Ascension Of The Failed Mage

'This has to end.'

Noir admitted he was having fun, but he had to stop.

He had to remember his purpose, and also had to ensure the innocents before him never got wrapped up in his selfishness and problems.

But for tonight, he would play along. Just for tonight.

*

*

*

It was a fun night for everyone. Galand had his fill of alcohol until he started doing weird dances and singing horribly.

Lorna also appeared a bit drunk, and clung to Noir, muttering unintelligible words.

Then there was Ciara. Noir made sure she didn't take any wine since she was still a minor, but other than that, she seemed like the only one out of it.

"I am not happy." She muttered silently to herself.

Noir picked her low voice up, one of the perks of being beyond human.

He paused the merriment and music, which was being played using a Rune Stone. Everyone paused their dances and nonsense and looked at Noir, who had interrupted the fun.

The dark haired gentleman looked toward Ciara, walking in her direction gently and slowly, since Lorna was still clinging to him.

"What's wrong, Ciara?" Noir asked her, his eyes showing he expected her honesty.

But Ciara wouldn't budge that easily.

"W-what do you mean?" The young girl replied, trying to feign ignorance.

"You're not enjoying yourself. Is something bothering you...?" Noir pressed on.

"Since when do you realize things like this? I thought you were oblivious?" Her voice trembled a bit.

"Well, I'll have you know that I've been undergoing training these past three months too!" Noir said, raising his head and looking gallant.

He turned back to face Ciara with a smile, gentler than usual.

Ciara laughed a little at his acting, but then started to cry.

Tears flowed from her eyes which attracted both Galand and Lorna's attention. They ceased their drunken smiles and giggles and looked concerned for their Young Miss.

"Young Miss, what's the matter?" Lorna asked, her worry clouding her tipsy state.

"Did Sir Noir do something again?" Galand said, half in jest, attempting to lift the spirits in the room up with a bit of humor.

He failed miserably.

Ciara shook her head vehemently.

"I-I don't want you to call me that! Call me Ciara!" She protested, tears still in her eyes.

Galand and Lorna were shocked at her outburst.

It was true that they had gotten even closer for the last three months and had a lot of bonding time during training, but they had never once forgotten their duty and their social positions regarding Ciara.

"But... Milady..." Lorna said in weak protest.

"We're friends aren't we?" Ciara argued. "Call me Ciara. Galand. Lorna!" She insisted.

All eyes went to the middlemen in the deadlock, Noir.

Ciara wanted him to take her side, obviously. Noir looked away from Ciara's teary, but determined eyes, and then faced Galand and Lorna, who made pleading and protesting faces.

Noir didn't know what to do... until it struck him.

'This is an opportunity!' He thought to himself.

"Fine, they'll agree to it under one condition!"

Galand and Lorna looked shocked. They never agreed to anything under any condition. The hierarchy existed for a reason.

They had expected Noir to be the voice of reason and convince Ciara, but it seemed like things backfired. Ciara apparently had more hold on Noir than they had taken into account.

"Tell us what's bothering you... we're friends aren't we?" Noir said, using her words to his advantage.

'Smart move...' Galand thought to himself, smiling awkwardly.

'Dirty play.' Lorna thought, with the same expression as Galand.

Ciara maintained silence for a while and finally spoke up.

"I don't want to leave you guys... And I don't want you to leave me."

Everyone was surprised to hear that, but Ciara continued.

"The Academy will only allow me into its inner grounds, and my lodgings will be within the Institute's student residence, away from you all.

I won't be allowed to leave, since my father specifically wants me to remain within the Institute for my safety.

You can't visit me unless it's official business or an open day for the Institute. I don't want us to part ways yet..."

Desperation was written on her face. She had finally grown close to everyone, and she would lose them again. The rest would continue to be together, while she would be the only one left out, alone at the Institute.

"I know my social standing is different, I know we are from different worlds, but all the experiences we shared together for the past three months... no, before that... I can't help but consider you all my dearest friends." Ciara's shaky voice echoed.

The audience—Noir, Galand, and Lorna—remained speechless as they watched.

"But it seems I was the only one who thought of it that way..."

"Is that all that is bothering you?" Noir asked, a bit bluntly.

"A-ah...?"

Ciara was shocked to hear Noir's cold response. She thought he understood, she thought... she...

"We're coming to the Institute with you." Noir broke into a smile.

"W-wha...?" Ciara's eyes widened with surprise.

"Well, we've been keeping it a secret until the end of the party, but I guess now is as good a time as any," Lorna added, smiling knowingly with the others.

"Well, I have some friends at the Institute, and so I pulled a few strings. Plus they kind of owe us since our captive mage died under their watch. So much for security." Galand said with a cocky smile, though everyone knew he meant well.

Ciara was dazed by what she was hearing. Could this mean—?!

"Based on my track record, previous achievements, and skills, I have been accepted as a Research staff within the Institute, as well as a Lecturer." Galand grinned proudly.

Ciara looked at Galand with her eyes brimming and sparkling with hope. She could not believe what she was hearing.

"It's as Sir Galand says. I've been employed as one of the Attendants in the Institute, though my duty to you comes first." Lorna added with a smile.

"Lorna, you too?" Ciara looked to Lorna, smiling widely.

Lorna nodded her head, then Ciara looked toward Noir, who still maintained his gentle smile.

"Then what about Noir...?" Ciara asked, expecting yet another unbelievable news.

Noir shook his head slowly.

Ciara's eyes fell and her face darkened.

"N-no, Noir..." Ciara managed to mutter.

"Since nothing is known about Sir Noir, and he has no past ties or records with the Institute, there's no way he will be allowed in."

"T-then...?" Ciara's voice croaked.

"Don't worry, I'll still be around you."

"But that won't—!" Ciara tried to protest.

"Ciara, It's hard on Sir Noir too, please understand. He was the one who even advised both of us to apply. It can't be helped." Galand spoke emphatically.

"Besides, If I'm always by your side... How will you achieve what you told me three months ago" Noir asked.

The question hit Ciara at her core.

Her goal, she aspired to grow strong enough to fight alongside everyone. If she always kept Noir by her side she would never grow, she would never be able to reach it.

She would always be protected by Noir... forever!

Ciara nodded her head, wiped the tears from her eyes, and stood from where she sat. Her face was now determined, and she braced herself for what would come next.

Noir nodded at her with a smile.

"I won't let you guys down! I'll do my best, and make you all eat my dust." Ciara said with confidence.

"Yeah, dream on Ciara!" Galand said.

"We're not losing to you, Ciara," Lorna replied with a smile.

Ciara's face softened. They called her by name.

"Galand, Lorna... It's on!" She smiled at her friends.

"Yeah!" They both replied, smiling back at their friend.

Noir looked at the emotional display, and while his outward expression depicted a soft smile, his mind was fast at work.

He was able to distance himself from the three, giving him enough space and time to begin his investigation on the Institute.

He had intentionally made Galand and Lorna integrate into the Institute, making sure that while the three were busy, he would have uninterrupted time... alone.

"It's better this way." Noir thought to himself.

More danger was on its way. It was only a matter of time till the others found out about him, and he had to start planning ahead. There was also the issue of Netherlore, and the other factor he had to consider.

He had to get stronger.

"It's still too early for [Deification], but I'm running out of time."

The entire scenario with 'The Truth' three months ago was quite brutal. As expected, he was exactly as Noir pictured him to be.

Everything had gone according to plan. Even the injuries he had sustained were within his expectations.

He also had a fair idea of what was happening within the Institute. Thus, Noir had two options at the moment—

Let things unfold naturally...

... Or Interfere

He chose the latter. For their sake, for Ciara's sake... and for 'Her' sake.

'I'm also headed to the Institute... Just not with you all.' Noir thought to himself, while still maintaining his gentle smile to the rest of them.

'Things could get a bit rough from here on out.'

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