Who Needs Magic in a Fantasy World Anyway?

Chapter 45: An Unseen Plot

"Y-you really are mean, aren't you?" Koko accused Austin, clenching her teeth as her mind felt as if it were being split apart.

"You're the one that wanted to gain resistance to Magic Domination, so stop talking and complete the maze already." Austin replied, released his magic and making Koko feel the effects of her greatest weakness while still making her make her way through the mage board. Needless to say, but the process was extremely difficult as she was trying to manipulate the magic on the board while attempting to infuse focus into her mind at the same time in order to keep from falling unconscious.

Meanwhile, Christina and Richard were sparring again in the background along with all of the other student in their class, though Koko didn't care about any of them at the moment as she suddenly lost control of her magic and the small dot that she'd been controlling shot out of the board and into the air where it fizzled out of existence.

"That looks like it'll be enough for one day. Good work." Austin actually complimented her before walking away so that he could monitor the other students, all while Koko laid down on the ground in an attempt to recover from her experience.

"Are you alright?" James asked from beside her, and while she was still wondering why he was really at the academy, she didn't question it now as she gratefully accepted the cup of water that he'd brought her.

"Thanks." Koko said after draining the entire cup. "And yes, I'm alright. I really have to get over this whole 'Magic Domination' thing or I'll never be a good adventurer."

"If you don't make it, then I can always hire you on a a maid at the castle." James offered jokingly. "Or maybe Ganton will take you in. He seemed impressed by your work with the 'Hero Incident'."

"He shouldn't be. Not only did I nearly make myself an enemy of the church, but I didn't even hardly think about it before putting my family at risk." Koko sighed. "It was a miracle that everything worked out the way that it did, and it only happened because I put all of my faith into Christina seeing Celdric for who he really was..."

"I think that being able to believe in other people is a remarkable talent, and one that many people lack." James countered. "And the same thing goes for luck."

"Yeah, I guess so." Koko actually laughed at the statement, right up until she saw a confused looking Christina who was looking around for the missing Richard as he seemed to vanish from their sparring match.

"Koko has a lot more talent than that." Richard suddenly appeared beside them while sitting on the ground beside Koko. "She's been through a lot here at the academy, and yet she can still smile as she struggles to get stronger. It's really admirable."

"Seriously, what are you doing?" Koko asked suspiciously, wondering why Richard was joining her only now that James was at the academy. Could it be that he was trying to get close to the second prince? No... the tension in the air during lunch was clearly made from them, so what- W-wait a minute, could he be trying to get her into his harem now?! No, otherwise he would have acted when Koko was still alone and without friends... Just what was this guy up to?!

"I'm just relaxing on the ground." Richard laughed in reply. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you."

"You don't sound very sorry." James replied with an overly nice voice, and the tension from earlier was immediately back in the air. "If you really were, then you'd leave her alone."

"You're not really one to talk, are you, Your Majesty?" Richard replied in kind. "She clearly didn't want you around earlier."

Feeling as if she were the cause of the confrontation but was now being ignored again, Koko was almost ready to leave the both of them to it before her eyes caught sight of something terrifying. Just past the other sparring students, she was currently receiving looks from the three girls in Richard's harem. However, while it would have been just fine if they were just glares, Koko had a shiver of fear rush down her spine as she could recognize the looks in their eyes anywhere. Richard might think that he had it good with those three girls, but they're all yanderes!

"Both of you are annoying and I'm leaving." 'Before I get killed.' Koko thought after speaking before she got to her feet and started walking over to where Christina was still standing as the poor girl was still on her guard and looking for Richard. However, not before looking up at the bleachers as Koko felt as if someone was watching her from that direction. Though after not seeing anything, Koko shrugged to herself before continuing her path towards Christina, completely unaware that her feeling had been correct.

*     *     *     *     *

"So that's him... Richard Cowell." A man dressed in black robes stated as he and his companion watched the sparring match from the Adventurers Academy bleachers.

"The one who was registered with at least twenty thousand MP... the one we've been looking for." The other man cackled excitedly.

"Never has such a more worthy sacrifice been born, nor will one be likely to be born in the near future." The first agreed. "The time has come for the Great One to rise again."

"The seeds of doubt have been planted, and soon, he will be at his weakest."Their leader suddenly said from behind the both of them. "I want both of  you to be ready to move, because if this doesn't work, then we most likely won't get another chance."

"Leave it to us, M' Lord. We'll be sure not to harm a hair on his head." The second man cackled again. "At least, not until the ritual!"

"Get down!" The first man's voice suddenly snapped as he pulled the other one down from the bleachers. And while he'd been about to complain, the second man suddenly found a hand clamped over his mouth before he turned to look at what the others were staring at.

"That girl... do you think she noticed us?" The first asked as the small blue-haired girl seemed to shrug to herself before heading towards the hero.

"She definitely noticed us, but I don't think she knew who we are." The leader said thoughtfully. "Both of you need to be careful of the hero and her roommate. They are the most dangerous obstacles to our plan."

"And if they get in our way?" The second man asked excitedly.

"Then feel free to dispose of them. However, if it comes to that, your priority will be the hero." The leader replied. "When the Great One rises, she will become a threat."

"Then its best to target her early on, before she's ready." The first man said gleefully. "And that little blue-haired brat too. She's already so strong that there's no telling what she'll be capable of when she's older."

"Just focus on your targets and don't underestimate the enemy." The leader made sure to remind them. "Our priority is to secure the next coming of the Great One. All other obstacles can be taken care of later."

"As you command, M'Lord. We'll see to it that we don't get carried away." Both men replied at the same time, and their leader nodded towards them.

"Good, then head back to your homes and prepare yourselves." The leader ordered. "We attack tomorrow!"