*** = listener speaking

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~~~

[bells rings]

And with the sound of the bell, we are done for the day~

Thank you, everyone, for putting your all into today.

I can tell each and every one of you has been putting in tremendous amounts of effort, and it is paying off immensely!

I can’t wait to see it all pay off next lesson.

Corum et validum cor Elysia; corporum et validum mayum. (Latin (google translated, may be completely wrong) = The strong heart and body of Elysia is the strong heart and body of the many)

Enjoy the rest of your day, my budding knights.

[students start to leave]

Ah, actually – apologies to stop you while you’re leaving, but do you mind if you stay behind so that I may have a moment of your time?

***

Thank you very much. I promise this won’t take too long.

Now, I’m sure you’re aware you’re the Akademiya’s finest talent at the moment?

***

No need to be modest. Anybody can tell by your swordsmanship that you are a grade above the rest.

It’s rare that we get such a… talented individual. And I think it might be a bit more than talent.

***

Yes, I am aware that your grandfather – a former knight – had already trained you long before you entered the school.

But that’s not what I’m talking about.

I believe that you may have… magical abilities.

***

Now, now, there’s nothing to be startled about.

I understand that many these days are concerned when they hear the word ‘magic’ – because they think of the plague of Never, of… how it has destroyed ecosystems, of how it has corrupted the undead animals of this world – and think that nowadays, magic should be a forbidden practice.

But I assure you, us Elites at the Akademiya do not believe in that philosophy.

After all, though plague magic exists, so does healing magic.

Dark and light magic exist in equilibrium… which is why I would like to see which way you skew.

***

I understand your apprehension; if it is revealed you have an aptitude for dark magic, many would begin to shun you, no?

But then again… I’d say if you did have dark magic, it would be a blessing.

***

What do I mean?

[speaker laughs softly]

Well, like I said, light magic skews towards healing, of restoring what has been lost – but dark magic is a fighting force.

And as a Knight whose primary duty is to fight, wouldn’t it make more sense to use dark magic?

‘Never’ is not the only form of dark magic in this world, nor is plague magic the only type of dark magic.

***

There are curses, there are… other forms of dark enchantments. And you could use them to your advantage.

Of course, if the magic I sense inside of you is light magic, then that isn’t an issue either. You can still be proficient with a sword and proficient with healing.

Many of our medical staff are such people.

Even if they tend to hide their magic nowadays.

***

Yes, of course there are magical beings at the Akademiya~

It is only within the last hundred years or so that ‘Never’ has become an issue.

Why would we not employ those who have the ability to use good magic? Or, rather, use their magic for good.

***

It is a risky practice, yes… there is always the chance that someone who is proficient in ‘Never’ may attempt to enter the school and spread the ‘Never’ plague to humans.

We have quite a vast graveyard, after all…

But that’s where you come in, my dear.

Do you mind if I call you that… dear?

***

Well, dear, this is the part I want you to play.

I want you to be our guard against any such suspicious individuals.

***

By that I mean, if you become proficient in dark magic, alongside my ability to sense magic in others, we would be to eliminate those who… harbour ill intentions towards our Akademiya.

***

I suppose I am asking you to act like an assassin, yes.

But to be clear… this is an order sanctioned by the top.

You would not be acting out of line – if anything, you would just be getting a jumpstart on being a hero on your peers~

Wouldn’t that be a good deal, dear?

***

Why you?

[speaker approaches listener]

I’ve told you already.

Not only are you the most talent, I believe you have an affinity for dark magic.

Those with light magic cannot fight against people. And if a suspicious individual infiltrates the Akademiya, they would have had to have proven their skills with at least one weapon.

[speaker sighs]

Can you see the issue? A person skilled in both dark magic and weaponry can only be thwarted by someone with the exact same skill set… and that’s why I need you dear.

Though I can sense magic, I can’t use it myself. I’m just a walking detector – nothing more, and nothing less.

***

You flatter me… but my position as an Instructor does not make me invincible.

[speaker leans against listener; next to one ear if binaural]

But I could raise you to be invincible, my dear.

I could raise you… to be the next Messiah.

***

Yes, the next Messiah! The next ruler of our nation.

If you are responsible for saving our Akademiya against the ‘Neverwitches’… well then, they would have no choice but to hand the nation over to you, no?

All that power… all for you~

Wouldn’t that be wonderful, my dear?

Well… what do you say?