Lich reborn as a magic school student

—————————————————[John Knight’s Pov]

I have always known it. I am better than anyone else. My eyes tell the truth about everything in the world. To glance at a tree, I can know the amount of leaves, and to peer into an abyss, I can know its depth. My eyes never deceive me, and I put full trust in them. I see the truth of the world. The only thing unobservable in my divine eyes is myself. Thus, I must be greater than any other being.

If I had to rank my classmates who are all below me, I would rank them thus: 1, Tsunematsu Kaede. 2, Alexander Cintio. 3, Reuben Davies. While the number one is obvious, my other two choices may seem incomprehensible to those lesser than my great self. Both Alexander and Reuben are hiding their powers. Alexander is a powerful spirit caster, and Reuben has a weird innate magic that keeps morphing.

While indulging in my greatness while waiting for the class to start, I feel something is off, terribly off. Something is approaching. I don’t know what it is, but it’s coming. What is this dread I’m feeling? What amalgamation of chaos is beyond that door? This magical aura which surpasses all things which I’ve felt. I’ve seen a six tier mage before but this is utterly overwhelming compared to that.

They don’t know. Nobody knows. A monstrosity beyond human comprehension is approaching this classroom. We’re all going to die. Reality itself is bending around that being which is approaching, and then finally it takes its first steps into the classroom. White long hair, and eyes which stare down at everything. I am not a god, that is.

Unable to think properly, I stare at it in fear, and it observes us back. Does it exist? No, it can’t exist right. Such a thing can’t be possible. Is all of human existence just a cosmic mistake? Why else would such a being exist. Then once that being of twisting all consuming magic finishes observing us from beneath its feet, tentacle like shadows spread towards all of my classmates and I.

I jump up, hoping to dodge out of the way, but that being of evil darkness consumes my shadow. Its ghastly form hiding till not even my eyes can see it. “Hey John, what’s wrong?” My lackey Atraharsis asks. With the fear consuming all of my thought I, with all my remaining courage, speak with a trembling voice, “Everything!”

I look back at the deific avatar of horror and see it staring back. My thoughts stop. All noise in my mind silences. Then that thing looks away. Atraharsis shakes me out of it, and I feel fine. I look back and see Kashra. Why did I get so scared? My memory is hazy.

—————————————————[Kashra’s Pov]

“Quiet down now, class” with those words at the front of the classroom, an old man with messy white hair and a dignified beard appears. Surrounding him are tiny sparks forming various constellations. “I am Archibald Graham and will guide you in learning magic.” He hits his cane to the ground and at all the desks in the classroom appears a piece of paper. “Now, return to your seats.” He demands with both authority and serenity.

Quickly everyone returns to their seats and when everyone has settled Archibald speaks again “Until now various specialized teachers have shown you the broad strokes of their forms of magic so you can properly choose where you want to focus on for your studies, and now it is the time to decide. From now on, I’ll serve as your guide and tutor, enabling you to access the resources to develop your magical skills. Now I’d like you all to look at the paper before you. It has comments from your previous teachers regarding your aptitude for various fields of magic. Please read through it.” I look down at the paper before me and see first the comments given by each of our previous teachers.

Maximilian Khan, Magical Enhancement: Having both weak physical condition, and poor mana control, I do not suggest that Kashra pursues Magical Enhancement. If he still wishes to, then a start would be to fix his eating habits.

Dariush Tavaria, War magic: With a small mana pool, weak control, and quick to cowardice, I do not suggest that Kashra pursues War magic. If he still intends to, then I suggest he grows a pair.

Alessa Redinger, Support magic: Kashra lacks the ability to judge the criticality of injuries, and also he’s afraid of blood, and thus I do not suggest he pursues support magic. If he still intends to, then I suggest he watch slasher films.

Sulaiman al-Bajjani, Magical Theory: Kashra lacks the ability to comprehend the connections between different concepts, and thus I do not suggest he pursue magical theory. If he still intends to, then I say at least pick a major that is not so complicated.

Diyako Sakar, Practical Magic: While Kashra is weak with coming up with novel ideas, he is talented at repetitive work, but his small mana pool limits his actual ability. While I do not suggest he pursue practical magic, I believe he can still be successful. While there is no proven way to increase one’s own mana pool, you may attempt some of the unproven methods.

Zakaria Keramati, Ritual Magic: Kashra is talented at memorizing complicated rituals, and performing the sometimes repetitive processes without losing focus of the whole. I whole heartedly suggest Kashra focuses on Ritual Magic. From what I have observed, he is lacking in nothing regarding ritual magic.

Hlöðmundur Henrysson, Martial Magic: No, but I was forced to give advice. So be reborn as a better person.

Well, I can certainly tell that the previous Kashra was a weakling. So much criticism, and the only compliments are how he’s good at repetitive tasks. Whatever that doesn’t matter to me. I wait until the rest of the class is done with reading through the paper, and then Archibald speaks up. “Well then, today you will have to do only one thing. You will choose what you wish to study. Once you have chosen, notify me and then your school day shall have ended, but be careful with your choice.“

Kaede raises her hand and asks, “May I pick multiple?” “You may, but you will have to pass the tests for all of them.” Archibald responds. With that, I stand up and walk up to Archibald. “All of them, except ritual magic.” I state. “I… I see.” Archibald responds, a little baffled. After finally fully comprehending the situation, Archibald further adds, “If you require any support, do not be afraid to ask. This also applies to everyone else.” Getting the last response, I head out of the classroom.

“Wait, that wasn’t a joke?” Archibald ponders aloud.