P.O.V. ???

The soft Light of the magic bookcase created an atmosphere of mystery in one of the many rooms of the academy; I had been locked up in there for a few hours, intent on correcting some of my spupiles' writings.

It was an apparently normal day, when all of a sudden, my magic globe of connection* began to ring, distracting me from my work; I used to receive calls at the most inopportune times, and so I ignored the first call; but then, the damn sphere rang two, three, four times, and at that point, albeit reluctant, I decided to answer: maybe, it was a matter of urgency...

I touched the sphere twice, and at that point, the hologram of the one who was disturbing me appeared in front of me: I thought it was some of my student who had some difficulties, or some colleague who asked me for a hand; for this, I was quite surprised when I saw Ludwig's smiling face in front of me.

"Leo, old friend!" Ludwig exclaimed in a tone of excitement that brought with it a good dose of nostalgia;

"Ludwig! How long has it been!" I exclaimed joyfully, forgetting about my duties at that moment; - "How are you? We haven't heard from each other in a lifetime!"

"Well you know, since I became an administrator, I don't have that much time left..." justified Ludwig, who slightly embarrassed, scratched his head, as he used to do when he felt a little uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, my old man! I too, since I became a professor here at the Academy of the Thousand Magic Arts, I don't have much time to relax. Anyway, what do I owe your call to?" ; I knew my friend well, and judging by his almost suffering expression, I knew he had something to ask me: for this, without going around too much, I cut off the bull's head.

"Well, you see... I don't like to ask you a favor after so long.. But you see, I really need your influence." said Ludwig, with eyes looking for my gaze in unsearing unsaled stories.

"Influence?" I replied, raising an eyebrow – "I don't think the magic can extend that far." i concluded, in a slightly sarcastic tone.

"Don't joke, man.." Ludwig said, snorting slightly – "I really need your help, but you promise me you'll keep it secret..." Ludwig said in a low voice, as if the mere act of pronouncing the word could unleash an invisible wave of intrigue.

"I have a certain friend who has trained two kids with incredible magical potential, and would like to have them admitted to your academy. The latter, however, for reasons I cannot reveal, cannot reveal his identity."

My expression remained the same, but a storm of questions unleashed inside me: Ludwig and I had known each other for some time now, and I knew that he was not used to asking for favors of this kind: what had prompted him this time to ask me for such a special favor?

"Segrecy? Why all this mystery?"

"I can't tell you, Leonard. But trust me when I tell you that I've never seen such talents!" Ludwig insisted, with almost imploring eyes; at the same time, however, judging by his behavior and his slightly flickering voice, I realized that he was not sure of what he was saying either, since on several occasions, he avoided eye contact with me.

"Trusting people is good, but not trusting is better..." I replied, looking at the inkwell on the desk, almost as if the answers I was looking for could emerge from those endless pages of ink – "If you want to keep your friend's identity hidden that's fine, but in addition to the fact that I can't admit two guys without even having seen them, at the moment we are in the middle of the first semester, and you know well that we don't accept new students once the courses start, it goes against the rules, I'm sorry."

It was the rule of our academy, and as such, I would have done everything to respect it, it didn't matter if Ludwig was a long-time friend of mine, the rules exist to be respected and so I would have done.

Ludwig sighed, aware of the challenge he had ahead of him; if I considered myself stoic, Ludwig was more so than I was, and moreover, he was the most skilled of manipulators.

"Leonard, I understand, but their magic is unique. The academy would have a lot to gain from such talent."

"If I had to believe every person who said this sentence to me, to date Mykotos would be teeming with monsters..." - I said in a sarcastic tone, giving a long sigh – "My answer remains no."

My answer was a firm rejection, but Ludwig insited again;

"Leo , you have to understand that these young people are destined for great things! The academy should be their springboard!" Ludwig exclaimed, with a tone of voice worthy of the best street vendor in circulation, with a convinced expression mixed with a hint of despair.

All this bothered me slightly, but at the same time, a certain note of curiosity about the talent of the two boys began to arise inside me: If there was one thing I loved, it was to see young talents grow and prosper, and the fact that Ludwig insisted on their talent, made me begin to fantasize about their talent: I knew that there was something wrong with this whole thing, but at the same time, I really wanted to see if what Ludwig said was true;

"Leonard, do you remember when the Principal took you under his protective wing?" Ludwig suddenly said, thus changing the subject.

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"Of course I remember... It was the best day of my life!" I said in a slightly high tone of voice and letting myself go to the chair, pleasantly remembering the day when the academy's Principal guaranteed my enrollment in the latter.

"So, do you also remember who the credit is if you are there today, right?" said Ludwig, with a mischievous little smile;

"What is it, are you blackmailing me now?" I replied by frowning, instilling a little fear in my friend who, in a hurry, tried to explain himself.

"Hey hey, it's not what you think! What I wanted to say... was that I, more than anyone and even yourself, had believed in your talent by challenging everyone. If I hadn't spurred you, maybe you wouldn't be there today, don't you think? Since you were about to abandon your dream to work at the circus---"

"... WHAT you want to insinuate?" I cut short slightly embarrassed, almost with contempt remembering the madness I was about to do in the midst of my youth, throwing my talent to the nettles;

"That you owe me a favor! I've definitely saved your future, don't you think?" Ludwig replied in a cheerful tone, who could barely hold back the laughter, making me slightly angry.

Even if I hated to admit it, if there hadn't been Ludwig then, maybe at this moment I would be regretting the fact that I didn't get involved with magic... In fact, many years had passed since that event, and even today, I hadn't thanked Ludwig properly for being my first supporter: maybe, the time had come to reward his gesture, although I felt that Ludwig was hiding something else from me...

"... Ok, I'll try to help these two guys: even though the semester has started, some professors, including myself, can bring in some new recruits..." I replied, finally giving in to his requests.

"Thank you!---"

"But!" - I interrupted Ludwig, who at the time believed he had gone away with it – "There will obviously be conditions: the boys will have to face an entrance test!"

"Well, we had already considered it..." Ludwig replied almost sociously, showing me that everything he said was practically premeditated, making me almost reconsider my decision...

"... Also! If when I see them I don't think they are up to the standard of the guys we have at the academy, I won't hesitate for a moment to send them back."

"H-Hey, but you said..."

"Either so, or nothing. If they are really talented, they will have my utmost support."

Certainly, Ludwig did not expect this condition, and judging by his expression, it was clear that he did not know whether to accept this condition or whether to refuse; in the end, however, he sighed a little, perhaps of disappointment, but then gave a small smile.

"Okay, deal." replied Ludwig, but at that moment he felt defeated because of our small negotiation.

"When will the two boys arrive?"

"Well, they just left for Hakvill, so they're going to get there in three days using the Quantum Vortex of Alferth*, in the 12th district."

"Wait... have you already made him leave Without waiting for my answer first?!" I asked in a surprised way, not comprehing how could Ludwig be so unconsious; Many say that over time you become wise, but this did not seem to apply to Ludwig, as he seemed to have become even more reckless...

"Well... It's not really up to me, but I knew you wouldn't turn your back on your friend!"

In fact, Ludwig had always been like this, There was nothing to be surprised at...

"Ahh... Forget it... Well, it may seem like a coincidence, but there is another young guy "sponsored" by me who comes from that district: he too will have to take part in an entrance test. So, I could meet them there, if I'm lucky..."

"Huh? Well, if you made a move for this guy, it means that he's really talented, right?" asked my old friend, intrigued by what I said.

"Yeah; he has a really rare talent and intelligence for a boy of his age... Also, his sword skill is stellar... The problem is his behavios..."

"His behavior? what's wrong with his behavior?"

"Mhh... let's say it's a bit of a hothead... well, I'll tell you about it one day..." I snorted, thinking about that useless trip I should have taken because of that little boy..

"Anyway I really have to go now; I have to finish correcting all this mountain of homework before the next lesson..." I said stretching a little, then showing my friend some of the sheets scattered on my table.

"Ok, i understand. I have to go back to my work too. You know, being an administrator is not easy... Anyway, thank you for the help, really." Ludwig said, giving me a warm smile.

"Huh, It's the least i can do for you... I hope for you that you didn't fool me, or i will beat you to a pulp! Oh, I almost forgot! What are the names of the two boys? So that we can organize the test.."

"Oh, true... actually, The boy's name is Erwin Eda, while the girl's name is Lucy Blazestorm..."

"Erwin and Lucy, huh? Okay, I look forward to seeing these two "geniuses".... "

END OF CHAPTER 17 - DEAL