221 Annexing an Arcane Academy (2/2)
”Headmaster? Sorry for the intrusion, but we had thought something happen to Archmage Kozak.”
One of the teachers speaks up. He is the first person to enter the room alongside with half a dozen or so teachers. There are also students beyond the door, but they are not allowed inside. This is obviously a matter not for them.
”Thank you for your concern, but I am fine. Headmaster and Master Maxwell is having a conversation while I bear witness.”
Kozak responses and gestures his hand to close the door, sealing it once more. His statements instantly made several people to raise their brows. From their aura, they are all Archmage level of varying stages with one being at stage one.
There are stages of advancement to each circle of magic. About 10 stages in total, but most considered it to be 9 for simplicity. They are lower, middle, upper and peak. Lower, middle and upper has roughly 3 stages each while peak is just peak.
It is divided that way because getting from Lower 3rd Stage to Middle 1st stage takes more effort than usual. Same with Middle 3rd Stage to Upper 1st Stage.
The only exception is Upper 3rd Stage and Peak Stage.
The Peak Stage is a special stage that some people reach just to improve their magical power and aura more. It is not necessary to reach that stage when one can jump from Upper 3rd Stage First Circle right to Lower 1st Stage Second Circle, skipping the Peak Stage together.
Of course, doing that is not a good thing, but most people has no choice as getting to Peak Stage does need a lot of time and efforts.
Time and efforts that they might not have due to their ages or health or even financial means. It is not cheap being a mage, but the rewards are worth it. Most noble house has at least one living mage, thus allowing them to be prideful to the point of arrogance.
More so if that mage is an Archmage.
”Master Maxwell? I assume that you do not mean him as your teacher, Archmage Kozak, so what does he specializes in exactly?”
The same man asked, and Legion finally informs me that this man and the rest of the people are really part of the same faction. There are factions within the Academy. Of course, there are.
There are factions within any organization, and an Arcane Academy can be considered as one with like thousands upon thousands of people. There are at least ten thousand or so students studying here at the academy, but only a fraction of that are recognized as mages. Like less than 1%.
The conversion from normal students to mages sucks, but then again, everyone wants to be a powerful mage even though they have no talent for it. They do have a lot of money though, but money could only get them so far.
”He is a Master Torturer, Archmage Bronwen, and you shall address him as such. Do you understand?”
Legion informs after I give him the information. Master is just another rank for mages, and it depends on their profession. That is, what they are excelling at. Alchemy. Summoning. Formation. Beast Taming and so on. These is just to name a few.
Of course, Master is not the highest rank. Grandmaster is higher than Master, but Master Maxwell has a charm to it. Also, it has double meaning as well.
Hearing the name, Bronwen and his underlings are taken back. There actually had never been a Master Torturer at the academy before. There has never been a need for one since its establishment thousand of years ago.
However, with so many mages coming in and going out of the country on a regular basis, magic crimes are on the rise, especially committed against the common people. So much so that there have revolts recently.
But unfortunately, the Kingdom cannot really prosecute mages effectively, so the King has requested the Arcane Academy do something about this. All for the security and prosperity of the country.
The King did not request though. It is more like him begging with promise to pay for any expenses. He obviously gets something in return as well, considering the law of confiscation.
Yup. Perfect for abuse, and the headmaster has already abusing it.
With the backing of the monarchy, the headmaster has prosecuted anyone who dare to usurp him, as that is the reason that he is extremely paranoid. Senile and paranoid does not go well together. I guess I did the right thing by killing him, not that I wouldn't in the first place.
It is just better to get rid of him and run the school myself. What should I do about his wife and children though? His mistresses too. Wow. He has so many.
Oh wait. I do not need to do anything about that. Legion can play the part perfectly, and besides, since he is at odd with his wife, he rarely sees her. In fact, he spends most of his time trying to reach a higher circle in vain.
”Do you understand!?”
Legion questions and demonstrates the power and aura of a third-circle mage. With restricted amount of magical energy of course. Unlimited amount with that level of magical power is enough to instantly kill everyone in the room.
But to make sure no one dare to challenge Legion and me, I allow legion to release roughly ten times the amount of magical energy that the headmaster has himself. That is enough to scare the pants off of everyone.
”Yes, headmaster.”
Bronwen responses so quick that he nearly bits his tongue. His goons as well. Sweating a lot more than Kozak as the energy is directed at them. Whatever notions they have about assassinating the previous headmaster to take control of the academy vanish within their mind.
I will have to get rid each of them eventually. Cannot allow them to teach here at my academy and to corrupt my students. Of course, there is no need to hurry.
”Master Maxwell. It is good to have you part of the academy, and if there is time, I would love to learn torture techniques from you.”
Bronwen finally greets me, but I note that he did not introduce himself. In his eyes, I am a nobody, as he is nobody in mine. Take one to know one. His underlings also say something to the same effect.
Once they do that, they request to excuse themselves since they are a bit shaken up by Legion. Maybe it was a bit too much, but it is better that way at the moment.
Kozak locks the door afterwards and activates some soundproofing seals since one or more idiots will try to eardrop. Even if they do not, it is better to. He did not have it activated before since he is merely doing paperwork, and keeping those seals activated drain his magical energy.
”Master Maxwell. Is this truly the headmaster?”
Kozak addresses me, knowing full well that I am the one in control. I am always the one in control, and if others think otherwise, it is because I am allowing them to be in control. Well, for people that aren't Aspects and Primordial.
”Yes and no. The headmaster you know is dead. However, I have made used of his body and magic for my purpose. You should not have any more problem from the headmaster from now, and you will not have a problem from me as long as you serve me with the best of your ability.”
I tell Kozak before pursing my lips. I wonder if I should tell him the reason why I have allowed him into my service in the first place, but I decide there is no reason to.
”I will serve, Master Maxwell.”
Kozak responses with a deep bow.
”Actions speak louder than words. Go and do whatever you need. I do not like to interfere with things that I assume would get done satisfactory.”
I tell Kozak and get up from the seat. I guess I am a teacher now, and I should spend some time fixing a few things in school. It would be for the best, considering it is my school now.
”As for those other things that you have been doing in secret or otherwise, you may continue them as long as it does not threaten this world. I will let you use your judgement on those matters, as I do not wish to keep an eye on you all the time.”
I add before making headmaster-Legion disappears. I just return him back to the same room that I had poached the headmaster from a moment ago. He was in meditation alone, so it is fine.
Once that is done, I teleport away to see Sapphire Solare, knowing that Kozak will carry out my will to the best of his ability.
It is in his best interest as well.