The day passed with me correcting their spell formations. Wherever they’d learned them, they hadn’t learned them very well. The traditional shield spell they were using had suboptimal spell components in them. I wrote out the proper spell formula on sheets of parchment and handed them out to my new students. Those things were probably worth a fortune, actually. It would be best to make some money soon using my knowledge…

A worry for later. For now, I wrapped up the class and headed back to my apartment. I hadn’t made it more than ten feet when Morgan had placed a hand on my elbow to stop me.

“Professor? I was wondering how old you are?” She asked, smiling coquettishly.

“I’m old enough to teach and young enough to stay alive,” I said noncommittally, smiling back at her. It was a teacher’s smile that said I’m humoring you, student. Honestly I had no idea. People tend not to think of their age in significant memories, believe it or not. And appearance was no indicator anymore either, not with magic in play. I moved to pull away, but Arthur was on my other side now as I turned to leave.

“Professor, I wanted to say thank you. I’m really looking forward to the class,” He said earnestly, once more frowning like the words took considerable effort.

“Sure thing, kiddo. Happy to help,” I said. I’d probably have to work on the sage elder role when I wasn’t teaching. Oh well.

“I was wondering, you spent some time teaching us better shield spells. Could you show me some of the other ones you mentioned? Or tell me how to discover them in the first circle?” He asked hopefully.

I stopped and turned to face him, ignoring Morgana on my other side, still trying to keep up.

“Arthur, you can’t beg for spells like that,” She mocked him. I ignored her. I didn’t like her, and yet she had all the qualities of a person I’d like: pretty, intelligent, hard working, and seemingly eager for my approval. That was a winning combo in my book, and yet I didn’t like her as I spent more time with her. It was probably due to who she was. This was a pain. I’d do my best to be nice to her, but this was making it hard.

On the other hand, I felt the need to go out of my way to teach and help Arthur. I didn’t like it when Fate interfered with my business, and this was something that was actively putting my life in danger. I grunted, irritated, and both students took it as my being irritated with them, apologizing profusely. I held up a hand to stop them.

“Stop it. I was thinking about something else, not your petty squabble.” I started, “Arthur, I will not demonstrate the spells for you. In fact, I will likely not cast any spells in front of the class from here on out. A bird doesn’t learn to fly with its mother. You're in the first circle. Stay there for now. What’s the specialization you’re most interested in?” I asked him.

“Physical Empowerment of self,” he answered dutifully. Horrible choice.

“Wrong answer. If I find you have a spell formation in your knowledge with a target of self that isn’t a healing spell of some kind, I’m going to kill you,” I said. In truth, killing them both right here might solve a lot of future problems… No, Merlin would kick the living shit out of me right now. I was a fly on his toilet. Maybe in the future, once I’d built up something of a powerbase, I could do it. I’d also need to take on more students. If I was Archmage, would everything count as my student? Probably. Nine students, especially these nine, was useless. My odds of success were horrible. I’d need to prepare.

Arthur’s eyes widened at my words.

“Metaphorically speaking, of course. Your specialization is now Physical Empowerment in an Area. You’re a noble, right?” He always was. He nodded.

“You’ll collect knights. Those knights will fight on your behalf. You’ll be a better leader if you can buff them up. Do you understand? You’ll sacrifice a small amount of personal fighting power for exceptional group combat abilities. One day that’ll be the difference between your life and death. Don’t forget it,” I said. It was advice Arthur had likely never received before, and I felt slightly sick after saying it.

“And you, Morgan, are focusing on entirely…” I trailed off, my mind foggy for a moment, “I… forget what I was saying. Morgan, I’ll see you on Thursday.” I was off and moving before either had a chance to respond.

I didn’t like it when people meddled with me. I was already angry at Fate for what it’d been doing to my words, so I was suitably pissed off when I felt the effects of a Sleep spell knock me on my ass and darkness closed in just a block from my apartment.

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I awoke to a crowd of people surrounding me, each one in dark robes that covered their bodies and wearing a dark mask that covered their face. The tangy taste of some plant was on my tongue, most likely something that would prevent me from casting any magic. A perfect excuse to not cast any.

My hands were tied to the arms of a chair, my feet tied to the legs. What a pain. I struggled and gave a good show of it, but it was futile and I knew it. I might have to do something I couldn’t undo if that was the case.

“Hm. It appears you have me at your mercy,” I said dryly. One of the larger figures spoke.

“That’s right, Blackwood. We do. Think you’re hot shit cuz you killed a troll?” He said. I was pretty sure it was a he.

“No, I’m pretty sure the troll is hot shit now. Did you happen to see the scorched head?” I arched an eyebrow at him, and he bristled. One of the other hooded figures elbowed the big man in the gut and stepped forward.

“Now, now, Magnus, we don’t actually mean you any harm. You see, we are an elite organization of teachers here at Avalon. Your credentials were rather impressive to us even before you got here, and the ballsy display of magic in front of the class was enough to turn heads,” This woman, clearly of a pleasing shape even under the baggy robe, said. Her voice flowed like silk over my ears. This wasn’t a spell, though, this was something far more insidious. There was no mana, no telltale sign of magic. It was delicious. I needed her as my student at some point. A goddess of lust would be relatively easy to create, actually. Or at least a demon, which would likely satisfy Loki’s requirements just as well. Something to consider, anyways. I frowned in mock confusion.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“You saw my magic?” I asked, apparently fearful. The group nodded.

“Indeed, and it was satisfactory. A troll is no easy opponent,” She said. Okay, this was amusing at minimum.

“Spies among the students?” I asked, terrified. She shook her head.

“We have eyes everywhere Magnus,” Except, apparently, East Field. “We just wanted to introduce ourselves to the newcomer. The annual Tournament is coming up in a half year’s time. If you perform adequately in that, there may be an invitation coming your way.”

My eyes widened in mock surprise, and I let a hopeful look onto my face.

“Truly? That would be an honor,” I said earnestly, any trace of the previously sardonic sense of humor gone completely. With any luck, I’d come across as witty but power-hungry, a person with a spine but who would never hold grudges when power could be obtained. The group snickered at me. Whether or not they believed what I’d wanted them to believe was up for debate, but they clearly didn’t fear me. That was fine. The fear would come later, with respect. I wasn’t someone to be feared right now, not really.

“We’re glad to hear it,” Another hooded figure said. I didn’t have a read on this one, but they had a raspy voice. I filed them under the name Rasp. Leader girl went under Lust, and big guy went under Mr. Big. It was good enough for now. My eyes grew heavier as the sleep magic wound its way into my mind and darkness surrounded me once again.

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I woke up in my bed to Siegfried looking at me worriedly.

“Sir! I received a missive that I was needed at the mayor’s office, and when I came back you were collapsed on the ground in the family room!” He exclaimed. I groaned and sat up in the bed.

“So you put me to bed before waking me, Siegfried?” I asked, smiling slightly. He turned red.

“You… needed some rest, Sir. It doesn’t take a fool to know you were messing with some magic last night instead of sleeping,” He said pointedly. Fair point, and it was my turn to redden.

“Sieg, I’m a professor of magic, now. I’ve got to spend time preparing for every single class,” I said, throwing back the covers and swinging out of bed. Siegfried fussed over them and remade the bed.

“What time is it?” I asked, the older man having taken my belongings and placed them somewhere else.

“Half past nine, sir,” Siegfried informed me, so I had slept for a few hours. My class had gone from 10am to 4:30, and I’d been jumped around 4:45 or 5. The interaction with the group had only taken a few minutes, which meant that I’d been asleep for around 4 hours all told. That was annoying. I had things to do. I hurriedly got dressed and made my way downstairs, Siegfried protesting the whole way. I stopped and turned to the older man.

“Siegfried. I appreciate your concern, but I’ve handled worse. I’m a grown man.” I thought back to some of the key memories I’d seen in Magnus, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Do you remember the time you escorted me to the den of that Harpy nest?” I asked, and Siegfried nodded.

“I can promise you that these people are far less dangerous than that was, and look how I turned out,” I said, giving my servant a reassuring smile. His shoulders sagged slightly.

“I-I know, Sir. It’s hard, sometimes, to remember that you’ve grown so old. I’m not of your world, you know… Sometimes I scarcely believe that your parents even sent me up with you,” Ah. So that was it.

There were a lot of different realms, but they generally fell under one of five categories: The Infernal Realms, the Elemental Realms, the Lower Realms, the Higher Realms, the Fey Realms, and the Divine Realms. Mortals could be found on any realm, but they were most prominent in the Lower Realms and Higher Realms. Demons and Devils occupied the Infernal Realms, elementals in the Elemental Realms, the Fey in the Fey Realms, and the Divine in the Divine Realms. It made sense. Travel between the realms was cost-prohibitive, and Avalon Academy was located on a Higher Realm. Blackwood was a fine noble house, but relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Sending a servant alongside Magnus would have been expensive, but I knew that the man meant a lot to Magnus.

Siegfried was feeling insecure about the investment, and I needed to do something about it sooner rather than later. I didn’t remove my hand from his shoulder yet.

“Siegfried, my world is your world. You’re a talented man, and you’re loyal. That’s something that all the magic in the world can’t buy.” Another lie. Magic was excellent at ensuring loyalty. I meant it though that I appreciated him. I’d find a use for him, preferably soon. In fact, setting him somewhere away from the house would actually be incredibly beneficial. So far, I’d done fine as Magnus. As time went on, though, the differences would be much more obvious, especially to a man like Siegfried who had spent so much time with the former owner of my body.

Tears welled up in Siegfried’s eyes, and he enveloped me in his arms.

“Sir!” He exclaimed, and I smiled. I’d always had a soft spot for kindly old men.

“Siegfried, if you’re really wanting to join my world in a different way…” I started, and he nodded. I continued, “You could learn a skill that would be useful on the Higher Realms?” I didn’t know which one.

“Which one?” He asked. Well, this was a pickle.

“I’ll have to think on it, Siegfried. For now, though, I need you to procure a map of the area. Could you find me some significant contacts? I’d like to discuss enchanting and alchemical works with them,” I said. It was a simple project that he definitely couldn’t fuck up, and it would give me useful info while keeping him out of my hair. It should buy me a day or so at least.

“Actually, sir, I’ve already done that,” He said, striding over to a desk and pulling out a map of Avalon, “I acquired this map at the mayor’s office and got a list of the relevant guilds, their guild masters, and who the point of contacts would be for buying, selling, or general entry.”

Well I’ll be damned. I clapped the man on the back, sending him forward slightly.

“Well done, Siegfried!” I said. He gave me a slight smile.

“It’s the same project you always have me do, sir. Though I appreciate the praise.” Hm. Maybe Magnus and I were more alike than I’d thought. Or maybe he was influencing me somehow. I shrugged.

“Well in that case, could you please set up meetings with each of them? Vet them and pick two enchanters and two alchemists. I’d like to sell them a few items,” I explained, pulling out a few sheets of parchment that I’d drawn some designs on and written a list of items. I handed them over and sat down.

“Now, Siegfried, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.” This next project would be a pain in the ass, but it’d make me a fuckload of money.

“Right away, sir. I’ll see you in the morning.”