Mephisto chuckled a little, "I can't tell you how disappointing I find it that I wasn't the one to find you first." He made an encompassing gesture to indicate the building around them, "I was originally summoned here by my old friend Faust and helped him found Grauzauberer. His ideas intrigued me as much as humanities concepts for magic. I honestly wish I'd been around to witness Merlin creating human magic. Regardless, after Faust passed on, I quickly became the Chairman of Grauzauberer to sate my curiosity. You see, my young associate, curiosity and seeking new things is what drives me. It's why I consider myself a Liberalist and why I could never bring myself to do something untoward to you two. It's why I never supported, and in fact worked against, the original four Satans."
Seeing the confused looks on the pairs faces, clearly wondering why he was telling them all of this, Mephisto smiled brightly, "I only mention this because I hope, one day, you might avail yourself to come to Gauzauberer and perhaps, if you feel inclined, pass along some of your knowledge to my students. While they invent new spells every now and then, for them to learn something completely new and different would be a marvel and something I would be very interested in providing them." His smile turned distinctly playful, "Why, I might even join the classes to learn something new myself. You could hear me calling you Arai-Sensei."
Mittelt froze like a statue as she listened to Mephisto talk. If she'd been drinking during his last sentence there would have been an epic spit take. Junichiro, meanwhile, actually had a considering look on his face. He was not completely opposed to teaching others some of the things he knew. Frankly, it was expected that he would one day take on apprentices and teach them his ways. Though, that would have to be at some point in the future. As it was, he was only Journeyman level himself. He still needed more experience, better materials, and a truly powerful project to claim to be a Master. He didn't even want to consider what he would need to do to become a Grand Master yet.
Junichiro relaxed a little, partially due to his smoking and partially due to Mephisto's words, "I can consider teaching some classes in the future. However, it will likely be quite a while. I couldn't even consider it until I felt I'd achieved the level of Grand Master in my work. That could take decades."
Mephisto considered that and nodded, "I can understand that. I am slightly disappointed as it means some of my current favorite students will likely not be alive by then to learn from you. Even with the slightly extended lifespan of a Mage, they are still only human with similar lifespans."
Despite not being willing to teach, Junichiro spent the next hour or so discussing what he would like to teach with Mephisto. Namely, Alchemy and the art of brewing potions. It seemed unlikely that the more studious and brainpower focused mages would be interested in the physically taxing work needed to forge items. He could also teach his methods of enchantment. Just a cursory description of the subject as known by Grauzauberer members showed a difference in their methodologies.
After the discussion, Mephisto offered the pair accommodations for the night, neither were willing to turn the offer down.
Just after Junichiro closed the door to the living area of their two bedroom suite, Mittelt turned to face him, clearly looking highly upset, "What was all of that back there?!"
Junichiro winced at the shrill tone of Mittelt's voice. He didn't blame her for being upset. He had blindsided her with his future plans to join a devil's peerage. Though he never specified which one. He let out a soft sigh and claimed one of the seats, "Before I explain more, I want to explain why I've not joined the Grigori. The simple fact of the matter is, aside from protection and connections the Grigori has nothing to offer me. Joining a devil's peerage gives me the one thing that I can't give myself, a lifespan measured in thousands of years."
Seeing the look of surprise mixed with a bit of betrayal on Mittelt's face, he continued, "I know several methods by which I can extend my life, even grant myself some limited forms of immortality. Mostly of the eternal youth variety. Hell, even Avalon kind of gives me some limited immortality, though that's more of the 'can't die' variety, I don't think it's actually extending my life beyond the normal length. However, the methods I know of all have prices to them, usually in the form of innocent lives or my humanity."
Phylacteries weren't impossible for him to make, but separating the soul out like that always had a downside. Not to mention the slowly rotting corpse he would be inhabiting if he did so. Undead were just gross. He also wouldn't ever reveal that he knew how to make a Philosopher's Stone. The price of creation for it was just too high and too disgusting to countenance.
"The only way I am currently aware of to live for thousands of years, without having to do something horrible, is to use an Evil Piece and become a devil. If I can join either the Gremory, or Sitri, peerages, I can gain that and a lot more."
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair while Mittelt continued to observe him. She honestly wasn't sure what to say, but she would be telling Azazel everything soon enough. He could figure out the complicated stuff. With a huff, she spun on her heels and made her way to one of the bedroom doors, "I'm going to bed."
After she slammed the door to her room shut, Junichiro leaned his head back while absently fishing for his cigarette case. Part of him was surprised that she hadn't yelled at him more or made it into a bigger fight. Then he thought about it more and realized she likely only saw him as a child, a very young child, no matter how mature or brilliant he was. Which made sense, she was several thousand years old, after all. Their relationship probably meant less to her than it did to him.