Chapter 28: Richard Graville

"Me, a candidate...

I messed up and it was obvious that I was hiding my skills.

The Inquisition knows...

I must have raised some flags in Green Harbor when the priest saw the skirmish between me and Veronica.

Uhm...

I really have to fly low until I get the full picture.

The Emperor... a puppet?!

Monica was referring to him!?

So many unanswered questions...

Uhm...

Who are these Flowers...

If they are all as strong as Snowdrop looks, they are definitely a hassle to deal with.

I need to have more information...

and also...

Take a look at the Demon Realm.

I hardly know anything worth ...

Uhm...

Also...

What the fuck happened to me?!

I could only feel the hunger...

And... I assaulted a teenager!?

This is rather troubling...

Miranda, I feel like every day that passes the human in me is disappearing.

Uhm...

Will the Demons know more?

Not them perhaps, but what happened to the Succubus Clan?!

Oh... the Red Sun is rising, again."

It was early morning in Nefertalis and the Red Sun was shining brightly through Jorael's bedroom window.

"Yawn... I don't remember sleeping like this for a long time..." Vanessa said, as she was waking up.

When she woke up completely, she opened her eyes and turned to look to the other side, to suddenly scream:

"KYAAA!

W-what are you doing here?!"

"Ugh... good morning Princess ...

Ughhh...

Did you... did you sleep well?!" complained Cyn'Thia, who survived a sleepless night.

"Now I remember!

D-Did he sleep here too?! "the Princess asks worriedly.

"Good morning Your Highness." Jorael said as he sat on the floor next to the bed.

"W-what are you doing there!?" Vanessa asked even more worried.

"You know I should be asking this since this is supposed to be my room...

Anyway, I have been meditating all night. Thia was taking care of you. And you slept like a baby." the Traveler explained jokingly.

"B-baby?!

Y-you have the courage to say this to your Princess!? "she asked angrily.

"My princess ... eh.

Now seriously, you don't have to worry about going back to Rivella anymore. "Jorael said confidently.

"How so...?!" Vanessa asked confused.

"I already took care of it with the principal." he explained.

"Headmaster?!

W-what did you say to her!?" the Princess asked nervously.

"Nothing, really.

I just made her made a promise." Jorael assured.

"S-s-she promised?" Vanessa asked incredulously.

"Yes, she promised.

Until she has the power to do so." He assured again.

"So... if she will no longer have the power?" Vanessa asked.

"Then... I'll come instead of her." he said.

"I take your word for it. Promise?" she asked.

"Yes... promised." Jorael swore.

Vanessa with her eyes full of tears, showed the most sincere and heartfelt smile she has ever given.

"Thia, we should go to the Principal's office to change." Jorael said breaking the Princess's smile.

"Ughhh... yes... Master..." the Elf commented, barely getting out of bed.

"Wait, you should go get changed?!" the Princess asked confused.

"Well, it seems like yesterday was our first and last day as a student, and now we have to leave." Jorael replied, and in response, Vanessa exclaimed aloud:

"WHAT?!?!"

The adventurers spent the next few minutes explaining to Vanessa why they were there at her school, but she wasn't pleased with the news. In fact, she got on a rampage and started screaming:

"LIARS!

Why should I trust a promise made by a liar!?

I feel so stupid right now..."

"Your Highness, we may have deceived you and the students, but what matters is that from now on you will stay here.

You can think what you want and hate me, but I will be glad to know that you are safe here." Jorael explained smiling.

Vanessa puffed out her cheeks letting air out of her mouth, then said:

"It's better be like this..."

"Yes Princess, now we should go before lessons begin. Farewell." He said leaving the room.

"Farewell, Princess!" Cyn'Thia said following her master.

Vanessa greeted them reluctantly and returned to her room alone.

...

Inside Monica's office, before classes start.

The adventurers had already changed their clothes and re-equipped themselves with their weapons and belongings. They were sitting on the chairs in front of the principal's desk, with Monica sitting in her comfortable armchair and she was saying:

"Well, now that the mystery is solved my dear, there is only one thing to do..."

"What do you mean?" Jorael asked.

"That you join my Academy." she asserted confidently.

"Eh... it's not possible, because I have many things to do..." he replied.

"What are these things you have to do?

Killing Mole-Rats or searching for missing cats?" She asked.

"Eh-eh... I wish I could comment on this..." Jorael whispered as he laughed to himself.

"Well, he should be here soon..." Monica whispered.

"He who?" Jorael asked puzzled, but as soon as he said these words, a strong male voice was heard coming from outside the office:

"MADAM MONICAAAA!"

Suddenly the door swung open, with the screaming man quickly entering the room.

He was a young man in his twenties, with blond hair and light blue eyes, with clothing that matched his eyes. He seemed to have run a long time since he was panting hard, but even though he was in a mess from his running, he was actually very handsome and you could tell he was a lady killer.

"You shouldn't have rushed here like that, Richard." Monica commented.

"ah... ah... b-but Madam, you said that someone more handsome, younger, and even more skilled than me has appeared at the Academy!

I, Richard of House Graville of Nefertalis, will not accept such a dishonor of becoming Madam's second pupil.

Where is this scoundrel?!" the man asked in agitation.

"Right in front of you, my dear." Monica replied smiling.

Richard looked down, to stare intently at the boy sitting in the chair across from him. He then commented:

"Umpf... Madam, I think you were making fun of me when you told me about him...

Oh oh oh...

And to think that I, Richard Graville, would have been scared of this..."

"I wasn't kidding." Monica solemnly replied.

"WHAAATTT?!

It's true!?

Has a new contender arisen to challenge me?!" Richard suddenly screamed inexplicably.

"ENOUGH!

What am I seeing!?

What's the matter with you two?!" Jorael yelled as he and Cyn'Thia watched the whole scene in confusion.

"As he has already stated, he is Richard Graville, one of the best students to ever graduate from the Academy." Monica explained.

"THE BEST!" Richard yelled pointing at the ceiling.

"...he's on par with Veronica Blois, whom you two already know." whispered the headmaster.

"Madam! Please, don't compare me to that classless tomboy.

I am the noblest, most stunning, and most skilled star of the Empire!" he boasted with vanity.

"Sigh... Why do we have to stay here and listen to this fool?" Jorael asked Monica annoyed.

"Oh, my dear, I think you will see..." she replied cryptically.

"Scoundrel!

How dare you offend me and speak like this to the Madam?!

I, Richard of Graville House, I hereby challenge you to a magical duel!" he shouted, pointing his finger at Jorael.

"Oh please, not with this again.

Madam Monica, I really don't see a reason why I should listen to this fool..." Jorael said uncomfortably.

"It's simple my dear, here's why:

If you win the duel, you will leave school safely, but you will enroll in my academy if you lose.

What do you think about it?" Monica asked.

"Safely?

Seems like a threat...

Sigh… another stupid duel…" the Traveler commented as he reluctantly accepted the challenge.

"You seem to understand.

My dears, let's move quickly to the yard." Monica encouraged as she led the way out of her office.

As they passed through the corridors of the school, the students began to follow them and, like the previous day, a new commotion arose:

"A duel?! Between new student and... Richard Graville?!"

"Is the new student gone insane?! How can he hope to beat him?!"

"Hey, why are they dressed like that?!"

"Ah… Richard's eyes…"

Through the comments, Cyn'Thia who was following Jorael said:

"Master! What are you doing?!"

"Unfortunately, I slipped into their game.

This smells like a trap…" Jorael whispered.

"But… he doesn't look really strong.

I mean, he sure talks a lot…" she whispered.

"He's hiding his power…" he replied.

Princess Vanessa joined the adventurers and in the midst of the confusion she asked:

"Weren't you leaving school?!"

"I'm still trying to..." Jorael commented in front of Vanessa's surprised face.

The whole school came to the courtyard to watch the duel. When the duelists arrived, the crowd screamed in excitement, chanting Richard's name.

He went to his battle position, and strangely enough, he had a rapier hanging from his belt.

"At his request, I consent to the use of weapons, so adventurer, if you want you can use your sword." Monica informed Jorael before he prepared for the duel by entering his circle.

"Master... I don't know what to say..." Cyn'Thia yelled.

"Eh... neither do I...

If I win, I can walk away, but ... everyone will know about me.

If I lose… the headmaster could keep me here forever, who knows…" Jorael whispered to himself.

The headmaster approached the center of the battlefield and announced:

"On my right!

Richard of House Graville, be ready.

On my left!

Jorael, be ready.

I will start counting and then you will be free to cast spells as you please.

Under the guidance of Kalipso, who will win?

3...2...1... "

As soon as the countdown ended, Richard drew his rapier and charged at his enemy screaming, "YAAA!"

"No magic? Okay...

Now I can certainly feel his pressure…" Jorael said as he unleashed Crimson Justice and waited for his rival to attack.

Richard quickly approached his foe, launching swift rapier attacks as Jorael dodged or deflected blows.

"You're barely evading these attacks, scoundrel!" Richard said as he was attacking fiercely.

"I think you're right... you're pretty fast." Jorael replied as he thought:

"Shit! This guy is really fast!

He didn't even increase his speed with a spell, and I'm barely evading him thanks to my increased speed and Sage's sense ...

Um ... I don't want to use haste ...

I'll try to evade and wait if he gets tired. "

A few attacks from Richard managed to hit Jorael's arms and legs, superficially wounding him, but then suddenly the heir of House Graville jumped back a few mels to shout:

"Ah! You don't deserve to be at her side!"

"Then surrender and let me win you fool!" replied Jorael.

"Your insolence shall be punished!

For the glory of Her who created everything, I enchant Tornado!" Richard enchanted by making appear a glowing red heptagram in front of his hand.

"Why would you launch a major offensive spell here?!" Jorael asked in shock, thinking about the crowd safety.

"I heard you were able to enchant a powerful Aero spell, but I'll show you how I mastered the wind!" Richard yelled as a giant tornado formed, approaching his opponent menacingly.

"Shit! I'll fly away like yesterday's Vizier... what to do...

Oh... I got this. "Jorael spoke to himself when suddenly he planted the sword firmly in the ground and clung to it.

The tornado engulfed the Traveler, cutting the skin all over his body in hundreds of cuts from which the blood began to flow soaking his entire body, and then the vortex stopped showing the injured Jorael to the audience.

"Damn, I hope my clothes are not too messed up..." Jorael thought.

"MASTER!" "JORAEL!" both Cyn'Thia and Vanessa screamed in concern.

"I commend you scoundrel for remaining conscious, but this was just the beginning!" Richard said as he immediately prepared to cast another spell:

"For the glory of Her who created everything, I enchant Haste!"

"Shit! Not that!" thought Jorael as he panted after resisting his enemy's last attack.

Another bright red heptagram appeared, activating the beginner spell on Richard that doubles the user's movement speed.

The blond man charged faster than ever with the rapier pointed straight at his rival, who was struggling to pull his sword from the ground.

"I hope Richard doesn't hurt him irreversibly..." Monica commented as she watched the show next to the Princess.

"A-aren't you the judge?!" Vanessa replied worried.

"What to do?!

If he charges like before, Haste's multiple empowered hits will take me out for sure...

I can't really rely on Magic, or Monica will find out...

My Sage senses are on the edge...

Well, I think I'll only use "that" if necessary…" Jorael thought as he prepared to withstand his enemy's incoming attack.

"Taste my wonderful blade art!" Richard yelled as he began to attack his rival.

Almost every blow of the rapier hit Jorael and the wounds began to accumulate on his body, soaking him with more blood.

"Here is your end scoundrel, lose at the hands of the most beautiful star Nefertalis has ever had!

Richard Grav..." the man said skewering his opponent before being abruptly interrupted by Jorael, who grabbed the enemy's rapier in his pierced belly with his hands, and said painfully:

"Even the walls got your stupid name.

For the glory of Her who created everything, I enchant Firebolt!"

To Richard's surprise, Red Magic was used so close to him that he couldn't avoid the spell because he was stuck with his rapier.

"T-this spell so close?!

Are you gone crazy!?" Richard could barely scream before he and his enemy were engulfed in a 2 mels sphere of fire.

The crowd watching the spectacle cheered in fear and excitement as the blazing orb exploded, leaving smoke and two bodies on the ground.

"MASTER!" Cyn'Thia cried out in concern.

"Interesting..." Monica said.

No response came from both duelists as they lay on the ground and as they both appeared unconscious. But actually, more had happened than hundreds of eyes could grasp.

...

A short time ago, as the fireball was about to engulf both Jorael and Richard.

"Eye of Gaia!" the Traveler activated, and his left eye was gold, but grey the rest of the world.

Time has stopped for everyone and everything, except for Jorael who in turn could move freely, if he could bear the excruciating pain in his head.

"Now... I should put him to sleep... Sleep!" he enchanted, but to his surprise, the spell failed.

"What's up with his high magical resistance?!

I should just knock him out…" Jorael thought, and he landed his fist violently in Richard's face, knocking him out.

"I have ... so little time ... Shell-for-all!"

Jorael cast a superior spell, one of the most difficult and Magic consuming, to enable a multi-target magical barrier to defend Richard and himself from Firebolt.

"Ugh... now I'm dizzy... I used too much Magic...

This headache... ughhh..." the Traveler complained as he interrupted using his divinity's borrowed power, thus restoring time to its normal flow.

In a spectacle of fire and smoke, the burning sphere exploded, leaving two apparently unconscious bodies on the ground.

"MASTER!" Cyn'Thia cried out in concern.

"Interesting..." Monica said as she approached the scene to the amusement and amazement of the crowd.

"They both breathe... and that's good." the headmaster said, reassuring the crowd, and then went on whispering to herself:

"...yet they are not burned or seriously injured. How come?"

"Cough! ..." Jorael began to move and cough, rising slowly as if he were waking up from a strong blow.

"So, in the end, you are the winner..." Monica said with disappointment, causing the crowd to burst into cheers and screams.

"Ugh... barely..." Jorael whispered drenched in blood.

"Sigh... here you go, Megaene!" the principal enchanted still disappointed.

A spell of superior white magic was activated and a warm, pure light enveloped Jorael, healing him of all the wounds received from the battle. This spell is the most complete and difficult to enchant of White Magic, as it heals completely and removes negative status from the target, but at a high price; since the spell is of a higher category, and like all spells in this category it takes a big toll on the caster's body.

"M-megaene?! Never seen this spell!" Jorael commented lying.

Monica redid the same spell to cure Richard, but he was still unconscious. Then, she whispered:

"Using two superior spells one after the other, I feel dizzy..."

Cyn'Thia and Vanessa arrived and began to compliment the Traveler on his victory.

"To think you beat Richard Graville with a Firebolt..." the Princess commented.

"Ah! I mean... I knocked us both out...

It's just that I woke up earlier..." Jorael replied.

"I wonder if this is the truth, my dear.

You are free to leave... but I will ask you one last time.

Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Monica asked insistently.

"Yes, I'm sure.

Please keep your promise." Jorael responded by looking at the princess.

"I will, my dear. Farewell, adventurers.

May Kalipso guide you on the right path." Said the Storm Witch as she left to deal with the unconscious Richard.

"Jorael... thanks for everything.

Also... remember your promise too.

Farewell Cyn'Thia.

Farewell…" Vanessa said as she suddenly kissed him on her cheek, to disappear immediately embarrassed among the crowd of students.

"Master, what was that..." Cyn'Thia asked apparently annoyed.

"A... goodbye kiss?" Jorael replied a little worried.

"So... did you like it?" asked the Elf.

"Why should I?" he retorted.

"You know... a beautiful princess your age..." Cyn'Thia whispered.

"Oh no... she's way too young..." Jorael replied.

"What are you talking about, Master?

She is your age! Do not tell me...

Do you like mature women?! "Cyn'Thia asked in shock.

"Er... you could say that..." he whispered shyly.

"Oh..." she said smiling.

"Therefore...

We should go back now.

Catherine will be waiting for us with a decent reward for our work! "exclaimed Jorael.

"Yes, but what do you think about changing clothes and washing first?!" she asked.

"Oh... yes, it would be wise ..." Jorael whispered as he left Nefertalis Magic Academy with his aide.

...

Later, in Monica Tramonte's office.

Richard sat in a chair still unconscious as the headmaster walked around her desk lost in her thoughts.

"Do you want to wake up, you fool?!" she yelled, shaking the man from his shirt.

"Ugh... M-Madam ...

W-Was I good?!

I won!?" Richard asked as he was waking up.

"No, my dear.

You have been useless." Monica responded harshly.

"W-what?! Ouch...

Why is my jaw moving so weird!?" He exclaimed as he touched his jaw with his hand.

"Er...

Now tell me what happened after he threw Firebolt." She asked.

"Oh yes...

That scoundrel enchanted the spell...

I saw the flames, then my mind went blank.

What did he do!?

Was my pretty face burned?!" Richard was suddenly panicked as he explained what had happened.

"No, you fool.

You and he weren't burned, and that's really weird to say, almost impossible if... there wasn't another spell involved.

But I have not felt the activation of another spell...

Well, this is the first. The mighty Storm Witch doesn't know what happened in a magical duel.

Uhm…" she explained as she thought earnestly about what had happened.

"Madam, you are giving too much credit to a little boy..." Richard said.

"And you fool had lost to him.

Listen to me, you will leave for Southum with the utmost urgency and meet up with Veronica.

I've been trying to call her for a while, but I don't know where she is.

She'll be helping some random citizen.

Find her and bring her here." Monica ordered.

"Veronica?!

That tomboy with no manners and…" he complained.

"Do as I tell you fool.

She met a few days ago with the adventurer you just fought.

She might know more about him.

The Inquisition is upon him and we must do whatever it takes to get him to our side." Monica explained.

"Sigh ... As you say, Madam." Richard finally said as he stood up ready to leave.

Before he left, the Storm Witch greeted him reminding him:

"Don't forget to put on your mask.

After all, it's your duty, Narcissus."