A NEW LIFE A NEW START (2)

"I want you to be my master, Master Viviane."

Flinched, Viviane can only stare at Satria, blankly. 

She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"W-what? You want me to be your master?"

Viviane just spouts words that come to her mind. Satria didn't bother to answer as it was just a rhetorical question. Instead, Satria just stares at Viviane.

"A-are you serious?"

Adjusting his posture, Satria sat up straight with a poised and refined demeanor.

"Yes, Master Viviane."

"B-but w-why?"

Satria places the book on the table.

"Because of this."

Viviane turns her attention to the book. It was the book that she wrote.

"It was an amazing book. Never in my life have I read a book like that; it was astonishing."

Viviane can only listen to Satria in silence. Words are refusing to come out from her mouth. She was flabbergasted by what was happening.

"Even so, there are a lot of things that I still can't understand."

"..."

"I thought, in order for me to fully understand everything, I needed someone. Someone to help me understand it."

"..."

"That's why, please, become my master, Master Viviane."

"Ah, ehm. Eh?"

"You don't want to?"

"Ah, no, i-it's just."

Viviane shaking, she lost her usual cheerfulness.

Satria, who seemed desperate, leaned his body towards her. Without a hint of hesitation, he swiftly stretches his arms and seizes Vivian's hands. He grabs her hands firmly, making it hard for her to retract them. With a sincere look and a smile, Satria said.

"Please, Master, teach me your magic." 

It was like a confession of love.

Satria deliberately made it sound like he was confessing to Viviane. Viviane was unable to conceal her shocked expression, her heart raced, unsure of how to respond. The room seemed to hold her breath as she grappled with the sudden change of atmosphere. She still couldn't believe what she just heard, and yet Satria held her hands tighter.

"N-N-Noo."

Viviane instinctively poured mana into her hands, withdrawing them from Satria's grasp. Satria couldn't stop her, he hadn't learned any mana utilizations, so he just let her hands go. Viviane holds her hand tightly in her chest. With eyes full of questions, her cheeks blush.

Satria, understanding what Viviane is feeling, pulls his body onto the couch and sits.

Viviane is wondering how the situation became like this. All kinds of thoughts crossed her mind. Without seeing a hint to calm herself down, Viviane tries to reach an empty cup on the table.

Satria, who knew how much Viviane was addicted to tea, moves his hands. His hands are a little bit faster than the trembling Viviane, so he was the first to reach the cup. He grabs the cup and picks up the teapot. He pours the tea into the cup and places it near Viviane.

"W-what are y-you d-doing right now?"

Viviane, who was eager to calm herself, got more puzzled with Satria's action. Satria didn't give her an answer. Instead, he put a smile on his face, the same sincere smile as before.

Viviane quickly took her cup and gulped the tea in one go. It seems one cup is not enough for her as she took the teapot and began to pour another cup of tea. 

Only after the fifth cup, Viviane calms herself down.

She took a deep breath. She took a deep long breath and closed her eyes. Satria just sits there, in silence, watching Viviane as she tries to calm herself down.

"Huu."

"Master."

"Please don't call me that."

 Viviane said with an irritated and annoyed voice.

"Master."

"Argh, Stop it!"

Viviane, frustrated, clutches her head in response.

"Are you being serious right now? You want me to do what? Accept you as my apprentice?"

Viviane opens her eyes wide and shouts directly at Satria's face.

"Yes, Master."

"Ugh, you think I can just accept you? Without any actual reason?"

"No, it's my wish. I'd rather become your apprentice instead of choosing a stupid power, Master."

"Stop with the master thing!"

BRAK!

Viviane slams the table. She is definitely feeling frustrated right now. Even her face shows how frustrated she is. Viviane didn't even bother to hide it. Now, she is just venting her frustration to Satria.

"And what? Do you really think that I will really teach you my magic?"

"You already have."

Satria points at the book on the table.

"It's a different thing!"

"It's the same thing for me."

"Y-you."

Lost for words, Viviane can only clench her fists.

"You really understand what you mean right? Right? Right?"

"Yes, Master."

"Ugh, becoming my apprentice means that you also have to be the Protector of Avalon and oversee magic."

"I know; you told me."

"It's not as easy as it sounded! You also have to deal with the corrupted mana!"

"Isn't that the reason why you summoned me here?"

"Ugh! Right!"

Viviane was just spouting whatever she wanted at him. She even forgot that was the reason why she had him summoned. 

Perplexed by the situation, Viviane lost to Satria. She cannot win against him in an argument.

"Hah." Viviane let out a sigh.

Satria is calm. In fact, he was calm all this time. His eyes showed how determined he is.

"Are you really serious about this?"

"I am."

"Are you REALLY serious about this?"

"Yes."

"Hah." Viviane sighs.

Viviane can't understand what Satria is thinking. She places her hand at her forehead and starts rubbing it.

"I can't just make you my apprentice you know, you have to go to Contraria, remember?"

"Yes, Master."

"Then how? How do you wish to become my apprentice when you aren't even here!?"

"I have some thoughts about it."

Intrigued, Viviane leans her body forward, staring into Satria's eyes, in anticipation. His eyes are telling the truth. There wasn't a hint of plot nor whatsoever, it was an honest eye. He really had thoughts of something. Something to make it possible for him to become her disciple while still dealing with the Decay.

"Then tell me. How? How?"

"You can just give me the ability to come here every time I wanted."

"Hah, what do you mean?"

"You summoned me here, just give me the ability to come here. It's easy."

"Then why didn't you just ask me if you wanted the ability to come here!?"

BRAK!

Viviane slams the table once again.

"I don't think I can learn anything from you if I did."

"You don't have to be my apprentice just for that."

"No, I am."

"Yes, you are, I'm not interested. Just ask me if you have any questions; It's that simple."

"Master."

"Or you can just learn from this book, just like you did."

Viviane picks up the book and taps on it.

"I can just give you the book if that is your wish, here, take it!"

She shoved the book to Satria, but he refused to take it. Viviane seemed to forget the reason why Satria asked to be her apprentice in the first place. She was too frustrated, he thought.

"It's a different thing, Master."

"Ugh."

No matter how hard Viviane tries, she can't win an argument against Satria. He just outright threw whatever she said right back at her.

"Hah, I can't win against you." Viviane sighs.

"..."

Viviane thinks deeply. They don't have much time left, Satria needs to go to Contraria as quickly as possible.

"Fine, I'll let you become my apprentice."

Satria's face brightened, that's what he wanted.

"But, an apprentice that only comes to his master whenever he wishes, isn't that too shameless of you?"

"I have a job to do, Master, remember?"

"Ugh, right."

Viviane stares at Satria's eyes with a disbelieving look. What he had asked was indeed a shameless thing. How can an apprentice only come whenever he wishes? Isn't that breaking the law of nature, she thought.

"Argh, screw it. You cheeky bastard!"

"..."

Satria went silent at Viviane's remarks.

"Alright, I'll let you become my apprentice. Now come. Kneel before me."

Viviane stood up and moved over to the side. Satria followed her, he bent his body and kneeled before her.

Viviane conjures her staff. She takes it with her right hand, holding it upright. Tapping her staff twice, Viviane creates a magic circle on the floor.

WHIZZ.

"Now, you need to match your words with mine."

"Yes, Master."

"Ugh."

'Argh, I don't care anymore, let's just get this over with and send him down.' Viviane thought.

Viviane closes her eyes, she raises her staff and starts the master-apprentice ritual.

"I, Viviane of Avalon, with mana as my witness, hereby, declare Satria Kusuma Wijaya as my apprentice, to teach him, to guide him, to grant him the knowledge I possess, just like my master, and the masters before me."

WHOOSH~.

A strong wind blows as Viviane recites her pledge. Books get scattered across the room as the powerful winds gust through. The teapot, the cups, the couches, the table is shaking. The window rattles loudly.

Viviane and Satria, unbothered by their surroundings, didn't move an inch, for this is a sacred ritual. A ritual that has mana as their witness. A sacred ritual of a master and her apprentice.

Viviane words flowing into Stria's mind. He doesn't even need to think of the answer, since the mana gives him the answer he needs.

"I, Satria Kusuma Wijaya, with mana as my witness, hereby, accept Viviane of Avalon as my Master, to learn from her, to be guided by her, and to receive the knowledge she possesses, just like she did with her master, and the masters before her."

A light shot out from both of them, circling around and floating gently in the air. The ethereal glow illuminated the sacred moment as the bond between an apprentice and his master began to weave its mystical threads. The magical energy resonated, echoing the long tradition of passing down knowledge through generations.

The light dimmed and rested on both of their chests, marking the completion of the ritual. In this quiet moment, their pledge solidified. A new master and apprentice relationship was formed, with the mana as their witness.

*

The steel door is opening, it was Viviane and her new cheeky apprentice.

"You remember what I just told you right?"

"Yes, Master."

"Also, you need to deal with the corrupted mana, the sooner, the better."

"Yes, Master."

"Once you reincarnate, don't forget to raise an army. You can't do it alone, unless you become as strong as me, of course."

"Yes, Master."

'Argh, I can't get used to this.'

Hearing Satria use the word 'Master' over and over, irritated Viviane, making her feel uncomfortable. No matter how many times Satria says it, she just can't get used to it. Despite that, Satria keeps calling her 'Master'. It's true that Viviane has already accepted him as her apprentice, but still, she can't help but cringes whenever Satria calls her that.

'Hah,' Viviane sighs, 'it's not a bad thing I guess, I could use another pair of hands here.'

It's actually quite tiring managing Avalon on her own. Not to mention, she also needs to take care of her master.

Merlin, who spends most of his time sleeping and recovering from his wounds, cannot fulfill any of the duties of a Protector. That's why, as his apprentice, Viviane took the job. Of course, if there are any major problems, Viviane consults with Merlin first before taking any action. It was also Viviane's idea to summon some people from Earth to deal with corrupted mana.

At first, Merlin rejects, but Viviane gives a proper reasoning and detailed plan. Merlin can't refuse her, given his current condition, he was not in a state where he could fulfill his duty.

Thanks to Satria bringing up the topic of apprenticeship, Viviane also hopes to gain some merits from it. Especially regarding Avalon and the duty of its Protector.

"Master."

"Yes, my cheeky apprentice. What is it?"

"I'm sorry Master, but could you tell me where we are now?"

"You see the altar over there?"

"Yes, Master."

"That's your ticket to Contraria."

"I see."

An altar is placed in the middle of the room. The room is dimly lit, creating an eerie atmosphere. The altar, adorned with magic symbols, holds a sacred aura. As the soft glow of a blue flame's candle flickers around, one can sense the magical presence that fills the room.

Without waiting for Satria, nor even asking him to come, Viviane walks towards the altar. She waved her staff around, making the flames dance with ethereal grace.

WHOOS~.

The flames grew bigger as Viviane waved her staff for the second time.

"Come, my apprentice, it's time."

Satria walked towards the altar and stood beside it.

"Now, lie down, and close your eyes."

With their new master-apprentice relationship, Satria obediently fulfills the order of his master, Viviane.

"Ah right, I almost forgot." Viviane said.

"Time flows faster here in Avalon, right now, it's probably a dozen times faster." Viviane explained.

"I'll try to temper with the magic, I hope that I can reduce it, or even make time here flow slower."

"Is that possible, Master?"

"It is, I'll just need to change a few settings on the magic." 

"But what for?"

"For you, my cheeky apprentice."

"For me?" Satria opened his eyes. 

He turns his head, looking at Viviane.

"Even though I still can't believe it, you are now my apprentice. You need a proper environment to learn. 8 hours a day won't be enough."

"I didn't even have to sleep 8 hours a day, Master."

"It's only an estimate. Anyway, with time flowing slower here, it would also help me to keep an eye on the Decay progress."

"Very well."

"You could also help me with some tasks here."

"I understand, Master."

"Maybe, with enough time and mana, I could make it 10 or 15 times slower here."

"Would that cause a problem later?"

"Not that I can't handle. Sometimes my Master did it so he could observe the Decay better."

"Owh, so it's nothing new."

"No, it's just this will be my first time doing it, so, I hope nothing serious happens."

"Alright. Please be careful, Master. I didn't want to suddenly become an old man when I came here again."

"You cheeky bastard, it won't happen."

Viviane smacks Satria's head. He seems to have a habit of teasing Viviane now, even though she is his master.

"I will inform you when I'm done, so until then, stay in Contraria and don't come here."

"Alright Master."

"Now close your eyes, and be ready."

Satria held his hand to his chest and closed his eyes.

"Now, let's start. I'm already sick of seeing you here."

TAK TAK.

Viviane taps her staff twice, and begins the rituals.

"With the blessing of mana, I, Viviane of Avalon, sent this child into the world, may he fulfill his duty, to protect, to rectify, to do what is necessary."

The blue flames shake violently. Tremor can be felt, the whole tower is shaking. The ritual is pulling all the mana in Avalon into the altar, making the mana on rampage. Shards of mana crystal flying across the room, in response to the mana being concentrated. 

"Bless him with magic, with brilliance, with bravery, with honor, with wisdom." Echoes of Viviane's voice filled the room.

Satria couldn't hide his excitement, he felt thrilled. An exciting life of a magician lies before him.

''I, Viviane of Avalon, hereby, with the mana as witness, grant Satria Kusuma Wijaya, his second chance at life."

Satria floating in the air. The mana raises him from the altar as Viviane recites the last part of the incantation.

"May the mana be with you, Satria Kusuma Wijaya."

WHOOS~.

A pillar of mana rose from the Tower of Avalon, and descended into Contraria.

Viviane smiled. The ritual is complete, but she still has something left to say to her cheeky apprentice.

"Remember, my apprentice, if you wanna keep your second life, deal with the Decay. Okay?"

Satria smiled.

'Well, It's not like I have any other choice, didn't I?' He thought.

Satria's body turns into lights, marking the start of his new life; his second life.