The Academy Pt1

Inside a brightly lit office, one infuriated old man was glaring at the one causing him most trouble.

The familiar girl was pouting.

One could tell they were blood-related from the similarity in their features. Though the young girl had the same eyes, the rest of her had no resemblance to blonde-haired principal before her.

"Give me back my Inverter." She slammed the table intimidatingly. The old man had no reaction to this.

Only responding: "You're not getting it back."

"It's MY personal arm. It even has my Life Seal-"

"And do you think I'll mishandle it? Anyway, you won't need it. You're now being demoted."

"DEMOTED?!" The girl's eyes widened in shock.

The scarlet-haired beauty was unable to believe it... How dare he take her off the grid like this?!

"B-but you NEED ME there!"

"I admit: You're strong, but there are still those experienced with dealing with the undead in the Special Magic Investigation Unit. Those who have pride in protecting the Earthland Domain's peace.

I admit that they aren't as 'talented' as the new generation, but they're Dragoons nevertheless."

"Grandfather…"

"Valry, you have accept it." The blonde principal of the academy switched his tone to one cold as ice.

There were no nepotism when it came to Ranks.

It had been a long time since she had gone through her first semester and skipped Ranks herself.

Becoming the first to independently become a Dragoon at a young age from accomplishments.

But all that went out the window at this moment.

Although he sympathised on how she'd feel from going back to being a Cadet, this was all for her.

She couldn't continue like this.

"Why am I being demoted...?! I've done my duties as a Magus. I followed military regulations." (Valry)

"Do you seriously not know the reason?" The old veteran of war gave her an intense yet frigid stare.

He, Celest Vagabond, was a 'Sage', and the first man to take up arms to fight in the war against the 'denizens of the underworld'. With the Macros and Inverters invented by his wife, and the 'Limiter' created by the man who supported their efforts.

"Do you not know?" Such a man repeated his question intimidatingly. Which really scared her.

"…" But Valry kept her silence.

Unlike in the past, those of the Earthland Domain were now under the jurisdiction of the Magi Association her grandfather founded. The days old had vanished, and he was no longer the era's hero.

People had changed since the first outbreak.

In order to stop the spread of the 'Extinction Virus' that killed many, 'Limiters' were handed out.

The very same ones made by their family friend.

They were used as prevention tools that stopped the unidentified bacteria from infecting people.

Besides those who had naturally gained high resistance to the Extinction Virus, it was now mandatory for all to wear a Limiter. Of course, this prevention method naturally came with a flaw.

One that was exceptionally significant…

With only some exceptions, those that had Limiter technology implanted into their hands were unable to physically produce 'Mana'. Therefore, those of the frontline used 'magical weapons' instead.

Each one forged with knowledge from Magi…

Making them similar to Mages, but inferior in the fact that Dragoons back then borrowed this power.

Sometimes dying when they'd ran out of bullets.

Without this kind of magic, the Undead would stay undying and unable to be wounded. It was only by implanting Mana into weapons, which then became called 'Inverters', that they could slay the undying.

Celest had high hopes on the new generation...

…until today.

With new advancements in technology, new soldiers were no longer only 'Magi' in name-only.

It was through combining the technology and formulas of Inverters and Limiters together that they progressed. Now new Cadets could use a power they'd always cultivated: 'Limiter Inverters'.

A technology that revolutionised the entire city!

Unlike the rest of the regular army, they weren't completely reliant on merely 'tools' to use Mana.

After having their 'Potential to use Mana' implanted into an Inverter, they could now use them freely.

Grow it from a seed to a sapling…

Among those new recruits, the old veteran's granddaughter was a 'monster' among Rookies.

As someone born with his bloodline, she already had high potential for Mana in the first place.

This talent bloomed further when the Association gave everything they could to produce her own Limiter Inverter. A unique weapon that used up so many materials, it was a modern day masterpiece.

It had let Valry become the strongest after him.

However, his granddaughter had one problem:

"You keep on killing or beheading targets!" Celest couldn't help but point out her crazy war crimes.

Even though she was supposed to gain the fame of a Hero of this generation, Valry instead became an infamous 'Berserker' on the battlefield. A red queen of death that beheaded all of her enemies.

Whenever she saw a 'Martial Artist', she'd fight kill rather than capture them. A pain for her superiors.

This had caused him no shortage of problems in their search for the 'Gate to the Underworld'. After the 'First World Ender War', finding the entrance to their enemy's homeland became really tough.

That's why her many interferences enraged him...!

"...That couldn't be helped. They fight with a 'do or die' mindset. I'm just trying to protect myself."

Valry finally started averting her eyes. There was a clear insincerity in her tone while avoiding his gaze.

"Who are you trying to fool here?" Celest scoffed at her, then felt as if a headache was coming on.

"It's not my fault they were weak. I really 'tried' to capture them." There was arrogance in her tone.

"Enough." Celest stopped her before solemnly speaking: "I'm stripping you of your Extractor Rank and dropping you to level of a Cadet. You will be assigned to work in a Squad of this Academy."

"...What about my equipment?" Valry didn't go against his authority, instead asking him this.

Without her Limiter Inverter, she had no way of doing the 'culling duties' of an Academy student.

"You'll be assigned a D Rank Imaginary Inverter, as well as an E Rank MagiPistol with a high class Macro Converter. Be sure to thank me, you useless granddaughter of mine, for giving you two.

The 'Extraction Points' you personally gathered in the field are enough to afford them.

Don't reject what I give. Being compatible with an Imaginary Inverter, yet choosing not to use it, is just a waste!" Celest, the old veteran, slid forward an authority pass to give her clearance to take them.

Valry wasn't merely pouting anymore.

The moment she heard of this 'Imaginary Inverter' being pushed to her, the girl's eyes became empty.

Even though she wanted to refuse it, there was a difference in Ranks even she religiously followed

Moreover, she was rational enough to know that she couldn't immaturely refuse a good weapon.

Especially when she had responsibilities to follow.

"...I know 'Imaginary Inverters' are special, but I don't need it. They're second-rate in my eyes.

D Rank may be the strongest of the artificially-created Inverters, but it's not as strong as my Limiter Inverter. What's the point here?" Valry, the scarlet-haired beauty, felt a strange sense of emptiness in her heart. Wanting to kill someone.

But that emptiness was ignited with passionate flames of devotion to her craft when she heard:

"When you had your weapon, no one was ever on your level. That's why you couldn't improve.

It might not be something you're interested in, but you need limitations if you want to grow stronger.

I promise you this: If you're able to gain experience by fighting without that weapon, then I'll consider you a proper successor." There was a slight shift in tone. Celest started to sound a bit more dignified.

"Really...?" Valry couldn't believe it.

This was the first time what her grandfather said brightened her mood. He wasn't the type to flatter.

If the people's hero said she'd be strong enough to be his successor, then he definitely wasn't lying.

Strength... This was a good reason to be obedient for now. For power, she'd do just about anything.

This was her goal in life after 'that incident'...

Her face betrayed none of those emotions she felt though. Only taking the card that was given to her.

She then spoke in a voice that hinted to her heart:

"So... what team will I be assigned to?" The prodigy Magi, Valry Vagabond, inquired with determination.

She was resolved to pass this 'test'...

The young girl could never have imagined her grandfather actually have a sense of humour.

"Squad 42. Or as they're called by the rest of the student body: The valiant 'Support Squad'." It had been a long time since he had the chance to break that poker face of hers, so he feigned solemnness.

He put three documents on the table. Despite their extensive information regarding achievements and results, she quickly flipped through the files before looking at him with a gaze filled with suspicion.

"It says they don't contribute much overall." Valry tried sounding him out, but he kept up his act:

"But you can tell that's only because the other Squads monopolise credit, can't you?" What Celest said was right. With her own deductions, she figured as much. There were inconsistencies between the reports given on their capabilities.

"Then what can you say for certain about them?" It was out of pure confidence her grandfather would never lie that Valry asked. Celest curved his lips in mischief while looking down on each document.

On the first file was written: {Christina Flint}

"This girl is a sniper who never misses. As long as the target within the range of her senses, it will be hit with a hundred percent accuracy." He praised the blonde-haired girl on the document picture.

"What's her Mana Capacity?"

"E Rank."

"Hmph, she's weaker than most." The girl scoffed proudly, only to hear a disappointed sigh from him.

"You really don't understand this place..." Though that was natural, considering she graduated early.

This Cadet never got the chance to understand this Academy. She only used it as a stepping stone...

"...What am I missing?" Valry showed her modesty.

"The students of this Academy are all 'proper' Magi, unlike others. They're at the age where all of their Limiter Inverters are of the E Rank. You might look down on them, but they're stronger than a regular soldier holding a D Rank Inverter Firearm."

Celest explained how having E Rank magical capabilities was far more adaptive than the old era.

D Rank firearms sounded fine on paper, but having to use magical firearms meant having to give constant supply with high demand. It was just more cost effective for soldiers to generate magic itself.

That way, they didn't take too much resources.

Moreover, once these Cadets were old enough to graduate, they'd go beyond their predecessors.

"I see..." Valry fell for his trickery. Using her lack of knowledge to push up the Support Squad's image.

But the girl still continued to ask: "Then what about the others? What makes them so special?"

She put down two documents: One had {Fritz Lazrik} written as the name, while the other was about another girl named {Betty Black}. The two of them seemed to be misfits from their pictures.

The former was staring at the person taking his image with eyes that seemed to be burning with ambition. He even seemed to be a little angry for some reason, which clued her in on his personality.

The latter was of a girl who was smiling while getting way too close for comfort to the camera taking the image. She could see the mischief in her eyes as clear as day, making Valry a bit suspicious.

Celest coughed, pretending there was nothing wrong with the images. He pointed at the black-haired girl on the right. The one who was shoving her chest into the camera and looking down into it.

"She is someone who was directly scouted by the War Medics and Combat Engineers to graduate early like you did. The only reason the Cadet's still in this Squad… is because she wants to stay there."

"What was her reason?" (Valry)

"Ahem... Moving on." The girl's suspicion only grew stronger when he failed to give a reasonable reply.

He was amused by her emotionless mask breaking.

The old veteran pointed at the last individual on the team, the only male and designated Squad Leader.

"This one is the most interesting. He comes from a Clan that specialises in Seal Crafts. His Limiter Inverter is also a MagiPen. You could say that that he's the model for what a true 'Magi' should be."

"Seal Crafts...?" She hadn't heard of them.

Valry was aware of 'Inject Crafts', which were the standard magical abilities used by exceptional Cadets through injecting Mana into their bodies via Limiter Inverter. But what were 'Seal Crafts'?

When she was still here, there wasn't anyone better at her when it came to using Inject Crafts.

It looked like things had changed from back then.

Even if she was the best back then, it was hard to say what kind of innovations were made since then.

"Oh, you wouldn't know this, but students use their Macro Converters to install 'Auto Skills' into their weapons. When the Macro is injected with magical energy, it lets them use Auto Skills just like Crafts."

Celest likened it to a video game. Rather than doing a complicated procedure, there was enough space on a Macro to save a certain amount of data for an Inject Craft's shortcut. A way easier method.

It was to the point Inject Craft's became obsolete.

"Sounds complicated..." Valry felt it was a bit off.

Was he trying to change the subject again? It felt like he wasn't going into much detail on purpose.

"That's only because you never had to install an Auto Skill thanks to the highest quality Limiter Inverter I gave you. From now on, learn how to process your Skills manually and install them." He was sure she'll quickly pick up on their execution.

Many students these days were forgetting how to manually change the Auto Skills they've saved without a manual. It would be nice if she could act as someone the others could use as an example.

Otherwise, things will likely get dangerous later on.

"Why did he enter the Academy anyway?" Valry suddenly felt his background was quite vague.

"Actually-" Before her grandfather could change the subject, she snatched the document from him.

Valry's eyes turned frigid after searching through the papers. Her opinion of 'Fritz' dropped a level.

"So he said he wanted to become a Magi for money. He has no sense of duty... It's people like this that ruin the Association." Her experiences on the frontline made her dismiss this 'Squad Leader'.

"I'm guessing you aren't happy about them. Even so, they are your team." Celest kept his choice.

"Was it THAT obvious?" (Valry)

"Let me give you an interesting detail." (Celest)

"Which is?" (Valry)

"One of them is compatible with an Imaginary Type weapon as well." His words made her eyes widen.

"You're kidding..." (Valry)

"Do I ever lie~?" (Celest)

"Good point." Valry's hesitation was gone. She was interested in seeing who this future bigwig of the Magi Association would be. If an Imaginary Type weapon was given to them, they'd be really strong.

After all, Imaginary Inverters we're secret weapons that had been kept a secret from the student body.

It was the last breakthrough in Inverter technology.

"So... are you willing to join the squad?" Celest threw out the most important question right there.

"Okay, fine." Valry slowly sighed before leaving.

Seeing her walk out, the old veteran finally stretched out his arms and leaned back on his chair. It was at that moment a woman dressed like a secretary brought some tea for him to enjoy.

"Did things go well?" The mature woman asked with a certain tone, causing him to curl his lips.

He knew what she wanted to say.

"Give her some time. You can return to her side when she's matured a little." Celest then took a sip.

"...What if she dies?" Although the secretary had no doubt in the girl's skill, this was a bit dangerous.

These words caused him to put his cup down.

His smile had yet to become faded...

"What if she does?" The indifference in his tone made the woman freeze up. He was too callous...

"She's this world's 'Chosen One'. You won't ever be able to fulfil your goals without her being alive."

"She's not as necessary as you think." The old veteran spoke before turning to see a black cat.

Something about its eyes were too enigmatic…

"Is that...?" The woman stopped herself halfway.

Keeping her silence as the black feline stretched its body and acted like nothing more than a kitty cat.

"Kitty, are you really going to act like this even after I saved your life? Can't you be more intimate with your saviour?" The black cat that appeared didn't reply to him, only staring at him from a distance.

"Ahem...This IS the cat, right?" Celest muttered to himself, unsure if it was just a regular feline or not.

When the furball left the office from the window, he turned to the 'secretary' in charge of security.

"That WAS Kitty Saith." The secretary woman clarified, causing a sigh of relief to leave his mouth.

The crisis was averted.

His image stayed intact...

"Keep an eye on them, but don't ever interfere." He gave his orders. Celest put down his ultimatum.

Serious about his decision.

"What if Valry is in great danger?" The woman seemed more worried about Valry than he did.

"..." The old veteran didn't reply, but his indifferent gaze was enough to say what he was thinking.

He then took off to prepare for the 'introduction'...