Ascension Of The Failed Mage

"C-can we go again?"

"You think we can go higher? Maybe use Tier 8... or Tier 9 Magic?"

"Tier 9? Are you insane?"

"Remember what Mr. Novo said. We shouldn't restrict ourselves to our common perceptions!"

"Let's try one more time, please!"

Noir watched as the students assailed him with gazes that caused his heart to nearly explode. He struggled to keep his expression and reaction under control, considering how his instincts were being sent into overdrive.

Each and every individual truly seemed to have changed over the course of a single lecture. The fact that they could do something so phenomenal very easily... it made them genuinely happy.

"Fine... one more time." Noir smiled at the students.

It wouldn't hurt to see them try to graft a Rune without him saying anything. That way, he would be able to tell if they actually learned anything.

Yes, that was his rationale.

"Spread out, everyone."

*

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[One Week Later]

"Did you hear? That new teacher is going to be taking his students on a brief exploration outside campus!"

Just as was the natural course of events, the news of an amazing new teacher spread among the students.

Like wildfire, it made its way to the lower and upper stages of the Foundation Class, even reaching the seniors in the Advanced and Final Classes. The residents of U.S.E.M.I. were abuzz with the amazing tales they heard of the teacher, as well as what he could do.

"What? Really? How did he get approval?"

"I don't know. I heard he's close to the Archmage."

"W-whoah! That's insane."

"Yeah. One of his students stays in the room next to mine in the boys' dorm. He told me how he performed Tier 6 Magic the first day he taught their class."

"I heard that too. Wasn't that a simple rumor?"

"It's not! All the students did it."

"A-amazing! I wonder how it feels!"

"I heard he's only teaching the Fundamentals of Runes topic, so he only lectures the Foundation Class. I've always been jealous of those noobs."

"Hahaha! Not only do they have Trevor Netherlore, but now this new guy... what's his name again? Noir Novo, right?"

"Yeah. Noir Novo. Apparently, there's no history on him or anything. I tried all my sources, but no one knows where he came from... no one but the Archmage."

"Perhaps the rumors of his relationship with the Archmage are true..."

"Isn't Trevor Netherlore also close to Lord Denzel?"

"Indeed. It makes you wonder, though... who among the two is better."

"I would have said Mr. Netherlore before hearing all these things. But now...?"

"... I'm not so sure."

Speculations rose, and everyone's thoughts slowly began to converge in the direction of Noir Novo—or rather, a particular subject worthy of attention and consideration.

The controversial issue of who was better between Noir Novo and Treveor Netherlore became a heated discussion among students.

"Mr. Netherlore rose through the ranks of Magic at a very young age! He's in his early twenties, yet he's a Tier 8 Mage!"

"Mr. Novo looks younger than Mr. Netherlore, though... and he also seems plenty capable. He snapped his fingers to produce a Tier 6 Spell, and he easily taught his students how to make Tier 6 Runes! He's clearly better!"

"Based on what evidence? You don't even know how powerful he is!"

"Exactly! We can't tell. That's what makes him so amazing!"

The main fuel that added to the spark of this controversy was the mysterious nature of Noir's origins, as well as the full extent of his power.

No one really knew who this strange new teacher was... or what he was truly capable of.As a result, speculations rose from everyone's lips.

Who was the better teacher?

Who was the better Mage?

Who was more handsome?

Everything became a hot subject of debate—especially among female students.

Since the presence of exceptionally powerful and excellent teachers—who were young and attractive—was rare, the center of attention for the hormone-driven girls was the two men.

Trevor Netherlore—the bright and friendly hottie, who took the breath of everyone he met with his brilliant smile, eloquent speech, and charming attitude.

Noir Novo—the dark and broody mystery figure; powerful in every right, yet cold and scary. His 'bad boy' vibes added to his roguish charm, granting many the liberty to indulge in their more questionable fantasies of forbidden romance.

There were even a few students who belonged to neither side—choosing instead to pair both teachers together. According to them, these two male teachers suited each other very well.

In simple words, the student camp was divided, and it didn't seem like the situation was dying out anytime soon.

*

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"Tch... this is getting annoying..."

A certain student was upset by the new trend on campus, and she didn't bother hiding her dissatisfaction.

Her glare and frown were obvious as she walked past the several gossiping students. She could hear their voices aloud, and they all had the same name in their sentences.

Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo. Noir Novo

'Damnit! Everywhere I go, it's the same thing. I can't stand it anymore!'

The girl—Ciara—stormed past the hallway of the staff building, heading straight for her Homeroom Teacher's office.

"Noir, I can't take this anymore!" She swiftly opened the door, shouting as she stormed into his office.

To her surprise, she met two people inside. Behind the lecturer's desk was Noir, and seated in front of him was Mia.

"U.... uh...?" Ciara stopped dead in her tracks as she watched Noir glance in her direction for a moment before returning his focus to Mia.

What were these two doing?

On the desk were a bunch of books, and it appeared that Noir was teaching Mia more about Runes. Even with Ciara in the office, he didn't stop. He kept up his diligent explanation.

Ciara felt stuck in place as she watched the whole thing. She felt like a ghost—a mere spectator watching the exchange between an educator and the student.

This went on for a few more minutes before Mia finally stood up and thanked her lecturer for his help. Of course, Noir responded positively, telling her to come back if she failed to understand anything else.

Ciara felt her chest tighten as she watched this whole exchange.

Didn't they know she was watching? She was right there, waiting for him to be done, yet he was taking his good time to address Mia. Of all people... MIA?

"Good bye, Noir. Thanks once again."

"No problem, Mia. I had a good time too."

Ciara could feel her blood boil, and her eyes turned bloodshot. She had ignored it the first time, thinking it must have been an error in her hearing, but hearing it again... she couldn't deny what she heard any longer.

'D-did Mia just call him by his first name...? And he did the same? When did they become so close?'

Ciara couldn't comprehend the sight unfolding in front of her—not one bit. She could only feel her head pounding and her heart racing.

Why she felt this way was unknown to her, but she knew for a fact that she absolutely did not like how she was feeling.

Watching as Mia and Noir smiled at each other... Ciara DESPISED it!

Fortunately, Mia left soon after. Perhaps she had sensed bloodlust of some kind, or maybe she was in a hurry to get somewhere else, but Mia quickened her steps while exiting the office.

She didn't even pay Ciara any mind, swiftly dashing beside her as she escaped to the hallway.

"Close the door. Prolonged opening of a lecturer's office is inappropriate." Noir's voice resonated in Ciara's ears, finally waking her from the daze she found herself in.

Rather than say anything, she decided to listen to her dear lecturer and—

>WHAM!<

—Tightly shut the door behind her.

"That was unnecessary," Noir commented, picking up the books that littered his desk.

His gaze didn't even meet Ciara's causing the girl's pained heart to hurt even more. The poundings in her head astronomically increased too.

"What were doing with Mia?" She asked, slowly drawing closer.

"Teaching her something she didn't understand."

"It sounds like you've been teaching her for some time now... and very frequently too."

"Indeed. Mia is very diligent. Talented too."

"Tch." Ciara clicked her tongue in annoyance after having enough of Noir's very straightforward answers.

What else did she expect from someone like him?

"So, why are you here?" After putting away the books, he finally stared deeply into her eyes, asking the question she never wanted to hear.

In fact, wasn't this the opposite of what she had in her head? It had been a week since Noir started teaching, and Ciara had waited every single day for something... anything... from Noir.

Yet, he never reached out to her. They hadn't spoken for the whole week—except in class, or in the process of executing her duties as Class Representative.

And now, she had just about reached her limits.

"Why..." Her voice was firm, and her watery eyes were filled with anger.

"... Why are YOU here?"

*

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[A/N]

Yikes. Drama between these two. They've had it coming for some time now.

Also, we finally clocked a hundred chapters. Yayyyy!