AN: Only now do I realise how hard it is to write, when you have a protagonist (Ama), deuteragonist (Mercio), and a tritagonist (Sam). Writing different POVs is fairly complicated. The next chapter or two will be a bit slice of life-ish before more adventure time begins. In the meantime, enjoy, and thanks for the 3.5k average views! You guys rock!

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As Amaterasu entered the principal’s office, she noticed the vast amounts of mana that radiated in many different colours. She could easily see the powerful mana due to her body of an elf and her nature as a goddess, even if she was a lesser one. Amaterasu could sense that the one giving off this mana was an extremely powerful mage because it was nearly suffocating her. Her ears began twitching back and forth incredibly quickly, since elf ears were the most sensitive to mana.

???: [Hoh. So you can sense this, right? We have a sensitive lady right here. Here, I’ll make this easier for you.]

With a snap of his fingers, the unknown person lifted the pressure that he exerted on Amaterasu. Gazing upon the room, she noticed that it was dimly lit by candles and that there were no windows for light to come through. The whole room was covered by a red rug, about 10 by 10 metres in dimension. In the middle of the room was a man in his fifties who was sitting in a wool couch that was located behind an enormous wooden desk. He was casually blowing smoke rings while holding a gorgeously made black tobacco pipe. Its design screamed ‘antique’ to Amaterasu. The man was ruffling his short, grey hair with his hand as he was alternating his glare between the pipe and Amaterasu herself.

Amaterasu: ‘If he grows out his hair and wears a wizard’s hat and robe, he would kind of look like Gandalf. This must be the headmaster.’

Headmaster: [Greetings, young lass. My name is Tyrus and I’m the headmaster – or principal – of this academy. What brings you here? I’m assuming that you’re not going to be a student, seeing as your power is formidable already.]

Amaterasu: [Hello, my name is Amaterasu. I’ve heard that there is a spot open for a teacher and I wanted to apply–]

Tyrus: [You’re hired.]

Amaterasu: [Oh, okay… wait, what? Already?]

Tyrus chuckled before he continued the conversation.

Tyrus: [Of course. Most of the teachers can’t even sense my mana, let alone to the degree that you were able to. Even if you’re an elf, you’ve already built up so much power… I can even sense the mana that you’re leaking. It feels so… concentrated. Like something I’ve never seen before. Truly peculiar. I wouldn’t be surprised if you surpass me in the near future.]

Amaterasu: [I-is that so? If that’s the case, when do I start?]

Tyrus: [Hmm. I’m sure you’ve heard about this already, but the human kingdom managed to summon heroes. If I’m correct, they’ll be sent here tomorrow… alright, I’ve decided that you’ll be their teacher. Maybe it’s for the best.]

Amaterasu: [What do you mean by that?]

Tyrus: [Well, I’m not really sure what kind of potential they hold. It’s best to have an elf teach them anyways, since you know more about magic than we do. It’s very possible that they might have access to all the elements… yes, I think you’re the best match for the job.]

Amaterasu: ‘I don’t even know what he’s planning. All he does is mutter to himself.’

Amaterasu: […Alright. In exchange, can I make a request?]

Tyrus’ brows shot up and his eyes’ gaze was laid on Amaterasu.

Tyrus: [What is it?]

Amaterasu: [Can you transfer the five most talented students, when it comes to combat, into my class?]

Tyrus: [Hoh… I do not see why not. It could benefit them to learn from an elf. Might even change the way they use magic.]

Amaterasu: [So it’s fine?]

Tyrus: [No complaints from my end.]

Amaterasu: [I see… then I’ll come tomorrow again.]

Tyrus waved Amaterasu off before beginning to puff the tobacco pipe again. Amaterasu just stood at the entrance to the room for a couple more seconds before turning around and opening the white wooden door. After exiting, Amaterasu couldn’t help but sigh dejectedly.

Amaterasu: ‘What a weird old man. That conversation was awkward as hell. Well, I guess I’ll start looking for the god tomorrow. I really wish I was S rank, though. It wouldn’t even take a day to find them. I can’t help but think that this is some sort of test for me.’

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The two long swords clashed as the noise of the impact vibrated in the air. One of the long swords shifted to add additional weight onto the other, causing the user to fall. A pair of red eyes looked down on him. The boy lying on the ground unconsciously shivered.

Instructor: [Stop, stop, stop! It’s clear who the winner here is! We can now end this practice.]

The students began to pack up their equipment. The sword instructor stood with his arms crossed for a moment before unravelling them and walking up to Mercio.

Instructor: [That was a great performance from you as always, young lad!]

Mercio: [It’s all thanks to teacher that I was able to perform well.]

Instructor: [Nonsense. I’m only there to guide you. You have incredibly high talent. It’s a shame that this will be the last day teaching you.]

Mercio was taken aback by his instructor’s words.

Mercio: [What do you mean by ‘last day’?]

Instructor: [Well, you haven’t been informed yet, but you’re transferring classes. You see, I was informed by the headmaster that a teacher has arrived today to teach the heroes. You’re going to be transferred in the same class with them.]

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Mercio: [But why? Wouldn’t I have to learn the basics again?]

The instructor simply shrugged his shoulders.

Instructor: [I don’t know the details. I did hear that the new teacher is incredibly talented though, so you might learn something new.]

Mercio nodded his head back in reply.

Mercio: [Thanks for teaching me all this time. I could only become stronger thanks to you.]

Instructor: [Alright, alright already. You can go.]

Mercio packed up his equipment and faced the direction to his dorm.

Mercio: ‘…New teacher, huh?’

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Later, in the palace bedroom…

Sam: [Chinchen, what do you think about this?]

Chinchen: [It feels natural to me actually, and I don’t know why myself. I’m sorry that I stole leadership from you though.]

Sam shifted over in his bed.

Sam: [Nah, don’t worry about it. I didn’t care for it. Anyways, what do you think about magic? Is it surreal or what?]

Chinchen was looking at the ceiling with his hands placed behind his head.

Chinchen: [On the contrary, it’s extremely fascinating. I hope that we get a good teacher tomorrow. I want to research the magic of this world and develop it further. Don’t you think that this is our chance? We can become something even more, especially with our knowledge from our former world! Doesn’t it excite you?]

Sam: [I guess. I just wish that my close friends were here with me and not… well… dead.]

Chinchen: [Your friends?]

Sam: [Yeah. They both died in two traffic accidents on two separate occasions… within a month from each other.]

Chinchen: [T-that sounds like what you’d hear in superstitious rumours. Didn’t we die as well? I wonder if it was an engine failure. I didn’t really pay attention.]

Sam: ‘No, it wasn’t an engine failure. We got fucking annihilated by a flying truck.’

Sam: [Anyways, goodnight. I’m going to sleep]

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Amaterasu: [So, heroes, huh?]

Amaterasu was currently walking towards the small, blue building located in the center of the academy. This building was specially built in anticipation for the arrival of the heroes, so it was designed purposefully to be used to train combat skills. It had all sorts of weaponry, from daggers to crossbows to pole arms, as well a magic field that was surrounded by a barrier that withstood most spells. There was also a classroom, filled with seats, that was to be used for lecture purposes. Usually, a teacher would start off with a lecture on how to use a particular weapon, or a spell, and that would force the students to put the theory into practice.

Deep in thought, Amaterasu didn’t notice that she had already reached the classroom inside the building. Hesitating for a second, she used her right hand to pull down the handle of the brown wooden door. Entering the classroom, she noticed that it was pretty desolate, save for five people sitting at their desks.

Amaterasu: [It seems that the heroes are running late. We’ll wait for them before starting the lesson.]

Though Amaterasu did not hear any sound from the students, but she could see all of them nodding their heads in approval.

Amaterasu: ‘Come to think about it, the red-eyed boy that I met yesterday is also here. That means that he’s talented, huh? I wonder if the stomach ache didn’t trouble him too much. I could’ve healed him if he has asked for it. Wonder why he’s closing his eyes and sitting in a lotus position. Is it a type of training?’

A couple of minutes later, Amaterasu heard footsteps outside, except these footsteps were as if though a flock of elephants was stampeding through the halls. The door was violently yanked open as a group of people poured into the classroom. A student walked up to her, out of breath.

Chinchen: [Sorry that we’re late. It took a while to find this building in the cluster of other buildings.]

But Amaterasu didn’t pay attention to the student that walked up in front of her. Her gaze was fixated on a single person so intensely that she didn’t notice another person leaping up, doing the same.

Amaterasu: ‘W-why is Sam here?’

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Mercio was sitting inside of the classroom. He was the first to arrive, because he was excited to obtain special training from the “Hero Instructor.” It was then that Mercio noticed that the door was wide open, and that a beautiful blonde elf came in. It was the same person that he encountered yesterday.

Mercio: ‘She’s the instructor? So… young. And now that I look at her again, so… beautiful.’

Fixating his gaze on her, he didn’t notice that she was actually saying something. All he could do was unconsciously nod after she finished her speech.

Mercio: ‘Oh, this is bad. The hormones are running wild in my body again. This has never happened before I met her. What should I do? I wonder if meditating will work.’

Mercio proceeded to sit in the lotus position. It looked fairly ridiculous, and he didn’t know if it’ll work, but it was a worth a shot. He spent several minutes in this position, calming down, before he heard a stampede nearing.

As he heard a wild bang that accompanied the burst of the door being flung open, he opened his eyes, curious to see the heroes that the kingdom had summoned. It was then that his face was paralyzed in confusion, and his jaw dropped faster than lightning. He couldn’t help but leap up to confirm that his eyesight did not lie to him.

Mercio: ‘Is that Sam?’