Mahou Sensou:Volume 2 Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2: Aspect is Twilight

Part 1

Takeshi and Mui had gone out into the hallway on their way to the store. He already knew the way, but he was grateful to have her accompany him. As they walked, he stared at the holstered pistol Mui carried on her hip and asked:

"Hey, Mui, how long have you had your Aspect?"

"Oh, you mean Arthur?"

"What? Did you name it?"

"Of course. Many people name their Aspects." Mui smiled. "Arthur and I, we've been together since sixth grade."

"Impressive..."

"No, it's no big deal. I became a wizard almost since I was born, and although my relationship with magic started a long time ago, it took me a long time to get my Aspect. Nii-san on the other hand, already had his white gloves and Lancelot since he entered elementary school."

"Lancelot?"

"Yes, that's the name of the saber my brother always carries with him. It's not an Aspect, but it's very important to him, since it belonged to dad."

Mui looked happy as she talked, but as soon as she started talking about her brother, her countenance fell. Takeshi noticed this immediately and his smile also stopped, not knowing what to say.

Mui's older brother, Aiba Tsuganashi, was formerly also part of the <Wizard's Breath>, but currently, he was in the ranks of <the Trailers>. However, Mui firmly believed that Tsuganashi had been kidnapped by <the Trailers> and that they had altered his memory.

When Takeshi met him in the living world, he could tell that the young man did not recognize his younger sister in the slightest. Tsuganashi was a user of Destructive Magic, -the most dangerous of systematic magics-, and was now fighting on the enemy side against <Wizard's Breath>, using his ice magic called: "Evil Ice". As Takeshi started to make memories of him, chills went down his spine. He had never seen anyone before who had such a cold stare like his. Even when he looked at Mui, his gaze was utterly merciless and he seemed as heartless as his manner. That Tsuganashi was totally different from the one Mui talked so much about.

To lighten the atmosphere, Takeshi asked in a cheerful tone:

"When you were born, your parents were already wizards?"

"Yes, that's right, that's why Nii-san and I are considered part of the 'Magic Aristocracy'."

"Magic Aristocracy?"

Takeshi was already familiar with that term. Though it wasn't something they had been taught in the summer classes. Rather, he heard it from a classmate; And that is that if a baby is born into a family of wizards, it often ends up exposed either accidentally or on purpose, to the magic of its parents. These children who were turned into wizards by their parents or grandparents as babies are known as "pure-blooded wizards" and most of the time, these wizards are often favored by the communities to which they belong. This happens because almost always these pure-blooded wizards, usually join the community to which their parents belong, resulting in an inequality of status between pure-blooded and non-pure-blooded wizards.

Among more than fifty wizarding communities that existed in the world, there were seven that were recognized as the largest and most important. That group of communities were known as "The C7", and some of those communities were reserved only for Magic Aristocracy.

Takeshi did not pay much attention to what his companion said when he mentioned that term, but he heard that the vast majority of wizard were of noble lineage and very few were not. The fact that Mui was a magic Aristocracy wizard, was something very common there and the unusual one, was Takeshi and friends.

"Had you heard about the magica aristocracy before? Who told you about it?" Mui asked.

Takeshi nodded and answered:

"Yeah, it wasn't easy at first but I was able to figure out what it was about."

"Yes. If you come to this school, you have to always be attentive even in things you don't like, because there are people who put a lot of value on that nobility thing. There are groups that take those things into account to let you into a community."

The headmistress had told Takeshi earlier that it was better to choose a community when you are in school, therefore, Takeshi found himself meditating on it. Then he answered Mui right away:

"I think Wiza..."

"Stop!" Mui suddenly exclaimed, placing his index finger on Takeshi's lips.

He, stopped talking and stood in surprise and while she kept her finger his lips. Then she clarified:

"It's still too early for you to decide. Think it over carefully first, and see with your own eyes which community suits you best."