20 Ch. 20 - Magus Brenda Hemingway

Violet Mercy turned deadly pale. She had simply not imagined that Casino would not only be in the Magi Class, but he was assigned to the seat right behind her! This would be their placements for the remainder of the year! The seating arrangement was based off the known potential of the students at the start of term. Just by looking in the room people could know who the students that possessed the most magical potential were.

Casino was once again in the last row of the class. In spite of his overwhelming performance during the assessment, his magical talent was still not perceived as heaven defying, as he had not developed esp.

Of course, Casino was unconcerned with his class ranking. He would confident he would become the number one student eventually, regardless of the current state of affairs. After all, his body had high level affinities.

"Lucky, I…" Violet turned around in her desk to face Casino, but once their eyes locked she became speechless, her hurt skipping a beat. This was a feeling no one else gave her. She took a deep breath and continued, "We…we need to talk. After class, okay?"

"Save it." replied Casino, his voice surprisingly cold. Violet was caught off guard by this, but Casino's next words painted a clearer picture for her, revealing a well kept secret that made her heart almost leap from out her chest, "You're scent has changed. You smell like…well you smell like this guy. Could I marry another man's woman? He can have you, there is no need for the drama."

"Ouch…" whispered Margot Frenzy under her breath. She reminded herself again how ruthless Lucky could become once you crossed him. He was truly like a madman who only wanted to see the world burn. Of course, to the kindred spirit of Maggie this was a deadly attraction.

"Who are they?"

"One of the new students right?"

This little play had suddenly gained the attention of the entire class, including the group of aloof students in the first two rows. Casino had never seen any of these students before, so he knew they likely the direct students of some magi. These were the students with so much potential in magic that they simply didn't even enroll into the warrior class!

"You, little tactless punk, you best watch that mouth of yours. One more word out of you and I'll rip out your dog tongue!" said the broad man sitting next to Violet as he rose from his seat. Casino also found this punk familiar but couldn't quite put his finger on why. Regardless he too rose from his desk to meet the eyes of the other.

"Jimmy, stop it!" urged Violet Mercy, hopping up frantically as she grabbed his arm..

"Get off of me," the so-called 'Jimmy' pushed Violet back down into the desk then took a step toward Casino, "Stay away from her, and scram the fuck out of this classroom, before I get angry!"

"First of all…toothpaste. Its an outdated convention now, right? Still does wonders for you breath. Or even better! You ever saw those breath strips? Made from Taxia skin or something. Anyway, your breath needs work. Don't speak to me with such a dirty mouth again," Casino Riot spoke unhurriedly, his words provoking the giggles of the females in the room. Some of the males even snickered, but they thought this funny kid was toast. Casino remained unconcerned with his fellow classmates as he continued, "Second. Let's see how it is you plan to make me scram the fuck out of this classroom. Let's see what's so scary about you being angry."

"You!" this so-called Jimmy's face was almost purple with rage as he stepped forward while lowering his hand towards his belt. Casino frowned. Could it be a legendary spatial treasure? However, right at this moment this Jimbo or whatever his name froze in place, like someone had paused the channel he was on.

"Mister Mercury. Have you finally grown tired of being in this Magus' class?" came a clear and melodic voice from the front of the classroom. Everyone but Casino whipped their heads around in shock.

Standing at the front of the classroom was a rather alluring middle-aged woman with cute looks and a sexy body. She wore ocean blue brocade robes and several pieces of jewelry laced with strange gems that all emitted a slight glow. She looked like one of the divas or superstars from television shows. Although television was slowly becoming extinct as new magical technology was being developed, such a thing was a nearly indispensable tool in mortal households, and Casino used to watch many classic shows with Capital when they were younger.

This woman looked completely like a celebrity!

Only she had a light air of mysticism around her.

This was the instructor of class 57's Magi Class, Magus Brenda Hemingway!

The students who were still seated immediately shot up to their feet as the whole class did their salute and spoke at nearly same time, "We greet honored Magus Hemingway!"

Casino Riot was surprised, but he was wise enough to salute and greet the teacher with the rest of the class. Even the well dressed bully Jim Mercury changed his entire countenance the moment he heard the instructors voice. He was visibly very afraid of this middle-aged woman, as he completely begin ignoring Casino like he had never met a character by that name in the story of his life.

Casino found this rather amusing, but his face remained unchanged.

"Welcome back my favorite pupils...and a big welcome to our newest additions. This year we have a total of seven new classmates, this is impressive to say the least. I've never seen so many young apprentices join us at once." Magus Hemingway's voice was low for a woman, and carried a strange charm and momentum. Casino felt like he could easily become lost in her words. In his opinion, only people with this ability could be considered good teachers! "Now tell this old woman...what have I said about magic in class? Yes, Craig, what is your answer?"

Craig Crack, a youth man around Casino's age with white hair and a medium build, was one of the first in the room to raise their hand to be called upon, and he answered just as swiftly, "the use of force in Magi class is strictly prohibited unless directly supervised or specified."

"Absolutely correct," Magus Hemingway reached into her handbag, and to Casino's befuddlement, she pulled out an ancient tome that was bigger than her handbag. Craig's eyes became wide as saucers, as Magus Hemingway handed something to him while speaking gently, "you're reward, Mister Crack."

"Thank you, honored Magus!" Craig Crack was ecstatic, this tome was exactly what he needed to get past his bottleneck!

"Misters Mercury and Riot. Can you two explain to me why I can sense two different ki forces in this class that should currently have none?" asked Magus Hemingway.

Casino Riot and Margot Frenzy both paled at her words. Jim Mercury was stunned and failed to react immediately. This was the case for most of the class as well.

Well most of the class…

"M…Ma…Magus Hemingway did you just say…" Fatty Bruce Presly was shaking as he didn't believe his ears. He couldn't even finish his sentences.

"Can…Honored Magus Hemingway, Casino can really release his force?" asked Aubrey Graham in shock. Typically only eighth level Hardbody realm warriors could release force from their bodies. This was the principle of Inner Power, Outer Force that defined this level. A seventh level warrior who could already release force from his body? This meant that his inner power was already awakened!

This meant that his strength was already enough to condense mana!

Of course Casino still had no idea about mana or how it was condensed, he was just worried because this busybody instructor had just leaked his hard kept secret. How would his professor punish him now? He truly felt that this teacher sucks.

"What an odd question. Of course he can, why else would I…Hm?" Seeing Casino's countenance, as well as the shock of the surrounding students, Magus Hemingway seemed to realize she had spoke too much while trying to be imposing. Her senior apprentice sister would surely beat her up for this! She cursed herself inwardly, before continuing, "No matter Mr. Riot, as this was a first offense I'll let you off with a warning. As for you Mr. Mercury, after class you are to stay and recite the chant of peaceful light 700 times."

"!!!" Jim Mercury's face was distraught, while Casino's was one of schadenfreude. Jim Mercury gnashed his teeth but responded meekly, "Yes, honored magus."

While avoiding punishment was all right, Casino still felt resentment towards the cruel secret stealing woman. However, with a motion from the instructor the students returned to their seats.

"New students, today it is time to take the oath. You must pronounce your full name, and then announce before the heavens that you will not leak, share, or otherwise disclose any information related to magic and the study there off that this academy provides you with. Then you must pinch a drop of blood and recite the following chant," commanded Magus Hemingway imperiously, as she then taught them the obscure four word chant. Many male students competed to complete her instructions first. Several bell sounds rang in the room. When she saw Casino hesitating and Margot looking at Casino, her brows furrowed as she barked with irritation, "No exceptions. Do so now, or face a forced withdrawal."

Casino pondered for moment before making the oath and then pinching a drop of blood as well, "I, Casino Reya Riot, will never leak, share, or otherwise disclose information related to magic and the study of it that has been provided by the academy. May heaven bear witness!"

Ding.

The drop of blood transformed into a golden rune that zoomed into the clouds above, where nine loud thunderclaps could be heard.

Margot Frenzy immediately followed suit, "I, Margot Corinne Frenzy II, will never leak, share, or disclose information related to the magic academy."

The teacher furrowed her brows once more. Neither one of these brats had pronounced the oath properly, whether by accident or by design. However, the changes were minute. Besides, these two were the direct students of her two senior apprentice sisters, she wouldn't quip with them. Who knows, maybe they were told to take the oath in this way by those two old witches, "Very good. In this class we are seekers of wisdom. We deliver truths and search for the proof of more truth. We are philosophers and scholars. Wisemen and educators. Sages and Wizards."

"Many of you are aware of my next words, however I will say them for those who do not. We live in the era of the Magi. Due to the discovery of origin energy and its various application, man kind has been able to catch up and compete with the other powerful races of the world. Yes Margot?"

"Honored magus, what are the other powerful races of the world? I don't seem to have heard of this." Margot Frenzy had in fact long since heard about it. Merely, she felt that Casino was unaware so she asked for him. Casino smirked a bit but didn't do anything to expose her play. After all, he truly wanted to ask this question but didn't want to endure more ridicule.

Magus Hemingway's eyes flashed in amusement, as she explained slow and deliberately staring Casino Riot in his eyes, "We are in fact not the only intelligent race in the world. Avaria is a fey territory, therefore us humans are not even the majority."

"Fey?" Casino Riot and the others all couldn't help but ask aloud. This word held a mysterious charm to what he subconsciously felt was his soul itself. What were the fey? Could he be a fey too?

"This is no easy question. Fey are another race, yes. However, they are also our kin. Technically they are not much different from humans, for many of them have human blood in their veins. Our appearances are completely similar most of the time. However there are exceptions. Fey possess powerful bloodline powers, and strong bodies. They have natural recognition of certain power formulas that are born from their bloodline! In this vast universe exists many wondrous powerhouses capable of amazing things. Among the wide and bright stars us humans are by far the weakest race from a certain stand point. However, that was before the day the humans learned to utilize the magic of the divine creatures!

"The discovery of origin energy alone didn't change human kind. Although there were born powerful warriors capable of collapsing small mountain or taming minor winds and rain, mere warriors of humanity were far weaker than all the other races. Simply far weaker. Our only reason for survival is our outrageous repopulation rate. Ancient records indicate that we produce around 60% more offspring than the nearest foreign race in comparison."

"60%? Thats crazy," the new students and even a few older students were all fascinated to hear such world flipping information.

"No, it wasn't until our forefathers made a bargain with a behemoth and a true dragon and won! The true dragon taught our race the wonders of magic, and the behemoth taught us the wonders of the soul! Our Fallen Hero race went from being lower life form to becoming a third rank race." Magus Hemingway spoke and moved with elegance and grace, "However, our puny bodies prevent us from competing with the powerful second and first rank races. To fix this issue, the hero race entered a treaty with the various races that would take advantage of a humans greatest feature, our ability to reproduce with nearly any race! Eventually, they even lured in the declining infinity monster race, a first rank race!

"Once there were varied unions between human and monster, they became known as a new race. Humans with bloodline powers on the divine level were no longer human by the world's standards. Thus, they came to be known as the Fey. Perhaps this is in honor of the Fairy Race, who were the first to copulate with mankind. Human-Fairy variations can be considered as the first Fey, but not really. Fairy blood is not divine."

Casino Riot's head was blown wide open!

How could such an earth shaking secret manage to remain undercover? This was completely irregular. The human race was so weak in comparison to the greater races? There was such a large disparity? Even after learning how to control magic they were still only third rank?

This was quite a blow!

However, Casino seemed to suddenly realize something crucial, as he glanced at Margot Frenzy in front while murmuring to himself "Fey Race…Bloodlines…could it be?"

"That being said!" Magus Hemingway's voice boomed throughout the room, knocking all the students out of their thoughts, "There are two primary types of magic. Bloodline magic, or magic that can only be activated by the power in your blood; and natural magic, or magic based off and activated by elemental powers. This class will focus on natural magic.

"There are six ranks for Magi at the mortal level. They are: Rank 1: Apprentice, Rank 2: Novice, Rank 3: Junior Magus, Rank 4: Senior Magus, Rank 5: Grand Magus, Rank 6: Magus Guru. These ranks are further divided into sub ranks of bronze, silver, gold, and prism. At this school, our highest ranked Magus, the guru, is only a perfected Senior Magus. The guru in his title refers to his status as the number one Magus in the school."

"Honored Magus, this little one wonders what rank you have reached?" Casino Riot suddenly asked a bold question.

Magus Hemingway smiled at his inquiry, "I will of course offer you this knowledge, as you will need a goal to aim for. Your teacher here is a little lady of the advanced Junior Magus rank."

"Congratulations, honored magus, on successfully advancing!"

"Congratulations honored magus!"

"Magus Hemingway sure is talented…she upgraded her strength in less than 3 years right? I heard this is rare among Junior Magi?"

…

The class broke out into another uproar upon hearing the news, but this time the instructor was not in a rush to stop them. She basked in the warm words of these fawning brats until she was sick of it, "Settle down, class."

"Magus Hemingway!" Casino called out in his deep voice with his big hand raised high, drawing in everyone's attention, "A question for you."