Hello everyone. This is Kamen Rider Duelist. It's been a while since I posted anything. As some may know, I've been shadowing here and there, helping Gundam-Knight-Chris with his fics. And several people still ask about me and my fics, even PMing me on FanFiction to check on me. Words… can't describe how happy I am to know that I still have fans who care about what I write. The past few years of not posting anything have been difficult, if not humbling. To those fans still following me, I am forever grateful, and you have my undying gratitude for staying with me for this long, despite my shortcomings.

Now to address the big elephant in the room. The status of Kamen Rider GX. I'm still working out the kinks on it, unfortunately. Please be patient in waiting a little longer before I post it again. As for my frequency of posting and new content, it will be infrequent as I still have a life outside of writing, so I have less freedom than I used to.

That being said, I have a new story for all of you. This takes place in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Universe, but it is more on the Duel Monster's Spirit World side of things. This means there won't be any Duels in this story. It will take elements from the anime Ancient Magus Bride and have themes of fantasy, romance, a slice of life, etc. I've had some help writing this out from a couple of my co-authors, and this fic is one that I am actually proud of. Hopefully, you will like this too.

So without further ado, please enjoy my new fic: The Silent Magi's Apprentice.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! All creative rights belong to Kazuki Takahashi.


"As Source of Thy Power, I order Thee."

Rays of light erupted from the ground, forming a circle etched onto its face with intricate, complex designs and symbols that no man could understand or decipher. An unknown figure stood outside the ring as its left arm stretched out towards this pillar of light that eerily glowed.

Inside this circle lay an unconscious young adolescent on the verge of breathing their last. This Good Samaritan had found them in this state. They didn't know what happened, nor did they care how. All that mattered was saving their life. If this was how they would give them a second chance, then so be it.

"Decipher the Laws of Creation."
"Send this Innocent Soul to their Salvation."

The circle grew brighter as gusts of air howled from the source.

"Safeguard their wellbeing."
"Let no harm come to Them."
"For their Pure of Heart shall be rewarded."

The pillar of light became a torrent of brilliance as the wind was more forceful than ever. The magic pulsated through, filled to the brim with power.

"May thou find Everlasting Peace in thy New Paradise!"

"Victim's Sanctuary!"

With those final words, the torrent of light within the circle expanded beyond its borders, and the wind extended outward before suddenly shrinking. The light immediately faded, and the young adolescent's body disappeared. The Good Samaritan sighed, exhausted from casting the spell but relieved knowing his work was done. It was with the hope that wherever they sent this young person, they would have a better life.

"You must live…."


The Silent Magi's Apprentice


Chapter 1: Awakening to Discovery

Darkness.

An entity of emptiness that one cannot see, feel smell, or taste. Hearing within the void is limited, as sound can come from anywhere. This space of nothingness is a place of uncertainty and the unknown, where everything around seems virtually endless. If one were to be confined in this prison of negativity, their senses would be overwhelmed and amplified a hundredfold, losing their sanity lost in the process.

Yet… despite its undesirable qualities, it cannot survive without its counterpart.

Light.

In comparison, one cannot hear, smell, or taste it. But in contrast, it can be seen, and its warmth can be felt. It can fill the emptiness with its radiance, overflowing with its torrent of positivity.

And at this moment, the darkness was lifting, and the light was seeping into the endless void.

A pair of eyes slowly opened, revealing the blue orbs that were kept hidden. The light entering blinded them briefly, the fringes of their medium-length brown hair doing little to alleviate how bright it was. They couldn't tell where they were since everything was so blurry, and the rest of their senses rebooted themselves.

From what they could feel, the back of their head was pressed against something soft, most likely a pillow, and their body was covered by a comfortable blanket. This would suggest that they were lying on a bed. He also noted that the bed was raised, not akin to a hospital bed when recovering from an operation. While still blurry, their vision relayed the limited information to his mind of where they were. The walls surrounding the room were made of beige-colored stone, and the floor was made of the same material.

On one side of the far end of the wall was what appeared to be a shelf of books that were thick as dictionaries. On the other side, their foggy vision pictured a desk. It was a standard table made of wood, and there were pieces of paper, but strangely enough, there was a quill with the tip inside a bottle of ink.

In front of them was a fireplace where the flames were eating up the wood set there, and at the fireplace's left was a medieval wooden door.

"Where… am I…?" They barely whispered out.

Another thing they noticed was that, for one reason or another, they felt very exhausted. They could not sit up from their bed, let alone move, due to a lack of energy and their body feeling heavy.

The door creaking open echoed in their ears before it closed. They heard soft yet clear footsteps for them to hear, and they gradually became louder as the footsteps pressed against the stone floor with each step they took while approaching their bedside.

When the figure finally came into view, their, or rather his, vision finally cleared.

From beneath a large pointed white hat are tresses as pale as the moon. They seemingly glowed against the dark tones of her dress, and the deep blue material clung to her body save for the cutouts on her hips. At said hips, the skirt billows out into an icy blue, covering her white shoes. White gloves were trimmed in silver and stretched past her wrists with large, pointed cuffs. It mimicked that of the garnet atop her dress as the shoulder pauldrons jutted out far past her slender shoulders. The front was a slim strip of cloth donning emblems related to magic, and the back was much broader as long as it hit the ground and folded against it. Her violet eyes lifted from beneath the shadow of the hat, casting on a stare that had a particular strength and mystery behind them. Bangs settle between and to the sides of her countenance, framing her delicate face.

The young man uttered a slight noise of surprise as his eyes widened, mesmerized. He felt his heart skip a beat as a subtle tinge of red crept up to his face. His voice was caught in his throat, struck speechless by the overwhelming beauty of this mysterious woman that appeared before him.

"U-Uh…" he whimpered, unsure what to say to her or if she even spoke the same language as him.

"You have awakened."

This frightened the boy, as he somehow found the energy to slightly scoot away and curl up. The woman's lips didn't open, yet he heard her speak… from his mind!

'What the… What's going on?' He thought.

"Please, do not be afraid. You are safe. I will not harm you." The woman placated the boy as if hearing his thoughts, and her gentle voice assured him she was no threat to him. The young man was still tense, but he gradually lowered his guard.

"H-How…" The boy managed to speak while trying to calm down. "How are you doing that?"

"I am using a telepathy spell." The woman replied.

"A spell… you're… a spellcaster?" He asked in surprise.

"That is correct," she stated before examining the young boy, seeing both sides of him as if he were a rare animal. "How strange, your life energy is… irregular."

"I-I'm sorry?" The young boy said in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Under normal conditions, most beings have some sliver of magical potential that any spellcaster can detect, but… you completely lack any form of magic." She observed.

"I… see. Though I still don't understand." The young man got out. "Where is this place anyway?" He asked, looking around.

"You are in the Magical Citadel, home to all spellcasters." the woman explained.

"Magical… Citadel?" the young man questioned before feeling a jolt of pain in his skull. "Ergh… my head…" He gritted his teeth while closing one eye and holding his head tight.

"Are you alright?" she asked, worried about the boy's wellbeing.

"I… don't know…" He muttered as his breathing became labored. "How did I get here…? Why am I here? I don't… understand."

"I see… you have amnesia." the woman gathered. She then approached the young boy and placed one hand on his head while placing the other on his chest. She then leaned his head on her chest, and both hands were enveloped in a gentle light, gradually transferring to his body.

"What are you…"

"Be at peace. Ease your mind." The woman said gently.

The young man didn't say anything as her magic flowed in his body. His heartbeat slowed down, and his breathing became relaxed. His eyes closed as his ears intently listened to the woman's heartbeat to further calm him down. After a moment longer, her hands ceased glowing, and his head parted from her chest, opening his eyes and sighing softly in relief.

"Do you feel better?" She asked.

"…Yes. Thank you, miss…" He paused when coming to a realization. "You never told me your name." The young man pointed out.

"Ah, I apologize." the woman noticed, before bowing slightly with a hand on her chest, "I am simply known as the Silent Magician."

"Silent Magician…" the young man repeated, almost wondering if that name was familiar.

"Do you remember your name?" the woman now known as Silent Magician asked.

"I… think so." The boy muttered as he pondered with his head down and eyes closed. Moments later, he came to an answer, repeating the same motions but in reverse. "It's… Kuromu." He said, looking at her. "Kuromu Kururugi."

"Kuromu… a strange yet interesting name." The spellcaster noted.

"Please, don't dwell on it too much." The boy said sheepishly.

She nodded wordlessly to his request. "Are you well enough to stand on your own?"

"I can try." Kuromu nodded as he pulled back the blanket, revealing that he was wearing a Japanese school uniform. The top was black and had a standing collar buttoning down from top-to-bottom, and it was unbuttoned to uncover a simple white shirt from within. The pants were also black with a dark-colored belt, and black shoes with white socks completed his outfit.

The young boy slowly got off the bed and planted his feet on the floor, standing up. "W-Whoa… whoa…" He said, trying his best to get his bearings. He stumbled forward, but the Silent Magician kept him steady.

"Steady now. Do not exert yourself more than necessary…"

"I'll be alright." He noted. After regaining his footing, he stood up once more. After giving himself a self-assessment of his body by moving his limbs and legs, he concluded that he was able to move without any assistance. "Okay. I think I'm well enough to walk."

"That is good to hear." She nodded slowly. "Now then, I must introduce you to my Master. He has questions that he would like to ask once you have woken."

"I'm… not in trouble, am I?" He winced.

"Do not be alarmed. My Master is most curious about you," she assured with a slight smile before striding towards the door and opening it. "Come. The Master awaits."


Kuromu followed the silver-haired sorceress through the stone halls of the Magical Citadel, taking in his new surroundings. Everything was utterly unknown to him, and justifiably so. He had no memory of arriving in this foreign place except remembering his name. And the clothes he wore also suggested that he was definitely from Earth. But even with those two hints, it still didn't answer how he arrived.

"Um… excuse me, ma'am?" Kuromu spoke up.

"Yes?"

"Before I woke up here… Where did you find me?"

"You were found by one of my familiars outside the Dead Woods. You were injured and near death's door. So I took you in to heal your injuries and informed The Master what had happened." She responded. It gave Kuromu comfort, knowing she was kind enough to help him instead of leaving him to the mercy of Mother Nature, wild animals, or demanding money from him to help.

"And my clothes…." He added. If what she said about him being hurt and almost buried six feet under was true, then his clothes must have had blood at some point. "You fixed them with your magic."

"I have. While I did consider changing your clothes into something more suitable, simply repairing them would be better so you would feel more at ease."

"I see. Thank you for that…." Kuromu nodded, continuing their trek towards the Master's chambers. "I have to admit, this place feels overwhelming. Even the air seeps with something… supernatural."

"That is mana you are feeling. I gave you a bit of my own to sustain yourself here, and most beings without it or with so little would pass out."

"It would explain why I felt very exhausted when waking up." Kuromu pondered.

"You would be correct. This entire continent, especially this Citadel, thrives on mana, and many either adapted or perished upon entering these lands. We spellcasters made sure that those who can or want to enter here can thrive." She nodded softly.

Kuromu smiled a bit. She, indeed, was a kind soul, showing care and contentment for the lives of others.

"I see. Then it really is a magical place."

"More than you can imagine." She smiled softly.

Kuromu and Silent Magician found themselves at two large doors made of translucent crystal. The young boy could feel the magic from within them, just from standing in front of them. To his astonishment, the crystal doors opened by themselves, revealing a large foyer made of stone and marble. The many pillars line the hall to support its structural integrity. There was magic floating in the air, books being replaced in thin air by others, magical beasts roaming about the marble they walked upon, and a large throne that sat at the far end of the foyer with steps that led up to it. And it was filled with mages and scholars alike as they walked about their business. It felt akin to a fictional magic school but ten times better.

"Wow… this is…" Kuromu said wide-eyed, looking all around. His body spun 360° twice, maybe thrice, clockwise or counterclockwise. "This is incredible…!"

Silent Magician softly giggled at his awe and wonder. It was evident to her that he had never seen true magical expertise, let alone any kind of magic. To her? It was adorable.

"There will be time to explore the grounds, but I must take you to the Master." Silent Magician smiled.

"O-Oh, of course." Kuromu cleared his throat as he regained his composure. "Please… lead the way."

She nodded as the silver-haired spellcaster continued leading him. They passed many areas and rooms in view, showcasing more magical beasts, entities, and beings as they passed through several locations of open space, a cave, even an ocean, and the blue skies. All this while going through a tunnel made out of a magical bubble. Finally, they found themselves in front of yet another crystal door, but this one showed a special symbol, indicating that this was where they were supposed to be.

"We have arrived. These are the Master's chambers." Silent Magician said before tapping on the crystal door, which briefly glowed. "Master, I have brought the young boy."

"Enter." A voice said from the other side of the door. No doubt that Kuromu could hear the Master's voice through the crystal door via magic.

The crystal door then opened, and inside, Kuromu was met with the sight of the Master's chambers.

It was a large circular room with many windows, and the walls were lined with shelves of books from top to bottom. Several tables were littered with magical equipment used for experiments, along with a few odds and ends.

Sitting on a throne made from magical elements in crystal form was at his desk with a phoenix standing next to it on its perch, a dragon behind it, and several fairies around him were the one she called "Master." He wore a black outfit, similar to Silent Magician, with purple crystal orbs on it, alongside a royal cape at his back with a glyph ring floating behind it. His face was covered with a mask, with only his chin and eyes being shown. His skin looked purple, and his eyes were a fierce golden yellow. His staff was what you'd expect the highest-ranking spellcaster would ever wield. It, too, had the same color scheme as his attire and skin, and the crystal gem in the center was purple with a golden inverted pyramid within.

"Master Endymion." Silent Magician bowed to him respectfully, with a hand to her chest.

"Ah. Silent Magician, thank you for bringing him." Endymion noted before looking at the boy, standing up and walking around his desk before stepping towards him. Kuromu could only look up at the man as he was very tall. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Endymion, the Master Magician and Grandmaster of the Magical Citadel." He bowed to him.

"K-Kuromu Kururugi, sir. The honor is mine." The young man said, bowing back to him.

"How are you faring, young man?"

"I am doing well, thank you," Kuromu answered. " I owe it all to Silent Magician when she found and cared for me. I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for her." He said as the young spellcaster smiled softly at his praise.

"She is widely known to care for other beings, from the smallest of pixies to the largest of giants. You are fortunate she found you. Others would take this chance to use you as an experiment, use you as material, or simply leave you to the elements and nature." Endymion said, showing that he was glad the boy was still alive.

"I-I'd rather not imagine those scenarios for my own sanity." Kuromu chuckled nervously.

"But of course. Now, there are a few questions I would like to ask of you."

"Yes, sir." Kuromu nodded.

"Do you remember anything before waking up today?"

"No, sir."

"I see… What about a trace of where you were before or a local we can go off on?"

"No, sir." Kuromu shook his head. "The only thing I remember is my name and the clothes on my back."

"Hmm, that is rather unfortunate…." Endymion pondered, with a hand to his chin. Quite the predicament this young man was in. "I had hoped this problem would be solved as soon as possible. We would rather not keep you here too long in case your body cannot adapt to the mana of our lands. If left unchecked, the mana can drain your life energy, and your body will succumb to mana poisoning. I do not wish to see another young life taken or worse."

"I see." Kuromu nodded.

"In the meantime, we will work on your memories archived in the Citadel. When the time comes, your immune system will already be adapted to this world, and your memory will be restored. It is not an ideal solution, but a feasible one. Until then, you can do what you wish within my domain."

"Yes, sir." Kuromu nodded. "But… what can I do while I wait?"

"Hmmm… what indeed…" Endymion muttered as he looked down in thought. It was understandable that piecing together Kuromu's memory would take time. And while the young man was granted freedom to do whatever he wanted, his days of waiting will eventually be nothing short of boredom. He needed to find some way to keep the young man occupied. When Silent Magician informed him of Kuromu's condition, she mentioned that he lacked any magic. It was not uncommon, but there have been cases where mages can use magic, despite not having any.

Perhaps…

"Hmmmmm, yes… yes, I believe this can work."

"Master?" Silent Magician raised a delicate eyebrow as the Master Magician stared at the boy.

"Young man, I have a proposition for you."

"Er… what would that be, sir?" Kuromu blinked.

"How would you like to learn and study magic under Silent Magician's tutelage?"

This surprised Kuromu, "I-I'm sorry, what? Me? As her apprentice?"

The silver-haired Magician was just as surprised. "Master, with all due respect, I am unable to teach him. He lacks any form of magic."

"Yes, I am aware. I have already sensed that from the boy the moment you brought him to the Citadel. But pray tell, who was brought before me that also had no magical expertise, power, or affinity?" Endymion smirked at the young woman, "If memory serves me right, you said, and I quote, "I do not wish to take anyone in as my apprentice, regardless of who they are, because they would interfere with my studies.", does that sound about right?"

Silent Magician had the nerve to blush and look away. "T-That's…"

"Yet here you are, with a young man you have saved, of your own free will." Endymion chuckled in amusement.

Silent Magician, true to her title, remained silent at his statement. She couldn't counter that argument, let alone refute it.

"It may seem unrealistic, but I believe that this may be a sign of fate." Endymion continued, "It is long overdue, but I believe you are ready to take in an apprentice. For you to truly be a master in your own right, instead of being a 'Silent' maiden forever." He smiled at her. "So henceforth, I decree that, from this day forward, now and forever, I grant you the title of 'Master Sorceress.'"

The silver-haired Magician looked surprised. It was indeed a great honor to be bestowed such a title to their land and for their contribution to their magical studies. "I beg your pardon?"

"Is that a problem?" Endymion raised an eyebrow. "In case you have forgotten, you must have an apprentice to earn that title. And now that you have one, everyone in these lands will know your name." He said with a sly yet kind smirk.

"I… well…"

"This is… unexpected." Kuromu blinked in surprise and confusion.

"She has wanted this for years, and many of her naysayers believed she could never achieve it, despite her many accomplishments and contributions to the study of magic. It seems fate has decided to help her by sending you here, young man. She is likened to a daughter, and I am proud to witness her success. But please look after her to ensure she does not let that success get to her head." Endymion said with a smile.

"Master Endymion!" Silent Magician chided as the Master Magician chuckled.

"Uh… of course." Kuromu nodded. This almost sounded like he gave him permission to marry her. Such a thing isn't possible… at least not now. "Wait… how can I learn to do magic if I have no affinity for it?"

"I will train you…" Silent Magician responded, "As Master Endymion has stated, I, too, was like you, barely able to thrive and live here, as well as being unable to cast a single spell… But I will train you as my apprentice."

"I see. Then…" Kuromu trailed off before bowing to her. "I'll be under your care from now on… sensei."

"Sensei?"

"A strange… yet an endearing word." Endymion chuckled.

"A-Ah, it literally just means 'teacher' in my language. Nothing more." Kuromu explained, flustered, but then paused as he looked away. "Wait… how and why did I remember that?"

"Hmm… most curious indeed. Perhaps the more time you spend around your teacher, you'll regain more of your memories. You two would be wise to strike while the iron is hot, so use this opportunity while you can. Ah, and be sure to show him around the Citadel."

"Yes, of course." Silent Magician said before turning towards the door to leave. "Come, my apprentice. We have much to do before we can begin your studies."

"Yes, sensei." Kuromu nodded, before quickly bowing to Endymion again, then following his new teacher out of his office, letting the crystal door close on its own.

Endymion chortled in amusement, "This will be most interesting indeed."


Kuromu followed Silent Magician as they left Endymion's office and the Citadel's city. Here, his teacher showed everything that it had to offer.

"As Master Endymion had said, I shall give you a tour of the Citadel. Afterward, we will acquire supplies for your education before we make way for my abode."

"Yes, sensei." Kuromu nodded as he looked around the magical city, walking down its streets.

The entire city was made of buildings of all shapes and sizes, with white stone walls and red roof bricks being the predominant features. The most prominent tower in the middle of the Citadel's town square was within the circular domain, and it was also the same tower that Kuromu and Silent Magician stepped out of. Branching out from the town square were several paths that went in several directions.

One led towards a district where its roads are filled with street markets that sell their produce and livestock while restaurants serve their specialties. They also receive their imported and exported goods from the world surface.

Another led to a district where there are taverns and inns for foreign adventurers from the world surface to go to, receive and take on Quests to earn their keep and money.

And a third path led to a district where artisans hone their craft. These include Armorers, Blacksmiths, Bladesmiths, Goldsmiths, Shoemakers, Stonemasons, Tailors, and Weavers, just to name a few.

All of this, within this circular domain, was protected by four spires at each corner. Underneath each was an energized sphere of mana that powered the floating city. Magical runes were seemingly plastered to the sky like stickers, each forming a magic circle and becoming smaller each time it went higher, meaning it was protected in a dome.

"Wow…" Kuromu muttered in awe as he looked all around him.

"I take it you're immersed in the capital?" She questioned with a soft giggle.

"Ah, yes. It's just a lot to take in." Kuromu smiled sheepishly. "It's not every day that I get to walk around in a strange new world."

"Hmhm, yes, I suppose so." Silent Magician agreed.

"By the way, I've been thinking of something."

"What would that be?"

"I know you're called Silent Magician, but… calling you Silent-sensei would seem… strange to both of us." Kuromu pointed out. "So I was thinking of coming up with an alternative name for you, using my own language."

"I see." Silent Magician nodded. "But… truth be told, I do not possess a 'real name.' I never learned of it when I was young."

"Ah…" Kuromu replied, frowning in pity before it turned upside down. "In that case… I'll give you one. Consider it as thanks for taking me in."

"There is no need for that." She said, taken aback that her apprentice would give her a real name.

"It would be going against my code of honor if I don't show gratitude to those who helped me."

"W-Well…" Silent Magician looked away with a soft red tint on her cheeks before she relented. "If you insist…"

Kuromu smiled at this before he began to think. "Let's see… Your title is Silent Magician. You can speak with telepathy yet cannot speak with your own voice physically… and you have a calm and gentle personality about you…" He listed out. What would be a good name for him to call her by? A name that defines her personality.

Quiet and calm… there was a name that meant that.

Moments later, his eyes lit up upon remembering, grinning at his teacher, "I got it. Your new and real name will be Shizuka."

"Shizuka…? What does that mean?"

"In my language, it means 'quiet and calm,'" Kuromu explained.

"I-I see. Shizuka…" She murmured, nodding to herself. "It does… sound pleasant. Thank you, Kuromu…" She thanked him, smiling with a slightly redder blush, knowing she now had a true name. She shook her head to rid herself of the redness, returning to a neutral look. "Come, let us gather your supplies."

"Of course, Shizuka-sensei." Kuromu smiled back.

The Master and apprentice continued their trek through the marketplace, with the goal of Kuromu beginning his journey as a mage set on their minds.

Looking left and right, the young male took note of the various shops selling their merchandise, having all kinds of odds and ends, from tomes and amulets to magical rings and charms. There was even a store where mages could buy magical creatures as pets or familiars.

But, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a particular shop, and his eyes seemed to have gleamed before briskly walking over to the shop's window. His hands plastered onto the glass of the window display as his eyes sparkled brighter when looking in. His expression is likened to that of a kid who found the world's tastiest candy.

Silent Magician, or Shizuka, looked on as she softly smiled, knowing what got him interested, and walked over to him.

"I see something has taken your interest, my apprentice?" Shizuka questioned.

"T-Those are real potions," Kuromu murmured, eyeing the colorful liquids in various shaped bottles on display. "That's a real cauldron… and those are real alchemical tools."

"Hmhmhm, they are." Shizuka giggled at his awe and wonder.

"C-Can we?" Kuromu looked at Shizuka with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"This is one of the stops, so we can, of course."

Kuromu cheered silently as he immediately rushed in, with Shizuka following him. The walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of potions, and the center of the shop displayed the various tools that alchemists would use. Shizuka ordered a beginner's set for him, which included a cauldron with a ladle, brass scales with included weights, a mortar & pestle, and a bunch of ten crystal vials. She then ordered a set of essential ingredients that could only be bought in-shop. After paying the Potions Master, Shizuka used her magic to transport them to her home.

The next shop they stopped by was a wand shop. It had drawers upon drawers from top to bottom. Inside each drawer was a box with a wand, while other shelves held staves. The Wandkeeper was an old friend of Shizuka's, and he was more than happy to give Kuromu his first wand, and free of charge, no less.

After the Wandkeeper measured Kuromu's arm and asked him a few questions, the young apprentice was granted a wand made from a unicorn's horn. It was gifted to the Wandkeeper by a unicorn, infused with stardust from a meteor shower during the turn of the century.

The characteristic of this wand is that it changes, alters, and takes shape in Kuromu's heart as he continues to grow as a mage. However, the Wandkeeper cautioned him not to abuse or misuse it, or it would corrupt the wand and his heart. Of course, Kuromu took this to heart and promised to take great care of it.

"Now then, there is one more place we need to visit," Shizuka said as she and Kuromu walked out of the wand shop with the latter's newest wand.

"Where would that be?"

Shizuka placed a finger on her lips, producing a small smile, "It is a surprise."

Kuromu tilted his head in confusion. Whatever this surprise was, it was terrific. Trusting his new teacher, he nodded, and the two made their way through and out of the marketplace.

It wasn't long before they arrived at another tower half the size of the giant tower in the Citadel. Like the rest of the buildings, it was made of white stone. The only notable differences that stood out were that it had no roof, and this particular structure was dodecagonal.

"We're going there?" Kuromu questioned.

"You will understand once we arrive," Shizuka answered.

Kuromu once again nodded as they approached the second-largest tower. Upon arriving at the door, she produced her staff, and with a wave, the wooden door glowed briefly before slowly opening outward. The two of them made their way inside, and what Kuromu saw next made him gawk.

This tower was a library. From top to bottom were shelves upon shelves of books. Several platforms stuck out between the frames, held by the magical mana from underneath, each with a desk on top. Several people used those platforms to peruse the reading material. There was even a reception desk in the middle of the tower's floor where a librarian was manning it.

"Welcome to the Royal Magical Library." Shizuka gestured.

Kuromu was speechless. He couldn't believe that so many books were stored and gathered in this building. "Whoa… you keep all of these books here?"

"Yes. These books contain knowledge of all magic from across continents spanning centuries." Shizka explained. "Many mages and scholars, myself included, come here to pursue knowledge. What we wish to know and/or learn will be archived here."

"Amazing…" Kuromu whispered in awe. "Wait, these books are centuries old? How are you able to maintain all of them? Wouldn't the writings fade and the books themselves fall apart?"

"You forget, my apprentice, that magic exists." Shizuka reminded him. "Therefore, we have the means to preserve them. Even if there is a chance that these books will be lost to the sands of time, our magic can simply restore them as if they were written today."

"Ah, right…" Kuromu said dumbly.

"Now, we must search for the right books to start your training." Shizuka stated, "Since you are just beginning, we will have to search for those of the novice level." She then walked towards a platform, Kuromu following her, and once they stepped on it, it came to life and gradually began floating upwards.

"Whoa… whooooa…" Kuromu said, feeling the platform briefly shake as he tried to ground himself to avoid falling off it.

"Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine… I'm just… not used to heights…" Kuromu laughed nervously.

The platform soon stopped at a library section, and Shizuka began to browse through the shelves. "Is there any particular form of magic that you wish to learn?"

"Um…" Kuromu pondered as he thought about it briefly. "I've always been interested in Elemental magic. And Alchemy is just as interesting."

She nodded and eventually found and picked up the two books on those schools of magic. "Here we are." She said, handing them to her apprentice. One title read "Elementary Excerpts of the Elements," and the other read "Lexicon of Magical Potions & Ingredients."

"Open them and tell me what you see." Shizuka encouraged him with a hand gesture.

Kuromu wasted no time as he opened one of the books, but upon opening them, his eyes blinked once, then twice. He rubbed them to be sure that he didn't see things. But the look in his eyes didn't deceive him. "This is…! It's written in my own language!"

"It's only natural that you would be surprised. All the books in this library are enchanted to instantly translate and rearrange the words written within to the reader's native tongue." Shizuka explained to her apprentice. "So if foreigners were to ever visit here, they will have no trouble reading them."

"That sounds… very convenient." Kuromu admitted, "I wonder if I had something like that where I lived?" he pondered aloud.

"I am doubtful of that," Shizuka said before picking out another book to give to him. "You will also need this to learn about our culture."

Kuromu looked at the book, "Historical Secrets of Magic."

'A self-explanatory name for your history book, don't you think?' Kuromu thought to himself, slightly amused at the title. "Thank you, sensei. I'll take good care of them."

Shizuka nodded, "Well then, shall we be going?"

"Eh? We don't need to have it checked out?" Kuromu asked, confused.

"There is no need. The Royal Magical Library is well protected. Master Endymion placed a spell on this library to ensure that no one with malicious intent takes these books. In addition, the librarian keeps track of a manifest at the reception desk. It will show who is using it and is given a proper time frame for a book's return. Should something be stolen, it will return to the library within a blink of an eye."

"Huh… again, really convenient."

"Magic is always about the impossible made possible. No matter how far it may seem, it will be achieved someday."

"Right. I'll be sure to remember that."


With their shopping done and Kuromu's supplies acquired, Shizuka and Kuromu were ready to leave for the former's home. The silver-haired Magician chanted an incantation the young man couldn't understand. With a wave of her staff, a silver-colored magic circle with intricate lines and runic symbols appeared in front of them. The center of the magic then opened up, leaving Kuromu in shock as he realized it was a portal leading to another location. What's even more surprising was that the locals weren't batting an eye about this portal appearing in the middle of a street, to which he chalked it up to being part of the norm.

"Come, my apprentice."

Snapping out of his stupor, Kuromu voiced his willingness to attend to her with a nod. He followed his teacher and went through the portal, coming out to the other side before it closed and shrunk into nothingness.

He scanned his new surroundings, finding himself in an enchanted forest. Much like the air of the Magical Citadel, it was seeping with the magical energy of mana. Sporadic motes of light fluttered about like fireflies, giving the forest a sense of mystery and awe. He looked up at the trees that significantly towered over him, fifty times his height. No doubt that they stood the test of time, triumphant and victorious. Crepuscular rays of sunlight broke through the canopies, shedding their radiance on the forest floor. So much so that the dirt looked gleaming, and the subtle scent of minty grass and damp Earth also filled the air.

"Stay close to me. My home is not far from here, but one can get easily lost between these trees." Shizuka advised.

"Y-Yes, sensei." Kuromu gulped with another nod as he briskly walked up to her side.

The trek to Shizuka's home was quiet, and Kuromu stayed close while still admiring the scenery around him.

"Shizuka-sensei?"

"Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask… how long have you been studying magic?" He inquired, wanting to know a bit about the woman he would learn under.

"Since I was a little girl," Shizuka recalled. "From the moment I opened a spellbook, I never stopped wanting to learn and apply what I have learned."

"Even though you had no magic back then." Kuromu mused as he remembered Endymion's words. "What made you want to learn magic in the first place?" the boy inquired further.

Shizuka remained silent at her apprentice's words.

"A-Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories." Kuromu quickly apologized.

"No, it is not your fault," Shizuka assured the boy. "Master Endymion did say that I had naysayers amongst my peers, who are the most vocal about their prowess. Most believed me to be a useless mute who did not deserve the title of Magician. That was why I studied as hard as I could. Not only to prove them wrong but also to show them that even the silent can perform magic. And I am not ashamed of who I am today."

"I see… that's… really inspiring." Kuromu complimented. "You chose to remain silent while remaining humble and true to yourself. I can see why Master Endymion holds you in high regard. Heh, I actually feel happy knowing that. And with you as my teacher, I won't end up like one of those snobs that think they're better than you."

Shizuka's cheeks turned slightly red at the boy's compliments. "Thank you… Kuromu. You are very kind."

Kuromu could only smile back in response.

"Ah, it seems that we have arrived." Shizuka realized, pointing her finger at the front. Kuromu looked ahead, and there was a structure of a building that was up at the end of the avenue of trees they were walking across. Upon moving closer to the building, they stood in front of what is Shizuka's home, which will also be Kuromu's.

It sat on what appeared to be a small island, surrounded by a small moat of water, to which the house could be accessible via a small bridge. The house was rather simplistic in design; a wooden hut with green mushroom-shaped roofs and a large tree had grown permanently on the side of the house. Two stone chimneys also poked out of the main house's roof.

"We are here. Welcome to my home, and yours as well." Shizuka said.

"It's rather quaint," Kuromu commented.

"Perhaps, on the outside. But looks can be deceiving." Shizuka said, forming a slight curve on her lips.

"What do you mean?"

"You will see once we head inside," Shizuka answered, moving ahead of him. Kuromu followed her as they crossed the small moat's outside edge and crossed the small bridge. When they arrived at the front door, the silver-haired Magician chanted a brief archaic incantation, and the door unlocked itself with a click.

"Please, come in." She said before walking inside. Kuromu entered the house, but his eyes widened significantly upon doing so. The interior of such a small house looked like a mansion!

The main attraction was the living room, where the floor was made of the finest quality honey-colored wood, and the walls were constructed out of stone as if handpicked by the stonemason himself. It was a cozy, round, high-ceilinged room decorated and emphasized by the wide fireplace and several couches that sat on a carpet of beige, surrounding a wide table. A few circular windows let in natural light from outside, and a metal chandelier was hanging on the ceiling, which had candles sitting atop.

There was a wooden archway also made out of wood, carved with intricate designs, which gave support to not only the frame of the house's inside but also supporting the structural integrity of the second floor, indicated by the wooden staircase that curved alongside the wall. On it was a small library of bookshelves with books surrounding many magic schools and regular shelves housing exotic potted plants. There were even a couple of sentient brooms with arms tidying up the place.

The kitchen was connected to the right side of the living room by a large opening while separated by a wall. Its walls and floors are the same as the previous room, with a large window that lets natural light in. The center of the kitchen had a wooden island with various ingredients. The copper pot and pans were hanging above it, supported by a stone archway and a wide metal shaft between them, alongside several cooking utensils hanging to the side.

One side of the wall had an oven made of bricks, and to the side of that were logs of wood, varying in size, to feed the fire in the heart of the range that would heat the stove up top. The window was flanked by cabinets that contained glass jars of spices and strings of herbs that hung on the wall. Another part of the kitchen had two doors, one leading into a pantry and another leading to what the young man could surmise to be some sort of freezer; no doubt some kind of ice magic was being used to keep the meats frozen inside.

The kitchen was bustling with the same brooms now serving as chefs as they moved across the wooden tables and counters preparing food. It looked like the kitchen scenes one would witness in a modern film rather than a typical fantasy setting.

Kuromu quickly went back outside to look at the exterior of her home and then looked inside. He did this two more times as he was trying to form words. "How- what- huh?" He uttered out, baffled by how it was possible. And who could blame him?

Shizuka giggled at his befuddlement. "I am not surprised that you would be confused." She commented, "The interior of my home is enchanted with an extension charm."

"An extension charm?" Kuromu parroted.

"Yes. It is an enchantment that expands the internal dimensions of an object without affecting the external dimensions of the outside world, hence why you see it as if you stepped into a noble's home."

"That… explains so much," Kuromu muttered as he came back inside, and the entrance closed on its own.

A figure came out of a hallway beyond the living room. Stepping into it was a young woman, but what surprised him was that she had light blue skin. She had aqua-green colored eyes and long dark blonde hair; the bangs of her hair cut evenly across her forehead, except for the tip of hair down the middle. She wore white headgear and something akin to a crown, and she wore a dress the color of seafoam green that draped all the way down to the floor.

She took notice of the boy, staring into his eyes with a neutral expression.

"Hello, Elesia. I have returned home." Shizuka greeted, to which the blue-skinned woman nodded before looking back at Kuromu, slightly tilting her head. "Ah, yes. Elesia, this is Kuromu. Starting today, he is my apprentice and will be living here with us."

"It's nice to meet you." Kuromu said, bowing to her with a slight smile, "I hope we get along."

The now-named Elesia stared at him for a moment longer before bowing back to him, then retreating to another part of the house.

"Is she… always like that?" Kuromu tilted his head in confusion.

"No. Elesia has not spoken to anyone for a long time since I took her under my care. She was cast out of her village, claiming she had placed a strange curse on them. Granted, I know she is innocent, but they would rather blame her than accept help."

"That's so horrible…." Kuromu muttered. How could they do such a thing to someone so innocent?

"Yes. That is why I have Elesia live with me, and in return, she helps take care of my home while working alongside me to resolve the problem of removing the plague on the people and in her village."

"I see."

"But that is for another time. Come. I will show you to your room," Shizuka said, walking towards the hall Elesia stepped out of, with Kuromu not far behind. "While you are settling in, I will prepare your first lesson," Shizuka said. "You may be starting out, but do not think this will be easy."

"Yes, sensei. And I wouldn't think anything less." Kuromu nodded.


The silver-haired Magician led her new apprentice beyond the living room and down the hall. The young man noted the wooden doors lining both sides as if standing in a ceremony to greet their new tenant. He wondered what all these rooms were for if Shizuka and Elesia were the only ones living here. But that answer will have to wait, as they had arrived at the seventh door on the left side of the hall. After thanking his teacher, Shizuka left to prepare her first lesson while Kuromu went inside his new bedroom.

The decor was rather simplistic, but it served the basic requirements of any other standard bedroom. The bedroom walls were drywall, and the floor, like the rest of the house, was made of wood. There was a plain desk on one side of the room, his books and wand sitting on top, while his bed was on the opposite end, with a window to look out into the forest surrounding the building.

"So this is my new home…" Kuromu sighed as he sat on his bed, looking around his new room before lying down. The mattress and pillow were so soft he wanted to fall asleep right then and there. But as much as he would like to, he had to stay awake for his first lesson.

He recounted the events that had happened up to this point. Overall, he was happy to experience something out of this world. Quite literally. And yet… it still didn't answer why he was in this new world.

Who or what sent him here?

Why was he here?

How did he get here?

There was also the mystery of his memory, where he only remembers his name. And while he remembered speaking his own language, as evidenced by giving Silent Magician a name and calling her sensei, it did little to no effect of jogging his memory. No matter how much he tried to rack his brain for answers, he couldn't come up with any.

'Maybe I'm overthinking this…' Kuromu sighed, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. 'It's not like I need to remember right away. I got all the time in the world for that. But… for how long?'

*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*

Kuromu snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his door being knocked on. "Come in." He said, sitting upright and standing up after. The entrance to his room opened, revealing Shizuka.

"I have returned." Shizuka greeted him. "I trust you have familiarized yourself with your room?"

"Yes. I've settled in nicely." Kuromu nodded.

"I am happy to hear that." Shizuka nodded with a soft smile, "Now then, we need to ensure that your body can contain and use mana. Master Endymion already emphasized what would happen if you cannot."

Kuromu gave another nod.

"That being said, this will be your first task. Please, hold out your hand."

Kuromu did as he was told, and Shizuka reached into a pocket of her dress, pulling out a blue crystal to place in his hand. Its shape was spherical and was no larger than a golf ball, but it had sharp angles and flat surfaces.

"What's this?" Kuromu asked curiously, eyeing the unrefined jewel.

"That is a Mana Crystal." Shizuka answered, "It is raw magical energy in crystallized form with no affinity. Your lesson for today will be making this Mana Crystal glisten. Though it is not as simple as lighting a candle. Mana Crystals in this state can be volatile if not refined or used correctly. If you are not careful, it could explode, or worse, you could force it to grow an entire cavern of them."

"I understand," Kuromu answered before placing the crystal on the table and staring at it. He picked up and pointed his newly acquired wand at the crystal before closing his eyes to concentrate.

Yet when Shizuka saw this, she quickly waved her staff to produce a magical barrier over him. In mere seconds, the Mana Crystal reacted, bursting into deadly shards. It was by pure luck that the magical barrier could save Kuromu in the nick of time as the tips of those shards struck it. When Kuromu opened his eyes, he looked astonished.

"Whoa… that almost pierced my throat…." He gasped sharply, his body numb from how he was that close to dying.

"It was my fault. I did not warn you to not use your wand on your first attempt." Shizuka shook her head apologetically. "You must use your hand as the conduit instead. When you understand how to control your mana, only then can you use your wand."

"Yes, sensei," Kuromu replied before putting the wand back on his desk. He stared at the crystal that had grown five times its original size. Such is the consequence of inexperience.

Taking a deep breath, he held out his hand and closed his eyes to concentrate. The Mana Crystal showed promising signs of life, the light within flickering on and off like a broken light bulb on its last legs before completely burning out. His eyes closed tighter as he tried to double his concentration, and the crystal shimmered again, but it wasn't enough to fully control as it flickered out. The young man panted slightly, opening his eyes, seeing that he had made no improvement. "This is more difficult than I thought it would be."

"It is to be expected since you have no magical affinity. While rare to find, it can happen. Some take decades to achieve this task, while others burn away any reserves they may have and quit. However, there are some that are used by others; You can piece together what happens from that." Shizuka pointed out.

"I don't want to find out," Kuromu muttered with dread, looking back at the Mana Crystal and pulling up his sleeve. "But I'm not giving up. I'm going to make it shine bright as a diamond."

"Please do not push yourself. I suggest taking a respite. We do not need you to have mana deficiency, and it will be harder for you to recover." Shizuka warned.

"But we've just started."

"Yes, but you have all the time in the world to learn. Why rush it?"

Kuromu didn't answer as he looked back at the natural jewel with a frown. After a moment of debating, he eventually put his hand down. "You're right. I guess I got too excited in wanting to try something new."

"Do not worry, I was like this too." Shizuka giggled softly.

As if on cue, Elesia came into the room, with a tray of refreshments and small drinks that sat on top, before placing them on the table.

"Thank you, Elesia." Kuromu smiled at her.

She bowed to him before heading out of the room, though Shizuka smiled softly with another giggle, "It seems she is interested in you, Kuromu."

"Eh? How so?" Kuromu blinked.

"She gave you refreshments. Under normal circumstances, she would not give them to guests."

"Really… you don't say…" Kuromu looked back at the door where Elesia walked out.

"Indeed. It was because someone made an attempt on Elesia's life. An assassin tried to make their way here, but it did not work out." She said, with a slight smirk, flicking her wand and levitating the pillow.

"You killed them by throwing a pillow?" Kuromu sweatdropped.

"I was giving you a hint that my magic stopped them." She slightly deadpanned before waving the wand, and the pillow smacked his face.

"Ite…" Kuromu mumbled as it dropped on his lap. "Sorry… pfft… pffffffft… hahahahaha…" He chuckled. Moments later, Shizuka also joined in on the laugh. "It sounds ridiculous now that I think about it. Death by a pillow."

"That is not the only ridiculous moment that has happened." She pointed out with a sip of her tea.

"This I have to hear."


For the past couple of hours, Kuromu listened to Shizuka's stories during her time as an apprentice. Some of them made him laugh, while others were in awe. Nonetheless, they were endearing, making the young boy happy that he was learning more about his sensei. When they finished talking, they noticed the sun already beginning to set on the horizon, radiating its warm colors.

"Oh my, time passed by so quickly," Shizuka noted.

"Yeah. I was so engrossed in your stories that I forgot about the time."

"Indeed. That being said, today has been rather productive."

"It was," Kuromu said. He turned his head back towards the Mana Crystal, staring intently at it. "Sensei… can I… try one more time?"

"In the morning, you can. Your body needs to rest and adapt to maintain your mana, or you will get sick and overexert yourself." Shizuka said with slight worry.

"I know, but I think I can do it now that I feel more relaxed. Just this once. I promise." Kuromu said, holding up a finger.

Shizuka sighed, knowing how stubborn he'll be, "Very well. But only one time."

With another nod, Kuromu and Shizuka stood up and walked towards the desk. The young man stared at the Mana Crystal that sat on top, and with a slow deep breath, he held out his hand, closing his eyes to concentrate. Once again, the crystal's light came to life, flickering on and off.

'I can't force it… I shouldn't force it.' Kuromu thought to himself, letting himself relax with controlled breathing. 'I must focus on the mana surrounding it, not within. I must dominate and manipulate it…' He added.

Silence loomed over.

Not a sound was heard.

Even the stagnating air dare not whisper.

After what seemed like an eternity…

*SHING!*

Shizuka's eyes widened considerably.

The Mana Crystal was shining iridescently! And at a controlled and stabilized rate! What surprised her even more, was that the crystal receded and returned to its previous form before shaping itself into a smooth and spherical shape.

'Impossible… he's…!' She thought to herself.

Kuromu finally opened his eyes, widening them in surprise when she saw what he did. "N-No way… I did it…!" He stuttered before looking at Shizuka in excitement. "Shizuka-sensei, look, I did it! I controlled it!"

Shizuka snapped out of her thoughts, "Y-Yes, you did. Well done, Kuromu."

What happened next was no surprise when Kuromu's body swayed left and right, eventually collapsing in Shizuka's arms. The silver-haired Magician shook her head, knowing that she expected this to happen. "This is why I said to do it tomorrow… you have drained yourself to exhaustion…" She sighed. But hearing the young boy softly snore eased her worries. At least he was still alive… at least for the time being.

This lesson made two things clear. One: It explains Kuromu's poor affinity and ability to efficiently complete his first task. Two: Spreading the knowledge of what he is will place him in grave danger. For his kind was a rare species, thought to have been extinct eons ago. His existence alone may shake the foundations of magic and the world.

"I need to inform Master Endymion…" Shizuka muttered.

Elesia came walking into the room, her eyes slightly widening upon seeing Kuromu's state, wondering what had happened. "He is only sleeping," Shizuka said, to which the blue-skinned elf nodded. "Listen closely. I need you to double our defenses and place the gargoyles on active patrol. I fear that what my apprentice did may have attracted our enemies or worse, and I do not want to take any chances."

Her retainer bowed before leaving the room to begin preparations.

With another sigh, Shizuka carried the young boy into her arms and laid him on his bed, then kneeled down at his bedside after; watching Kuromu sleep peacefully. Knowing what she was now dealing with, Shizuka would have to arrange a far more advanced training regiment than she had initially planned. Her apprentice needed to be ready for anything if he was to survive. Once he attains his familiar, he will partake in the Thaumaturge Trials, a series of examinations that will determine whether or not he is a good mage. If he accomplishes them, he'll no longer be in danger, save for those who threaten him. But… even if he could overcome the trials that awaited him, he was still her student, and as his Master, she would always be there to protect him.

"Until then, my apprentice…" Shizuka whispered, with a soft smile, before kissing his forehead, to which her student responded with an ever so subtle smile, even as he slept.

This was merely the beginning of his journey as the Silent Magi's Apprentice.