Reincarnation: A New World

Ending the conversation with Great Mage Sev, Nora and Percy left the classroom. Although the regimented courses had ended they now had many hours before they would be required to enter their dorms.

They wandered around the school for a while, unwanting to end the day early. With their conversation slowly growing stale and the topics they could discuss shrinking evermore, Nora boldly decided in order for their friendship to grow, she wouldn't lie to Percy.

In a rather timid fashion, Nora muttered, "Percy, I think I need to tell you something..."

The shift in tone not lost on Percy he inquired, "Why so serious? Let's put a smile on that face," as if referencing something he began to chuckle to himself, attempting to restrain laughter.

Feeling the lightheartedness, Nora double-down on her commitment, "I have something to tel..."

Nora was cut off as Percy stopped her while pointing down the hall. She looked up to where Percy was pointing and spotted Emilee and her posse moving down the hall. The posse had grown in size from the last time Nora saw it. Now hosting both Mage course and Knight course students.

Without saying a word, Percy turned around and speedily walked away. Once out of sight he began to sprint.

Before Nora could chase after Percy, she heard the unwanted voice of Emilee, "Oh my, what do we have here? It seems the little runt left you all alone."

Originally Nora had not bothered with Emilee in the slightest. All she saw was an arrogant little girl who only had the power of her family to back her, and no real power to herself. In other words, she was a fool. Nora simply wanted to let the stuck up girl be as she doubted that she could "correct" Emilee's ways without getting in trouble with the teachers. Yet, Emilee in her all-encompassing perfection now decided to insult Percy. Something which Nora wouldn't easily let go.

To Nora, a friend was more than just someone to be used, they were someone you'd move a mountain for. Even though she had known Percy for a very short period, he resembled her actions when she was still very young in her original world, and something deep down made her want to protect him.

"You know what," Nora retorted, "I don't give a damn about who you are, leave me and Percy alone!"

Giving Emilee one last chance to leave things be, Nora started to walk away. Before she could even make it more than ten steps, she was grabbed by Emilee. Once again, Emilee attempted the same trick she had previously tried, she used her strength as a second stage Mana Circulator to attempt to dig her nails into Nora's shoulder.

Finally done with the little girl's antics, Nora turned around grabbing Emilee's outstretched hand, bending her wrist far beyond the breaking point. Leaving a loud *crack* as the wrist began to dangle freely from its joint.

Emilee immediately began to cry. In her entire life, Emilee had never been even slightly injured. Now presented with a broken wrist, she couldn't control herself. Her sobbing leaving a pitiful expression strewn across her face. "I tried to warn you..." Nora said as she once again began to walk way.

To Nora's surprise she heard a powerful voice yell out, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DEAR GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER!", the voice's power shaking every single fiber within Nora's body.

The instantly recognizable power of Headmaster Thurmond appeared beside Emilee. Beyond all of Nora's expectations, the Headmaster had actually teleported beside Emilee. A feat she did not believe someone with the Headmaster's power could complete.

The Headmaster reached down and inspected Emilee's wrist. Seeing how her dominant hand had been completely dis-attached from the wrist, he became furious. The full power of the Headmaster flared up, such a vast quantity of Mana began to rage and writhe as the anger of the Headmaster exploded. Before Nora could even react, the pressure of the Mana hit her like a ton of bricks, pressing her down into the floor. The force so furious that almost immediately Nora began to cough up blood. The sounds of several bones snapping began to resound and Nora was pressed with more and more force from the Headmasters Mana.

To Nora's surprise, she heard the sound of footsteps running down the hall, unimpeded by the force created by the Headmaster. Unable to see the figure in her prostrated state, she reached out to sense who the being was.

Great Mage Mirlie ran down the hall, stopping beside Nora. Releasing her own projection of her Mana, she managed to halt the pressure being imposed on Nora. The Mana feeling far more calm and soothing.

"You think you alone can stop me from exacting my revenge!" the Headmaster taunted towards Great Mage Mirlie. "You cannot stop me from making equal on the harm she caused me great-granddaughter. For every tear my great-granddaughter shed, Nora should face a thousand lashes!" the Headmasters voice reaching a crescendo as he yelled.

"Well now," Great Mage Mirlie spoke, "aren't you being somewhat unreasonable?" seemingly unfazed by the sheer rage within the Headmasters voice.

"YOU CANNOT STOP ME!", a large staff appearing in the Headmaster's hand as he spoke.

Nora once again grew nervous at the sight of the staff. If there is one thing that she learned in her previous life, it was that someone with a weapon will always be stronger than one without. The staff itself causing a qualitative change in the force being projected by the Headmaster. This change even affecting Great Mage Mirlie as the first signs of fatigue appeared on her face.

"Not so fast there my "dear" Headmaster," a black mass of darkness speedily appearing at the side of Great Mage Mirlie, "I wouldn't do that if I were you..."

The black mass twisting into Human form, leaving Great Mage Sev standing in his black robes with a wooden staff at his side.

"You see, I may have promised this little girl's parents that I would protect her."

Disgruntled at the appearance of both Great Mages, Headmaster Thurmond declared in a somewhat restrained rage, "You better keep a close eye on her. If she hurts my precious great-granddaughter again, I'll have her head."

With those final words, Headmaster Thurmond reached down and lifted the still sobbing Emilee into his arms as he, in a flash, teleported away presumedly taking Emilee to get her wrist healed.

With the main aggressor leaving, the eyes of the two Great Mages slowly shifted onto Nora. Simultaneously they spoke, "Why would you do something so stupid!

-

Unwillingly Nora was dragged back into Great Mage Sev's classroom. Before she could even thank the two Great Mages for saving her life, they gave her the scolding of a lifetime. The two Great Mages spoke over eachother as their scolding turned more into rant territory.

After what seemed like an eternal scolding, Nora finally had a breather. Seemingly done with their rant they finally spoke in turn with Great Mage Mirlie speaking first, "Nora, from now on don't linger in the halls. Whenever your classes end, come to one of our classes. We can protect you from any residual hatred either Emilee or Headmaster Thurmond still hold. Anyways... why did you break her wrist in the first place?"

"She insulted my friend, and tried to hurt me!"

"Nora, really? Uhhh fine... let's just deal with the aftermath, what's there name?"

"His name is Perceval, but he prefers the name Percy"

"Sev, could you get him?"

"Give me a second..." Great Mage Sev responded before turning into a black mass and speeding out the window.

Nora now witnessing the rather eerie form of movement watched emptily as Great Mage Sev exited the classroom. Noticing the odd gaze at the sight of the odd magic, which Great Mage Mirlie had once alos shared, she chimed in, "The thing is Nora, Sev is a practicioner of black magic. One of the remnants from a war that you're far too young to know of. Nowadays most people either fear or feel disgust towards black magic. After Sev and a few of his late friends assisted in the offensive war against the Kingdom of Castrum, the Lightcrow family grew scared of the power they wielded and outlawed the open practice of black magic, and now prevent those with an affinity for black magic from being taught at any of the academies, be it the Allosian Academy or any of the merchant or commoner academies. The Lightcrow Family has slowly made most of Sev's old friends disappear over the years but they haven't managed to make Sev disappear for he has the support of many families, such as your family the Redbloods. The fierce rumours that the Lightcrow Family spread eventually made the entire populace of the Allosian Empire turn against black magic practicioners."

Appearing through the window the black incorpreal mass made its way back into the classroom before turning back into Great Mage Sev with a slightly terrified Percy in tow.

"Great Mage Sev, I swear I'll be good! Just please never do that again!" Percy being mortified of whatever spell had just been cast on him.

"I brought the little one back as you asked Mirlie"

"Thank you Sev." Great Mage Mirlie's eyes then turned to Percy, "Do you know what Nora got herself into because of you!? Luckily Sev came along and helped scare of the Headmaster, otherwise who knows what he would've done to Nora!" getting some frustration out she finally asked a real question, "Why did you leave her all alone?"

Percy having been informed of what transpired by Great Mage Sev couldn't help but feel rather guilty for leaving Nora all alone.

"The thing is Great Mage Mirlie... Emilee and her posse haven't been the kindest to me..." Percy then took off his uniform's top and revealed a series of both fresh and slightly old bruise marks.

"Oh my!" Great Mage Mirlie seeing the myriad bruises rushed over and embraced Percy. "I'm so sorry!" Mirlie failing to hold back her tears as they slowly rolled down her face.

"Here Percy, drink this," Great Mage Mirlie reached into her robe and pulled out a very thin vial with an extremely concentrated red liquid within it.

Passing the vial to Percy she said, "Don't worry about it, it'll make you better"

Percy rapidly chugged the potion and the bruises which covered his upper body slowly faded away, leaving unblemished skin behind.

Percy then looked around the room, seemingly thinking about the people in the room, before deciding, "Nora, I have to tell you something about who I really am..."