Mahou Academy Fantasy

Chapter 04 Welcome Aboard, Nonaka Hajime

          A week had passed since Kohaku's death, and Hikayama Village had returned to its peaceful state. Tozen was the only one haunted by the events of that fateful night, unable to forget what he had witnessed.

            Suddenly, a hand landed on Tozen's shoulder, startling him. "Yo, Tozen, what's been up with you? You've been quiet all week, that's not like you," Hajime's voice broke through Tozen's reverie. Tozen's heart raced as he realized it was Hajime. He had been avoiding him since the incident in the mountains. "Ah, it's you...Hajime," Tozen stammered, a nervous sweat breaking out. He quickly made up an excuse about being busy and hurried away from Hajime, leaving him in the dark.

             As the days turned into afternoon, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students began to make their way home, but this time, Hajime didn't walk back with Tozen. "Maybe he really does have things to take care of," Hajime mused, walking home alone. However, when he reached his door, a car pulled up in front of his house.

           "Hm? Who could this be? We don't have anyone in the village who owns a car, this doesn't feel right," Hajime muttered as he approached cautiously. "Gramps, I'm home..." he called out as he entered, only to find a stranger woman sitting in the living room.

         "You're the one with the car outside my house?" Hajime asked, wary. "Yes, and I mean you no harm, Nonaka Hajime," the woman replied, standing up. She introduced herself as Suzuki Toki, the headmistress of Mahoh Academy in Tokyo and the wizard king of Japan.

      "You're the one with the car outside my house?" Hajime asked, wary. "Yes, and I mean you no harm, Nonaka Hajime," the woman replied, standing up. She introduced herself as Suzuki Toki, the headmistress of Mahoh Academy in Tokyo and the wizard king of Japan.

          Toki extended an invitation to Hajime to join the academy and the Magic Association to prove his innocence. Confused, Hajime questioned why he needed to prove his innocence and why he should leave the village. Toki revealed that the association was after him due to the dangerous beast sealed within him.

           "As the headmistress of Mahoh Academy and the wizard king of Japan, I have been monitoring your situation closely, Nonaka Hajime," Toki began, her tone earnest. "Your involvement in the incident with the Black Shamans has caught the attention of the Magic Association. They believe that the beast sealed within you poses a threat to our world, and they are determined to eliminate that threat by any means necessary."

           Hajime listened intently, his confusion deepening with every word Toki spoke. "But why me? What did I do to deserve this?" he questioned, his voice tinged with frustration and fear.

          "It's not a matter of what you've done, but what lies dormant within you," Toki explained gently. "The beast inside you has the potential to wreak havoc if it were to ever break free. We need to prove to the Magic Association that you can control it, that you are not a threat."

          Hajime's mind raced with uncertainty, but he couldn't deny the urgency in Toki's words. "And what about my village? My family?" he pressed, his concern evident.

           "We will ensure their safety, Nonaka Hajime. But right now, your priority is to come with me and begin your training at Mahoh Academy. Only there can you learn to harness your abilities and prove your innocence," Toki assured him, her gaze unwavering.

           With a heavy heart and a sense of resignation, Hajime nodded. "I'll do it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll join the academy and the Magic Association."

           Toki's expression softened, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Nonaka Hajime. You won't regret this decision," she said, her voice filled with conviction.

          And with that, Hajime's fate was sealed as he embarked on a journey into the unknown, leaving behind everything he had ever known in pursuit of the truth and redemption.