The Magic never taught like -II

Austin adjusted his gloves as he turned back toward the class. His deep voice carried authority, making the murmurs in the room die down instantly.

"Now, open your pages to number 45—A Mage's Biggest Enemy."

The students obeyed, flipping through their books, some with curiosity, others with unease. The topic itself sent a wave of tension through the room. Wasn't magic the strongest force in the world? Then what could possibly threaten a mage?

Austin scanned the classroom, his golden eyes sharp and piercing. He could see it—the question lingering on everyone's face. Especially Sonya and Selen.

Sonya, seated with her arms crossed, had an intense gaze locked on him. She knew this lesson was crucial. In the game, Austin was a war mage, known for his ruthless efficiency. But as a professor? This was uncharted territory. She needed to see how he explained this topic. The game never showed this side of him.

Selen, on the other hand, leaned forward, gripping her quill tightly. Her lips curved slightly, almost as if she was taunting him. She was an Abyssal. A person who walked the forbidden path of magic. And she knew better than anyone—mages weren't invincible.

Austin took a piece of chalk and wrote on the board in precise, elegant strokes.

"A Mage's Greatest Weakness"

He turned to the class. "Magic is powerful, but it is not absolute. Every mage—no matter how strong—has limits. And those limits can be exploited."

He tapped the board twice, making the words glow with a faint golden light.

"First and foremost, a mage's greatest enemy is… themselves."

Confusion spread among the students. Some exchanged glances. Was this some sort of philosophical lesson?

Austin smirked. "Arrogance. Over-reliance on magic. That is how mages die."

He raised a hand, summoning two flames—one blue and one black. "Magic is an extension of one's will, but it requires precision, calculation. A single mistake, a single moment of hesitation, and that magic can consume you."

The flames swirled dangerously in his palms before vanishing.

"But if we speak of external threats…" He gestured toward the board, and a new set of words appeared.

"Anti-Magic | Assassins | Nullification Fields | Abyssals"

The room tensed at the last word. Abyssals.

Austin's gaze flickered toward Selen for the briefest second. She met his stare with amusement.

"Anti-magic techniques are designed to suppress or neutralize a mage's power, forcing them to rely on physical combat. Assassins—especially those from trained guilds—are specialized in eliminating mages before they even get the chance to cast a spell. Nullification fields render all magic useless in their radius."

He took a step forward, his voice growing colder. "And then, there are Abyssals. Those who manipulate magic beyond the natural laws. They don't use mana—they corrupt it. Twist it. Break the very foundation of what we know about magic. And they are the greatest threat to any mage who dares to oppose them."

A hush fell over the class.

Sonya tapped her fingers on the desk. "So he acknowledges the Abyssals as the biggest threat… interesting."

Selen's lips curled into a smirk. "He understands more than I thought. But I wonder… what will he do when an Abyssal stands right in front of him?"

Austin then turned back to the board. "A mage who believes themselves untouchable is already dead. That is why, from today onwards, you will learn how to counter all of these threats."

His eyes scanned the students once more. "Now, any questions?"

Silence.

The classroom fell deathly silent.

The sound of students shuffling their books and chairs echoed through the grand lecture hall as Austin's deep voice rang out one last time.

"Now, if you have no further questions, then you all have to study this diligently. This will be in your papers."

A collective groan passed through the classroom, but no one dared complain aloud. Austin's sharp golden eyes swept over them, daring anyone to speak up. No one did.

"You're dismissed."

Students rose from their seats, some quickly gathering in groups, others heading straight for the dorms or libraries. Discussions about the lesson filled the air, with some still murmuring about Selen's bold question.

But Sonya wasn't focused on any of that.

She stood slowly, eyes locked onto Selen Vossaria, who sat at her desk, flipping through her notes as if nothing had happened. "Now… shall we make our move?" she thought.

If she played this right, she could have Selen on her side. If she played it wrong… she'd have another enemy.

With slow, deliberate steps, Sonya made her way toward Selen.

The Abyssal girl was seated near one of the grand windows of the academy library now, her silver hair illuminated by the afternoon sun. Her delicate fingers traced the lines of the book she was reading, her mind completely absorbed in it.

Sonya pulled out the chair beside her and sat down without a word.

Selen didn't look up.

"You must be rather bold," she finally said, flipping a page. "Sitting beside me as if we are friends."

Sonya smirked. "And you must be rather lonely, if no one else dares to do the same."

Selen's fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing to turn the page.

The silence between them was thick with tension. Sonya knew she had to be careful. Selen wasn't someone who trusted others easily, and certainly not someone who could be swayed with simple words.

"You asked an interesting question today," Sonya continued, tilting her head. "How to kill a mage. I wonder… were you looking for an answer or just testing Professor Ravenclaw?"

Selen finally turned her head, her striking violet eyes meeting Sonya's own. There was amusement there—but also calculation.

"What do you think?" Selen asked.

Sonya tapped her fingers on the wooden table.

"I think you already know how to kill a mage," she said. "What you wanted was to see how he would answer."

A small smirk tugged at Selen's lips.

"And?"

Sonya leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.

"And you got exactly what you wanted. You confirmed that he acknowledges the Abyssals as a threat. You confirmed that he's wary of you." She paused, watching Selen's reaction. "But I think you also confirmed something else. Something you weren't expecting."

Selen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Enlighten me."

Sonya's smirk deepened.

"You confirmed that he's not just wary of you. He's studying you. Watching you. Which means…" She let her words linger.

Selen's expression didn't change, but Sonya caught the faintest flicker of thought behind those sharp eyes.

"Which means he sees me as a threat," Selen finished.

Sonya nodded. "Exactly. And that makes things very, very interesting."

Selen leaned back in her chair, twirling a quill between her fingers. "And what about you, Sonya?" she asked. "Why are you so interested in me?"

Sonya rested her chin on her hand.

"Because I don't see you as a threat," she said. "I see you as an opportunity."

Selen's eyes darkened, her fingers tightening on the quill. "Careful," she warned, her voice laced with danger. "I don't take kindly to people who try to use me."

Sonya chuckled. "And I don't take kindly to people who don't recognize a mutually beneficial relationship when it's staring them in the face."

Silence.

Then, Selen smirked.

"You're interesting," she admitted.

"And you're smart," Sonya countered. "So let's not waste time pretending we don't know what this is." She leaned in again, voice lower. "You hate Ravenclaw. I have my reasons for watching him. We can help each other."

Selen studied her for a long moment.

Then, finally, she closed her book and stood up.

"I'll think about it," she said, turning to leave.

Sonya watched her go, a triumphant glint in her eyes.

Step one: Complete. Now, the actual game begins

But there was little time to dwell on her small victory.

She turned her gaze toward the grand clock on the library's far wall. Evening was approaching. And tonight… was the auction.

An auction where fate would be rewritten.

An auction where, in the game's timeline, Ravenclaw had acquired the Jewel of Itziar—a priceless artifact steeped in mystery and power.

More than just a beautiful gem, it was a relic infused with Abyssal energy, something so rare that even the most powerful sorcerers and dark mages sought it. Ravenclaw, in the original timeline, had used it to make a deal with the Abyssals. In exchange for the jewel, they would eliminate Selen Vossaria.

A cold, calculated move.

She would be killed without resistance. Without escape. Without even knowing how it happened.

But that was the past. Or rather, the game's past.

This was now. And now… Sonya had a chance to interfere.

She rose from her seat, pushing the book she had been pretending to read aside. She had preparations to make.

Sonya reached her room, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. The night was creeping in, and time was slipping through her fingers. She needed funds. A lot of them.

Pulling open the heavy oak door to her wardrobe, she grabbed a thick cloak and turned to her personal maid, Mira. The young girl stood beside the vanity, her hands folded in front of her, waiting for orders.

"Mira," Sonya said without hesitation. "I need a large sum of gold. Enough to attend the underground auction."

Mira's eyes widened in shock. "Milady… the auction?" she whispered, her voice laced with unease. "That place is dangerous… filled with nobles, criminals, and merchants with enough power to start a war."

Sonya didn't have time for hesitation.

"I know," she said sharply. "That's why I need money. Something is being auctioned tonight. Something important."

Mira hesitated before bowing deeply. "Understood, milady. I will have the funds prepared immediately."

As Mira rushed out, Sonya clenched her fists. Ravenclaw was not going to have his way. Not this time.

Meanwhile, in another part of the academy, Austin von Ravenclaw sat at his desk, adjusting the glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His study was as elegant as an imperial library, with books and documents scattered across the polished wooden surface.

The auction was on his mind, but he wasn't in a hurry. Everything was under control. Or so he thought.

Just as he picked up his quill to make notes on a parchment, a voice echoed from above.

"You should be more worried about what comes next, don't you think?"

Austin's gaze flicked upward toward the ceiling window, where a silhouette stood against the sunlight. A familiar one.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Isn't it quite rude to enter a man's study uninvited?" he said casually, leaning back in his chair. "Especially when you're a noble?"

The figure landed gracefully, the soft tap of her boots barely making a sound. Silver hair cascaded down her back, glistening under the dim candlelight.

She crossed her arms. "I missed you too, Austin."

Austin exhaled, removing his glasses as he gazed at her. "Amara…"

Princess Amara of the Silverwood Elves.

She wasn't just any noble. She was royalty, the heir to the Silverwood Kingdom, a nation of elves known for their mystical arts and unmatched archery. While elves and humans rarely mingled, Amara was different. She sought to bridge the gap between their races. And the first humans to establish a trade agreement with the elves… were none other than the Ravenclaw family.

Of course, that wasn't official history.

What most people didn't know was that Austin and Amara trained under the same master. An ancient elf whose teachings shaped both of them into formidable warriors.

"What do you want, Amara?" Austin asked, placing his quill down.

Amara's golden eyes twinkled with amusement. "I heard you're attending the auction tonight."

Austin didn't respond.

She stepped closer. "I have a proposition."

Now, that was interesting.

Austin tilted his head, intrigued. "I'm listening."

Amara smiled. "Good. Because you won't like what I'm about to say."

Austin leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlocked as he listened carefully to Amara's words.

"An elf was captured a few days ago," she said, her voice measured, yet there was an unmistakable urgency beneath it. "He is no ordinary elf—he is revered as the God's Hand—a magnificent doctor capable of miracles. I want him back, Austin."

Austin remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on her. He could already tell where this was going.

Amara continued, "He was taken by the same people who are organizing tonight's auction. If they sell him to the wrong hands…" She didn't finish the sentence, but she didn't need to. A healer like that in the wrong hands could be forced to serve tyrants, warlords, or worse—experimented on.

Austin tapped his fingers against his desk, his mind racing.

"I know your mother is sick," he said suddenly.

Amara stiffened for a fraction of a second before regaining her composure. "…How do you know that?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with suspicion.

Austin smirked. "Nothing is hidden from Bunny's Lair."

At the mention of that name, Amara's expression darkened.

Bunny's Lair—a secret intelligence network that worked from the shadows, gathering information on nobles, merchants, and even royal families. A guild that was feared, respected, and utterly invisible.

And Austin had connections to them.

"So," he continued, adjusting his glasses, "You need this healer for your mother, and you think I'll just help you out of the kindness of my heart?"

Amara narrowed her golden eyes. "Don't act like you don't need something from me, too. You're going to the auction to get the Jewel of Itziar, aren't you?"

Austin's smirk faded slightly. She was sharp.

"The elves know about the jewel?" he asked, masking his surprise.

"Of course," she said smoothly. "A relic capable of sealing Abyssal beings, hidden in the underground market? Do you really think we wouldn't notice?"

Amara paused at the door, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"I'll tell you how to use the jewel," she said, turning back toward Austin. "After all, it was a dark elf who invented it."

Austin's expression didn't change, but his sharp eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"A dark elf, huh?" he mused. "That explains why the texts barely mention it."

Amara folded her arms. "Of course. The Jewel of Itziar isn't just some ordinary relic. It's a seal, a curse, and a weapon all in one. And if you don't know how to use it properly, it will devour the wielder instead of their target."

Austin leaned against his desk, rubbing his chin. "And you just happen to know all of this?"

Amara smirked. "I did say the elves knew about it, didn't I? Besides…" She walked closer, her golden eyes glowing slightly under the dim candlelight. "The one who created the jewel was my ancestor."

Austin's gaze sharpened.

"Now that," he said, "is interesting."

Amara chuckled. "I thought you'd say that."

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small, aged black parchment—the kind that dark elves used for forbidden knowledge. She tossed it onto his desk.

"This is the original inscription of the jewel's creation," she said. "It explains the true way to use it, something even the auctioneers won't know."

Austin picked it up carefully, scanning the ancient runes. His eyes flickered with intrigue.

"So it doesn't just seal Abyssal beings…" he murmured. "It binds them."

Amara nodded. "Yes. If you use it correctly, you won't just destroy your enemy. You can enslave them."

Austin grinned, his mind already racing with possibilities.

"And let me guess," he said, setting the parchment down. "You're not giving me this out of kindness."

Amara's smirk widened. "Of course not. I have conditions."

Austin chuckled. "Of course you do."

"You need the Jewel of Itziar as much as I need the God's Hand back," she said, her voice laced with confidence. "If you refuse, I will not give you the method to use it."

Austin leaned back in his chair, twirling the parchment between his fingers. His lips curled into a small smirk.

"So, it's blackmail now?" he mused. "And here I thought the elves were supposed to be honorable."

Amara scoffed, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder. "Honor means little when my mother's life is on the line. And don't act like you're any different. You need the jewel to solidify your plans, don't you?"

Austin's eyes darkened for a brief moment. He didn't deny it.

The Jewel of Itziar was more than just a tool; it was a key. A key that could ensure his victory against those who stood in his way—including Selen, the abyssal who would one day try to kill him. If used correctly, he wouldn't just defeat her. He could bind her. Control her.

And yet…

He wasn't fond of being forced into anything.

Austin placed the parchment down and looked up at Amara, his gaze unreadable. "You're quite bold for someone asking me for a favor."

Amara smirked. "You're quite arrogant for someone who needs me."

Amara took a step closer, her golden eyes piercing into Austin's.

"You need the Jewel of Itziar as much as I need the God's Hand back," she said, her voice laced with confidence. "If you refuse, I will not give you the method to use it."

Austin leaned back in his chair, twirling the parchment between his fingers. His lips curled into a small smirk.

"So, it's blackmail now?" he mused. "And here I thought the elves were supposed to be honorable."

Amara scoffed, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder. "Honor means little when my mother's life is on the line. And don't act like you're any different. You need the jewel to solidify your plans, don't you?"

Austin's eyes darkened for a brief moment. He didn't deny it.

Then Austin exhaled, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Fine. I'll help you retrieve the God's Hand. But in return—" He tapped the parchment. "You'll personally guide me on how to use the jewel. I don't want any half-truths or hidden details."

Amara raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. But don't think this makes us allies. I will collect my debt one day."

Austin's smirk deepened.

"I'd expect nothing less."

The deal was made. Now, all that remained was the auction—where the Jewel of Itziar awaited.

The moment Amara left, the room plunged into silence—only the flickering sunlight remained as a witness to the conversation that had just taken place.

Then, from the darkest corner of the study, a man emerged. His presence was so silent, so unnatural, that even the air seemed reluctant to acknowledge his existence.

He knelt before Austin.

"Shall I keep an eye on her?" he asked, his voice a whisper yet carrying an undeniable weight.

Austin leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. His gaze was sharp, calculating.

"Yes, please," he said. "And while you're at it, keep an eye on Selen Vossaria as well."

The man nodded.

"She's unpredictable," Austin continued, tapping his fingers against the desk. "I want to know every step she takes. If she even thinks about interfering with my plans—"

"I'll handle it," the shadowy figure interrupted, understanding the unspoken command.

Austin smirked slightly before adding, "Also, bring me a list of everyone attending the auction tonight. I want details—names, affiliations, weaknesses."

The man bowed his head slightly.

"As you command, Master."

And just like that, he vanished—no footsteps, no rustling of fabric, nothing.

Austin leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

"The game pieces are moving," he murmured to himself. "And soon, I'll have the Jewel of Itziar in my hands."

With that, he closed his book, extinguished the candle, and prepared for the auction that would change everything.

Selen moved through the narrow, filth-ridden sewers, her steps silent as a shadow. The dim glow of bioluminescent fungi clung to the damp walls, casting eerie reflections in the black water below.

She reached a small, hidden chamber—a forgotten ruin beneath the capital, long abandoned by those who once lived above. A place untouched by the empire's prying eyes.

From the folds of her cloak, she pulled out a communication crystal, its surface swirling with dark energy. Holding it up, she whispered a single incantation, and the crystal pulsed, sending waves of magic through the underground.

A second later, a figure materialized within the crystal's depths.

He sat upon a throne of twisted roots, his large cloak concealing his entire body. A hood masked his face, revealing only a faint glimmer of eyes like molten gold. Behind him loomed a massive scythe, its blade stained with remnants of a past battle.

The Master of the Abyssals.

Selen immediately bowed low, her voice unwavering despite the suffocating presence that radiated from the figure.

"I greet the Master of Abyssals," she said.

The man's voice was cold and commanding.

"Speak."

Selen raised her head slightly. "The imperial princess… she approached me."

The Master of Abyssals remained silent for a moment, then said, "Continue."

"She asked me to join her," Selen said cautiously.

The Master tilted his head slightly, the shadows shifting around him like living entities.

"And what do you make of this?" he asked.

Selen hesitated for a brief moment before responding, "I don't know her true intentions. But... I suspect she has something to do with Ravenclaw."

A heavy silence fell between them. Then, the Master let out a low, knowing chuckle.

"Interesting," he murmured. "The princess of the empire and the shadow of Ravenclaw, entangled in the same web..."

Selen clenched her fists. "Shall I investigate further?"

The Master tapped his finger against the armrest of his throne, contemplating. Then, he leaned forward slightly.

"Watch them both," he ordered. "Do not trust either of them. The moment you see an opening... strike."

"If she is truly after Ravenclaw," he said, his voice laced with intrigue, "then we can use her."

Selen's eyes flickered with understanding.

"Using an imperial princess… that too, from the empire itself," the Master continued, leaning forward slightly. "Now that would be something."

A silence stretched between them, thick with anticipation. Then, he spoke again, his tone sharper.

"Keep your interactions with her natural. Do not appear too eager, nor too hesitant. Let her believe she has control. And when the time is right… we will take everything from her."

Selen smirked. "Understood, Master."

The Master of Abyssals leaned back, his presence once again becoming distant, as if fading into the very darkness that surrounded him.

"Watch her closely, Selen. She may be a princess, but in this world, even queens can be sacrificed."

With that, the crystal flickered, and the connection was severed.

Selen stood in the dim underground, her thoughts racing.

Sonya… imperial princess… enemy of Ravenclaw… ally or pawn?

Her lips curled into a smile full of hidden intentions.

"This just got interesting."

With that, she turned, her figure disappearing into the shadows of the sewer, ready to play the game that had just begun.

a shadowy figure materialized inside Austin's study, kneeling before him. Austin, still seated at his desk, glanced up from his documents, his golden eyes sharp behind his glasses.

"Master," the shadow said in a low, emotionless voice, "this is the list of participants." He handed over a parchment filled with names.

Austin took the list, his eyes swiftly scanning through it. But before he could comment, the shadow continued.

"More importantly, master, a large sum of funds has been moved from the Imperial Treasury into the Imperial Princess' personal account."

Austin's fingers paused mid-scroll.

"So she's planning something after all," he muttered under his breath. His eyes flickered with intrigue as he leaned back.

The shadow didn't stop.

"Additionally, Selen Vossaria was seen entering the sewers. She used a communication crystal to contact someone—likely the Abyssal Master. The topic of discussion? You."

Austin let out a small, cold laugh.

"Of course," he mused. "They never learn."

The shadow remained still, awaiting orders.

Austin placed the list down and spoke calmly but firmly, "Keep an eye on both the Imperial Princess and Selen Vossaria. Also… find out what exactly she plans to do with all that money."

Austin leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. His golden eyes narrowed behind his glasses.

"Why does the Imperial Princess have access to such an amount of funds? This was never the case in the story I wrote."

He had meticulously planned every major event, every shift in power, and every hidden agenda. In the original timeline, the Imperial Princess had no direct control over imperial finances, nor was she involved in high-stakes auctions. Yet now, money was flowing into her personal account, and she was suddenly approaching Selen Vossaria, one of the Abyssals' key players.

"This is beyond coincidence. Either she has somehow gained authority she was never meant to have, or… something has changed the story itself."

Austin's grip on the parchment tightened slightly.

"If the past events have already started deviating from the original script, then how many more things will spiral out of my control?"

The Jewel of Itziar was an item he remembered well. In the game, he had used it to manipulate the Abyssals, striking down Selen Vossaria at the perfect moment. But if Sonya, the Imperial Princess, was now moving towards acquiring it first, then his entire strategy could be compromised.

He let out a slow exhale, his mind calculating.

"No, this could be an opportunity."

If Sonya wanted the jewel, he would let her fight for it. He just had to make sure that, no matter what happened at the auction, the jewel ended up in his hands.

Standing up from his chair, he called out, "Summon Vincent."

The shadows in the room stirred again, and a voice replied, "Yes, Master."

Austin adjusted his cuffs, his expression unreadable.

"If the story is changing, then I will simply have to be the one who changes it the most."