Nova Sorcery Chapter IV

NOVA SORCERY

Chapter 4:

For Our Future

Part 1: A New Direction

The bell for the end of first classes echoed through the halls, releasing the throng of students into their passing period. Renato and Akimi strolled through the corridors, blending into the chaos of chatter and footsteps.

"Hey, Akimi," Renato said, sidestepping a group of students loitering by the lockers. "I heard Principal Davidson's making rounds today. Supposed to tell us something important. You know what it's about?"

Akimi adjusted his bag. "No clue. Heard rumors it's magic-related, though. Hopefully, it's something good this time."

The pair arrived at a fork in the hallway. One path led to the open courtyard, basking in sunlight; the other stretched toward another wing of classrooms.

Renato sighed. "Guess I'll see you at lunch."

Akimi raised an eyebrow. "Wait, isn't your next class culinary? Shouldn't you be in the library?"

"Yeah," Renato replied, rubbing the back of his neck, "but the instructor hasn't shown up since the beginning of the year. Word is she's finally back and wants us in the courtyard today for... something."

Akimi snorted. "Well, good luck. Hope she doesn't make you do anything crazy. See ya, man."

They parted ways, Renato heading toward the courtyard.

 Part 2: Strange Instructor and The Future

By the time Renato reached the courtyard, most of his culinary class had already gathered, chatting idly. He joined the group just as a large seed, about the size of a volleyball, fell from the roof of a nearby building.

Startled gasps rippled through the students. The seed quivered, sprouting rapidly into a massive tropical flower. Its vibrant petals gleamed under the sun, and twisting vines curled outward as if searching for something to hold. Slowly, the petals unfolded, releasing a delightful, sweet aroma into the air.

From the heart of the flower emerged a slender young woman with long ginger hair, dressed in a cow-print apron. She leaped out with theatrical flair, landing before the class.

"Good morning, stud—" The woman's foot caught on a vine. She stumbled forward, landing face-first on the grass.

A collective wince rippled through the students.

The woman shot back to her feet, brushing herself off as though nothing had happened. Her bright smile returned instantly. "Good morning, students! I am your culinary instructor for this semester—and hopefully the year—Miss Figueroa. But you can call me Miss Fig, Miss F, or just Chef!"

The students exchanged wary glances, unsure whether to laugh or stay silent.

"I know what you're all thinking," Miss Figueroa continued, clasping her hands dramatically. "Where has Chef Fig been all this time?"

The class collectively thought: 'That's the last thing on our minds right now.'

Miss Figueroa launched into an enthusiastic explanation. "Since last summer, I've been traveling the world, searching for only the finest ingredients for this class to use. Take this plant, for example! I found it in the depths of a tropical rainforest—"

A loud croak interrupted her. From behind a nearby bush hopped a large frog, its skin marked with an intricate symbol glowing faintly in the light. The frog opened its mouth unnaturally wide, and an arm reached out from within, pulling the rest of a figure free.

Principal Davidson emerged, brushing leaves from his suit as the frog hopped onto his shoulder. It vanished into his body with a faint shimmer.

"Apologies for interrupting your lesson, Miss Figueroa," he said with a polite nod. "Especially on your first day back. But I have an important announcement to make."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Principal Davidson!" Miss Figueroa replied, beaming. "Go right ahead."

'She just can't catch a break, huh,' the class thought collectively.

Principal Davidson turned to address the students. "As you all know, magic is an integral part of our world. It has revolutionized countless fields and created opportunities for every aspiring sorcerer. Today, I want to discuss your futures. Whether you've already decided on a path or are still searching, I'm here to present some options."

He proceeded to outline various career paths in sorcery, from law enforcement to agriculture to human services. His voice was calm but commanding, holding the students' attention.

"Packets containing detailed information will be in your student mailboxes," Principal Davidson concluded. "And as always, my office is open if you need guidance."

He extended his hand, summoning inergy to form another frog familiar. The creature opened its mouth wide, allowing him to step inside and disappear as it leapt away.

Miss Figueroa clapped her hands together. "Well, I hope you all consider what Principal Davidson said! Maybe I'll see some of you next year. Now, where was I? Oh, right—"

She resumed her tale of jungle adventures, but Renato barely listened. His thoughts lingered on the principal's words.

 Part 3: Double Puzzled

Renato was deep in thought as he walked into the cafeteria. A familiar voice snapped him back to reality.

"OI!" Akimi called, rushing toward him. "Did Davidson come to your class too? About jobs and stuff?"

"Yeah," Renato replied, shaking off his daze. "Did he interrupt yours too?"

Akimi groaned. "Right at the best part! We were about to watch a movie."

The two grabbed their lunch trays and found a table.

"So," Akimi asked, leaning forward, "what are you thinking about doing after graduation?"

Renato shrugged. "Honestly? No clue. I just kinda... wanted to be a sorcerer, you know?"

Akimi stared at him, blank-faced. "You're kidding, right?"

Renato frowned. "Look, not everyone's got their whole life planned out like you! What about you, huh? What are 'you' gonna do?"

Akimi hesitated, his gaze dropping to the table. "Well... I'm stuck too."

Renato blinked. "What? And you're judging 'me'?"

Akimi laughed awkwardly. "Fair point. My family's all high-ranking sorcerers in Japan. That's what I was 'supposed' to do, but it doesn't feel right for me, you know?"

They fell into a contemplative silence, but it didn't last long. Akimi's eyes lit up with an idea.

"DING! Let's get burgers!" he declared.

Renato paused, looking at Akimi with a raised eyebrow. "Huh?"

Akimi grinned, "Yeah, you're not going to get anywhere on an empty stomach," he said ecstatically. "Besides, it'll give you some peace and fresh air, y'know?"

Renato shrugged, still unsure. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

 Part 4: Decision

The two headed out of the cafeteria, outside of campus and into the entertainment district now, where they could find some good food and hopefully clear their heads.

The bell above the door chimed as they entered The Duchess Delight, a small diner tucked between a row of shops. They took a seat at the counter and Akimi waved down the waiter. "Excuse me, can we get two double cheeseburgers? Oh, and a Kiwi Milkshake for me," he added, glancing at Renato. "What about you?"

Renato paused, his mind still preoccupied with Principal Davidson's words. "Uh, just orange juice for me. Thanks."

"Gotcha, coming right up," the waitress replied with a friendly smile, before disappearing into the kitchen.

As the two settled into their seats, the quiet buzz of the diner was interrupted by a sudden scream from the street outside.

 A woman's voice echoed, followed by the frantic clatter of footsteps. Renato's eyes widened as a figure dashed past the window, and the woman collapsed to the ground in distress.

Without thinking, Renato jumped from his seat. Akimi, a second behind him, shook his head but couldn't suppress a smile.

"Idiot," Akimi muttered before following.

The pair tore out into the street, where the woman was scrambling to her feet, her eyes wide with panic. They spotted the thief—, dressed in dark clothes, with a bag clutched tightly to their chest.

Without missing a beat, Renato and Akimi both sprinted forward, cutting through the crowd. They reached the thief in moments.

They caught up and delivered a synchronized dropkick, sending the thief sprawling.

Renato quickly straddled the thief, pinning him down with a firm grip. Akimi stood over them, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his face.

"HEY! GET OFF ME, YOU BRAT!" the thief snarled, struggling beneath Renato's weight.

The woman who had been attacked rushed forward, her breath ragged as she was accompanied by two officers.

"Thank you, thank you so much, the both of you!" she gasped, her voice full of relief.

The officers restrained the thief, who continued to grunt and flail, but it was clear he was outmatched.

One of the officers nodded, giving the woman's stolen bag back to her.

The woman turned toward the two young men with grateful eyes. "Here," she said, holding out her hand. "I don't have any cash to give at the moment, but I hope these can do." She handed them each a small, star-shaped charm.

"They don't have any value, and they're not good luck or anything," she explained quickly, her voice still breathless, "but they look nice."

Renato smiled as he accepted the charm. "They're more than enough, ma'am," he said, tucking it into his pocket. "Thank you."

The woman's eyes widened in confusion. "Thank you? For these cheap charms?" she asked, clearly taken aback.

Renato nodded, his smile widening. "Not just that," he said, "You helped me decide something really important today."

Renato shook his head, "I know exactly what I want to do now. I want to be a sorcerer who helps people. That's what I'm gonna do."

Akimi chuckled. "Well, no duh, that's what all sorcerers do, dummy."

Renato looked at his friend, his eyes filled with determination. "You know what I mean," he said. "I want my future career as a sorcerer to be in Law Enforcement."

Part 5: One Step Forward

Renato and Akimi stood in the hallway, the sunlight filtering through the large windows of the school building. There was an air of anticipation around them, mixed with a subtle nervousness. They had made their decision, and now, there was no turning back.

Renato was pacing back and forth, his hands in his pockets. "You think this is the right move?" he asked, his voice low.

Akimi smirked, but there was a flicker of anxiety behind his eyes. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think so. Besides, you're the one who made the call."

Renato stopped pacing and met Akimi's eyes. "Yeah, but... What if we aren't ready?"

Akimi nudged him with his elbow. "You worry too much, man. We're going to be fine. Let's just get this over with."

The two shared a nervous smile before they pushed open the door to Principal Davidson's office.

Principal Davidson was already at his desk, his eyes serious but welcoming. "Ah, you two," he said, gesturing for them to sit. "I figured you'd be here first thing. I received your request last night."

Renato sat down first, followed by Akimi. Both of them were tense, but determined.

"I trust you've made up your minds?" Davidson asked, folding his hands on the desk.

Akimi nodded without hesitation. "We're going into Law Enforcement. Sorcerer-style."

Davidson's gaze softened but grew more solemn. "You realize this isn't something to take lightly," he said slowly, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "Law Enforcement in this world isn't just about fighting evil. It's about power—control. Sorcery can be a gift, but it can also be a weapon. The power you wield will affect not just your lives, but the lives of everyone around you."

Renato shifted in his seat, feeling the weight of Davidson's words.

The principal continued, his voice calm but firm. "You both know this won't be easy. I'm offering you the chance to meet Chief Hannes. He runs the Law Enforcement training program here. If anyone can mold you into what you want to be, it's him."

Akimi's eyes gleamed with determination, while Renato still appeared uncertain. "What's the catch?" Renato asked.

Davidson gave them a knowing look. "The program is brutal. It's not for the faint of heart. Chief Hannes doesn't take weak students. To him it's all about results. Period."

Renato's stomach twisted at the thought, but he straightened his back. "I'm ready."

Davidson gave a nod of approval, though his expression remained stern. "Good. I'll arrange a meeting with him. But remember, this is your last chance to turn back. Once you step into Hannes's world, you'll be tested in ways you can't imagine."

The principal stood up and opened the door, signaling the end of the meeting. "Go to the auditorium. Chief Hannes is hosting an assembly for new interns. I'll see you there."

Part 6: Hanne's Orientation

The doors of the auditorium were massive, looming as they stepped inside. The space was cavernous and silent, with rows upon rows of seats that gave the room an eerie, empty feel. The smell of old wood and polished floors lingered in the air, and only a few brave souls dared to sit near the back.

Renato and Akimi walked toward the front, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. As they sat down, both could feel their hearts racing. There was a mix of excitement and anxiety in the air.

"You think we're really cut out for this?" Renato muttered.

Akimi leaned back in his seat, trying to mask his own nerves with a relaxed posture. "Quit stressing. We've got this. It's just... the chief we're talking about."

Renato let out a breath, glancing around at the empty seats. "Yeah, that guy's a legend. The guy we're about to meet, he's gonna be different. A lot different."

Akimi just shrugged. "We'll see."

The doors suddenly slammed open.

A figure entered, and the room seemed to shrink in the presence of Chief Hannes. He was a towering, brutish man, scars marking his face and neck, his posture radiating an intimidating, battle-hardened aura. His cold, judgmental eyes scanned the room, and his mere presence sent a chill down their spines.

The air grew tense, the interns sitting up straighter, trying to hide their nerves. Even Principal Davidson's earlier warnings seemed pale in comparison to the reality of the man standing before them.

Chief Hannes didn't say a word for a moment. He simply glared at the interns, his lips curling in distaste.

"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath, his voice a low growl. "This year's batch of interns is weaker than I expected. It's gonna take a lot more than looks to impress me."

He turned to his secretary, a sharp-eyed woman with an air of efficiency. "Miriam, give me the numbers for this year's intake. I want to know who I'm dealing with."

Miriam handed over a stack of papers, her expression neutral. Hannes scoffed as he looked through them. "Low numbers. How convenient," he sneered. "Doesn't matter. They'll have to earn their place through trials. Brutal trials. No one gets a free ride here."

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as Hannes continued.

"You're here to prove yourselves. Nothing more, nothing less," he said, his voice rough, commanding attention. "You think you're ready? You'll soon find out. The trials won't spare you, and I certainly won't. Failure isn't an option. Anyone who's not cut out for this will be tossed aside without hesitation."

The interns visibly stiffened, the weight of his words sinking in.

Hannes continued, his gaze sharp. "You will be tested beyond your limits. I don't care about your comfort, your feelings, or your weaknesses. All I care about is results. If you don't measure up, don't bother coming back."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room. "Survival isn't enough. You need to prove you have what it takes to lead. And if you can't handle that, you'll be discarded."

The room remained still, the tension palpable.

Hannes turned to his secretary, his voice low and gruff. "Let's get to the next phase."

Part 7: The Brookshyre PD

The doors of Brookshyre's Police Department loomed before them, a cold and imposing structure in the heart of the city. As they stepped inside, Renato and Akimi were immediately struck by the contrast between the sleek, modern architecture and the palpable air of efficiency that surrounded them. Officers moved quickly, silently, their faces stern and focused.

Miriam led them through the halls, her footsteps steady and purposeful. "Welcome to the heart of Law Enforcement," she said, her voice clipped. "This is where you'll be tested. If you're going to make it in this world, you'll have to keep up."

Renato and Akimi exchanged looks. The weight of what they were about to face was sinking in.

They were soon led into individual small, sterile rooms with a single table in the center. Miriam gestured for them to go inside and sit.

"Let's begin," she said, her voice cold. "Why do you want to join Law Enforcement? What makes you think you're ready?"

Renato and Akimi glanced at each other before they could, Miriam only onslaught them with more questions that were more personal, more invasive.

"Do you think you're capable of making the hard choices?" Miriam's voice was cutting. "How would you feel if your decisions cost someone their life? Are you truly prepared for the consequences of being a sorcerer in Law Enforcement?"

The questions dug deeper, pushing their limits. Renato's hand clenched under the table. Akimi's eyes narrowed, but both of them knew they couldn't back down.

"Do you think you'll ever be good enough to match the chief's power?" Miriam asked, her words a challenge.

Then, the room grew even colder. Miriam leaned in, her gaze piercing. "What will you do when the chief orders you to make a choice between saving a civilian and completing a mission?"

The silence was deafening. Renato's heart raced. Akimi's breath caught in his throat. But they stood firm.

With determination they both answered, "I'll forge my own path, one decision at a time, no matter the cost. Because in the end, it's not about power—it's about doing what's right."

Miriam nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You've survived the interview. But don't expect kindness from the chief. You've shown you can handle pressure, and you show a sense of true justice. But the real test is yet to come."

Back in Hannes's office, the tension was unbearable. The chief stood, arms folded, looking at them like they were under a microscope.

"You've made it through the interview. Congratulations," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But now comes the real test."

He paused, his gaze piercing through them. "I've decided. You two will be my personal right and left hands. You'll be involved in the more critical operations here. Your final test is to prove yourselves worthy of that responsibility."

There was no smile, no warmth in his tone. Just a cold, brutal acceptance.

"You've earned this," he said, his voice suddenly steely. "But don't think it'll be easy. This is where the real work begins."

He turned his gaze to the door. "And remember, the school trip to Valkyrie Peak is coming up. Don't disappoint me."

With a final, chilling look, Hannes added, "Survival isn't enough. You need to prove you can lead."

End of Chapter 4