Ascension Of The Failed Mage

"You'll understand when you fight me, so let's not waste any more time and just do it. Once the match is over, we can begin training in earnest." Ciara added, noticing the disbelieving look Sam and Serah made.

They both looked at each other and nodded, deciding to trust Ciara's words. Even if they lost, which they would, they could finally start the main training.

"Let's do this then!" Serah said, cracking her knuckles as she grinned energetically.

"Y-yeah!" Sam also added, feeling flustered, however, they had gone past the point of no return.

Facing their current enemy, both friends looked at each other and nodded, determined to give their all in the fight.

"Hyyaaaaaa!!!"

And so the fight started.

*

*

*

[Moments Later...]

Of course, they both lost... terribly so!

"Haaa, I knew it!" Serah grumbled while lying on the ground, Sam directly beside her also sharing the same fate.

"Ciara is too strong." He groaned, not wishing to leave the cool floor that his back embraced.

Ciara stood atop them, smiling victoriously.

"Do you see now? The level you must reach to stand a chance against me?"

Both friends gave a terrible sigh. If they didn't know Ciara so well, they would conclude that she was gloating. However, it was far from it. She was intentionally rubbing their wounds.

"Y-yeah..." They both responded.

Her smile broadened upon hearing this.

'You guys should be proud of yourselves. You did well...' Ciara's mind beamed.

This was because she understood the feeling of looking up to someone phenomenally stronger than her. In her case, Noir's level was so despairingly high that she would have given up so long ago.

However, she remained resolute to reach him, and if they could do the same after experiencing her power firsthand, then they too wouldn't break in the training to come.

"Alright, guys. It's time for the real deal!"

*

*

*

Before the three of them knew it, over two hours had passed. The night crept upon them, and it was finally time to leave.

While there was no limit to how long a student could practice in the training halls, Ciara had to consider the limits of her friends, and hers as well.

They hadn't done much, other than basic magic training and practice. After her friends lost in their fight against her, Ciara decided to measure their limits by making them use their most powerful attacks, and then repeatedly use magic until they ran out.

By watching the two, Ciara learned quite a few things. Firstly, Sam appeared to have a higher magic capacity than Serah. His mana pool was higher, but his lack of decisiveness and slow casting was his flaw.

As for Serah, while she didn't have too high Mana pool, she was quick-witted and highly efficient in combat.

So, in a battle of attrition, Sam would win, but when it came to an all-out slugfest, it would go to Serah.

"Serah is more dependent on Enhancement, while Sam's specialty is Spells..." Ciara muttered.

They were both only in the first Tier though, so they had a long way to go. Ciara realized that if the two of them were to really rise beyond their current state, she would need to be very unconventional in her approach.

'First, they'll have to increase their capacity... And deplete their magic nonstop to forcefully adapt their bodies. I'll also have to reach them other spells and techniques outside the curriculum to improve them further...' Ciara reasoned.

Truly, she had her work cut out for her. But, that was what made the whole thing more fun. She wasn't going to give up, and in the process, she was looking forward to getting stronger as well.

'It's about time I reached the 4th Tier!'

And so, after a hectic time together, the three finally left the training hall.

"Haaa... this has been one hell of a first day!" Serah said, wailing loudly as they left the whole building.

Sam was too tired to even speak, so he merely dragged his legs as he walked.

As for Ciara, she was more concerned about something else entirely. Tomorrow would be the day she got to see Richard Lawcroft after his break. She was looking forward to it.

'I better get something for him before visiting his office!'

**********

"I'm back everyone. Who missed me?" Richard's voice boomed throughout the classroom the following day.

Nearly all the students roared in cheers as they were glad to finally have their homeroom teacher back.

Ciara beamed brighter than everyone present, staring hard at her teacher. However, to her surprise, he didn't even glance once in her direction.

Still, she didn't take it to heart. It wasn't like he was allowed to give her any special treatment even in the classroom.

"I apologize for my abrupt leave of absence, but I had to take care of some things. I'm back now though, it's good to see your faces." He continued.

Ciara felt something off from how Richard Lawcroft spoke. He felt a little more free-spirited and friendly, contrary to his usual personality in the lecture hall. Sure, he was a friendly and kindhearted man, but Ciara hardly ever saw him so cheerful, especially in class.

'Well, he must have missed us a great deal...' She decided to conclude.

Besides, perhaps something good happened to him during the break. He would have to tell her all about it when she visited him in his office.

Ciara's eyes darted to her bag, where she saw the present she had prepared for him. While it wasn't much in terms of value, the object held a sentimental value to her.

'I'm sure he'll appreciate it' She smiled to herself.

Her eyes went back up, and for the first time since he arrived, Richard's eyes met hers. Her whole body tingled for a moment, for reasons inexplicable to her.

Also... written all over Richard's face, though for only a second, was a fixated smile directed at her.

Her heart skipped a beat, since it was the first time he had ever given her such a look. A mix of interest, amusement, and a somewhat ulterior motive, a sharp contrast from the gentle manner he usually glanced at her. Just as she thought...

"... He really is different today."

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