Mage Division

The next day.

Due to some works, Nayari had to left his room early in the morning.

When he came back, he saw a familiar blonde girl standing in front of his room, fidgeting.

"Maria. What are you doing here so soon in the morning?"

"Eek! N-Nayari?! Why are you there?!" His voice startled the unsuspecting girl.

"I had to left early some things. So, why are you here?"

"Well...you see...about the deal..."

"Ah. You said that you would deal with the rumor."

"Yes. When I went out to see, I no longer heard anything about the rumor anymore."

"Huh. And you said you would allow me to make any request from you, right?"

"Eh...Yes."

"Then, I'll say it right here."

"Eh?"

"What's he going to do to me?!" Maria thought to herself, closing her eyes.

As a prideful noble, she never went back on her words.

But she felt regrets for giving him that chance.

What would he want from her?

Wealth?

He doesn't look the type to be obsessed with money.

Fame?

If he was actually "Nightingale", then he had already made fame with everyone in this country.

Then, perhaps...

Her?

"I want you..."

"Heh?!"

"...to take me to your currently-ill sister."

She let out a breath of relief.

She belonged to Karmeson, and only him.

"Wait a second. How did you know I have a sister?"

"Eh. Just some searching around. It's really easy to find information about big families after all."

"Then, is it true that...you're "Nightingale"?"

"So that's what they've decided to call me, huh...Yeah, I think."

"Then...!"

"Wait. I've one more request. My treatment isn't free after all, only this time..."

"What do you want? If you managed to cure my sister's, I can give you anything you want."

Nayari suddenly bowed down to Maria.

"Please! Teach me magic!"

"Eh. EH?!"

"You've managed to impress me with your ability to use magic. Without your help back then, many people would have lost their lives. I can't express my gratitude enough, but please, show me how to use magic as you did."

"Ah...Um..."

Maria was taken aback by Nayari's words yet again.

"S-So you finally realized it, huh? H-How great I truly am. There's no other way then, I'll teach you how to use magic proficiently as I do."

"Thank you. I'll also try my best to help your sister."

The door to Nayari's room suddenly opened once more, a familiar pink-haired girl peaked her head out.

She had just woken up, so she still sleepy.

"*yawn*...Hey...Nayari, what are you doing so early in the morning? And...You're...Maria Marigold?! Hey, Nayari, what's the meaning of this?!"

"Hmm? Oh, Lilith, you've woken up. Since you're here also, I'll announce this: I'll now move to the Magic Division."

"Ehhhhh?!!" Both of them was shocked at his statement.

"Really?!/But why?!" Maria seemed to be happy, while Lilith wasn't.

"I suddenly had an interest in magic. Perhaps after I learned magic, I could save more people than I've previously could."

"...Alright then, it's your choice..." Lilith sighed dejectedly.

"Thank you. Now we need to prepare ourselves for the upcoming lessons."

----

That evening.

"Your wounds have completely gone."

"Eh?! Really?!" Lilith was shocked to hear the news.

"Yeah. You can go check yourself."

Lilith got up from the bed and looked at herself in the mirror.

"It's true! They're all gone!"

"Here. Try swinging your sword around. Be careful not to hit anything though." Nayari threw Lilith's sword at her direction.

"Ah...! Okay." She caught and unsheathed it.

Stabilizing her breathing, she let out a combo of precisive slashes.

Even Nayari was impressed by it.

"Woah...How are you feeling?"

"I feel great! It's all thanks to you, Nayari!"

"I'm glad to hear that. Congratulation."

Her movement reminded him of his father.

"...Seems like she was really taught by Father..." He thought to himself.

"Ok. Enough screwing around. Let us sleep. You'll be joining others to train tomorrow."

"Roger!"

----

"...What the..."

The once-wrecked Mage Arena had been completely restored to its original state, with nothing left of that rubbles the other day.

"I'm just as surprised as you're." Maria, who has just arrived, said.

They entered the arena, and Nayari was immediately greeted by the students.

"You're Nayari, right?! We've heard about you, and how you defeated that griffon!"

"Oh, it's the kid that ordered us mage to keep the griffon down so he could steal the ending blow." One of the older students said.

"Hey! At least he saved us all!" The other student retorted.

"...So you're not denying it..." Nayari thought to himself.

"Ah. By the way, aren't you also the kid that has like five Rank S on his magic aptitude test?"

"The one that fainted?"

"...Yes. That's me." Nayari answered.

"All and all, welcome to the Mage Division, Nayari. No matter who it is, if they had magical abilities then we will always welcome them." The one who looked oldest put his hand out toward Nayari.

He had a deep purple hair, with a scar on his left cheek.

"Thank you." He grabbed it and did a handshake.

Maria next to him bloomed a small smile.

But her smile soon disappeared when the guy glared at her.

His grip on Nayari's hand also tightened.

Nayari, of course, took notice of all of that, but remained silent.

Another day started for him and everyone.