As Edward was about to leave, he paused and turned back. "Akira," he called.
"Yeah?" Akira responded, sitting up slightly.
Edward's gaze was firm. "Get stronger. And don't die out there—I want to fight alongside you someday."
He took a step away, then stopped again. "Oh, and one more thing—get that wound checked. It might be small and not life-threatening, but infections start from the smallest things. And remember, the greatest things often do too." With that, he walked off.
Akira blinked, then sighed, lying back on the floor. "Man, I really wanted to win."
He stared at the ceiling, frustration bubbling inside him. "Ever since I got here, I've lost over and over again. The only reason I could even keep up with them is because they weren't trying to kill me... well, except maybe Edward. He's probably the only person I have a real shot at beating. Maybe even Yukiko… Damn."
He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "It's pathetic that I've stooped so low I'm actually considering fighting a girl just to win."
His eyes drifted to his wound. "Yeah… I should probably get this checked out." At the clinic, Akira sat shirtless while the nurse carefully healed his wound.
"So, how's your time at this school so far?" she asked as she worked.
Akira scratched his head. "Honestly? I don't know. Everything still feels so new."
She raised an eyebrow. "Really? You don't seem new. You act like you've been here for years."
Akira chuckled. "Damn, that means I'm good at acting. I deserve an Oscar."
She laughed. "I guess you do."
After a moment, Akira glanced at his wound. "Isn't this a small injury? It shouldn't take this long to heal."
The nurse sighed. "I don't have a deep well of mana—my reserves are small, so I can't heal as quickly as other healers."
Akira's eyes widened. "Oh crap, I didn't mean to overwork you! I'm so sorry!"
She waved him off. "Relax, I know you didn't mean it. But yeah, healing takes a toll on me, especially for serious wounds. And your dark mana isn't resonating with my light mana, which makes it even slower."
Akira frowned. "Is the difference between the two really that bad?"
She nodded. "Unfortunately, yeah. Light and dark mana don't mix well, which is why healing dark mana users takes more time and effort."
Akira hesitated before asking, "Do you… resent me for using dark mana?"
The nurse paused, then looked at him with a soft smile. "Why would I? You're a student here, a Sorcerer Supreme is sponsoring you, and honestly, you look too innocent for me to hate."
Akira let out a relieved breath. "Good to know."
She smirked. "Now, if you don't mind, let me finish healing you."
As she continued, Akira asked, "So, what made you want to become a nurse?"
Her expression turned serious. "I don't want to be a nurse."
Akira blinked. "Wait, what? Then why are you here?"
She smiled faintly. "I want to be recognized as one of the greatest healers in history. And the greatest healer in history works at this school."
Akira raised an eyebrow. "If he's so great, why is he working as a teacher?"
"Because his brother is the principal, and he practically begged him to teach here."
Akira muttered to himself, "Mr. Oliver has a brother? He must be just as majestic as him."
"His name is the great and powerful Mr. Simon."
Akira's mood instantly changed. "Oh. It's him."
She frowned. "What's with that tone? That man is amazing!"
Akira muttered under his breath, "Great my ass."
She shot him a look. "You know, he discovered the cure for cancer and HIV/AIDS."
Akira's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Why hasn't he shared it with the world?"
"Because if he did, the world government would want his head. He hates attention, so he distributes the cure through the black market. He's also the reason magic isn't extinct—he's healed thousands of sorcerers from injuries that should've been irreversible. His mana reserves even rival the Sorcerer Supremes'."
Akira muttered to himself, "What's with all this hype about the Sorcerer Supremes? I met Hakuren, and he wasn't all that… Maybe I'll see what they can really do."
The nurse sighed dreamily. "I would do anything to be his apprentice."
Akira let out a small sigh. "I'll get you a chance to talk to him."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yeah. He's my teacher." He cleared his throat. "But… just a heads up, he might not be what you're imagining."
"What was that?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing," Akira quickly said.
She finished her healing and patted his shoulder. "Alright, you're all set. Try not to get yourself hurt again."
Akira glanced at the spot where he had been injured, brushing his fingers over the now-healed skin. He then looked up and said, "Thanks, Nurse…?"
She smiled. "Selena."
Akira nodded. "Selena, I'll try not to forget you."
Selena chuckled. "You better not."
With that, Akira stepped out of the clinic, leaving behind the faint scent of healing herbs.
Akira glanced at the spot where he had been injured, brushing his fingers over the now-healed skin. He then looked up and said, "Thanks, Nurse…?"
She smiled. "Selena."
Akira nodded. "Selena, I'll try not to forget you."
Selena chuckled. "You better not."
With that, Akira stepped out of the clinic, leaving behind the faint scent of healing herbs.
A knock echoed against Mr. Oliver's office door.
"Who is it?" Mr. Oliver asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"Sir, it's me, Mikage. You asked for me."
Mr. Oliver chuckled. "Oh, I did? Come on in."
Mikage stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning the neatly arranged office. Mr. Oliver gestured toward a chair. "Sit."
Mikage obeyed, crossing his legs as Mr. Oliver stood up. "Would you like me to brew you some tea?"
"No, thank you, sir."
Mr. Oliver waved off the refusal. "Nonsense. This tea is quite expensive, and I'd love to share the experience with someone."
Mikage sighed slightly before nodding. "It would be my pleasure, sir."
"Great." Mr. Oliver started preparing the tea, his movements practiced and precise. As he worked, he glanced over his shoulder. "So, how do you like your new squad?"
Mikage leaned back slightly. "I do like them, but I need to understand your reasoning for how you arranged the other squads."
Mr. Oliver turned to face him fully. "And why is that?"
Mikage folded his arms. "I'm not questioning your judgment, sir, but take Edward for example—he's lazy and has some questionable habits. Yet, you paired him with two inexperienced people. Why?"
Mr. Oliver smirked. "That's exactly why I chose him. You're forgetting something important. Despite his attitude, Edward is the second strongest student in this school—behind you."
Mikage narrowed his eyes. "Still, that doesn't mean he'll help them. What makes you so sure he won't just slack off?"
Mr. Oliver chuckled as he poured the tea. "I gave him a stern warning. Besides, his ego won't allow him to let them fail. Whether he realizes it or not, they'll learn from him. If things ever get too heated, he'll step in."
He handed a cup to Mikage. "Here. Try it."
Mikage took a sip and immediately thought, Man, this tastes awful. How does Mr. Oliver likes this stuff? He glanced sideways at his teacher, who seemed to be enjoying his tea without issue.
Mr. Oliver suddenly placed his cup down and smirked. "Does the tea taste good?"
Mikage, keeping a straight face, nodded. "Yes, sir. It's lovely on the tongue."
Mr. Oliver's smirk widened. "You've gotten really good at lying. If you hadn't glanced at me just now, I might've believed you."
Mikage sighed. "Sorry, sir."
Mr. Oliver chuckled. "No worries. I just want you to stop being so uptight. I've watched you since the day you set foot in this school."
Mikage raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? I never noticed. I always thought I acted the same way."
"You did, but you don't have to change. Just loosen up a little."
Mikage hesitated before responding, "I'll try."
Mr. Oliver asks do you have plans for the future, Mikage responded "No, i haven't really thought much on it, Mr. Oliver asked why? Or do you aim on becoming a sorcerer supreme just like your father? Mikage clenched his fist pleading with Mr. Oliver that he wants to avoid talking about his father.
Mr. Oliver studied him for a moment before standing up. "Come with me."
Mikage followed him through the hallways, passing through the quiet corridors of the school. After a while, curiosity got the best of him. "Sir, where exactly are we going?"
"You'll see."
They finally stopped in front of a solid wall.
Mikage frowned. "You brought me here to look at a wall?"
Mr. Oliver chuckled. "No." He reached out and began tracing a complex magic circle on the surface. The symbols glowed green before the wall shimmered and turned intangible. Without hesitation, Mr. Oliver stepped through.
Mikage hesitated for a moment before following. As he emerged on the other side, a powerful shockwave of energy hit him. His eyes widened at the sight before him—a radiant beam of pure mana shooting down from the sky and striking the Earth's surface, pulsating with an otherworldly glow.
"What… is this?" Mikage whispered in awe.
Mr. Oliver smiled. "This is the mana of the World Tree. Isn't it beautiful?"
Mikage stepped closer, slowly reaching out to touch the beam. The moment his fingers made contact, he felt an overwhelming sense of purity. "It's… incredible. The purest mana I've ever seen."
Mr. Oliver exhaled softly. "My father was once a Sorcerer Supreme."
Mikage turned to him. "Wait… your father?"
Mr. Oliver nodded. "Yes. He was chosen by the Divine Sorcerer and held the title for many years. But when his time came to step down, he wanted me to take over. He wanted to make the Sorcerer Supreme title into a family legacy—something only our bloodline would control."
Mikage frowned. "But you weren't chosen.."
Mr. Oliver smirked, but there was a trace of bitterness in his eyes. "Exactly. When the Divine Sorcerer made his decision, he picked someone else. My father… didn't take it well."
Mikage remained silent as Mr. Oliver continued.
"The moment I wasn't chosen, he disowned me. Chased me and my brother out of the house. In his eyes, I had failed the family." Mr. Oliver crossed his arms. "That's why I built this school. Not just to train sorcerers but to create a place where people aren't judged by their bloodline. A place where anyone can rise, regardless of their lineage."
Mikage turned back to the mana beam. "And the Sorcerer Supremes? They asked you to build the school here?"
Mr. Oliver nodded. "Yes. They wanted me to keep people away from this place. This mana… it's too powerful. If humans meddled with it too much, who knows what could happen?"
Mikage stood there in silence, watching the beam as countless thoughts ran through his mind..