It was in the middle of the afternoon after I left the ramen shop. There were people already returning from their quest after a day-long of hard work. Establishments that were supposed to be open at night have begun preparing. It was the usual afternoon for the people here.

My destination now was the place where Yukio was supposed to be waiting for me. The place where we first exchange swords. I also promised to guide him on the way of swords but I guess it didn't happen.

It didn't take long before I reached the location. I could already see Yukio swinging his sword from far away.

"Ha!"

His yell was resounding the forest. The animals who were close to our vicinity immediately run away whenever he releases a shout. He was too focused on his drill that he didn't notice me get closer to him.

I waited until he was finished before I made my presence felt.

"Oh, Silva. How long were you there?" He asked while wiping his sweat.

"Not long ago. I want to see how you're doing with your sword practices and I've noticed you've been forcing yourself too hard."

"I'm too weak."

It only took a few words to make the atmosphere quiet again. Yukio was reflecting within himself when he said those words. Seeing this, I change the topic before the situation becomes more awkward.

"So, why did you look for me?"

"Hm? Ah, yes. I want to ask you something Silva." Yukio replied seemingly still disturbed by his thoughts.

"What are you going to do from now on, Silva?"

The question of Yukio caught me by surprise even though I should have seen it coming. It was a question that I also want to ask myself. I've been learning magic and training myself for the past month in the hope that I could survive in this world better. But after that, there's no next step for my goal to return.

The only thing I could answer for know was "I don't know".

"Have you heard of Asmodai Academy?" Yukio throws another question at me.

"The school for magic?"

"Yeah, that one."

If I remember, it was the academy Shimomura mentioned to me one time. Both her and Yukio were planning to enroll in the academy through scholarship. She also invited me to join them.

"They have this selection process coming this next week. Only the best mages below the age of 22 are chosen for their scholarship. We were supposed to leave the day after tomorrow since tomorrow is Shiki's birthday."

He suddenly felt emotional on the mention of Shimomura's name. He doesn't look like he moved on with her. Instead, I could feel him having a greater longing for her. It was different from the first few days after Shimomura left. During that time, I heard Yukio was very obnoxious. He was still recovering from his injuries but he won't stop trying to get up and chase after her. It was only after a week did he stop trying to and began to reflect within himself.

Now I could see, he still didn't give up Shimomura even after one month. Although his mindset was much better now. But I still don't get why he's talking about the scholarship in Asmodai.

"I have decided. I will proceed with our original plan. I'll enter Asmodai and improve my magic. I can't always depend on fighting with my sword especially knowing how weak I am. I can't bring back Shiki with my current state." There was conviction when he said it.

"That's good for you. You have decided on something. But what does this have to do with me?"

'I don't like where this is going.'

"Let's go together in Asmodai!"

"..."

"I know you're interested in improving your magic. There's no best place for that except academies."

"..."

"You're not going?" Yukio was worried when I went silent.

"It's not like that. I'm thinking of whether joining you will help my case."

If I go with him, I'm most likely be getting involved in their situations. Yukio will no doubt go against the Royal Mage Association if it goes there. Studying in the academy is only the first step for his goal. For a citizen of another world, the last thing I want to do is disturbed the businesses of the strongest people in this world.

However, they may also have the answer to why I'm here. Magic is a mysterious concept that is still not fully explained even in here. Learning in the academy may be my best bet if I want to discover if magic would explain everything. Besides, getting better in magic would never hurt anyone. It would be like hitting two birds with one stone if things go accordingly.

"So you're going to Asmodai with me!" He seems to have decided that I'm going already. Nevertheless, it was nice to see him being energetic again.

"It's not determined yet. I need to think about it more so give me a moment."

I'm making sure that what I would be making the right choice. This would be the first decision that would be difficult to turn back to.

"What's there to think? You want to be better in magic and I want to be better in it also."

'If only it was that simple.'

"Plus you could be recognized and be popular among many if you become a top student there."

"Imagine the countless things you can do in a city. It would be much better than here, not like I hate this village but the city is just much better."

"There also-..."

He keeps pestering me to go to Asmodai with him even though I told him I need time to think. It was becoming very annoying how much he was trying to convince me. Because of it, I'm having another doubt in the decision of choosing the academy. I'm afraid that if I go along with him, it would be bad for my mental health. At least when Shimomura was here, there was someone who could control his energy.

Although, going to Asmodai would be beneficial, all circumstances aside. It is the fastest way to understand more about magic and possibly solve my case. It is an opportunity to start having a straightforward path toward my goal.

If I think about it, everything will have a problem, especially in an unfamiliar world. If I get involved in their affair, so be it. All future problems would be dealt with by my future self. It would be better to move now than wait for another opportunity.

"-And if it's you, Silva, there's nothing to be afraid of"

"..."

'He was right. Maybe I'm being a coward again. I'm always making excuses on why I can't go with Yukio when it is the best option I got so far. These excuses are always because I'm afraid to be outside of my comfort zone. I have been given a second life, why would I waste it on becoming the useless me again.'

"Silva, you all right?"

'I resolved myself. I'm going to Asmodai'

"What time will we leave?" That all I said to dictate my decision.

"Waaaa! I know you would go! Why were you hesitating? It made me scared for a second."

I noticed he was sweating when I went and took my time for my decision.

"What were you talking about again?" I was curious about what he told me that stimulated me.

"How much women and food you can get in the city?"

"No not that, although I'm interested. I'm talking about the last part."

"Ah. You would easily pass the selection test with your talent in magic."

"Is the selection test that easy?"

"Not in the slightest. The rate of people successfully enrolled through the test is 1 out of 10,000. But I heard from Tesuo that you are compatible with every element so I assume it would be a piece of cake for you."

With the mention of Tesuo, I remembered how irregular my magic is. The phenomenon of having all six elements is unheard of before, according to Tesuo. That's why I should avoid using at least two elements to avoid getting the attention of the higher-ups, namely the Association.

With that being said, I don't know if I could pass with a handicap. Not to mention, I can't even cast spells properly.

"Do you know what the selection test it?" I asked Yukio.

"I don't know this time since it changes every year. But last year if I remember correctly, they tested the endurance of the participants. They were evaluated by their mana capacity as a mage of their specialized element. I'm not sure how they did it but that is the gist of it."

Even he is unsure what the test was. I should try and ask Tesuo if he knows more details concerning what types of test academies conduct.

"We don't need anything besides ourselves, right?"

I need to make sure I'm prepared when traveling for the first time. This world is still full of mystery for me. It is better to be cautious than going in blindly.

Yukio was remembering while listing with his fingers. He mumbles words in an attempt to remember those things.

"Few items for travel, proper equipment, usual mage necessities, and your stuff. That should be everything."

He mentioned the things I expected although it is very broad, like the equipment. The types of equipment I recognize may differ from what a mage should be using. I know that mages use staves instead of blades weapons for their battles, but that's everything I know for a mage's equipment.

I've got more question but I will ask everything tomorrow since Yukio is not the best person to ask these questions. It's also getting late and the sky was getting darker. Sooner or later, it would probably rain.

Yukio noticed this as well so we didn't take our time any more and immediately ran back to the village.

He said he was going to eat something first so we went separate ways. I went home straight away to rest and think about the things to do for tomorrow. There would be a lot of preparation for our travel the next day.