Your Not So Ordinary Villain

Astrophos nodded. He just returned to the capital but he immediately went to the usual places where he could learn any information about the capital. Some people recognized him and wondered why he did not go straight to the magic tower since their information would be more accurate.

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders then he gave them some kind of excuse which the people bought. After going around, he gathered any relevant information that they could use while they stayed at Lumier.

"Archmage Sigma was right. The importance that the tower gives Ezio is of top priority to the point that Archmage Ragus went to the academy to personally appease the parents of the students that were injured by Ezio a month ago." Astrophos started which caught the attention of Nina and Mr. C who didn't expect to hear those words from him.

"Ezio, injuring other people? What are the odds that the child can do that," Nina commented. She remembered Ezio to be a kind and warm boy that she even came to the point when she questioned why he was following the master.

"Although the general public doesn't know about it, several noble families are still talking about it till this day. Even though the archmage already talked with the people involved, they still remained restless and couldn't stop their mouths." Astrophos's tone became annoyed with a frown on his face.

"That's how the ego of the nobility works. They may appear amiable on the outside but on the inside they are boiling with rage. They are prideful creatures." This time it was Mr. C who spoke. Almost all nobility from all the worlds they had been were like that so it was no wonder that those who were in this world were also the same.

"Following that incident, Ezio built a rather alarming identity inside the academy. He was called a demon because of his unusual magic. Even the professors of the academy stayed wary of him which also led to his isolation. Add to that the fact that he made the only daughter of General Ishmael Laudica cry." The last statement made the room silent as Nina looked at the mage with wide eyes.

She couldn't believe that Ezio could do such a thing when he was such a gentleman. Mr. C only raised an eyebrow then his gaze went to the master who was quietly sipping his drink and eating his cake.

"So that Lady Vinya was a general's daughter," was his only comment. He had a smile as he thought of the words from those classmates of Ezio.

"You already know about it?" Astrophos looked at the casual man. He didn't dare to guess what the other was thinking so he should ask.

"Just that name and the fact that he made the lady cry." He shrugged his shoulders. It was because he used his magic sense to know those things but what Astrophos learned were more detailed and enjoyable to hear.

"What are we going to do now? If we let Ezio stay in that place, he might completely change." Astrophos asked as he worried like he was the parent of the child. Although it was not really his responsibility, he still brought it to himself to take care of Ezio as he promised to Jagan.

"Grand mage Astrophos, your dignity is being ruined because of how you are worrying. Besides change isn't necessarily bad and this might be good for Ezio and I disagree with your words that Ezio's change is alarming." Cygnus stared at the mage who could only grit his teeth. "You can't cuddle him all his life."

Those words ended the conversation as the mage did not say any words of retaliation. The living area was plunged into an uncomfortable silence but nobody really cared because it already happened so many times. After that, they were called for dinner which they enjoyed except for Astrophos who was still frowning.

Cygnus followed Linius to his study after they ate and told him that he needed help so that he could visit the academy. It was an unusual request and what was rarer was the fact the master was asking him for help.

"Why do you want to visit the magic academy?" Linius was a bit surprised at the man's sudden request.

"You see, the real reason we are on a journey to the capital is because those mages stole someone who is under my care and the last I heard is that he is enrolled at the magic academy." Cygnus answered with his eyes roaming around the room. He was amused to see that the lay-out of the room was the same with the major's study at the Ginehart Manor.

"And you are going to visit him?" The major wanted to make sure because if the magic tower was involved then it would be difficult for them to get permission to enter the academy.

"Yes, is that difficult?" Cygnus stopped looking around and faced the man who was sitting behind his desk.

"I believe so. If the tower is involved, I'm afraid that it would be difficult for us to get permission for a visit because we need to inform both the tower and the academy. If the tower refuses to give us permission, then the academy will most likely decline our request," Linius explained.

It was possible for him to use only his identity to get them a pass but to visit a person that the tower values was more complicated. Writing letters to the magic tower would only mean that they needed to wait for days before they could even receive a reply from them.

"Are there no other ways?" Cgynus frowned. If not because of their plan, he wouldn't need the major's help with this kind of thing. Also, he even promised that he wouldn't cause any commotion not until the plan was ready to fully operate.

Linius thought for a while before he suddenly remembered that he had a distant cousin that was also studying at the magic academy. "Why don't we do this? Since I have a cousin in the academy, I will write a letter that I wanted to visit and check-up on him. You can use that opportunity to talk to Ezio."

"Alright, I'll be counting on you then major." Cygnus gave the man a nod then he bid the other goodbye.

Linius, who was left behind, started to draft the letter so that he could send it early the next morning. While writing the letter, he couldn't help but think about the words that the master had spoken. It was the first time that he saw him almost worrying about a person although he wasn't sure if that was really 'worry' based on his actions.

He became curious to know who this Ezio was so that he could make the master leave Moonvale and journey to the capital when it was clear that the master doesn't really care about others. The longer he thought about it the more curious he became.

The next morning, Linius sent one of his men to deliver the letter to the headmaster of the academy. Aurellius read the missive and was a bit skeptical but he couldn't just dismiss the major. He thought about it for a while before he approved.

There was nothing wrong with allowing the major since he was only meeting with his cousin. He wrote a brief reply and handed it back to the soldier who delivered the message. After that, he instructed his secretary to inform the major's cousin that he will be visiting later that day.

Since the major and his younger brother were visiting the academy, they needed to welcome them appropriately. He made the necessary preparations and instructed the academy's workers to prepare one of the conference rooms where the major would be welcomed and where he would be meeting his cousin.