Chapter 9: A New Beginning (1)

(Mikoto POV)

That stance, that swordsmanship...

My eyes widened at the familiar posture that Bruce-dono started to assume.

It's no mistake, that move is none other than the "Thousand Cutter", one of the Kusanagi clan's sacred Kenjutsu arts.

Thousand Cutter.

A Kenjutsu art or simply put, a magic spell as dubbed by most non-Akanirs.

Upon using this art, the swordsman shall discipline themselves entirely and assumed a completely focused state of mind.

For the others with untrained eyes, the move was seemingly a single decisive strike followed by the aftermath of a thousand slashes, as its name implied.

But no, the real mechanism behind the attack is a little simpler than that.

The swordsman must be as quick as lightning to perform multiple slashes endlessly as they fell their foes with the thousand cuts.

The quick part as much as I hate to admit though is also a part of its magic and not from the swordsman's physical ability. After all, no normal human being is capable of moving that fast without any assistance from magic.

Instead, we trained our body for the purpose of handling the physical strain from its unnatural speed imbued with magic.

To use this art like many others, a blade is a mandatory requirement without exception, for a swordsman's blade is an extension of their will and soul.

Perhaps the man was making a poor attempt in imitating my Kenjutsu? Many have tried to copy our clan's ancient magic swordsmanship but all they got was a form of cheap imitation that was not even worth taking a glance at.

However, when I took a closer observation at his stance, I could only gape in astonishment as I could find not even a single flaw in it!!

It's like he was trained in the Kusanagi school of Kenjutsu in his whole life.

Our Kenjutsu required an extreme amount of determination, discipline, and physical prowess to accomplish. Before learning and executing our sword art, it demanded years of constant effort and exercise.

But this...

A mere outsider was trying to utilize our Kenjutsu like it was a child's play to him.

Then, it happened.

In a blink of an eye, Bruce-dono became quick as lightning as he seemingly disappeared right in our very eyes. He subsequently reappeared at the Dragon's location and performed the customary slashes and various strikes that can only be achieved by a Kusanagi practitioner.

It was like a mirror. As if I was watching myself fulfilling my Kenjutsu but in the image of another person.

In the end, he was able to successfully finish the Dragon off as the mythical beast finally returned to her human form.

This...

I'm unsure how I should feel about this.

"That man... Who... What is he?"

The Earth Mage, Ulford Davis-dono, who was beside me, answered my question.

"Isn't it obvious? He's none other than the Magus of Infinity."

Even when I suspected Bruce-dono's true identity earlier, My shock regardless skyrocketed at his reply.

"The Magus of Infinity? Mugen no Majutsu-shi? You mean the one also known as the Bastard Mage and Copycat?"

"Mugen no Majutsu-shi" was what we Akanir referred to him in our mother tongue.

"Yup. The one and only. That's some cheat magic right there. It's no wonder that he was also capable of using my Earth spells with ease, unlike us normal Mages who had to spend hours, days, or even years just to learn a single spell. Seriously, my whole family would be throwing a fit when they discover that a non-Ulford like him was casting our prized magic without a care in broad daylight, hahaha."

I simply nodded in agreement at his carefree remark.

Ulford-dono indeed spoke true in his words despite the slight jest in his tone.

Hard work and perseverance fall flat in the face of what I'm witnessing right now.

That man, Bruce Ken...

Is an existence that's none other than a hoax, an abnormality among our kind.

I've witnessed countless individuals exerting all of their effort and hard work as they strive to achieve their goals as best as they could.

During my time in my homeland at Edo in the Akanir Empire, My fellow Kenjutsu practitioners and I all trained diligently to learn the ancient sword arts. For years, we have trained non-stop, pushing ourselves to our very limits until we have attained the requirements of being allowed to utilize the magic of Kenjutsu.

When our training was finally over, our joy was undeniable as the fruits of our labor came into fruition.

We felt that we had achieved something, that we have rightfully earned our strength through the unforgiving trials that were thrown on us.

Through incredible willpower and determination, we have gained the markings of a true swordsman.

Thus, for the very first time, I could not help but frown in anger at someone who I just met...

Someone who desecrated the value of hard work.

Bruce Ken...

I swore by my ancestor's blood that I'll defeat him with my rightfully deserved Kenjutsu and prove that the value of hardwork shined above the rest.

<Mahou Project>

(Ken POV)

It's... It's finally over.

I, Ken Bruce, a simplefarm boyy from Rivershire, defeated a full Dragon.

Speaking of said Dragon, I also witnessed her changing back to her human form, and the dark aura that was constantly around her disappeared into thin air.

It's safe to say that she's most likely in the clear.

Although, the Dragon lady was unconscious, with numerous burns and slash marks all over her clothes and body.

Crap... Did I overdo it? I never wanted to kill her though, even when the feeling was not exactly mutual on her part.

Despite the extreme exhaustion that I'm feeling right now, I mustered what little strength that I had and run over to her side.

I ignored the current state of slight undress that she was in and begun feeling her pulse in her neck for any signs of life.

Even when it was barely faint, I felt her blood flowing when I touched her with my two fingertips.

Thanking fucking Gods she's safe. Someone did not die by my hands today...

I'm well aware that she was not in control the moment when she transformed into a full Dragon, and she suffered wildly upon doing so. The dark violet aura gave off that bad impression.

In conclusion, it's not really her fault for craving me for dinner.

If she's alive, then I guess there's nothing to worry about. I also laid down in preparation to join with her sleep.

I'm so fucking tired. Casting multiple spells of extreme destructive caliber for the first time has definitely taken a huge burden on my body since I'm not used to it. I believe it's time that I hit the sack as well and get some rest.

Ah... Sweet dreams for now. I longed for the sweet embrace of Lady slumber's ample bosom.

While closing my eyes, I also got a glimpse of Alex, Headmaster Gray, and many others approaching us both.

<Mahou Project>

(Gray POV)

How remarkable, to think that the destructive powers of the Infinity rest solely on that young body of his.

Ken Bruce, grandson of former Knight Robert Bruce...

I instantly ordered the healers who accompanied Mr. Dragonheart and I to tend to their injuries. I turned my attention at Mr. Bruce while Mr. Dragonheart joined by his sister's side out of pure concern.

If Mr. Bruce and Ms. Dragonheart were ordinary Mages, then the injuries that they have suffered would already forfeit their lives.

Fortunately, they were anything but ordinary.

It would only take a day or two at most before they can fully recover.

Physically at least. The same can't be said mentally.

Such is the remarkable regenerative powers of the legendary Dragon blood within them.

Moments ago, when Mr. Bruce first arrived, I instantly knew that something is quite off with him. I can discern a huge potential coming from his very core.

Thus, I utilized a certain Illusion spell of mine to take a peek into his mind.

Or at least, that's what the plan was before I was rudely interrupted by a great force blocking my spell.

"Away with you, filthy Illusionist. Your abhorrent magic has no authority here."

I heard a voice of pure malice whispering to me before my spell was violently dispelled, much to my utter disbelief.

And also, the voice seemed to be female.

I only knew a few outstanding individuals who were capable of resisting my Illusions. And even if they were to resist it, it's only partial and they struggle to do so before completely negating my magic's negative effects.

But this young man here was able to completely thwart off my illusion without any effort.

There's only one individual in history competent of such a godly feat.

Or perhaps it was the voice in his head that was responsible instead? Hmm... Or maybe that voice belonged to her...

The one and only, Vivian Algrande, the previous incarnation of Infinity.

When I finally recovered from my momentary daze, a tiny smirk formed on my face as I can't help but be intrigued by him.

I wanted to see this young man's full capacity and if my suspicions about him being the Magus of Infinity are correct.

During the first exam, I marveled in awe when the measuring device that Mr. Bruce used to burst into flames. That only meant that he had an absurd amount of Mana that not even the device can't handle in measuring it.

To give him some room to breathe for the second exam and temporarily spare him the unnecessary attention, I altered the second measuring device that I instructed him to use next with a remote type of magic from a distance and modify it so it can only reach a maximum level of around a thousand Mana.

When the second exam came, my suspicions were confirmed when Mr. Bruce was able to learn the spell of "Wind Blade" and is second to Mr. Dragonheart by a single minute.

Then, the third exam started and all my doubts were completely discarded when I witnessed his outstanding battle prowess and unique skill of copying magic from the previous matches.

I was confident that he can get out of this victorious, even when against an Ancient Dragon. After all, he's the Magus of Infinity, the legendary Mage of the old whose magic was responsible for defeating the Demon Emperor Asmodeus and saving all of humankind as a result.

With the issue of Ms. Dragonheart's forced transformation, I'm well aware that a Warlock was in the hiding and responsible for this atrocity.

Naturally, as the Headmaster of this academy, I would do whatever it takes to catch the culprit who dared tainted the sanctity of an honorable Magicka and intentionally endangered someone in the process.

But that issue is to be set aside for now since I've got two Mage candidates... correction... students, that needed to be looked after.

With the grand battle that they have exhibited, it would be foolish of me to not accept them both at my prestigious academy.

Ah, I could not help but feel utterly delighted at this.

The Magus of Infinity as well as the Dragonheart siblings, Ulford heir, Aquarius Mage, and a practitioner of the Kusanagi school of Kenjutsu here in my academy.

All of them, right where I can observe them to my heart's content.

This school year is going to be exciting, that I can say with no shred of sarcasm.

<Mahou Project>

(Unknown POV)

I smiled with utmost gratification from my hidden location at the fact that my dark magic was capable of taking control of a Dragon, even when it took quite a difficulty on my part.

It's not every day that I get to experiment with the true extent of my magic, so using a Dragon as a guinea pig was certainly an opportunity that I can't afford to waste.

Still, it was extremely hard to take control of her constantly, and it took a huge amount of concentration and Mana just to maintain my grip on her. This was especially the case when I forced her to transform into the Ancient Dragon.

In conclusion, I still need more practice and tests before I can confidently say that my magic is without any flaws.

That was an actual Dragon of the legend that I dealt with after all.

But then, something... someone incredible happened.

Who would have thought that the Magus of Infinity himself would grace right before my very eyes.

That messy black hair, his black eyes shifting as it gleamed in majestic silver every time he cast the spell of another.

And also, he's certainly not bad-looking, so props to him for that.

"Ken Bruce, huh."

I muttered every syllable of his name with profound fascination, engraving it deep inside my mind.

It seemed that I have a new toy to play with.