Afternoon of Opening Ceremony (2)

I make a turn in a deserted alley, then teleporting back to the hotel. It around 2 p.m right now based on the town bell. I change back my appearance, and wear my school clothing before teleport back to my room. As usual Silva was there with his book, he turn around and stare me.

"You've return. What a way to disappear you make back then."

"... In my defense—"

"Oh, well I don't care about it. Anyway you better go to Prof Ramza office, since I heard you would be transferred to magic major from tomorrow onwards."

"What?! That... How could that possible?!"

"I don't know, but it seems like your parents already agreeing those and the academy term for you to continue your study as student majoring in Magic theories."

Fuck... I really jinx myself badly... Damn it... I took my leave right away, I go to the magic faculty office right away. When I arrive there a many magic student there already.

"Look he come alone!"

"Whoa, how did he dodge all those pursuer?"

"The dumbest is escape master? What a twist!"

"Could we still called him dumb after he helping a thesis of a court magician?"

"Even if he isn't dumb anymore, he still a bastard!"

... Yep I definitely not welcome here. I could tell they dissatisfied with me. Well who wasn't when the worst in the entire school become your professor assistant. Which I found in open arm, this definitely my aim. I could stay as shitty noble and bastard as long people doesn't bother me. They open a path for me as I walk through the crowd. I could tell where Ramza office is from the students that crowding outside his door. I knock on the door, but no one opening it for me.

"Sir Ramza, I come as your summon."

"Oh it you, come in then."

I put my hand on the handle, before the crowd sneering and chuckling. Is there something wrong? I turn the handle, then I found out what is wrong. Ramza enchanting it with childish magic. A low electrical current come through my hand, followed with a heat magic... What is wrong with this siblings really.. I coat my hand with thin mana then open the door as nothing happened. I keep a poker face making the crowd wondering. Then I close the door once again, right as I close the door I could hear a scream come from someone... Well the electrical current keep increasing by time it got turned, so do the heat. Ramza staring at me right away.

"So you could dodge that?"

"It only simple prank."

"Thay simple prank shut those students outside for 3 hours. Since mostly don't know how to neutralize it like you."

"..."

He chuckled at my speechless response.

"I know what you think, you must thought they are stupid to not even able to do that. But hey minutes control of mana is harder than you make it seems like."

" Are we going to mock him or are we going to talk?"

" Hahaha... Relax Zein, I already enchanting this room to be sounds proofed, except when I allowed it."

" Then I guess I should say what on my mind... What is wrong with you?!"

I pointed my finger at him.

" No, I just want your help for this thesis and I can't let your talent to stay there in the corner covered by dust. See you could even come here in a piece."

"... I decline."

" Oh come on. I already got this."

He pulled out a letter, with our family seal on it, and another one that already opened. Looking at those, I send a small spark of fire and burn it once.

"Whoops, I guess I accidentally burn it to ash brother Ramza. My hand was hot and got some electrical current since I tried to control your prank from before after all "

He look blankly before laughing. Then he pulled another letter out.

" Hahaha, it alright Zein, Marchioness Dageraad already prepared two letter since she said there might be an 'accident' when I show her letter to you."

Damn it, mother really know me... Well I could always—

" Also in one of her letter to me, she told me to convey her words to you. Zein Dageraad if you burn the other letter too, be prepared when you met Grandpa. Mother could assured you that Grandpa would like to hear your reason."

"I could always read what mother had to say and her advice. Also her request is my command. The last one definitely an accident brother Ramza, it not like I don't want to read it."

I replied almost immediately after Ramza said those words, of course with the best behavior I could. Ramza chuckle when he look at me. Then I open the letter.

To my son.

If you read this letter it mean you definitely burn the other one. It mean you don't want to listen to your mother anymore! You see, now you must accept Ramza proposal since you just burn your last bridge! I was betting with your father that you would read my first letter before you decide your choice, but it seems your father is correct. You won't bother about it and just burn it to ash, because it the same reason as when you making Sir Richard hide your secret. All so you power doesn't stand out. How dare you to hide it from mother too! Mother could teach you many magic if mother know about it! Now take your punishment and help that nerd magician on his thesis, or you would met mother and Grandpa wrath! Also we would talk about your secret when we met! You better spill everything out on the annual competition.

With love, your mother.

... Damn it! That knight blabbering it to my parents, I knew it he is a trouble... What honorable knight did blabbering?!

"So what did you say now?"

"Reluctantly, I could only accept your offer brother Ramza."

I grits my teeth as I answered him. He grin at me as he offer me a hand shake, in reluctant I shake his hand.

" Good news then! Happy cooperation from now on."

"..."

" Now please check the contract here, then sign it here."

He pulled out a contract then I read the clause.

The contract was like this

From the start of the new term I,

Name: Zein Dageraad

Which would be called as contractor on the further; will help,

Name: Ramza Rames

Which would be called as the contract holder on the further, in making his thesis based on;

1. The contractor will help in any case the thesis met a problem 

2. The contractor would met the contract holder at least twice a week to check the magic correctness, sequence and theories 

3. The contract holder would paid the contractor with 10 gold coin every month 

4. The contractor name would be included in the thesis when it got published in his real name or pseudonym 

5. The contractor would be kept anonymous by the contract holder without further agreement from the contractor. 

"... You already breach the number 5 of your own contact tho?"

"We haven't signed it yet."

"But people already know I am the one that helping you."

"With your grand refusal and escape, people would believe you aren't the one that helping me. Except the head master and head of magic faculty of course. Well I won't tell them if you want it, but there a chance you got immediate expulsion."

"... You are really a Rames, aren't you?"

"Eh? I am indeed one. I am the future head after all."

He doesn't understand my sarcasm, since he is a Rames indeed! Damn this positive siblings. I could only signed this damned contract, as I don't want to meet my mother and grandpa wrath. Also that damned oldman, I would pay him back in the future.

"Now it perfect. Also I would be your study advisor from now on."

"What?!"

"Yes, as you got transferred to Magic Faculty, your advisor was changed to me. So right now a students under me would be you, Alfonso Buckburn, Cindy, Magdelane Lemann, Alyson Pakenhope and Alan. Well you should stay and wait here, since they would come around now."

He told me those as he starting to smoke. I took a single one as I am trying to remember those name. Even tho my oldself is shitty, but he definitely know what information mean. He remembers all the noble sons and daughters of his generation.

"Hmmm... Alyson Pakenhope as in Baron Pakenhope daughter right? If my memories correct, she got those evil witch as a nickname because her gloomy look and dark magic aptitude right? She also profound at curse."

"Correct."

"Then Magdelane Lemann the second daughter of Viscount Lemann, she got a nickname of Poition... Which a pun as her potion, always got a negative side effects which seems like more poisoning than healing. Although I heard her potion effect is better than normal one."

"Indeed she is."

"Then... Alfonso, well why is he in your group?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aren't you collecting students that got a troublesome nickname?"

"... Alfonso the Burner."

"Is it a pun from his family name?"

"No, he can't control his fire magic as it burning everything most of time."

"... Then the other two?"

" A commoner which got a high power in magic."

"But?"

"But... They got no control on their mana, and magic disastrous magic sequence."

"... You must be kidding me? Then here I am the shitty noble? Really what do you plan bringing us together. I mean 3 from six of us is already an outcast while the other 3 got no control over their mana."

"I just took those people that no other want to take."

"So basically they're left over?"

"Yes... Except for you and Alfonso, which I got a letter from his parents."

Well Duke Rames come to our faction tea ceremony from time to time. So his family is also known in our faction, and he also close with the king since they're cousins.

"Good job brother Ramza, honestly I should get going. You do know how my relationship with those children of the king faction."

"You might not know about it since you've been away from the court tea party for awhile... But Alfonso also rarely come to the party around half a year after you leave."

"Err... What? Why?"

"I don't know but he definitely got his reason. From Marquis Buckburn he only said Alfonso need some serious guidance about his life. As he is emotionally unstable and pushing away all his childhood friend."

"What is going on?!"

"I don't know, but I am sure you would understand him better than me."

I could only sigh, as I think about it. Then Brother Ramza offering me another cigarette as he look at me in deep thought. Now, this wasn't so bad, at least I could got free cigarette here. I realized that cigarette is considered as luxury goods here as a pack is around 2 silver coin to 1 small gold coin depends on the quality and rarity. I pick it up and lighten it.

"Did something happen to him around that time?"

"I wasn't close with any faction remember? Although Elsa might know something, since she is much more.. meddling and socialize better than me."

"I definitely wouldn't talk to her."

"You don't want to court her at all? Although I am her brother, but she definitely good looking."

"And too bubbly, meddle some, and positive minded."

He chuckling at my retort.

"She never meant it to be bad. I agree in that tho. Ah, I see that what you mean by I am a Rames! But it a good traits tho, so thank you."

"It good traits as long it wasn't over the head. Anything too much is never good. It could be dangerous.".

He thought for a moment when he heard my response.

"Isn't it good to be over powerful?"

"It good but also bad. Why do you think war happen? It because the over powered one doesn't agree with the weak one. Then they decided to do genocide so the weak one would listen to them."

"... You're a complicated person."

"Thank you for your compliment, I prefer it to be called logical person. It good if the person is responsible, but it bad if the person wasn't. Well good or bad is an abstract view anyway."

"You think so? Then what do you think about killing monster?"

"I think it necessary, while it wasn't about good or bad since what so different about killing a monster and killing a corrupted person?"

"One is anomaly while the other one is a person?"

"Both is breathing tho, both living their life to the fullest on their own way, both got born in world, and so on. I could tell you many similarities. But in the end both is dangerous for societies. So it necessary to finish them by killing. That why it no difference. Good or bad is constructed by the society, let just say there a 10 crazy persons and 1 normal person. Whose the one that crazy?"

"The 10 people of course."

"No, the one that crazy is the normal person, because he is become the abnormal person in the crazy persons eyes!"

He dumbfounded when he thought about it.

"You're way of thinking is logical and complicated at the same time."

"Let just say when 99 from 100 peoples called a fat and ugly woman as beautiful, and only one person called her ugly, whose the blind one?"

"... The 99?"

"It the one person is blind! At least in the eyes of the 99 peoples, that person must be blind."

"So you want to say... If the majority said something is bad, it is bad while they said it good, it is good?"

"Yes, that how society work, and that how I plan to maintain my image as shitty noble and a bastard of a person. As long as the majority called me that, even if Lein, Elsa, Fransisca, Reiya, and you called me a good and genius, the public would only took you guys as a jester. And that might make them think, I only made you guys said that as a friends, families and fiancee. Which is good."

"... Twisted, you are making an illusion for them made by feeding them a couple of wrong fact and act. That would make you a really scary politician."

"Nah, I wasn't that great, also I don't have interest in it. Anyway don't play those stunt again brother Ramza. I only want a peaceful life where I could laze around."

"... You're kinda shitty for difference reason now."

"Thank you for your compliment."

As we finish our conversation, someone knocking the door.

"Professor Ramza, it is Elsa. I bought all of your students."

"Ah... You've come Elsa."

He open the door with a flick as Elsa appeared from the door followed by the other five. They got inside, before frowning as the room is full of cigarette smoke. They look around as they found us smoking inside.

"Brother Ramza, what is it that I told you before? Also Zein... Why do I keep found you doing something bad with my brother?"

Elsa tone of speech change at once, as she pout while looking at us.

"It's me that offering a cigarette to him. He only comply with me. Also as smoking buddy, we need a smoke to talk man to man"

"It still wasn't a reason to smoke before a guest come."

"... Elsa, they're my student, and I am their advisor. I could do what I want."

"Fine, then I won't said anything more. Then I'll take my leave Prof Ramza."

She sigh as she left the room, leaving the seven of us. The other five keep their silence as they standing in line. I observing them, as Alfonso looking at me in surprised, while the other didn't dare to meet my eyes. Ramza then clap his hand as they keep smoking.

"Anyway I called all of you today to meet you guys face to face and heard your study plan for this term."

Okay, I must said I starting to like this oldest of Rames siblings. His style definitely wasn't that different from me. They nodding there head as they got understanding about the call.

"Then how about we start with introduction. Since it would be bad if you guys doesn't know each other. What more if you don't know me."

They chuckled except for Alfonso that definitely scoffed.

" Where to start... Right my name is Ramza van Rames. The heir of Rames Dukedom, but I preferred my court magician spot honestly. I would teach you in intermediate magic, also I come here to do a research as I write my thesis about it. It nice to meet you. Now it your turn Zein."

"Tsk. I am Zein Dageraad, I am being dragged by force here. End of introduction."

The people speechless when they heard my introduction with grumpy face as I puff a smoke. While Alfonso eyes glittering...

"Thanks you Zein, then next is Cindy."

The girl that got her name called stuttering on her toes. She is a girl with red pig tails hair, her face is kinda cute. As you could found it in your cute neighborhood. Her small build make her seems like a small animal. She is that kind of little sister figure I guess.

"My-my name is Cindy. I am a freshman and commoner. I-i got scholarship for magic combat, as I am freshman this year... M-my dream is to become Rank A adventurer. Ple-please take care of me.."

"I see, so you plan to take all magic classes, monster habitat classes, combat classes and adventurer classes?"

"Ye-yes Sir!"

Alan, and Magdelane give her a claps, as Ramza leading it.

"Alright then, thank you for your introduction. Next is you Alfonso."

He make a grumpy face with his dashing face. As expected from a Marquis son I guess. He got a sharp eyes and eyebrow, and face that seem like a porcelain. He would make those Korean boy band member shame with his appearance. Hmmm... He changes significantly since the last time we met. His eyes seems cold, but somehow got expectations when looking at me... He was a cry baby before when he is kids.

"I am Alfonso, like young master Zein Dageraad, I am forced here."

He... Completely copying my act making the other dumbfounded... Okay buddy I know what you play now. Ramza looking at me with smile of understanding.

"Thanks Alfonso. Next is Magdelane."

" Hello, my name is Magdelane Lemann. I am second daughter of Viscount Lemann. I am majoring alchemy, my target is to make elixir of the legend! Also maybe searchings for Legendary Alchemist book?"

"That is a wonderful dream. Then I would devise and advise your study plan which related to that."

"Yes, thank you Professor Ramza."

He then clapping his hands again, followed by the other two.

"Then next one is Alyson Pakenhope."

Alyson look gloomy as her name got called. She look like a gothic girl from anime... Dark frilly clothes, a bandana on her dark purple straight hair which reaching her waist, and gloomy aura. Her luster red eyes, seems bleak, her wonderful eyebrows crumpled as she frowning... While her mouth is small and glossy... she should be a beautiful and cute girl if she wasn't seems gloomy, since she also good a good figure with slim waist, and appropriate bust that would look great if she straighten her body.

"Alyson... Magic major... Freshman"

She said those as if she whispering... She also keep looking down. Without realizing I already took a step forward to her, then touching her chin. She trembling as I touch her, and trying to dodge my eyes. I snap out when I realized what I've done. Then I put my hand away from her chin. I didn't say anything, before stepping back make the other inside the room looking away. Have I loss my mind?! Why did I do that to someone I met for the first time?? Although my mind is in turmoil, I keep up my poker face. Ramza looking at me weirdly before faking a cough.

"Thankk you, Alyson. Next up is Alan, last but not least."

He tried to change the mood. Then the last man, look around in smile. He is a brown haired guy, with blue eyes, and straight nose, with a body that would make you think he is a swordsman than a magician. He look with admiring eyes on Ramza.

"My name is Alan, I come from Rames Territory. I am majoring in Magic Combat like Cindy, also my dream was to follow my father foot steps."

Then suddenly Ramza opening his eyes wide.

"Ah, you're the boy that come to the the military field from time to time. Son of Sir Theo."

"Yes milord! My father is honorary knight of Rames territory."

"I see, also don't called me that here. I am your teacher here. Just called me Mister or Prof or teacher. You guys should do that too, except we were talking in private."

"Understood Prof Ramza."

They other also nodding their head except me and Alfonso.

"Then, here is your study plan for this term. Since you guys are freshman, all the plan made by the academy. But from next term you would meet up with me to discuss the classes you would like to take. "

He then giving the 5 of them a paper.

"While Zein your case is somewhat extraordinary, as you're already a sophomore. But your parents already made your study plan since you were in comatose."

Hearing those the five of them shocked.

"He got exemption because of that. You freshman better not thinking about taking leave for months like him. The academy only give exemption to those that got seriously injury like him. So don't try to stunt, even my family won't be able to change their mind without a proper reason."

They all nodding their head.

"Then you guys may take your leave.

When Alan open the door. Then as I turn around Ramza start speaking again.

"Also Zein think about it once again."

He wink at me as saying this. Nice one Ramza. I smirk at him.

"Not a chance. I already decline it twice and you ask me again. Do you think I would change my mind just to give you face in front of them? I'll tell you again then, I decline."

"Sigh, too bad then."

The five of them dumbfounded at our acting, the crowd outside could hear our conversation. Now, you're really the best of the Rames siblings. You even know how to clean the mess from before. We only talk about feeding the public fake news, and you did it cleanly. You even doing it at the right timing. Well played Ramza.

We left the room, as the crowd opening path for us. Then we splitting, only me and that girl Alyson left alone somehow. I could see her still trembling as she look around... Somehow her figure is overlapping with someone I know in my past life... Like my ex girlfriend... She was also introvert to the boot as she afraid with people. She got phobia because of bullying when she was children and teenager.

People keep abusing her for being nerd and gloomy... Even after she got in University, her phobia never get better. She would tremble when there is a crowd of people. Then when people asking her name she would stuttering and saying word by word while looking down. Now I wonder how was she doing? When I got reincarnated she barely stand up back on her toes... It took me two years to open her heart and took me another year to court her. But when we're finally sure about our feeling...

As I am in deep thought, I already grab Alyson hand and pull her away from the crowd. The crowd moving away further when I staring at them. Then when I realized we already at a park near the dormitory. Alyson was shaking really bad, I could feel her hand wet with cold sweat. I released my hand at once as no one around already. I leave without looking back at her.

I could only sigh. As I made my way back to dormitory.