The Zebrudia Academy of Magic had been founded a few centuries prior. The emperor at the time wanted to advance the arcane arts, as he felt that Zebrudia was falling behind in this field. It had since become a famous school, and for good reason; it was easily one of the best out there.
Powerful Magi were key to tackling high-level treasure vaults. In the northern district of the imperial capital, the institute had a sprawling campus and a school building that resembled a castle. It was a place admired by Magi and hunters alike, and it was said that as much as eighty percent of all the capital’s famous Magi were alumni of ZAM.
Twelve towers dotted the perimeter of the castle. Each housed a laboratory run by a professor, and in one, Anna Nodin was receiving harsh orders from her junior Magus, Lucia Rogier.
“Remember, be very careful with that! Make sure you don’t accidentally channel mana into it or something!”
“Hehe, I know, I know. Still, Lucia, you’ve got a very courteous brother. I can’t believe he got a gift from the Sword Saint’s vault. First, that lightning staff, now this. I guess that’s what you can expect from a Level 8 Relic collector; even his sources are first-rate.”
Lucia screwed up her face in a look of displeasure, temporarily marring her visage. A Level 6 Magus, Lucia Rogier, the Avatar of Creation, was famous for her wide repertoire of spells, but it was fair to say she was better known among the researchers for her older brother.
Lucia’s older brother, the Thousand Tricks, was one of the top hunters in the imperial capital and was the youngest person to reach Level 8. He was also known for being a Relic collector. Among the researchers at ZAM, a group mostly female due to their genetic inclination to magic, he had become something of an idol. Every time he visited, they came out in droves to see him.
Lucia’s brother wasn’t the only famous young hunter; there was also Ark Rodin. However, Ark didn’t have any relatives at ZAM, nor any other connection to the academy, so he rarely came by. So perhaps it was only natural that the Thousand Tricks had ended up the target of so much attention.
Anna looked down at the black staff Lucia had brought in. The shaft looked like it had been made by several vines tangling together, and a shiny gem sat at the top. It was a simple design, but she was surprised by its lightness, even when wrapped in cloth. They still hadn’t discerned the item’s powers, but compared to other weapons, staff Relics frequently sold for high sums. Selling at the right venue could easily bring in eight figures. As Magi tended to lack physical strength, many would be delighted to get a staff that weighed very little.
Even if it was for his sister’s instructor, someone would have to be awfully generous to just give such a thing away. He was powerful, rich, and had status. The rumors said he was a bit of an oddball, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Lucia was quite extraordinary, and perhaps he had something to do with that.
“That’s absurd,” Lucia said, “he’s just got an unhealthy obsession with Relics! And there’s no guarantee this staff isn’t—”
“I get it, I get it. No need to hide your embarrassment, I won’t take your brother or—”
“Hiding my embarrassment?!”
Receiving a death glare from Lucia, Anna examined the staff while making sure it didn’t come into contact with her skin. Lucia wasn’t the sort of person who would lie to hide her embarrassment, and listening to her would help Anna leave a good impression on her brother.
“While we’re at it, Anna, do you have any ideas as to the identity of this staff?”
“I’m not really interested in staves. But I am interested in your brother...”
Lucia didn’t respond to that.
Relic staves were a diverse bunch. There were those that simply offered high mana-amplification, those specialized for lighting spells, like the one Lucia had just brought in recently, and there was also Hydrogod’s Grace, which had been taken from that traitor, the Counter Cascade. And unless it was something fairly famous, you never knew what a Relic staff did until you gave it a test run.
“I can’t imagine there are many other people out there secretly holding on to a Relic staff like the Sword Saint was. And I don’t think there are too many people he’d give it to after holding on to it for decades.”
“Our leader’s always been known for his good finds.”
This was a Relic the Sword Saint had kept to himself and hadn’t even told anyone of its existence. It was possible he valued it more than any of his swords. It seemed there was truth to those rumors that said the Thousand Tricks was as good a negotiator as the most cunning merchants.
Reaching Level 6 at such a young age meant Lucia was a real genius, but her brother was no doubt something beyond that. They said he had made the spellbooks that led to Lucia earning the title Avatar of Creation. No wonder she had such a brother complex.
“So if I win the heart of your brother, I’ll get a cute little sister on top of everything else.”
“You couldn’t possibly handle our party leader. Don’t come crying to me if you start to approach your limits.”
Lucia’s expression caused Anna to withdraw that statement. It seemed if she wanted to conquer the older brother, she’d first have to befriend the younger sister.
“I’m just joking, that’s all. And of course, the staff will be in safekeeping until the professor can examine it. Even if it is cursed, we should be safe that way, right?”
Anna had been called a genius at times, but she definitely didn’t possess the same level of talent as the girl before her. Anna would likely be unfavorably compared to her, not to mention the youngest Level 8 hunter was probably fairly popular with the ladies. Just being his sister’s older colleague wouldn’t give the slightest advantage.
She had to take this chance to win some points, no matter how few. Her chance would come one day, she was sure of it.
“Anna,” Lucia said, interrupting her delusions, “you’ve been here a long time, haven’t you? Do you think the professor might be holding on to something in secret?”
“Something secret? I mean, she’s a Magus, and I’m sure anyone who becomes a professor here would have a thing or two they’d rather keep hidden. Oh. I think I might have an idea!”
Lucia’s eyes went wide. She was an exceptional young Magus, but she had a tendency not to see what was around her. She was so absorbed in her research and hunting that she missed all the academy gossip.
Anna glanced around furtively in an attempt to get Lucia excited; this girl was always so calm. “It’s just a rumor,” Anna said in a hushed voice, “but they say going all the way back to the first headmaster, there’s something special that’s been secretly passed down from one headmaster to the next. Supposedly, it’s something legendary. The professors will just laugh you off when you ask about it, but they do so with a serious look in their eyes. So, what do you suppose this thing is?”
“Maybe a potion or a magic creature?” Lucia said. She sounded weary, but there was still a hint of conviction.
“Wait, so you know about it?”
“No. This is the first I’ve heard of it. It’s just, starting today, Siddy, the Alchemist, will be on guard duty.”
Anna blinked in confusion. Guard duty? Alchemist? What’s she talking about?
“This time, I know what he’s up to,” Lucia said. She was clutching her fist and appeared to be talking to herself. “I won’t let him get away with it like he always does. This time, I’ll stop him.”
Suspended in the air by a magic device was a black staff. Surrounding it were Magi from all over the academy. Broadly speaking, there were two types of Magi: the researchers who secluded themselves in their labs and worked to establish theories of magic, and the implementers who didn’t care about theory and just wanted to learn to harness arcane powers.
Most fell into the latter, the best becoming knights and treasure hunters. However, those who remained at the academy for a long duration generally belonged to their former category. Hearing of the mysterious staff Lucia had brought in, they gathered around, whispering to each other.