Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Serena POV.
Easton Magic Academy. The magic academy attended by the protagonist, Mash, and his friends. A few things really interested me about it, starting with the headmaster's secrets. But there were also some students whose magic was truly fascinating.
So I decided to start with them.
Or… that was the idea. I had infiltrated Easton with ease, and I simply wandered around and, by chance, stumbled upon the room where the Sorting Unicorn was kept. Because yes, it wasn't the Sorting Hat like in my world, but a Sorting Unicorn. A skeletal horse with a horn on its forehead and a handle on the end, which the students had to grab to determine which house they belonged to.
Just seeing that reminded me how strange the multiverse could be. Putting aside the fact that the author of Mashle created these bizarre versions of objects from the magical world I know intimately, this was a real world. It was truly strange to come across these things. And I'd already scanned it with my Reality Marble, so now I could create sorting unicorns.
I sighed and kept walking.
If the timeline I was following was correct, then the confrontation between Magia Lupus, an elite group of students, and the protagonist's group should be happening right now. So I simply had to go down. There were a large number of rooms beneath the academy, the old battle arenas and other chambers, and that's where the confrontation was taking place.
It was easy to simply pass through the floor and eventually land in the school's basement. Then I used my Six Eyes to search for the only people down there. Luckily, it seemed most of the Magia Lupus were there. Though I was only interested in two of them.
I looked around until I found the two strongest people there and headed toward the one who gave me the strangest feeling. He was standing in the middle of a hallway, waiting for his opponent. I approached and let my heels click to get his attention.
Abyss Razor turned to look at me. An ornate mask concealed his face.
"You... are not Mash Burnedead," Abyss Razor said cautiously.
"I'm here for Abel Walker. I have... unfinished business with him," I said easily. As I expected, Abyss tensed at those words and raised his sword. Abyss Razor was overly protective of Abel Walker, something that could easily be exploited.
"What kind of business do you have with Lord Abel?" he asked dangerously. "Are you... from Innocent Zero?" Abbys asked, completely on guard. I just smiled lazily. To my surprise, Abbyss moved immediately; an arrow appeared on the ground, and he stepped on it before his magic launched him forward at great speed.
Acceleraise. The magic creates directional arrows that, when stepped on, increase speed.
I raised my wand and easily stopped Abbyss' sword in front of me. Abbyss stepped back before creating dozens of arrows around me. He began to stomp on the arrows, moving at great speed around me. But his attacks remained useless as they crashed into my shields, until one pierced my shield when my magic failed.
I raised my hand and stopped the sword that was coming for my neck. I moved quickly and snatched his mask away before he could back away. Abyss covered his face, then stared at me.
Evil Eye.
An eye with a red sclera, a yellow iris, and a pentagram in it. Or rather, more of an octagram, closer to a Lakshmi star. Two squares joined to form an eight-pointed star.
He could temporarily nullify the magic of anything or anyone within his field of vision. In a world where everything revolved around magic, even your social standing, these kinds of eyes were considered an abomination. Idiots, all of them.
Although… I could see it. It was… really uncomfortable. Most of my magical abilities had been suppressed. My Drain Defense, which I used against Vali, didn't work against this Evil Eye because it was suppression, not drainage.
Unfortunately, Evil Eyes had a limit. Those with triple lines had too much magic for Evil Eyes to suppress. Perhaps Abyss wasn't strong enough. But the point is, it had a solid limit. And one that I easily surpassed.
So I broke the suppression easily and looked at the Eye of Abyss. My Reality Marble registered it, and I quickly studied it before stopping and grimacing. Okay, that thing was damnably incompatible with any magic eye.
It suppressed all magic within his field of vision, and on himself, too, so I couldn't merge them with my Six Eyes, because it would completely negate everything about them. So it was terribly annoying. Maybe using one of each, though that would be annoying too. The Six Eyes had a huge difference in vision, both in quality, distance, and visual spectrum. I could see much better and much more than anyone else. Returning to normal vision was painful.
Having to use different types of eyes at the same time? That would be really confusing and annoying. Hmmm, maybe a third eye on my forehead? And another pair under my normal eyes? I'd have to look for a race with multiple eyes. Maybe something on my hand? Perhaps create a small creature with the Evil Eyes to make it remote? Mmm, ideas.
"Secondth, Force Field." Abyss said, pulling me from my thoughts. I saw a huge dome of arrows surround us, and one arrow appeared in my chest and another in Abyss. My speed decreased and transferred to Abyss. Nice magic. Abyss launched himself from the front, and I simply cast a stun spell, catching him off guard. He fell unconscious. I didn't need to move to perform magic.
I glanced at Abyss, then tossed him aside. He'd wake up in a few minutes, his memories hazy enough to make him believe I was just a dream. With that settled, I started walking toward the other person I'd come to find.
"Abel Walker," I said as I stepped through the enormous door. I glanced over at Abel. Behind him, a massive magical device drained the magic of several students. Abel turned to face me. He seemed about to speak, but I flicked my wand, and a small, invisible cut sliced across Abel's cheek. I didn't have time for small talk.
He stared at his wound without flinching, then looked at me. Then he raised his hand. Dozens of mannequins launched themselves toward me. I waved my wand and all the mannequins were easily torn to pieces.
Abel just looked at me and moved his fingers. I could see his magic activate. Magic threads descended and tried to attach themselves to my body. I let them. Once the threads attached, Abel moved his fingers, and I felt my body trying to move on its own.
Affectionate. But a simple Hati burned the magic ropes and freed me from his grip. Then I appeared next to Abel and physically assaulted him.
"Marionette Change," Abel said calmly, clutching his bruised cheek. I looked at my hand and saw it begin to transform into a wooden puppet before stopping, and the magic broke. My Polymorph Defense prevented me from being partially transformed against my will; I could easily nullify the rest.
That was more than enough. I quickly knocked Abel unconscious. I repaired what I needed and slightly altered his memories the same way. I had what I wanted.
Marioness. The magic that allowed one turn people into puppets that could be controlled and summon threads to manipulate their target's movements.
So, with that done, I had my next objective: the Adler House.
Or rather, Mash's group hadn't arrived yet, so I looked for the entrance door on the floor and waited there. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long; after several minutes, their group appeared, and I just stood there watching them.
" Calm down. It's just a spell. Disclose." I saw Lance Crown use magic to make the basement entrance visible, so I made myself visible above it.
"You! Who are you? And where's Lemon?!" Dot exclaimed furiously, pointing his wand at me. I just stayed silent. "Fine, if you don't want to talk, let's see if we can talk after this!" he exclaimed before unleashing his explosion magic in my direction. I simply slapped the explosion away with my hand.
"Pf, is that all you can do?" Lance mocked Dot. Dot's eye twitched slightly.
"What did you say, bastard?!" Dot yelled in his direction. Lance took a step forward, looked at me, then pointed his wand at me.
"Graviole," Lance said. I felt the immense pressure of gravity increase, trying to crush me. I just stood there, staring at him, bored. It was... a real shame neither of them could use more advanced magic yet. Lance should be able to summon Nemesis with his Graviole in the future, while Dot had Vulcanus with his Explomb.
Hmm, but I had samples of different Summons. And once I finished with Innocent Zero, I'd have more, so I should be able to push Graviole and Explomb to summon both magics.
Then my gaze shifted to Mashle. I could barely register any emotion from him, but he didn't seem to want to move. I just hummed a little before starting to walk, still feeling the effects of Graviole as if nothing had happened.
I walked past the group and kept walking.
" Hey, wait! Where's Lemon!? Come back here!" Dot yelled furiously behind me, but I ignored him and kept walking. Luckily, none of them seemed to want to follow me. They were more worried about finding their friend Lemon. I still had one last thing to do here in Easton.
So I headed toward the headmaster's office. It took me a few minutes to find it, and I settled comfortably in while I waited. Wahlberg Baigan, in canon, had been summoned to the Bureau after the prisoners escaped from Hecatrice. And definitely, here, he was summoned after my attack. So I had no choice but to wait, unless I wanted to face the Divine Visionaries again when I returned to the Bureau of Magic.
I grabbed a book on magic theory from the office and started reading while I waited, and that's how I spent the next few hours peacefully.
"The last thing I expected after returning from the Bureau of Magic and receiving a report about a 'wandering scholar' who attacked the Bureau simply out of 'curiosity' was to find said scholar in my office," Wahlberg said as he entered. I just hummed.
"It's a really interesting theory book," I said honestly, continuing to read without looking up.
"Oh, I'm glad you approve. After all, I wrote it," Wahlberg said, sounding satisfied. I just nodded slightly. "And while I would really like to receive a review and feedback on my book, unfortunately, we need to talk about more serious matters," Wahlberg said gravely as he walked around his desk and sat down in his chair.
"That sounds boring," I said simply, then closed the book. "And don't worry, I left some notes on a few pages," I said simply as I placed the book on the desk. "And I also left more notes in the other 74 books in your personal library," I said simply. Wahlberg paused, then glanced to the side, where his library overflowed with books.
"The attack was less than 10 hours ago, and I was gone for 9 hours. You read my entire library in that time?" Wahlberg asked, sounding really impressed. I shrugged.
"In less time. I took a couple of trips before coming here. It was a light read." I said easily. Wahlberg gave me a look, then smiled amusedly.
"I see," Wahlberg said, simply nodding. "So, besides writing about my books, what's the real reason you're here, Miss Baiser?" Wahlberg asked, narrowing his eyes. "If that's your name, certainly," he added simply. I just nodded.
"Baiser is one of my names," I said easily. "And you already know the answer to that one. Curiosity," I added easily. Wahlberg simply hummed.
"You want to see my magic," Wahlberg said directly. "My Summons and Thirds," he added. "The report on the fight against the Divine Visionaries showed a clear intention on your part: to push them enough to use their strongest magic," he said, then narrowed his eyes. "But that still doesn't tell me what you're trying to achieve," Wahlberg said calmly.
"Isn't curiosity enough?" I asked playfully. Wahlberg just stared at me and didn't say anything. I chuckled. "It's nothing important; I just love magic. I like seeing all the different kinds of magic that exist and how they evolve. There's no special reason beyond that," I said honestly. Wahlberg stared at me before nodding.
"You're telling the truth," Wahlberg said confidently. "Although not all of it, but... I'll accept it for now," Wahlberg said simply. "Although I'm sorry to tell you, my magic isn't a show," he said, shaking his head.
"Hmm... what if I attack Easton until you're forced to defend it?" I asked simply. Wahlberg chuckled slightly.
"After going to the trouble of protecting civilians in the Magic Realm and avoiding harming the Divine Visionaries, you really think I'd believe you'd hurt some students?" Wahlberg asked playfully. I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. Let's negotiate then." I said simply, then pulled out two vials of potions and tossed them to Wahlberg. He used his wand to stop them in mid-air. "I found the files on your new students. And I found something curious. Anna Crown. Lance Crown's sister. She has a strange illness that's draining her magic and her life. That's the cure." I said simply. Wahlberg's eyes widened slightly.
"You... you've seen that disease? And you're carrying the cure?" Wahlberg asked, almost incredulous. I snorted.
"Don't be ridiculous," I said curtly. "Lance's house location was in the file. I went there unnoticed, scanned Anna Crown, and then created a cure. Potions are one of my greatest strengths ; it was boringly simple," I said easily. "By the way, I got the ingredients from the academy's supply. And if you don't believe me, I gave you two. Subject one to any test you want before giving the other to the Crowns when you're satisfied," I said easily. Wahlberg's eyes widened.
"You... created a cure for a disease that no one had ever seen, in less than 10 hours?" Wahlberg asked incredulously.
"Please, it only takes me half an hour." I said, waving my hand. "Now... let's get down to business?" I asked excitedly. Wahlberg just stared at me in surprise.
"Truly wonderful," Wahlberg said as he carefully picked up the vials and placed them on the table. "Even so... I must decline," Wahlberg said, shaking his head. "Of course, I'll pay you in another way for the cure," he said immediately. I snorted.
"Okay, then, how about I do you a really big favor?" I said to Wahlberg, almost impatiently, then smiled broadly. "What if I take care of Innocent Zero for you? I'll bring you their heads in exchange for being able to see your Spaces magic." I said immediately. Wahlberg's eyes widened.
"Your... seeing my magic is so important that you'd volunteer to take on a terrorist organization like Innocent Zero?" Wahlberg asked incredulously. I shrugged.
"Curiosity is my sin. I could do more disturbing things for some magic that interests me," I said easily. Wahlberg looked at me, then shook his head.
"Okay... you win." Wahlberg said with a sigh, standing up. "Let's go." Wahlberg said simply, and I looked at him, surprised.
"Now? I almost thought you'd wait until I brought you the heads." I said, surprised. Wahlberg just laughed, almost sadly.
"It's possible, but there are only two possible outcomes to that confrontation. You managed to withstand and even fight the Divine Visionaries head-on without breaking a sweat, if the reports are correct. So you have a good chance of succeeding. So, if you return, it's because you managed to take down Innocent Zero."
"And if you don't, it's because you're dead. I'm not above fulfilling a dead woman's last wish," Wahlberg said matter-of-factly. I raised an eyebrow.
"I could just leave after seeing your magic and come back the way I came," I said playfully. Wahlberg just shook his head.
"Once again, you don't seem to be lying. And so far, you've been terribly honest. Your curiosity will lead you to confront Innocent Zero. If you're curious about my magic, it's impossible that you wouldn't be curious about his. And, although I think trying to get a deal for something you'd already do from the start is pretty low, even the slightest chance of getting rid of Innocent Zero is worth a shot." Wahlberg said with ease. I just stared at him, genuinely impressed.
"Impressive," I said honestly while smiling amusedly. Wahlberg just laughed.
"I'm the headmaster, Miss Baiser, and old," he explained easily. I just nodded slightly as Wahlberg started walking out of his office. I followed him easily until we found an empty spot where we both began to fly.
When we were high enough, Wahlberg just nodded before raising his wand.
"Summon, Uranus: God of the Sky!" Wahlberg exclaimed powerfully. His magic exploded as his wand transformed into a staff with a glowing orb at its tip. Then, without a word, he teleported us far away from Easton.
We were in a place completely devoid of human life, even though we were near the mountains. Wahlberg began moving his cane from side to side, distorting and eliminating space with extreme ease.
"Space Bout!" Wahlberg aimed his spell at one of the mountains. Everything in front of Wahlberg vanished from space in the form of a massive square. A huge section of the mountain disappeared completely and continued, erasing everything behind it as well. The mountain finally collapsed under its own weight. "Spaces Thirds: Uranus Inclination! " Finally, the enormous entity formed by geometric shapes appeared behind Wahlberg.
Space practically fell under Wahlberg's control at that moment. I felt the space around him distort, and enormous squares and rectangles filled everything around us, then disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
"I suppose that'll satisfy you," Wahlberg said easily. I just glanced at him briefly. He hadn't used World Delete magic, the most powerful magic Wahlberg should have access to, capable of erasing everything within its reach.
Didn't he just want to use it as a demonstration? Was he being cautious and trying not to reveal all his tricks in case I was dangerous to him? I could be anything.
But I had seen enough, so I just nodded.
"It is. Thank you for such a demonstration, Director Wahlberg," I said politely. Wahlberg just nodded slightly. "Now, as promised, I'll go and take care of Innocent Zero. I'll make sure to bring back evidence, but I doubt we'll see each other again. It was a pleasure, Director," I said, bowing slightly.
"...I hope you succeed in your mission," Wahlberg said simply. I chuckled and nodded.
"I will." I said confidently, then easily appeared far away from Wahlberg. Now it was time to finish this.