Chapter 54: Viktor Mertens

Name: Viktor Mertens

Age: 39

Birthday: 3 March

Personality: Charismatic, cunning, and fiercely protective. Viktor balances his laid-back demeanour with a sharp wit and a keen sense of strategy. He's quick to crack a joke but equally quick to act when the situation turns dire. Known as a wildcard, he often takes unconventional approaches to problems.

Strengths: Exceptional combat strategist, master of Ruby Magic, immense physical and magical strength, adaptable in high-pressure situations, skilled mentor.

Weaknesses: Tendency to act independently without consulting others, overconfidence in his plans, struggles with authority figures, a big liar.

Favourite things: Sparring with Lars, playing cards (especially bluffing games), strong whiskey and coffee, travelling to uncharted areas

"So, how did you get here, Uncle?" Lars said, pouring the freshly brewed hot beverage into a mug for Viktor, who lifted it up and took one large swig. He set his mug down, looking around with the air of a seasoned warrior. He took another sip from his mug, savouring the warmth of the drink as the fire crackled in the background. His eyes twinkled with mischief, clearly relishing the moment.

"So, how did I get here, eh?" Viktor began, stretching his legs out in a leisurely manner. "Well, let me tell you, Lars, it's not an easy journey for a Mertens to make it all the way to the illustrious Coral Peacocks base. It all started in the wilds of Skellstadt, where I—being the brilliant strategist and master of survival that I am—was hired to track down some bandits terrorising the roads."

Lars raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued despite the exaggerated tone in Viktor's voice. "Bandits, huh?"

"Oh yes, bandits," Viktor continued, his smile widening. "But these weren't your run-of-the-mill thieves. No, these were elite bandits, trained in the arts of subterfuge, and they thought they could outsmart me. But, Lars, there was no escape for them. I took them all down, using nothing but my wits and a single boot knife!"

Lars stifled a laugh, shaking his head. He knew full well Viktor had a penchant for exaggerating his own exploits. But he stayed quiet, letting his uncle spin his tale.

Viktor paused, ensuring he had Lars' full attention. "Just when I thought I was in the clear, that's when it happened. A huge avalanche came down from the mountains, trapping us in the snow with no way out! But do you think I was afraid, Lars? No. I used my brilliant magic to part the snow, create a path for escape, and—"

"Uncle," Felix interrupted from the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. "I think you're forgetting the part where you got lost and nearly got us all killed by actual bandits before we wandered into a snowstorm."

Viktor waved a dismissive hand, clearly unphased by the interruption. "Felix, my boy, you don't understand. I'm just making it sound dramatic. That's how you tell a good story, you see."

Felix raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Yeah, sure, Uncle. You keep telling yourself that. The truth is, we were tracking a magical artefact, and Viktor here still hasn't figured out how to navigate properly. We barely made it out of there alive—if it weren't for me, we'd still be buried in that snow."

Viktor chuckled, clearly enjoying the playful back-and-forth. "Details, details," he said, as if to brush off the facts. "What matters is that we found a merchant's village, I saved the day, and now, here I am."

Felix sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Yeah, barely saved the day," he muttered, but before he could continue, Viktor had already moved on.

"And then, just as we were making our way to the next destination," Viktor went on, now leaning forward with dramatic flair. "That's when we encountered them."

Felix, exasperated, cut him off again. "You mean that magical artifact we were supposed to deliver to that client? Yeah, we followed that lead all the way here. No bandits, no avalanches—just plain old delivery work."

Before Viktor could make a comeback, there was a sudden crash as Felix was knocked sideways, stumbling into the broom cupboard by the stairs. The loud thud echoed throughout the room, followed by a series of clattering sounds as Felix collided with the various cleaning supplies in the cupboard.

Viktor stood, his smirk widening. "See, Lars? That's how you handle interruptions."

Felix groaned from inside the cupboard, pushing brooms and dustpans off himself as he crawled out, rubbing his head. "Okay, Uncle, that wasn't necessary."

But Viktor only chuckled, clearly amused with himself. Just as the room began to settle, a voice from upstairs called down.

"What the hell is going on down here?!"

Theresa's voice, sharp and authoritative, echoed down the staircase.

A few moments later, Theresa appeared at the top of the stairs, her brow furrowed in confusion as she surveyed the scene: Felix still recovering from his broom cupboard tumble, Viktor standing smugly with his arms crossed, and Lars standing off to the side, trying not to laugh.

Felix, upon seeing her for the first time, froze mid-motion, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. His mouth opened and closed a few times as he struggled for words, his heart racing.

"Uh, well—hello, there," Felix stammered, suddenly fumbling over himself. "I-I'm Felix! I, uh, I couldn't help but notice how... how lovely you are and, uh—"

Before he could say another word, he blurted out the unthinkable: "M-Marry me?"

The room fell silent. Viktor blinked, clearly caught off guard by his adopted son's sudden declaration. Lars nearly choked on his drink from trying to suppress his laughter.

Theresa blinked, looking down at the now-flustered Felix, her face impassive. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Yul - who had been sitting near the fireplace, his eyes narrowed - was up on his feet in a flash. With a rage-filled grunt, he strode over to Felix and, before anyone could react, picked him up by the head, lifting him clear off the ground like a ragdoll.

"You do what?" Yul growled, shaking him lightly as if Felix was nothing more than a misbehaving child. "You've got a lot of nerve asking her that after barely a minute in her presence. You're not worthy of even talking to her until you've earned it, you little-"

Felix struggled helplessly in the air, his feet kicking and his face turning even redder. "Wait, no, I didn't mean it!"

"So you were playing with her," Yul snarled, a truly terrifying grin on his face. Felix gulped.

Viktor, now laughing heartily at the scene, patted Lars on the back. "That's my boy. Quick to act, slow to think. Just like me when I was his age," he said with a wink.

Lars rolled his eyes but was clearly enjoying the chaos.

Finally, when Yul dropped Felix back to the ground with an exaggerated huff, Viktor, ever the showman, finally turned to Lars.

"Now," he said, his voice turning more serious. "Enough with the distractions. I didn't come here to mess around. I came to teach you one last lesson."

Lars blinked, his expression shifting as he met his uncle's gaze.

"A lesson?" Lars repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Viktor nodded gravely, his demeanour shifting to something more serious. "Yes, Lars. You're strong, no doubt. But you're not ready yet. You've still got a ways to go before you can claim true mastery. I've come to help you get there, to finish what we started all those years ago when you failed the Magic Knights exam. You thought you were ready then, but there was something missing... something I needed and still need to teach you. And today, we start that lesson."

Lars's expression shifted, no longer amused or distracted. The weight of Viktor's words settled over him, and he knew—this was the real reason they were here.

"I'll see you in the morning, Lars," Viktor said, dragging Felix by his long hair, and the two came out of the Coral Peacocks base making quite a ruckus.

"Well, that was certainly something," Theresa sighed, turning on her heel and heading back up to bed. Yul followed suit, but Lars used his chain-scythe to stop him from leaving.

"Did you forget?" Lars smirked. "We're not done."

Yul smirked back, and the two headed outside, both of their competitive spirits flaring.

…

The sun was just starting to crest over the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sprawling land surrounding the Coral Peacocks' base. The morning air was crisp and cool, the faint smell of dew lingering in the atmosphere. Lars stood outside, his breath visible in the chilly morning air, waiting for Viktor to arrive. There was a quiet sense of anticipation in his chest, mixed with a tinge of nervousness. He'd been through many battles, had encountered numerous challenges—but this… this was something different.

Viktor's footsteps echoed in the distance, and soon, he appeared, a figure larger than life, with his boisterous grin and exaggerated swagger. Behind him, Felix shuffled along, looking a little worse for wear from last night's… events. It seemed the incident with Yul's swift "correction" had left Felix a bit more subdued than usual, his hands rubbing his head like he was still feeling the lingering effects.

"Lars!" Viktor bellowed, clapping him on the back with a resounding thud that nearly knocked the air out of him. "Good of you to meet me here. And, uh, who's your companion?"

Lars grinned, stepping aside with a nod. "This is Iskra," he said, his voice steady yet filled with the warmth he always felt when referring to her.

The small, ethereal figure hovering at his side glided forward, her silvery dress flowing softly around her, like something out of a dream. Her presence seemed to change the air itself, making it feel more alive, more tangible. Her eyes locked onto Viktor, a quiet intensity behind them, as though she could see into the very core of his being.

Viktor's face faltered for a moment as he observed her, his confident expression wavering as he looked her up and down. There was a deep recognition in his eyes, something more than just curiosity. He stepped forward slowly, lowering his voice, almost as if speaking to himself. "I've seen something like this before… in an ancient tome."

Iskra's lips parted in a faint, knowing smile. "There is substance to what he's saying."

Lars tilted his head slightly at Viktor. "How do you know she has celestial mind magic? I didn't even know that until—"

"I know," Viktor said, waving his hand dismissively as though it were no big thing. "I've read about it in an old book, and let me tell you—celestial mind magic is a whole different animal. It works off intellect, manipulating the higher thought processes, expanding the mind in ways that are as unnatural as they are powerful."

Lars's gaze sharpened, sensing that the conversation was about to take a more serious turn. "But… that's not what you're going to teach me today, right?"

Viktor paused, taking a long, exaggerated look at his nephew, sizing him up. "Correct," he said with a sly grin. "Today, I'm here to teach you the ultimate form of regular Mind Magic. It's something beyond what you've already mastered. Something you'll need to unlock if you truly want to understand your full potential."

Lars nodded, his pulse quickening. He'd always pushed himself to be the best—he had no intention of backing down now. But what Viktor was suggesting sounded both exhilarating and dangerous.

"Celestial mind magic, as I said, is about expanding the intellect, reshaping thought from the outside. But what we're talking about here—regular Mind Magic—it's something entirely different," Viktor explained, a touch of seriousness creeping into his voice. "It's not about controlling thought from the outside. It's about manipulating the brain directly. The pathways inside, the impulses, the signals—it's about taking complete control."

Lars's eyes narrowed as he absorbed Viktor's words. "I think I understand, but… I've never really heard of such a thing before. What's the real difference?"

Viktor grinned, walking over to the center of the clearing as he gestured for Lars to follow. "You understand the basics, but the real trick is not just to manipulate the brain's logic, but to break it. That's the key. What we're going to work on today is the Virtual Insanity technique—one of the most dangerous and powerful techniques in Mind Magic."

Lars blinked, taken aback. "Virtual Insanity?"

"That's right," Viktor said, his voice a touch quieter now. "When you flip the brain's logic, everything about perception changes. Your senses, your thoughts—they all get twisted. If you manage it, you'll gain control over all of it. But if you mess it up, you risk destroying yourself."

Lars's heart skipped a beat. Destroying himself? That didn't sound like the kind of lesson anyone should be learning.

"Wait," Lars said, stepping closer, his face serious. "What do you mean by destroying myself?"

Viktor gave him a serious look, his usual cocky demeanor gone. "It's a dangerous technique. You're turning the brain's natural logic on its head, flipping it inside out. Everything you thought was real—your vision, your hearing, your perception—it all becomes chaotic. It's called Virtual Insanity because that's exactly what it is. It's like stepping into a world where everything you know doesn't make sense. Your brain can only take so much of that before it cracks."

Lars swallowed hard. He had always been reckless in battle, but this wasn't just about fighting someone stronger. This was about testing the very fabric of his mind. "And if I fail?"

"If you fail," Viktor said with a shrug, "you could break your mind, cause irreparable damage to your senses, or worse—lose your ability to control anything at all. But if you succeed, you'll have access to a whole new realm of Mind Magic. Your control, your understanding of reality itself, will be far beyond anything you've ever known."

Lars took a deep breath, steadying himself. He'd faced down powerful foes, survived impossible odds—but this… this was different. This was about himself.

He glanced at Iskra, who offered him a soft smile of encouragement. "You've always been able to push past the limits, Lars. Trust your mind."

Lars nodded, his resolve hardening. He was ready.

Viktor, seeing his determination, gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Now, here's your first test."

With a flourish, Viktor snapped his fingers, and from the air around them, a swirling orb of ruby-red energy formed, condensing into a human-like shape. The figure that stood before Lars was a perfect clone of Viktor, but its body shimmered with energy, its skin glowing a deep crimson.

"Meet my clone," Viktor said, stepping aside. "It's a construct of pure mana, shaped and brought to life by magic. But it's not just any clone. You'll need to use Virtual Insanity to completely distort its perception. Flip everything. Invert its logic. Make it see the world as you see fit."

Lars stood before the ruby clone, watching as its eyes flickered in confusion, like it was trying to comprehend its own existence in a new way. Its movements were graceful, precise—almost too perfect. But something about it was off, like it was just a little too aware of the space it occupied, of the world around it.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. His mind buzzed with the raw energy of his magic, electric in its intensity. He had to focus, to strip away the distractions and hone in on the clone's very essence. His hand twitched as he reached out mentally, probing the figure, feeling its thoughts, its awareness.

A moment passed, then another, and suddenly the connection clicked. The air around him seemed to shift, as if reality itself was breathing with him. The world started to distort—his vision swam, his hearing became muffled, and his sense of touch faded in and out like a broken signal.

Focus, he told himself, pushing his mind deeper into the clone's senses, twisting them. He bent its perception of the world, twisting its sight and hearing into an impossible mess. The clone began to jerk and shudder, its movements losing their fluid grace as it stumbled in the midst of a reality it couldn't understand.

But it fought back.

The clone's eyes pulsed with energy, its movements jerking violently as it struggled to regain control. The very ground beneath Lars's feet seemed to ripple as if the earth itself was rejecting the change. Lars's concentration wavered for just a moment, and that was all the clone needed to regain a semblance of control.

But Lars wouldn't let it. He focused harder, digging deeper into the clone's perception, flipping its senses upside down. His mind screamed with the effort, his thoughts turning to fire as he strained against the clone's will.

His surroundings grew darker, his vision nearly gone. He couldn't tell if he was seeing the clone or if he was seeing his own mind's distortion. Every part of him was stretched, as though reality itself was being torn apart and reassembled by his will.

And then—

The clone shattered.

It wasn't just destroyed—it collapsed into itself with a violent burst of light, disintegrating into sparks that faded into the air. Lars stood frozen, his breath heavy and uneven, his mind still reverberating with the aftershocks of the technique. He felt as if the world was spinning around him, like he'd been ripped out of his body and then thrown back in.

He blinked, trying to regain his bearings, but everything felt off. His muscles were stiff, his thoughts still tangled in the remnants of the technique. It had taken everything.

Viktor clapped, slow and deliberate, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well done, Lars. You held it together, and that's impressive. But let me be clear—this technique? It's no walk in the park. Virtual Insanity is one of the most demanding abilities in Mind Magic. It bends the very fabric of perception, and if you're not careful, it'll snap you right back."

Lars wiped the sweat from his brow, still reeling. His heart was racing, his body aching. He had done it, yes, but at what cost? The weight of the technique was heavy, as if he had reached the edge of something dangerous, something that could easily destroy him if he lost control.

Viktor's grin widened as he took a step closer. "You've got the potential to master it, but remember this—it's not just a weapon. It's a burden. If you use it recklessly, you'll tear apart more than just your opponent. Your mind, your senses, your very perception of reality will come undone. You'll be lost in it."

Lars's voice came out quietly, filled with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. "I…I can feel it. The risk. But I can't just leave it like this."

Viktor's expression softened, his hand on Lars's shoulder. "And that's why I'm here. You've got the power, Lars. You're stronger than most. But strength means nothing if you can't control it. If you can master this, you won't just be a Magic Knight—you'll be something far greater. But remember, there's no turning back once you've gone too far."

Lars nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Viktor's words settle in his chest. The battle wasn't over. It had only just begun.

Viktor's grin returned, the familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "That's why I'm here. To teach you how to handle the madness. To flip logic upside down for you."

Lars took a few steadying breaths, his heart still pounding in his chest from the intensity of the technique. The world around him had begun to settle, but the feeling of reality shifting, even if just for a moment, left a strange, lingering sensation in his mind. He turned to Viktor, eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"You know a lot about this," Lars said, a touch of suspicion in his voice. "How do you know so much about Virtual Insanity? You've got Ruby Magic, not Mind Magic. This kind of stuff doesn't seem like something you'd be involved with."

Viktor chuckled, his broad grin returning as he slapped Lars on the back with a force that nearly knocked the wind out of him. "Always thinking, aren't you, Lars? You're right. I'm no Mind Mage. But that doesn't mean I can't know a thing or two about it."

Lars raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "So, what? You just read a bunch of books about it?"

Viktor's eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint as he stepped back, his hands resting casually on his hips. "Exactly. I read. A lot. More than most people probably realise. A wise old man once told me that knowledge is the most powerful magic of all."

Lars gave him a sceptical look. "A wise old man, huh?"

"Yeah, me," Viktor said with a wink, clearly enjoying the moment. "But seriously, the things I know aren't just about Ruby Magic. I've come across all sorts of arcane knowledge in my travels. Books, scrolls, scrolls inside books... you name it. I've seen it all."

Lars continued to study his uncle, still not entirely convinced. "So, you've just been reading up on Mind Magic techniques while playing with your Ruby Magic?"

Viktor shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't limit myself, kid. When you've been around as long as I have, you realise that no magic exists in a vacuum. It's all connected in some way. I learned a long time ago that there's no harm in expanding your knowledge, even if the magic doesn't directly apply to what you use."

Lars still wasn't entirely sure he bought the explanation, but he was beginning to see that Viktor's depth of knowledge wasn't just some fluke. It was clear he had put in years of effort—not just with his own magic, but in understanding magic as a whole.

"Alright," Lars said with a shrug, "but if you ever end up teaching me something about Ruby Magic, we're going to have to have a talk."

Viktor grinned and slapped Lars on the shoulder again. "Deal. But for now, we've got bigger things to focus on. You've got a lot of work ahead of you if you want to get this technique down." He gestured to the now-dissolved ruby clone that had once been his practice target. "This was just a taste. What comes next is going to be far more difficult."

Lars nodded, his mind buzzing with excitement and nervousness in equal measure. "I'm ready. Let's keep going."

Viktor's grin widened. "That's the spirit."

…

Lars had just finished focusing on the intricate steps of Virtual Insanity, the strange technique Viktor had introduced to him, when suddenly he felt a sharp tug on his attention. His instincts kicked in, and he snapped his gaze toward the distant sound of hurried footsteps approaching. It was Yul, his face set with a mixture of urgency and determination, his brow furrowed in that typical, ever-watchful way.

"Lars!" Yul's voice cut through the air, urgent and commanding. "We've got a mission. Right now."

Lars immediately snapped out of his trance-like focus, his pulse quickening. Training could wait—real-world stakes were on the line now. He stood up from where he had been crouched, feeling the rush of adrenaline surge through his veins as his mind shifted gears. The moment of deep concentration was gone, replaced by the cold sharpness of duty.

"What's going on?" Lars asked, his voice steady despite the rising tension in his chest.

Yul's eyes flicked to Viktor for a split second before returning to Lars. "There's been a disturbance near us, in the Forest of Lament. Reports of magic anomalies—unusual creatures and energy fluctuations. Kirsch called for a squad. You, me, Sharya, Oda, Ezequiel, and Elijah."

Lars felt the weight of the names. Sharya's unpredictable and rebellious nature always made her a wildcard in battle, Oda was a calm strategist with spatial magic, Ezequiel was a brilliant strategist, and Elijah was quick-witted with his lightning-fast reflexes. Together, they made a solid team—but what had them rushing out so quickly?

"How bad is it?" Lars asked, his mind already moving ahead, planning the approach in his mind's eye.

"Hard to say," Yul answered, his expression grim. "But the area's been unstable, and we're getting reports of more magical beast sightings—ones we don't recognize. Captain's worried about an escalation, so we're going in to investigate before things get worse."

Before Lars could respond, he heard the sharp crack of a twig underfoot. He turned to find Sharya approaching, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of a challenge.

"Did I hear 'mission'?" she asked, her voice dripping with excitement. "What's the plan, then?"

"I'll fill you in on the way," Yul said, as he motioned toward the others.

Lars quickly grabbed his scythe and adjusted the chain that connected it to his wrist. He had no time to waste—there was an unknown threat out there, and it had his full attention now.

Oda appeared from behind a tree, already wearing his usual calm and collected expression. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment to Lars as he adjusted his gloves, preparing for the mission ahead.

Ezequiel and Elijah rounded the corner next, the two of them clearly eager for action. Ezequiel cracked his knuckles, his enormous form ready to rush headlong into whatever they faced, while Elijah adjusted the straps on his coat with a sharp look of focus, his usual excited smirk filling his face.

The group gathered together, Yul now taking charge, as usual.

"Alright," Yul said, looking over his shoulder at Lars. "We've got our team. We head out immediately. Stay sharp—there's something off about this mission. We're not sure if we're dealing with magical beasts or something far worse."

Lars nodded, his expression hardening. His mind was already clicking into tactical mode. If it was magical beasts, they could be deadly. If it was something else—something even worse—he wasn't sure what to expect. But there was no time for doubts.

"Let's move out," Lars said, voice steady as he joined the group, determination in his eyes.

A/N: Yeah, the spell's based of the hit Jamiroquai song Virtual Insanity. What are you going to do about it?
(nah just kidding)