A Journey Unwanted

"Mikoto Yukio, Agatha Gregory, William Gregory, and Ruby Leonora, hm?" Professor Fergus stood atop the edge of a cliff, overlooking the majority of the forest. However, he was not looking at the impressive view; instead, there was what seemed to be a holographic-type screen displayed in front of him in mid-air, a Zephyra Illusora. It was a really simple application of magic; magic had many types of main classes and subclasses.

For example:

Main Types of Magic:

1. Elemental Magic:

-Fire magic

-Water Magic

-Air Magic

-Earth Magic

-Light Magic

-Dark Magic

-Ice Magic

-Lightning Magic

-Nature Magic

2. Healing Magic:

-Regeneration Magic

-Restoration Magic

-Purification Magic

-Herbal Magic

-Life Magic

3. Illusion Magic:

-Glamour Magic

-Phantasm Magic

-Deception Magic

-Hallucination Magic

-Shapeshifting Magic

4. Necromancy:

-Raising the Dead

-Controlling undead

-Soul Manipulation

-Spirit Communication

5. Psychic Magic:

- Telepathy

- Telekinesis

-Psychic Projection

-Mind control

- Clairvoyance

6. Enchantment Magic:

-Enchanting Objects

-Enchanting Potions

-Enchanting Weapons

-Enchanting Armor

-Enchanting Tools

7. Time magic:

-Time manipulation (to an extremely minor degree, control varies depending on the individual.)

- Precognition

-Temporal Freeze

-Time Loops

8. Divination Magic:

-Tarot Reading

-Crystal Ball Gazing

-Palm Reading

- Astrology

-Aura Reading

9. Summoning Magic:

-Summoning Elementals

-Summoning Spirits

-Summoning Familiars

-Summoning Demons or Angels

-Summoning Mythical Creatures

10. Elemental Control:

-Manipulating Fire

-Controlling water

-Creating and Bending Air

-Shaping Earth

-Harnessing Ice

-Manipulating Lightning

-Plant Manipulation

11. Celestial Magic:

-Astral Projection

-Celestial Energy Manipulation

-Star Magic

-Lunar Magic

-Solar Magic

-Cosmic Manipulation

12. Song Magic:

-Singing spells

-Enchanting with music

-Manipulating Emotions through Melodies

-Song Summoning

13. Rune Magic:

-Writing Spells with Runes

-Casting spells through inscriptions

-Rune Energies Manipulation

14. Elemental Fusion:

-Combining Element Magic for Advanced Spells

-Fire/Water Fusion

-Air/Earth Fusion

-Light/Dark Fusion

-Ice/Lightning Fusion

Subtypes can further be classified within each main type of magic, depending on their specific characteristics and applications. The magic he made use of was a subtype of illusion magic, to create an illusionary screen for him to gaze upon. Using the ley lines within the forest, he can glaze over what the students are busying themselves with.

No one would expect such complex magic from him, but being a veteran of the Great War, he had to learn how to use very many types of magic. But that was neither here nor there; currently, he had to focus on this lesson.

Of course, with the recent demon attack the academy suffered as well as the casualties suffered, most of the faculty feared the students were ill prepared. And so he was stuck with even more extensive training lessons for the students. Currently, he is teaching class Wolf, Professor Gregory's class.

Though things were not going as expected. The only student of note in class Wolf was, of course, the Gregory girl, as she was the only spawn in the class. And the recent spawn of Isadora. He had settled for a simple battle royal exercise, and naturally, he had expected her to make quick work of everyone.

Instead, she seemed to ignore the majority of the other students and headed straight for a specific target. Instead, it was the masked brat who proved most effective; in fact, it was he who wiped out the most in this exercise. To make it even more impressive, he used pure physical prowess.

"That brat might become my favorite." Professor Fergus mused.

"Quite a rarity to see you in such a good mood, Alexander." His mood quickly went sour upon hearing the voice behind him. "And what is with that sour face, not happy to even see an old friend?" The voice questioned in amusement as the perpetrator came to a stop at his side. Professor Fergus threw an annoyed glare at his side.

Her delicate features were accentuated by flawless, porcelain skin that glowed with a hint of a rose petal flush. Framing her enchanting countenance, cascades of long, lustrous black hair cascade down her back like an obsidian waterfall.

Her eyes, a captivating shade of lilac, possess an otherworldly allure, sparkling with an enigmatic depth that seems to reveal the secrets of the universe. They were windows to a captivating soul filled with mystery, curiosity, and untamed passion. Mesmerizing and alluring, they evoke a sense of wonder that draws you in and keeps you captivated by her every movement.

Gracefully adorning her slender, perfectly proportioned figure was a dress that becomes the epitome of timeless sophistication. It harkens back to a bygone era, whispering tales of refinement and grace. Rich, luxurious fabric drapes gracefully from her shoulders, cascading down in elegant folds that gently kiss the floor as she glides with goddess-like poise.

The dress delicately accentuates her every curve, softly embracing her slender waist before descending into a full, flowing skirt that flutters like delicate silk in the breeze. Its deep, captivating shade of midnight blue perfectly complements her ebony hair, creating a striking contrast that commands attention.

Yet, it is the dress's most enchanting detail that truly catches the eye. Nestled just below her décolletage, a captivating boob window was skillfully crafted, revealing a hint of the soft curves beneath. This daring and artful design choice strikes a harmonious balance between modesty and allure, leaving enough to the imagination and allowing the imagination to wander into realms of fantasy.

"What in the seven hells are you doing here?" Professor Fergus merely questioned, not even taken aback by this woman's beauty.

"Now, is that any way to greet a friend?" She questioned.

"What are you doing here, vixen?" Still quite annoyed by her, he once again questioned her appearance here.

"I was merely taking a stroll." She innocently answered with a smirk. Professor Fergus merely stared at her blankly before heaving a tired sigh. They were barely talking, and he was already getting tired of her. Something Guinevere here specialized in, annoying him with zero effort.

"Do not take me for a fool, ya vixen." Professor Fergus huffed out. "You expect me to believe the king's court mage is out for a stroll on Luminare property?"

"Fine, fine, I shall relent. No need to get so sour, Alexander." Guinevere stated this as she fixed her hair.

"It's hard not to with a lass like you." Professor Fergus spat out.

"I'm no 'lass' Alexander; I prefer the term 'lady'." She clarified, but Professor Fergus did not seem to care much about her preferences; he was too focused on the footage displayed on the Zephyra Illusora.

"I'm busy with class; make yourself scarce." Professor Fergus stated that; he was not even turning to her.

"Teaching, hm?" Guinevere seemed to muse as she uttered those words, as if she found something amusing about it. "You waste your time and talent teaching a few uncouth runts." She commented.

"It's a simple life." He answered. "One this old dog is content with."

"So you say." Guinevere muttered.

"But you've not come to reminisce, state your purpose, or be gone from my sight." Guinevere merely rolled her eyes at the harsh words.

"Always so very uncivilized." She murmured before relenting. "If you must know, I've been sent as a messenger by the king himself." She informed.

"The king?" Professor Fergus questioned. "Is it to do with the demon attack?"

"Indeed, I was to speak with your headmaster." She confirmed. "But upon making my way to the academy, I was told he was absent. So I took a stroll in the forest." She answered casually.

"To annoy me, you mean?" Professor Fergus corrected, but Guinevere did not banter back; instead, her gaze latched onto the Zephyra Illusora.

"It seems your students are busy with quite the fierce battle." She commented, causing him to turn back to Zephyra Illusora, only to narrow an eye at what he was seeing. "Oh? That girl is a Gregory, no? The latest one, it seems. But who is that masked lad? He must have quite the abundant of mana if I can not sense it, most interesting." She further mused.

"Those two are not supposed to fight." He merely grunted.

"And why is that, pray tell? I imagine this is all some ludicrous training exercise; are they not meant to do battle?" Guinevere questioned.

"Those two brats are supposed to be on a team." He clarified with an annoyed sigh. "The exercise is over; there are only a few of note. So be gone; I'll be putting a stop to that scuffle."

"Now, why would you go and do that?" She merely asked, causing Professor Fergus to look at her in slight confusion. "I'm quite interested to see what the newest Gregory has to offer."

"Why would I feed your curiosity, ya vixen?" Professor Fergus merely asked.

"I imagine you're interested too, no?"

"In the Gregory brat?" He questioned. "Not a bloody chance." He answered, though Guinevere merely shook her head.

"Nay, the boy, I mean." She clarified. "He is your student, correct? What is his name?"

"Mikoto Yukio." Professor Fergus answered.

"An easterner?" Guinevere deduced.

"And why the interest in the masked brat?" Professor Fergus asked as Guinevere merely smirked.

"How about we see?" She said she was gesturing towards Zephyra Illusora.

--------------------

[Earlier, within the forest]

The sun dipped below the treetops, casting long shadows that danced across the forest floor as William dashed through the dense foliage. The air was moist and heavy, with the scent of damp earth and moss. Sweat dripped down his brow, his heart pounding with each thunderous beat. Behind him, the crunching of leaves and snapping of branches grew louder; he could feel Agatha's cold glare stab him in the back.

As William raced onward, the forest seemed to come alive around him. Thick roots snaked across the forest floor, threatening to tangle his feet and send him falling. He leaped over fallen logs and dove under low-hanging branches, his movements fueled by adrenaline and desperation.

He twisted his lithe body, his legs moving in tandem with his torso. His outstretched hand and his fingers gracefully arch upward, as if reaching for the heavens, A soft glow emanated from his palm, swells of vibrant light intertwining and dancing together. Inch by inch, a mesmerizing light blue glyph manifested before him, casting an ethereal glow upon his skin.

His voice broke through the stillness of the forest. The air crackled as he spoke a chant, and the very ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble in response. A bolt of icy magic erupted from the glyph, hurtling forward with unyielding speed. The frozen tendrils sliced through the air, trailing with an ethereal glow as they soared towards the pursuing Agatha.

But before the ice spikes could find their mark, the massive serpent seemed to have almost materialized in front of Agatha with its speed. With jaws wide open and glimmering fangs dripping with malice, it shielded its mistress from danger. The ice spikes collided with the creature's scales, but they shattered harmlessly into a million glittering shards. Undeterred, the serpent wrote and wriggled, unleashing an ominous hiss that sent shivers down William's spine.

William's mind immediately raced to strategize his next move. In a split second, he pivoted his body, tucking and rolling. The wolf lunged towards him, teeth bared and claws extended, aiming to snatch him with its powerful jaws. But William's evasive maneuver saved him, his body rolling out of harm's way with a hair's breath to spare.

Gasping for breath, William lurched to his feet, his eyes scanning his surroundings for an escape route. His heart sank as he realized that Agatha, the wolf, and the serpent had moved with an eerie synchronicity to block his every conceivable path.

Agatha's emerald eyes locked onto his with the same cold glare she always looked at him with, her long, tangled hair swirling in the nocturnal breeze. The wolf growled, its eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. The serpent slithered sinuously, its gleaming scales whispering against the underbrush.

He did not speak; he could not speak. It would not matter if he did; the gaze Agatha held was one of hate, after all. One he very much deserved, so all he could do was take action. But it seems she would beat him to it.

The wolf's muscles tensed as it lunged at William with lightning-fast speeds. He barely had time to react, his mind racing as he frantically conjured a magic shield to deflect the wolf's attack. The shield shimmered into existence, a shimmering blue barrier that glowed with an intense light.

The wolf swiped its claw at the shield with tenacity, its massive paw leaving deep gouges in the bark of a nearby tree. But William's barrier held firm, the shield cracking and splintering under the force of the wolf's assault. The boy stumbled backward, his body colliding against a tree trunk with a sickening thud.

As he lay there, dazed and disoriented, the serpent slithered towards him with a sinister hiss. William barely had time to roll out of the way as the serpent lunged at him with its razor-sharp fangs.

The serpent mauled down the tree instead, its massive coils writhing around the trunk as it let out a deafening roar. William scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. He knew he needed to attack, but it was too late. Agatha's cold eyes bore into his back as she placed a palm on his shoulder.

"You could never beat me." She merely uttered out.

A wave of purple electricity coursed through William's body, sending pain shooting through his limbs.

"Ghra!?"

He fell to the ground, his body convulsing with agony as he lost all function of his muscles. Agatha merely looked at him with cold eyes as she raised her palm at his body.

"You are weak, William." She continued speaking, even though he was unconscious. "How dare you smile? How dare you laugh? How dare you live? After what you caused?" Her gaze grew more empty as she stared at his body.

"You may have forgotten, but I remember." Her mana flared as her palms cackled as she readied a spell. "I see your face, and my hatred only grows. Rare is the opportunity to cause you suffering. They are always watching and listening. But now you shall suffer. As I have suffered because of you!"

But before any action could be taken, large ethereal chains suddenly wrapped around the serpent and wolf, rendering them trapped. This caused Agatha to stop as she looked at her creations in confusion, though she did not have the time to question this sudden event as a voice caught her attention as well as a person.

"Now, what do you think you're doing, Agatha?" Mikoto questioned.