The Four Void Mage

Headmaster's Office.

Professor Colbert was energetically explaining everything to Osmond about the two ordinary young men Louise had summoned during the Summoning Magic ceremony.

He detailed how he had noticed the mark that appeared on the hand of the black-haired young man, indicating his contract with Louise.

"You've researched Gandalfr, Brimir the Founder's Familiar?"

Osmond scrutinized Colbert's sketch of the mark on Saito's left hand.

"Yes! The mark that appeared on that young man's left hand is identical to the one inscribed on Gandalfr."

"That boy is Gandalfr! If this isn't major news, then what is?" Colbert stood up, wiping his bald head with a handkerchief.

"Hmm… The mark is indeed identical. But for a commoner to become Gandalfr just because of the same mark... Wait a moment, wasn't there another young man summoned by Miss Vallière?"

Osmond realized they had overlooked something important.

"That's correct. Miss Vallière is the first person in the history of Tristain Academy of Magic to summon humans as Familiars. Not just one, but two! While Hiraga Saito appears to be a commoner, he is most likely Gandalfr, judging by the mark on his hand after contracting with Miss Vallière."

Professor Colbert paused to catch his breath.

He had stayed up all night and hadn't slept yet. He had been in the library searching for information about the mark he had seen on Saito's hand.

Gandalfr was a legendary type of Familiar. The primary role of Gandalfr was to protect the Void Mage while they cast Void magic slowly. Gandalfr was even known to be able to take on thousands of troops alone with their abilities.

They were unique because they were entirely human, unlike other Familiars or monsters. The only indicator of Gandalfr was the rune mark located on their body.

After calming down, Professor Colbert continued with a slightly regretful tone, "Unfortunately, the other young man escaped before Miss Vallière could contract with him. So we don't know if he is one of the four legendary Void Familiars of Brimir the Founder. However, judging from Hiraga Saito's case, it is very likely."

"Hmm... From the reports I've heard, that young man was severely injured and had only one hand, correct? For him to leave Tristain Academy of Magic so quickly without causing a commotion, no matter how you look at it, that young man is not ordinary."

Stroking his long beard, Osmond was more curious about the white-haired young man who had escaped.

Although Saito was suspected to be Gandalfr, he hadn't shown any remarkable indications; he seemed no different from an ordinary person. But Eiji was different; he exhibited superhuman speed relying solely on pure physical strength.

Professor Colbert, who was on the courtyard that day, could guarantee that he did not feel the other party using any magic to achieve such terrifying movements.

"Now, Mister Colbert. Assuming the white-haired young man is one of the four Void Familiars, which one do you think he is?"

Since Professor Colbert had researched Brimir, Osmond wanted to hear his opinion.

"Because Hiraga Saito is almost certainly Gandalfr, the remaining ones are Lífþrasir, Vindálfr, and Mjöðvitnir."

Faced with this question, Professor Colbert thought carefully.

Each Void Familiar had different meanings and abilities.

—Gandalfr, known as the Left Hand of God. Its main power is absolute mastery over any object intended for combat. Additionally, Gandalfr would temporarily gain increased strength, agility, endurance, and reflexes, along with full proficiency over the weapon.

—Lífþrasir, also known as the Heart of God. This Familiar can enhance the magical power of a Void Mage's spells, but using this power will shorten their lifespan, and using it uncontrollably will kill Lífþrasir. Essentially, the Familiar doesn't act as a catalyst for spells but enhances them by using their own life force as fuel. However, this is only half of its power and the gentlest part. The other half is the power to store magical energy, making spells more potent and, for lack of a better term, turning themselves into a bomb.

—Vindálfr, also known as the Right Hand of God. Its special ability is to control animals through voice.

—Mjöðvitnir, also known as the Mind of God. This ability allows one to use any magical artifact and create almost any magical feat. It is the opposite of Gandalfr, who uses weapons and scientific applications, whereas Mjöðvitnir uses magical theory and spells.

"Since Hiraga Saito is Gandalfr, I lean towards the white-haired young man being Vindálfr." Professor Colbert concluded after deep thought.

"That makes sense. Miss Vallière summoned two young men as Familiars. One is Gandalfr, meaning the Left Hand of God, so it's possible the white-haired young man is Vindálfr, meaning the Right Hand of God."

Osmond agreed with the assessment.

"What should we do?" Professor Colbert asked with concern.

This was not a trivial matter. A Mage considered a failure by other students had actually summoned two of the four Void Familiars at once. If this news spread, a storm would hit Tristain Academy of Magic.

"However, it might be too soon to make direct claims."

"True."

Osmond tapped the table with his fingers. After a while, he made a decision.

"First, keep this information confidential. Second, find that white-haired young man. Given his condition, he shouldn't have gone far."

"Understood." Professor Colbert nodded.

❀❀❀

Eiji woke up again when he heard the door open. He saw Siesta entering with a tray of food and drink.

"How are you feeling, Eiji? Any better?"

Placing her hand on his forehead, Siesta checked his temperature.

"A bit better, cough cough."

Covering his mouth with his hand, Eiji saw blood on his palm.

"I brought some herbal medicine. It tastes very bitter, but it's good for curing coughs."

Taking a handkerchief from her uniform, Siesta wiped the blood from Eiji's mouth and hand.

"It's okay, I can handle it."

"Then, let me help you."

Helping him sit up, Siesta brought the cup of green liquid with a pungent smell to his mouth.

"..."

Eiji's eyebrows furrowed slightly; the aroma was undeniably bad. Nevertheless, he forced himself to drink it. After all, it was an herbal drink prepared by Siesta for him.

"Drink some water to wash away the bitterness."

Seeing him drink without changing his expression, Siesta gave him water.

"Is it alright for you to be here at this time? Aren't you busy?"

Drinking the water, Eiji sighed with relief, then asked.

"I've finished my tasks, so I have free time." Siesta replied with a gentle smile.

She continued feeding him.

Eiji obediently let her feed him.

While he ate, Siesta talked about the events of the day.

For instance, Louise's Familiar recklessly challenged a student named Guiche de Gramont to a duel.

"Saito got beaten up badly. Just when everyone thought the outcome was decided, when he held a sword, the situation completely turned around. He miraculously defeated Sir Gramont with ease!"

Siesta had witnessed the duel firsthand. She didn't understand where Saito's strength came from.

If Saito had been that strong from the start, why did he get beaten up until his face was swollen?

"Is that really so impressive?" Eiji said without enthusiasm.

Even if Saito mastered all kinds of weapons due to the Gandalfr rune, in the end, it wasn't his own strength. If the Gandalfr rune disappeared, he would revert to being an ordinary person.

Eiji even believed that if Saito were pitted against Maki, Maki would be the winner.

Unlike Saito, who mastered various weapons through the Gandalfr rune's cheat-like method, Maki mastered various weapons through training and hard work.

Their battle Iqs were vastly different. Saito couldn't defeat Maki with just the Gandalfr's power.

"Judging by your physique, Eiji, you can fight, right?" Siesta asked curiously.

"Of course, why?"

"If you fought Saito, who would win?"

"I would."

"You seem very confident."

"Just stating facts."

Siesta smiled and didn't dispute Eiji's assertion. She continued feeding him carefully.

After finishing, she took the dirty dishes and left. After all, she still had to work.

Left alone in the room, Eiji chose to go back to sleep so he could recover from this annoying fever as quickly as possible.