Disclaimer: Neither High School DXD nor Elder Scrolls belongs to me, all rights to their respective owners.

Chapter 5

College of Wizards of Winterhold - Tirdas 15 Hearthfire of the 202 of the Fourth era

The morning had just begun as Asia hurried to the hall of the elements. She had gotten up late and had skipped breakfast so she could be on time for her morning classes. When she got to the classroom she sighed calmly, the teacher Colette had not arrived yet. As she got closer she saw her fellow students, prompting her to remember her first day of school.

Flashback

Asia was nervous, very nervous. She was in the element room and all of her, from her classmates to the teacher, were looking at her as if they were wolves and she was the last piece of meat on the planet.

—Why… why are they looking at me like that? —Asia asked sheepishly as she backed away taking small steps. They were scaring her a lot.

—Do we want to know the name of the spell you used in the test? —One of her companions asked excitedly. The girl is a Breton. Her hair is light brown, which she wore with two ponytails. Her eyes are blue and she wears a gray wizard's robe, with black boots and pants.

—Ehh, it's called solar fire —Asia replied with a shy smile.

—Really? I've never heard of that spell —another colleague commented. This girl is an Imperial. Her hair was black, which she wore in a high ponytail. She had brown eyes and wore the typical wizard's robe, with dark brown pants and boots.

—Did you create it? —Asked another colleague. This is an Argonian. He possessed two horns on his head. His eyes were red with a slit pupil. And his scales were dark green. He wore the typical wizard's robe, with black pants and dark brown boots.

–No, a friend showed it to me —Asia's smile was radiant as she replied.

—He must be a great wizard —the young Breton said again, earning a nod from all of her companions and a mocking smile from her teacher.

—Yes, Ed is a great wizard —Asia replied, with a smile and a dreamy look.

—Ed? That name is strange —the Argonian spoke—. It is by chance a nickname or his full name?

—It's a nickname, his full name is Edzard —replied Asia, unaware of the hell she just unleashed.

When all the students heard the name they were amazed, while Colette hit her forehead. The girl had spilled her soup earlier than planned. Asia's companions were jaw to the ground. Everyone hoped it was just a coincidence that her friend is named after the Archmagi.

—Please tell us, is it the Archmagi? —The Imperial asked fearfully.

—Yeah, Ed is the Archmagi, and he's the one who taught me about restoration magic.

—You are a friend of Archmagi Edzard! The magician who is called "The Anomaly"! —All the students shouted in amazement.

And so, the class continued with her being interrogated by her classmates. She also took the opportunity to meet her classmates. The Breton is called Laure and came from the city of Camlorn, the Imperial is called Fortunata and was from the city of Bruma, the Argonian is called Vintheel and came from the city of Gideon and finally the Nordic twins Gyda and Fridda, who owned blue eyes and honey blonde hair; however, Gyda wore her hair in twin tails and Fridda wore it down, both girls were white Carrera natives and had met Edzard by sight in the past.

Among all, Asia also found out why Edzard was called "The Anomaly". That nickname was given to him by a Thalmor agent who served as an advisor to the former Archmagi. This agent was no longer alive, as Edzard killed him for almost destroying the city. According to what they say, he was given to him by the enormous amount of magical power that he possesses. As told by Agent Thalmor whose name was Ancano. In his report he wrote that Edzard possessed such a vast amount of magic that he was able to use high-level spells several times. This amount of magic in a mortal was unheard of even to the Altmer, who were considered the race with the highest magical affinity in all of Tamriel.

End of Flashback

Asia returned from the highway of her memories when Laure touched her shoulder and showed her that her teacher had already arrived.

—Good class, let's pick up where we left off.

All the students began to pay attention to what Colette was saying.

—Well, Laure, what is the best time to use an attribute strengthening spell? —Asked Colette.

—The best time to use it is when we're about to go into combat.

Colette nodded at Laure's response. Looking at her students, she decided to ask another question.

—Vintheel, how many types of healing spells are there?

—There are three main types: poisons, diseases, and finally those used to heal wounds.

—Asia, what are the differences between healing and restoration spells? —Colette asked as she looked at Asia.

—The healing ones apply to physical aspects, such as wounds, illnesses and poisonings. While the restoration ones apply to more esoteric or magical aspects, such as healing health, magic or resistance that has been stolen by spells.

Colette nodded at Asia's answer, after that she proceeded to teach the day's class. Which consisted of the study of the custodians.

In the afternoon, Asia was with Laure and Fortunata having lunch in the latter's room. Classes had ended not long ago and they had decided to get together to do their assigned work. Said work is about the application of magic to expel the undead.

–So, girls, what spell should we use for work? —Fortunata asked as she finished eating her lunch.

—Umm, really, I don't know what you're proposing Asia —Laure replied as she looked at Asia.

However, this she did not answer them, as she was still thinking about a talk she had the day before.

—Aetherius calling Asia —Laure waved her hands in front of Asia's eyes to no avail.

—Kyaaaa…! —Asia screamed as Fortunata placed a small iceberg that she created with magic on the neck of Asia's robe.

Asia after that turned to see her friends laughing. Being annoyed by that, she stuck her tongue out at them and took a pillow and started hitting them with it, while everyone laughed at her.

Once Asia had calmed down, they sat down to talk about work. Asia had suggested that they should use the guardian circle spell. When Asia proposed the spell, both Laure and Fortunata had refused, as the spell was very complex, in addition to requiring a lot of magic. So, Asia decided to draw another spell that did not appear in the school books, the spell called Stendar's Aura, which formed an aura that damaged the undead and made them flee because of the damage it did to them.

She had already gotten dark when the girls were chatting over tea.

—So, Asia, is there any news from the Archmagi? —Laure asked with a mischievous smile as she took a cookie.

—None, Ed hasn't come back yet —Asia replied sadly, looking at her cup of tea.

—Poor Asia, your lover leaves you alone while she goes to do gods know what —Fortunata commented dramatically as she laughed at Asia—. Maybe he's with a woman over there.

—Edzard is not my lover —replied a blushing Asia quickly —. Besides, he's not that kind of person.

Asia had been teased by her friends ever since they discovered that every night she and Edzard were secretly meeting at the top of the tower of the hall of conquest. She still remembers her smiles when the day after they found out they had both asked her if they were her lovers. When Asia denied that, everyone started teasing her, even the teacher lent herself to it.

And so, she and Edzard had been seeing each other, but three days ago Edzard didn't show up. She hadn't worried much, for Edzard might be very busy; however, she also did not see him the next day, so she went to the Archmagi's quarters to speak with him, but she only found Tolfdir with whom she had a chat.

Flashback

Asia and Tolfdir were sitting in the latter's office. It was already dark, so they were drinking tea while chatting.

—Well, Asia, why did you come to see me? —Tolfdir asked as he blew on his cup so he could drink.

—The thing is, I haven't seen Ed in two days —Asia replied as she looked at his mug.

—Ahh, so you're worried Ed hasn't had his late-night escapades with you —Tolfdir said with a smile as he watched her blush—. I'll be frank with you Asia, Ed is not in school. He left for Haafingar Shire two days ago.

Hearing that, Asia dropped her cup from her surprise. Edzard had left and hadn't said goodbye, he hadn't said anything to her either. Asia began to feel her heart clench, she felt sad and her eyes began to water. Seeing the girl in that state, Tolfdir tried to calm her down.

—Asia don't cry, Edzard hasn't abandoned you —Tolfdir spoke quickly as he lifted her face from Asia, who was silently crying.

Asia was about to speak, when she was interrupted by Tolfdir. He began to tell her why Edzard had to leave school quickly.

—So, is what he has gone to solve very serious?

—Yes, these types of emergencies are very dangerous; but I'm sure Ed can handle them.

—I see —Asia said as she received a new cup of tea.

Once she had the cup in her hands she took a drink. Tolfdir decided to tell him all about the matter. She told him that they were magical breaks that appeared sporadically as a result of Ancano's actions in his use of Magnus's eye.

—Are these anomalies very dangerous?

—Yes, very dangerous. When they first appeared some of our best wizards couldn't do much against them —Tolfdir replied—. But we better change the subject.

—Looks like you and Ed have become very close —Tolfdir said with a smile on his face. Such closeness is very rare even among simple friends.

—What do you mean by that, master?" Asked a confused Asia, she hoped she hadn't found out that they had shared the bed.

—Hah, it's not about having shared a bed.

—Ehhh !; but what does teacher say?

—Ja, ja, ja —Tolfdir laughed as he watched Asia's face turn red—. The truth is that I don't care what they did in that bed, I just hope you drank the potion to prevent pregnancy.

—P… p… pregnancies —Asia stuttered as she felt her face turn redder than before.

—Ja, ja, ja. Quiet, it's just a joke.

—Mou, that was cruel teacher —Asia said as she pouted.

—I am sorry; But at least the joke served its purpose, you are no longer sad.

—So, teacher, when will Ed come back?

—No idea; but maybe it will be in a few days. I hope….

Asia raised an eyebrow when she heard Tolfdir say that—. What does teacher refer to?

—That is what I mean —Tolfdir replied, pointing to a large pile of papers on his desk. He has to come finish his paperwork.

End of Flashback

—Kyaaa! —Asia yelled when Fortunata tapped her with a lightning bolt that she had summoned.

—You're finally paying attention to us again —Laure said as she laughed—. You should stop thinking about the Archmagi and focus on work. If we finish it soon, we will have more time to go and practice our magic on the wounded in the city.

Asia nodded when she heard that, the teacher Colette had taken them all to the area where the workers and citizens who had injuries and needed to be healed were. This was done for you to gain experience in healing others. Although they also received a small payment from the cured patients.

And so, Asia turned her attention back to her work. She and her friends spent the whole night advancing the project.

Ysgramor's Tomb - Turdas 17 Hearthfire of the 202 of the Fourth era

Edzard moved slowly through the falling snowstorm as he made his way to the hill where the burial mound that was the tomb of Ysgramor was located. It had been a day since he had returned to school after being in Haafingar.

«Damn Thalmor, you don't stop screwing your life dead» Edzard thought annoyed, although he had solved the matter, it had taken him several days. Those damn magical anomalies were difficult to kill, they were very resistant to magic and very fast, and when they were badly injured the wretches would run away. He had wiped out several quickly with the use of weapons; however, some managed to slip away and he had to chase them for a whole day. And when he went back to school he had to sign a lot of paperwork, sometimes wondering why he didn't hand over the position of Archmagi to Tolfdir.

When Edzard entered the mound, he removed the thick fur cloak he was wearing, keeping his Brigantine armor. When he got to the chamber where the statue of Ysgramor was, he could see who wanted to talk to him.

—It's been a while. Malborn —Edzard greeted the elf named Malborn.

The elf had changed a lot since he went anonymity after the incident at the Thalmor embassy. Behind him was his reddish hair, now he was shaved, and he had a beard, along with tribal tattoos on his face. He was wearing a dark brown shirt with a black vest, white pants, and black boots.

—Yes Edzard, it's been a long time —Malborn replied, then hugged his friend.

As they hugged they were laughing. When the two parted, the laughter stopped and they got serious.

—So what news do you bring? —Edzard asked.

—It depends. Do you want the bad news or the good news first?

—Tell me the bad first.

—Edzard, the Thalmor finished reorganizing their forces a year ago.

Edzard was surprised, this was not expected; However, what amazed him even more was that they hadn't made a move in that time.

«This is weird, why didn't they attack us when they finished reorganizing. At that time there was still the crisis of the dragon and the rebellion was still dividing Skyrim» thought Edzard in the news that Malborn gave him.

—The good news is that various anti-Thalmor resistance groups are also prepared to make their moves.

—Really? —Edzard asked in surprise.

—Yes, I have received reports from them, they already have enough numbers to start opposing the Thalmor.

—That's good, very good.

If what Malborn said was true, breakaway groups in the Khajiit-inhabited Elsweyr and Bosmer-inhabited Valenwood had obtained enough resources to start open rebellions against the Thalmor. And these rebellions would allow them to weaken them by having them reallocate resources and soldiers to put down them, giving them a chance to strike quickly and take down those damned racists and extremist elves.

—Do you have the reports they sent you? —Edzard asked.

Malborn nodded and from inside his vest pulled out a pack of letters. When Edzard started reading the reports he was shocked and started to smile. If the reports were correct, and if war was declared, it could be decided in half a year. This would avoid the unnecessary death of soldiers by both sides. The more he read the reports his hopes that this would all end quickly and without the need for unnecessary deaths grew even more.

Malborn was not surprised when his friend began to smile at what was mentioned in the letters and reports. It is said that we should enjoy the things we are good at; but Edzard didn't, his friend is a soldier and what he did best was kill. His friend had many regrets for the lives he had taken and those he had not been able to save in the civil war.

—I haven't seen you this excited in a long time —Malborn spoke, snapping Edzard out of his musings.

—Yes, my friend, if what these reports say is true, justice will soon be served for the Thalmor victims — Edzard said with a smile.

—I see —Malborn replied with a smile—. But before we part, tell me the story of your little fight in Windhelm and about that mysterious girl who is with you now.

When Edzard heard that he just smiled.

«Rumors seem to be spreading fast» Edzard thought, as he smiled at the thought of Asia. If he was honest with himself, since she came into her life everything seemed to improve.

—You better get comfortable and get some bottles of mead, this is going to take a while —Edzard said with a smile. To then go sit next to her friend to tell her the whole story, of course he would keep some things about her secret.

And so, both friends began to talk and tell each other about their adventures, they drank all night and all the next day. After that Edzard went quickly to the school and if he was lucky he would not be embarrassed for arriving drunk; however, he felt that he had forgotten something.

College of Wizards of Winterhold - Loredas 19 Hearthfire of the 202 of the Fourth era

Asia was walking quickly towards the Archmagi's quarters. She was upset, a very strange thing about her, and the reason for hers was her anger, Edzard. She had found out that he had arrived the day before yesterday, so she waited for him on the roof of the tower as usual and he did not appear, the next day either. However, before going to her room late at night she saw him entering the school. He was staggering and nearly fell several times. She had seen that before, when she lived in Italy, she was sure Edzard was drunk.

When Asia entered the Archmagi's quarters, she met Tolfdir, who, seeing her from her, moved away from her. In fact, no one approached her while she was walking. The reason for this, she Asia was emitting such a dark aura that it promised pain to whoever bothered her.

Edzard was resting very calm after that night of revelry with Malborn. When out of nowhere his survival instincts kicked in, he quickly got up from the bed and looked in the direction where the aura was coming from. He had started preparing a spell to kill whoever was trying to kill him; However, when he saw the person emitting that aura he was shocked and her jaw dropped to the ground.

«Wait, since when Asia is so terrifying, she is always good and gentle» Edzard wondered, trembling with terror; however, he there she remembered something. «Shit, I forgot to go talk to her when I got there»

—Wait Asia! Please take it easy! —A terrified Edzard yelled as he backed away, until his back touched a wall.

—Any last words, Ed? —Asia's smile was terrifying. Her eyes sparkled as she began to lift a cast iron pot, which had been the first enchanted item she had created for herself.

—Be gentle —Edzard whispered as he closed his eyes.

—No – Asia replied, as she began to hit him with the pot with all her strength.

Edzard's screams were heard throughout the Winterhold school. Everyone present at the school was shocked by the screams and began to pray for the poor soul that suffered from female anger.

Edzard was suffering the worst pain since he fought Alduin, he felt his bones break and his internal organs suffer damage. Asia hadn't held back and she tried to do as much damage to Edzard as possible. Which, unfortunately for him, was equipped with a ring that regenerated his wounds, which prolonged his suffering for a few hours.

Once he had calmed down, Asia decided to heal a terrified Edzard, who was just lying on the ground almost unconscious. When Edzard woke up the first thing he did was apologize to Asia on his knees. Apologies that Asia only accepted when Edzard told her that he would spend the whole morning with her.

The entire school was in awe when they saw their Archmagi walking hand in hand with a smiling Asia. The rumors did not wait, and for the next day everyone would talk about the supposed new couple.

In the afternoon Edzard was quietly doing his paperwork at his desk. When suddenly Tolfdir entered and nothing good was happening from the expression on his face.

—What happened? —Edzard asked when he saw his teacher so upset.

Tolfdir did not respond verbally only gave Edzard two letters. When Edzard took the cards, his face turned sour too. The reason for this was in the stamps on the letters. One was from the synod and the other from the College of Whispers.

—Not this shit again — Edzard commented as he put the cards down on the table and put his hands to his face.

The College of Whispers and the Synod were the other institutions studying magic in the empire. And one would think that they would get along well together, but the truth was that they hated killing each other and tried to make each other look bad.

Edzard opened the letters and read them. And when he finished reading them he conjured a flame in his hands and burned the letters. Tolfdir raised an eyebrow at that action, although he too resented the letters from those institutions never to the point of burning them so quickly.

—What do the letters say?

—As usual. They want us to take sides in their stupid fight.

Tolfdir raised an eyebrow again at Edzard's tone of voice. He knew his former student, he didn't get mad so quickly over something so trivial.

—Archmagi, what else did you mention in the letter? —Tolfdir asked again, this time using the title Edzard.

Edzard sighed and got up from his chair and started walking through his study.

—They are accusing us of possessing an item of great arcane power and are ordering us to hand it over to them —Edzard replied with a sigh—. And I think you know what they mean.

Tolfdir started thinking when he heard that. What an object of great arcane power they would have at school. His eyes widened when he finally realized what Edzard was saying.

—The sacred gear of Asia, right.

—Yes. Both institutions are threatening me to hand over this artifact.

Tolfdir began to worry about the situation. If the Synod and the College of Whispers tried something stupid, Edzard could easily end them politically. Unlike them, Edzard had the favor of the emperor. And this was not only because of his actions during the civil war in Skyrim, but also because he destroyed the dark brotherhood, which planned to kill the emperor's cousin at their wedding, which led to the discovery of a plot for an assassination. It was very possible that both institutions end up with his name in the mud and totally discredited. That in the best of cases, in the worst case there is a war and Edzard massacres almost all of them.

—What are you planning to do, Ed?

—Nothing for now, but if you decide to do something, you will know why I was given the name Ysmir —Edzard answered seriously, as he looked out his window at Asia, who was heading to the city with her friends to practice her magic and help the local population.

—I see, let's hope we don't get to that.

—I hope so too. Although you already know how those two institutions are.

—Yes, they are mere lip service.

Edzard nodded as she sat down again and went back to filling in the pending documents. As he read them he noticed a request.

—Tolfdir, why do you want to take another excursion to a Nordic ruin? —Edzard asked—. And on top of that you ask me to direct it.

—Because every time you go to a Norse ruin something interesting happens —Tolfdir replied with a smile, then left the room.

When Tolfdir left the room, Edzard just sighed. So, she decided to finish the paperwork, after all she had to see someone at night.

Location unknown - Sundas 27 Hearthfire of the 202 of the Fourth era

—So, the rumors are true? —Asked a woman leaning against a wall.

—Yes, they are all true, —replied a middle-aged man, wearing brigantine armor.

—I see, it seems like little Edzard has been very busy —the strange woman spoke, moving toward the exit door.

—What are you planning to do?

—I'll go visit my little friend — the woman replied, smiling as her fangs showed and her eyes shone in the night as if these were two incandescent coals.