Whitebeard's POV:
My name is Takahashi Shiro. I am an arch mage, which means to say, I am a spellcaster who reached the 6th tier of magic or the equivalent. It was in my seventies I attained this level of mastery, which makes me slightly on the younger side for my status, as most mages who reach this stage are over a century old.
After pondering the mysteries of the arcane arts, I eventually hit a wall in my research. As I looked too my fellow mages for answers, I realized just how few there were who could answer my inquiries, none of which would willingly share that knowledge. For a mage, knowledge is power. Seeing the deficiency of arch mages generous enough to share their research, I had an epiphany. 'Why not just create more arch mages?'
Hence, I established my own magic academy, planting seeds in hopes of creating a connection to a future arch mage. However, I didn't realize how few has the aptitude as well as the intelligence required to reach that level. Hence, after extending my life with forbidden knowledge I wasted 50 years on this project with no signs of success. Only a handful ever reached 5th tier and nearly all of them were nearing the end of their life. I eventually just left the project in the hands of some of my half successes. Mr. Shao had a problematic attitude that would likely turn on me should he ever reach the 6th tier, while Mr. Kyle had the right attitude and intelligence, but lacked the aptitude to advance. Hence, I left the two in charge of my pet project just in case something turned up. And finally, it has.
After nearing the age of 200, I finally discovered someone interesting, though it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I once took in the granddaughter of an old friend of mine. He was a rather famous golemancer, so I decided to use her as bait to attract potential peers looking to gain his inheritance. And it appears to have paid off, as it seems a mysterious master has entered the academy as a temporary professor.
I have been occasionally receiving reports about the academy's ongoings in case someone of interest showed up when finally, I received a report of a man who overcame his lack of talent to become a 4th tier spellcaster despite lacking the affinity. At first, I thought it could be a master who hid his true ability, but when I appraised him myself through my own methods, I found the reports to be true.
Occasionally, spellcasters who lack an affinity required to produce a spell, will boost their output by using an appliance fashioned with magic stones, like a staff or a glove. Unfortunately, the amount of mana required will increase while the casters control decreases as a result, making it harder for casters relying on this method to advance. However, this man's affinity enhancing glove is a revolutionary masterpiece that can somehow circumvent such aspects. If I can acquire the production method behind those gloves or establish a connection with their creator, then I could easily expand my influence over the magic society as a whole.
Nearly every mage in the world will one day struggle against their own lack of aptitude. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they would kill for an item that could allow them to exceed their own limitations like this. If it was refined and improved, it has the potential to become the number 1 invention of the century. And it just so happened to fall into my lap. The only problem is…
"Yippy!"
The man who possesses the item in question is completely insane. He seemed rather sane at first glance, but after taking a closer look I realized how wrong I was. I was secretly watching him from a far as he targeted both students and faculty alike, while barely keeping within the school regulations. His actions became bolder and more extravagant as time went on. I initially just wanted to kill him and take his item that way, but I soon realized that would be rather difficult.
"You picking a fight old man!"
In that moment, I realized that lunatic wasn't just another overconfident mage. As he sensed my ambush and predicted my attacks, while giving off the pressure of a veteran fighter who has lived through countless battles. Whoever this guy is, he had the skill and experience to beat a 5th tier magician with just the enchantments on his body. If we truly fought, I would likely still win, but I can't guarantee he wouldn't escape. Even if I stole the gloves, it would be problematic if he were to escape. He could inform his backers or sell his knowledge to an enemy faction. Hence, it would be ideal if I could back him into a corner first. However, my every attempt at restraining or containing him has failed, as he continues to terrorize the academy. I even attempted to restrain him with a unique grade enchanted rope, but when I moved to take his gloves, he cast a teleportation spell and fled to the dual arena. I nearly blew my cover as I was going to kill him after the match, but…
"AND HEAR WE GO AGAIN FOLKS!"
He had apparently escaped his restraints without my notice, despite me being seated right next to him. If he could sneak past the senses of an arch mage, then I shudder at what would happen should I make an enemy of him. I would rather not wake up one day to find a blade in my throat.
My current plan was to invite him to Walpurgisnacht and attempt to gain his trust, but if that fails my last resort will be to lure him into a trap with the help of my connections. Even he wouldn't be able to resist an ambush from multiple arch mages. But as time goes on, I find myself leaning more and more towards the latter, as he continues to grow into a bigger nuisance every day that passes.
I still remember how the vice principal came in complaining about how he had made a game out of hiding important files and documents throughout the academy. Many of which are still being found to this day. Or how he incited a hoard of excited teens to raid my office, by spreading false rumors of me hiding pornographic material confiscated from the students in my office. I still find some students snooping around outside my door from time to time.
It is finally time for Walpurgisnacht. Surprisingly, the class 2F student's this year seemed to have a hidden gem tucked away. I could have foreseen my friend's granddaughter doing well given her lineage. But I never expected that Suzuki-child that lunatic recommended back then to have had such a talent. Half a year ago he was just a 1st tier magician, but after being threatened by that lunatic he managed to work his way up to the 3rd tier. It's a shame his aptitude is so low, or I would have taken him in as a potential arch mage. Though if I can get my hands on those gloves, I might change my mind and take him in as a disciple after this. I digress.
We are currently headed to the floating island of Walpurgis in my 'aerial craft'. An aerial craft is a vehicle such as a boat or carriage, that has been enchanted with magic that allows for flight. They are rather expensive to make due to the complex enchantments needed to allow for stable and controlled movements across the sky. The aerial ship I acquired cost more than it cost to build the academy itself. It has the appearance of a rowboat moving on clouds. The hull of the ship is an enchanted piece of cloud shaped fabric that is filled with hot air that pushes the boat up. The oars sticking out the sides have wind enchantments engraved on them that propel it forwards while allowing me to steer our direction. The rest of the ship is covered in a variety of enchantments meant to keep it from toppling over or catching fire from the big bag of hot air below.
Normally, I would bring Mr. Kyle along to manage the kids while I go do my own things, but due to the loss of a vice principal and room constraints he was left behind to manage the academy. The boat had barely enough space for 6 people. The passengers consisted of me, that lunatic, the three representatives of Shiro academy and class 2F's tester.
The selection tests for the school representative are based on the Walpurgisnacht tournament. However, the testers for the enchantment division is not provided, as such each academy has to bring its own tester, picked by the one representing the enchantment division. Hence, all of class 2F were aboard. As for the only student not from class 2F.
"YOU LOWLIFES DON'T DESERVE A SPOT AT WALPURGISNACHT!"
"OH YEAH! THEN WHY DON'T YOU COME AND PROVE IT YOU COWARD!"
He would be the arrogant blond boy from class 3A who is currently picking fights with the other competitors. As they started making a ruckus in the back seat, I came to appreciate Mr. Kyle. Every time the students got like this, he would always get them to quiet down as he mediated between them. Meanwhile, this lunatic was egging them on.
"Yay! GO team 2F!"
That lunatic pulled out a small flag with 2F painted on it from spatial storage and began to wave and cheer for his students to win the argument that was getting more and more violent causing the ship to wobble and shake.
"QUIET DOWN! OR I'M TURNING THIS SHIP AROUND!"
For the first time in decades, I lost my temper as I yelled at them to quiet down.
"Aw man! And it was just getting fun too!"
"Could you refrain from encouraging this behavior? The shaking is making it hard to steer the ship!" I said as I glared at the lunatic.
"I could, but then I wouldn't have anything to do for the next 6 hours!"
"Why not enjoy the view. Wait! What are you doing back there! HEY! AAAAAAAHHHH!"
Just then the lunatic left his seat as he started fiddling with something at the stern of the ship. Then suddenly, as I was considering stopping the ship to see what he was up to, I was nearly pushed out of my seat by the sudden wind pressure as the ship began to accelerate at a rapid speed. I could barely hear the screams of the students behind me as I struggled to regain control of the ship, until we eventually began to slow down only to crash land into a tree.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" I yelled at that lunatic as he dropped the other students he was grabbing, down to the ground.
"I saved us 6 hours! You're welcome!"
"What on earth are you ta-" Just then I realized where we were.
"Welcome kids! To Walpurgis Park!" He said as he began leading the kids on a tour through the city.
"STOP RIGHT THERE! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?"
"Ah! Well, I was going to help the kids stretch their legs as I take them on a nice peaceful walk through the park. I mean city!"
"No! You're coming with me to find accommodations." There is no way in hell, I am letting this lunatic out of my sight after that little stunt.
I'll probably have to pay a fortune to fix the enchantments after what he did, not to mention the damage from the crash. I thought to myself as I moved the ship to my storage ring.
"Okay, lead the way!" He said as he put on a pirate hat.
'Maybe I should just get rid of him now'
As my thoughts turned darker with every word out of that man's mouth I started planning for his demise.