Lixorth
Mathias

    I watched Desmond packing a few rolls into one medium-sized black backpack very carefully as if it would vanish if held tightly.

    “Where will we send this?” i asked.

    “Place you like.” Desmond answered trying his best to be the mysterious person in front of me. What's with all of them?

    This morning, Silas ordered me to accompany Desmond to deliver the scroll we had obtained in America. Both of them are reluctant to clearly reveal what I want to do or where this will all be sent. Ever since my trials with the Witch's Religious Force, Silas has often warned me of all things. The most annoying thing was when he warned me to immediately fight with nature magic. I told you, if this is the story, I'd be more reluctant to cast the magic.

    Desmond walked out of the hotel first, holding his broomstick. We both walked into the hotel's backyard and took a flight. It's broad daylight. If we don't fly with a cloaking spell, our license as witches is revoked or frozen and we will be imprisoned for some time. Well, like SIMs used by ordinary humans that would be confiscated if we violated transportation rules.

    We drifted long enough towards the islands approaching Mexico and Latin America. Desmond stopped flying and floated around waiting for me until I was by his side. He then turned to the empty air.

    “You see?”

    “See what?”

    “It. Hole to the world of magic.”

    I narrowed my vision. At first glance, there are only clouds that decorate the blue sky, nothing. But, if you look more carefully I can indeed see a small black hole. It might be as big as a person's eyeball. The hole emitted black smoke that instantly disappeared when it touched the surrounding air.

    “Well, you saw, right? Usually magic holes can be invoked with spells. But some are scattered everywhere. This hole is the largest hole into the magic world as well as the safest hole. Wh why? Because usually if you summon a portal with a spell, your energy will be exhausted instantly. That's also if you can hold on to that hole for a while before you faint. Different story if you find a magic hole that is spread randomly, but to find it takes a long time because the hole is moving.”

    I rolled my eyeballs when Demond subconsciously gave me a short lecture. He does this often. Once upon a time he chatted it was about ancient scrolls or about magic in historical places. This time I decided to pay for this free course. “Whatever this hole won't move?”

     “No.” Reply Desmond. “Holes that have magic energy as strong and this big will not move. It's like a permanent hole.”

     “Oh,”

    “Omong-by the way, do you know that this hole is so strong it often devours ordinary humans as well?”

    I started listening boredly. “Oh, yes?”

    Desmond nodded. “This is the hole that man calls the triangle of bermuda.”

    I'm sculpting. Waw. Information I just found out.

    Desmond tightened his grip on the broom algae while looking at me ignorant. “Ready?”

    Sure oes. “Siap.”

    PLOP!

    It felt exactly the same when I jumped out of the hole a moment ago. This time without feeling dizzy, my mind was clear. I could see the birds flying in the gray sky, the river extending to form a pretty line down there, the dense forest with the sound of animals pacing out, and….

    “Academy Lixorth.” Desmond announced proudly.

     Yep. I'm at a loss for words. I didn't think Desmond would bring me here at all. Everything was beyond my estimation. But I was still flabbergasted. This is the first time I've seen Lixorth Academy with my own eyes. Supposedly, as the son of the elite of the American Magic Union, Alison and I may have toured here.

    Impossible. Father and Mother were too busy with United and they told us to focus on studying at school. That memory subconsciously made my heart churn. Alison's. He must be at the academy. You may be fighting, studying, or even eating two plates of pasta due to stress.

    “It's a shame you're not interested. The academy is cool. I guarantee.” He lifted his thumb up high so I could see.

     “You graduated Lixorth too?”

    “Ya.”

     “You're in what class?”

    “Delta.” Desmond replied, his smile rising.

    The most cunning class. That's how my father gave me an idea of the Delta. Also true. Until now I have not seen directly the power of Desmond. He used it more physically when we were on our way to collecting the scrolls.

    The two of us crossed the shimmering veil that became the academy's defensive veil. Desmond said that our arrival was known to Principal Riggs and we were allowed in. Otherwise, we will be directly beaten by the magic golems.

    The academy was established in the hills. It's beautiful to see this entire educational complex from above. Buildings are built in different places. There are those near forests, rivers, lakes, in a slightly arid area, and the ultimate building that stands at the very end, on the highest hill, the Main Building of Lixorth Academy.

     Finally, we landed in the Main Building of Lixorth Academy. Desmond walked over confidently while I had to be busy withstanding this excessive sense of admiration of mine. We went up to the top floor using the elevator.

     Up here, I saw one large room with the writing of the Academy Head Room. On the side of the room, the secretary to the Riggs Academy Head sat down while researching some papers to confirm our arrival.

     “Professor Riggs is waiting. Please.” The secretary was friendly.

     Desmond opened the big door without further ado. He stepped in as if he were really an old relative of Professor Riggs was giving a visit.

    “Oh, look who came.” Professor Riggs chuckled softly welcoming Desmond. The woman waved at Desmond looking pleased. Then, his eyes met mine. His smile slowly faded. “If not mistaken, Mathias Bancroft?”

     I nodded awkwardly.

     “Welcome to the academy, Mr. Bancroft.” Welcome Professor Riggs back. His cautious attitude disappeared suddenly.

     “Thanks.” Reply me.

    Desmond put his backpack on Professor Riggs' desk while puffing his chest. “It. Professor's waiting for us to collect this, right?”

     “Very good.” Praise Professor Riggs jumping up in excitement while taking out the scrolls one by one. His eyes sparkled in admiration. Even today, Professor Riggs may not be aware of my presence and Desmond is so excited. “I will check it before it is given to the academy library. It's fun.”

      “Sama-sama.” Desmond nodded while giving a grin of his width. He must be very proud of himself for receiving praise from Professor Riggs who had been the head of the academy in his old school days.

    “Omong-by the way, how is old Silas? I heard you were guests from the Witch Security Force.” Professor Riggs opens up a new topic. He did it very casually, even though those words could have offended members of the community. Professor Riggs blinked his eyes ordering me and Desmond

    “Silas is fine. He was initially annoyed, but want how else.” Desmond replied after sipping tea. He frowned because of the heat of the tea that burned his tongue.

     I let out a breath. There's no harm in me sitting down and having a conversation with Professor Riggs. After all, Desmond did not want to rush out of this academy of his pride.

     “You how, Mathias?”

     My eyes and Professor Riggs meet. This is what makes my forehead shrivel deep.

    For a moment, the atmosphere became silent. Professor Riggs and I just stared at each other without saying a word. He smiled, hoping I would talk to him. Unfortunately, I'm not too interested.

    “Hahaha,” Desmond laughs wryly. He patted my back with his strength to the point that I coughed. Highlight his eyes provide a threat even though his mouth is still smiling. “he is indeed disrespectful, Professor. Forgive this onion.”

     Hid. Who's he calling an onion?

    “Truly similar Francis.” The Professor's comments laughed. Either he praises me or insinuates me. Both possibilities are just as annoying. “Francis also have high self-esteem, know.”

     I threw away my face. Dad was like that. Therefore he did not accept it at all when Alison and I failed the academy entrance exam. Why do I always have to be compared to Dad?

    “Desmond? Will you wait outside first? I have something to talk about with Mathias.”

     Huh huh?

    Desmond's moving eyeballs scrutinized me and the Professor in turn.  He's probably confused about what Professor Riggs is trying to talk to me about. Honestly, this is all suspicious. The man finally let out a long sigh and inched away from Professor Riggs' room.

     “Well, Mathias, hello.”

     I looked at him expressionlessly.

     “Why are you staring at me like that, hm? I should have been angry. You ignored my personal invitation to enter the most prestigious academy in America.” Professor Riggs raved casually. Sometimes he sipped his tea slowly, then wiggled the cup clockwise while staring at the contents as if he could find money.

    “I'm not interested.” Answer me as it is.

     “Really? Even after you were within the range of the Magic Guild again?”

    Maybe so.

     “How about now? You want to join the academy?”

    Any more?

     “See, you're interested.” Professor Riggs seemed giggling. Very quickly he made his decision. He put his cup on the table and looked at me more closely.

     “You saw the academy's entrance exam yourself. I also have a letter not graduating. Why at the last moment decided to invite me?” I finally opened my mouth to question the thing that had bothered me the most since I got the acceptance letter startling me.

    “How, yes?” professor Riggs says he pretends to think hard. But, he quickly returned with his casual expression. “I realize how powerful and rare your magic talent is and Alison Bancroft's. So, I decided to recruit you before the Union acted. As per my estimation, they were only able to realize your magical talent a few weeks later.”

      “You realize my magic talent?” i cringe. Wonder. I have never used my natural magic talent anywhere. I trained him secretly. That night, the night that I planned to escape was the first time I unleashed natural magic at full power.

    Professor Riggs nodded, got a spirit injection. “Of course.”

    “How can it?”

     “Call it as one of the magic talents I mastered.” Professor Riggs leaned back while crossing his legs.

    “Then, Alison's talent? What magic does she have other than water magic?”

    Professor Riggs smiled widely, like a mad woman. What's wrong with her?

    “Alison Bancroft? She has a rare magic talent. You can see it later. Maybe.”

    My shoulders slumped hearing this. Silas also told me the same thing about the rare magic talent that Alison has. But, what?

     “I hope you think of my offer again, Mathias. I understand your ambition to be free from the shadow of Francis and Lindsey Bancroft. But, if you're just going to survive in the community, you're getting closer to them.”

    “Indeed, if I decided to enter the academy, what would you do to me? How do I know you won't use me to show off?”

    Laughter off. It was as if he had just heard the funniest joke of his life. Professor Riggs held his stomach and also had time to wipe the tears that came out at the end of the eye.

     “What's funny?” I'm getting upset. This woman in front of me is indeed friendly, but she is too strange. My patience has its limits too.

     “Yes geez. Your mind has really been washed by Francis' principle, huh?” professor Riggs says he goes to great lengths to say it while holding back a laugh. “Paamer? Not a bad idea. The name of this academy can be even more famous, then.”

    Already done. I took a long breath. This conversation is getting meaningless. I better breathe some fresh air while waiting for my forced labor schedule with the Witch Security Force later.

     “I'm the Head of Lixorth Academy, Mathias. Gathering and training students with great potential to become great magicians is my duty.” Reply Professor Riggs is really short and compact. But, I can't be sure what Professor Riggs really meant.

    Who knew he was planning something like Dad?

    “Yes already if you are still not interested,” Professor Riggs said in the end. “toh I also can not force you. Good luck escaping Francis's shackles, Mathias.”

*