, find a reason to go on, a reason to live. Would that desire be enough?”
Seconds pass, but for Onix, it feels like hours. After taking a sip of his tea, Yukiko answers.
“That's enough.”
“?!”
“I said that it is enough, it can also be considered a Professor's job to teach about life and the beauty of this world, right? I will help you find that goal but don't think that I will give it to you, it will never happen, you will have to decide for yourself, but I will support you on the journey there.”
After Yukiko finishes his approval, Onix starts to cry lightly.
“Thanks.”
“Don't worry, it's like I told you, you don't have to decide today or tomorrow, you're still just a child, Onix.”
Yukiko puts his hand on Onix's head, then the boy starts crying without holding back, and for the first time in his life, he takes a step by himself.