Izuku, The Arch Mage.

Part 15. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne.

We start this chapter as Izuku, Asta, and Noel escort several injured citizens to a safe location.

Asta was at the front of the group, with Noel in the middle, and Izuku at the back. It was Izuku's idea to travel like this.

With Asta in the front, no attack would be getting to the citizens from that direction, as he would just cancel any incoming spells.
With Noel in the middle, she can quickly deploy a giant dome-like shield of water should they be attacked from any direction.
With Izuku in the back, he could monitor the overall condition of the group as well as prevent anyone from sneaking up on them (enhanced hearing).

After nearly 20 minutes of walking, the group managed to make their way to a colosseum-type building. The building itself was heavily reinforced against magic-based attacks, as it was designed to hold wizards of all power levels while they duel each other. In short, this was a very secure position that Izuku, Asta, and Noel could hold without much difficulty.

"Sturdy walls, only a handful of ways in, and we can see the citizens from anywhere we go. This'll do for now." Izuku said after walking around the Colosseum for a few seconds.

"Alright. We'll hold here for now. Asta, you're on patrol duty. Let us know if someone tries to enter. Noel, guard duty. Protect the people." Izuku said as he turned back to look at the group.

"What about you?" Asta asked.

"I'll also be on patrol. The more eyes and ears we have securing the parameter, the safer the citizens will be." Izuku said" Asta, you take the north half. I'll take the south. Every ten minutes, report back to the middle. If one of us doesn't show up, assume that they were defeated and that enemies are approaching. We can't be caught off guard, not while lives are at stake." Izuku said before turning to patrol the south half of the Colosseum while Asta headed for the north.

Just like planned, every ten minutes, Asta and Izuku returned to Noel's position at the center of the colosseum before returning to patrol. After repeating that cycle three times, Asta returned for the last report with an extra member.

When questioned, Asta revealed that the person he brought back with him was a Magic Captain, one of the strongest members/defenders of the Kingdom.

"I see. If you're here, then I can assume that most, if not all of the invaders have been dealt with?" Izuku said, looking at the Magic Captain.

"And you are?" The captain asked, not recognizing Izuku.

"My name is Izuku Midoriya. I'm a traveler who saw that the city was under attack and decided to help." Izuku said, coming up with a pretty believable story on the spot.

The captain nodded their head as if contemplating Izuku's story.

"And why did you decide to help us exactly?" The captain asked.

Even though they believe Izuku's story, they are still wary of him at the moment.

"Well, when I saw the fires, I knew that at least a few people were in danger. Besides, any help is better than no help." Izuku said.

"Very well. You have my thanks, Izuku Midoriya, for helping to protect our citizens." The captain said, lightly bowing their head in a show of gratitude.

"Don't worry about it. People needed help, so I helped." Izuku said, smiling his usual bright smile.

"Oh, by the way. If you don't mind, I'd like to stick around for a few days to help rebuild parts of the city." Izuku said.

"If you want to help, then you'll need someone to keep an eye on you." The captain said. "Despite the help you've given us thus far, we must still be wary of outsiders. Especially so soon after an attack of this scale." The captain said.

"Oh no, don't worry about it. I don't mind at all." Izuku said.

"Well, since you're determined to help us further, do you mind if I see your grimoire?" The captain said.

"Why do you need to see my grimoire?" Izuku asked, holding his grimoire in his hand.

"I just need to see what magic you possess, what spells you know, and what those spells do. After that, I can better assign you to where you will be the most beneficial to the rebuilding effort." The captain said, explaining why they needed to see Izuku's grimoire.

Izuku nodded his head, handing the grimoire to the captain.

After taking a few seconds to flip through Izuku's grimoire, the captain nodded to themself before giving the grimoire back to Izuku.

"Alright. You'll best be used in the moving of materials. Lifting the wooden beams and pulling carts of stone, things like that." The captain said, looking into the distance.

"Got it. You know the city better than me, so you'll have to tell me where to focus my efforts." Izuku said, placing his grimoire in a small pack on his waist, designed specifically to hold grimoires. (Everyone in the world gets one of these packs for free once they turn 15, the same age that everyone gets their grimoires)

(It's important to note that, while everyone has magic and can use it from as young as 4, they can only get their grimoires at the age of 15. A grimoire vastly increases the amount of power each person has as well as storing and allowing the holder to use any spells they come up with. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with high amounts of magic power, even with a grimoire, so most people are relatively weak when compared to the Magic Knights/Captains. An example of weak individuals would be simple farmers; people that, despite having grimoires, only really have enough magic to water crops, make crops grow a little faster, or move small amounts of earth to make planting crops a bit easier but can't do much else.)

"Right now, you'll be needed the most in the commercial district." The captain said, pointing off to the distance. "They were hit the hardest by the flames."

"Understood. I'll head there immediately." Izuku said, bowing his head before running off to where the captain pointed.

"Black Bull's boy. Go with him. I need someone to keep an eye on him." The captain said, causing Asta to run after Izuku.

I'm going to end this chapter here. I'm fully aware of how short this chapter is compared to every other chapter, but I needed to get something out. My sincerest apologies for taking so long to write this chapter, but with my grandfather's passing and losing my job, I just didn't have the time to sit down and just focus on writing.

(Completed on 09/23/2024 at 8:03 PM.)