Chapter 15 Varian

Inside the cluttered yet cozy office of Professor Varian, bookshelves lined with dusty tomes and various magical curiosities, Rohan sat in a worn-out leather chair. He shifted uncomfortably, eyeing the peculiar artifacts scattered around the room. The old professor, with a mischievous glint in his eye, studied Rohan intently.

"Quite the show you put on out there," Varian remarked, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Micromagic, am I right?"

Rohan nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You've got a sharp eye, Professor Varian. Not many people recognize micromagic these days."

Varian leaned back in his creaky chair, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "Micromagic has always held a special place in my heart," he admitted, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It's a field that others tend to overlook, dismissing it as mere tricks and pranks. But the art of manipulating the everyday, the mundane, is a subtle and potent form of magic."

Rohan pointed a finger at Varian's cup and it filled itself with tea, and it smelled just exactly the way Varian would take his morning cup.

Varian had rarely met anyone who shared his fascination with micromagic… Especially one so talented at it.

Rohan watched the afternoon sun slowly sink. "It's about finding magic in the ordinary," he mused. "Turning the mundane into the extraordinary."

Varian nodded in agreement. "Precisely. You've got potential, young man. Your creativity and resourcefulness in that duel spoke volumes. Tell me, what brings you to the Academy for Magus Arts?"

Rohan hesitated for a moment, then decided to share a part of his story. "I've heard that this academy is the best place to learn and grow as a mage," he began. "I want to expand my knowledge and skills, and perhaps, make a name for myself."

Varian kept silent.

"My father also sent me here," Rohan confessed. After Aldric had found out Rohan's talents, he immediately recommended the academy to Anne. Anne, who was very grateful that someone had seen the potential of her son, agreed immediately.

Varian studied Rohan for a moment, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "Well, you certainly made a name for yourself today," he chuckled. "But I can see that you're serious about your duties. And, I have a proposition for you."

Rohan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of proposition?"

Varian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the cluttered desk. "The department of micromagics is facing some challenges," he explained, his tone growing somber. "Many believe it's an outdated and niche field. They're planning to dismantle it."

Rohan's expression darkened at the news. "Dismantle the department? But that's where my passion lies!"

Well, not entirely–it's where I can find out more about dragon magic!

Varian nodded sympathetically. "That's why I propose this: I'll take you under my wing as my apprentice along with five other students. I'll teach you everything I know about micromagic, and together, we'll fight to keep the department alive. We'll show them the true potential of this art."

Rohan thought about it, he could learn dragon magic if he enrolled under a department with more free time. "Will this really be alright?"

Who else wants to join the Department of Micromagic, anyways?

Varian grinned, revealing a row of slightly crooked teeth. "We'll start immediately, and I have a feeling you're going to be quite the troublemaker around here, in the best possible way."

Might as well give this a shot.

Rohan leaned forward in his chair, his eyes filled with determination. "Professor Varian, there's something else I want to learn, something different and dangerous."

Varian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."

"I want to learn dragon magic," Rohan declared, his voice steady.

Varian fell silent, his weathered face taking on a thoughtful expression. "Dragon magic," he mused. "That's a rare and ancient form of magic, my boy. I'm not very familiar with it, but I do have a grimoire tucked away somewhere in this office that touches on the topic."

Rohan's eyes widened with excitement. "You have a grimoire on dragon magic? That's incredible!"

Perhaps, it's the exact same one as the one in my past life…

Varian chuckled softly. "Don't get too excited just yet. Dragon magic is considered obsolete for a reason. Dragons, you see, are creatures of myth and legend. They haven't been seen in centuries, and it's widely believed that they no longer exist."

Rohan nodded, fully aware of the truth. "I know that, Professor. But there's something I need to tell you." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I have a dream! A dream to summon a dragon!"

Rohan stood up, excited. He was acting. He imagined that if he was as weird as Varian, he'd definitely have a better chance at getting learning materials related to dragon magic.

Varian's eyes widened in surprise. "That's...remarkable."

Rohan nodded again. "I don't know why I believe this with all my heart and soul, but I believe that dragon magic is still out there, hidden in the annals of history. I want to learn it, to understand it better. It might be the key to unlocking my true potential."

Varian stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I can't promise you that I'll be able to teach you dragon magic, Rohan. It's a path filled with uncertainty and danger. But I can help you search for knowledge. We'll delve into that grimoire together and see what secrets it holds."

That's exactly what I want!

Rohan's face lit up with gratitude and he bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Professor Varian. I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to take the risk."

As Varian reached for a dusty tome on a nearby shelf, Rohan couldn't help but feel that his journey at the Academy for Magus Arts was about to become even more extraordinary than he had ever imagined. 

This was the first time he went to an academy; he was sent to said academy by the father he never knew in his previous life; and Anne and Eliza are alive and well, living a life of comfort. Rohan was undoubtedly experiencing so many firsts in this second chance at life.

The heavy thud of footsteps echoed through the corridor, growing louder with each passing second. Rohan and Varian exchanged curious glances just as the office door burst open, revealing the disheveled ice mage who had been the center of attention during the entrance exam.

"You look kind of familiar," Rohan absentmindedly said.

The ice mage stormed into the room, his face flushed with anger, and his voice raised in a shout. "You! Red-haired mage! I demand a rematch!"

Rohan leaned back in his chair, a bemused expression on his face. "Oh, right. It's you. What's the matter? Ready for round two already?"

Varian chuckled at the unexpected turn of events, clearly amused by the ice mage's determination. "Seems like our young friend here is eager for another go."

The ice mage's fists clenched at his sides as he glared at Rohan. "You used some kind of trick, I know it! I won't fall for it this time. Prepare yourself!"

Rohan shrugged casually, his confidence unwavering. "If you say so. But let's make it interesting this time. If you win, I'll teach you the secret behind my 'trick.' And if I win..."

He trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he left the unspoken challenge hanging in the air. The ice mage hesitated for a moment, clearly torn between his desire for a rematch and the uncertainty of what Rohan might have in store.

Varian leaned back in his chair, a sly smile on his face. "Well, well, it looks like we're in for another show. Shall we, gentlemen?"

A sudden ghostly chill seemed to wash over the room as Claudine, wearing a stern expression, interrupted the impending rematch. Her frosty demeanor was enough to give even the ice mage pause as she fixed him with an icy look.

"That's enough," she declared firmly. "Leave this office at once."

The ice mage hesitated for a moment, still glaring at Rohan, but the warning in Claudine's eyes was enough to convince him to back down. With a final scowl in Rohan's direction, he turned and left the room, the tension in the air dissipating with his departure.

Aww, but I wanted to play with him again…

Varian couldn't help but laugh heartily at the unexpected turn of events. "Claudine, we were just getting to the good part!"

Claudine's expression softened slightly as she shot a disapproving look at Varian. "Varian, sometimes you're impossible to deal with."

Before Varian could respond with another witty remark, Claudine's tone turned serious. "Both of you, head to the headmaster's office immediately. He wants to see you."

Rohan raised an eyebrow at the mention of the headmaster. It was unusual to be summoned by the highest authority of the academy. With a shared look of curiosity, Rohan and Varian prepared to leave the office and make their way to the headmaster's, wondering what could possibly warrant such a summons.