A Terrible Villain And Their Destiny

As Bryson quickly made his way throughout the school in search of Morrigan he did have a thought that he couldn't shake. Really, why do I involve myself with this nonsense? None of this is logical. Not the want to fight, not the means to do so. Everyone here is insane. He complained inwardly.

It wasn't long before Bryson was able to find Morrigan, who at this point was taking her books and happily walking to class. Her bright smile and humming didn't cease when she spotted Bryson.

"Hello there Bryson. What are you doing here? This isn't the magic section." She said greeting him.

"I have questions." Bryson grunted in response.

"Can they wait until after school? Lunch is over in just a few minutes."

"They'll be quick."

"Oh, all right." Morrigan said with a shrug, "What do you want to ask?"

"Why do you want to fight Patience so badly?"

"I thought you said these questions would be quick." Morrigan joked.

"Make it quick." Bryson said with a glare.

"Hmph. Alright." Morrigan said looking amused, "Do you know that Patience owes a debt to Dilan Westbrook and Carriage Atkins?"

"Yes she explained that part."

"Ah good, she opened up a bit." Morrigan said nodding, "Now, honestly, I normally wouldn't care about small little IOUs like that. It's not like any of them are truly doomed. Yes, some headaches and poorer pockets, but not much else."

"Yes the issue does seem simple enough to solve. Though I believe that pride is what's causing the issues." Bryson responded.

"Indeed." Morrigan said nodding along, "Which gave me the idea to help them."

"Why?"

"Patience Pylet is a demon with a sword."

"Really?" Bryson said unconvinced.

"Trust me, that calm demeanour changes when equipped with a sword." Morrigan said looking excited.

"And you want to fight her? Surely there was a better way than this stupid plan you made." Bryson said.

"It worked." Morrigan said sounding offended, "Besides it would have been better if those idiots hadn't deviated from the plan."

"Wasn't I the target?"

"Oh yes, trust me it would have worked." Morrigan said nodding her head sagely.

"Get back to the point." Bryson said rolling his eyes.

"Ah yes. Anyways the only reason I came up with this plan was because I have no classes with her and by the end of the semester, Patience would be changing her subject." Morrigan said visibly bristling as she recalled everything.

"Change to what?"

"Clothing design or whatever." Morrigan spat.

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"Right, that makes sense." Bryson nodded, remembering what Patience had said earlier.

"What a waste of talent! A swordswoman as capable as her running away because she's scared of her bloodlust? You're supposed to conquer it not run from it!" Morrigan said looking upset, "And if that happened I couldn't ever fight her! So I needed to find a reason to fight her without getting in trouble."

"And this plan was it?"

"Hey, it's only the first week of school, I had months to try several different things. But it looks like I got lucky." Morrigan said with a grin.

"Why did you need to come up with a plan? Why couldn't you persuade her into a fight?" Bryson asked.

"Like I said, she's a demon with the blade. She's scared to use one because the moment she gets into the mood she can't control what happens after." Morrigan said with a look of hunger behind her eyes.

"You've experienced it before?"

"No, but I have seen it."

"And that doesn't scare you?"

"Quite the opposite. I am a warrior and no warrior would willingly back down from a challenge like that."

"You think you can win?"

"Absolutely, no sane person picks a fight without believing that they can win." Morrigan said with pride, "One-on-one, supporter duel. Hell, even a fistfight against that wannabe artist I think I can beat her."

"You are the daughter of Duke Hayes, so I don't doubt your swordsmanship or even that your other skills are impressive." Bryson said nodding his head in agreement, "But you forget one thing."

"What?"

"A supporter duel means that it is no longer a one-on-one situation." Bryson said as he shot her a soul-piercing glare, "You deal with me now. Don't think I'll let you try and play me for your stupid games. You'll regret ever trying what you did today Hayes." Bryson warned.

"Oh, I highly doubt that." Morrigan said with a smirk, "I don't lose to anyone. Especially some boy who plays in the snow. I'll melt you ice-cold."

"You'll freeze up." Bryson shot back as Morrigan straightened her back and moved past Bryson.

"You'll need to handle Patience first before you deal with me." Morrigan called back, "Now I'm off to class, I look forward to seeing you in two days."

***

Elsewhere on the main continent, in a small town, Anthony Michaels, a young adult that once lived in a different world and currently possessed the body of a local Anthony Fields, was preparing his bags. He was about to head over to The Academy, albeit a bit later than most students, where his fantasy would be achieved.

Anthony came from a world where this world, Strarth, was based on one of the many shows he'd watched in his previous life. Or at least from what he's experienced the last two years or so. Sure there were minor differences, but they could be ignored.

"Anthony! The carriage is ready!" A voice called out, it was Isabella's mother. Though speaking about minor differences, Isabella's family was one of them.

For some reason Anthony never truly felt the kinship with Isabella or her parents as the original Anthony Fields seemed to do throughout the anime. Anthony recalled that there were supposed to be at least a couple scenes where Isabella gets close to Anthony. He was hoping for it to happen, but for some reason it never did.

Oh well, they were minor instances anyways. Anthony will begin his true romance angle once he gets to the Academy, but following the anime, he must go and complete a few adventures first. He should make it to The Academy around the end of the month. Maybe even faster considering he knows what's going to happen next.

"I'm here." Anthony said as he grabbed his bags and made his way down the stairs.

"Ah good, you have everything packed?" Isabella's mother asked.

"Yes." Anthony said nodding his head as he walked past her and headed out of the door.

"You're leaving already? Carlos will be back here soon." Isabella's mother said surprised. She had expected that they would all say goodbye to him together.

"Yeah, I need to hurry." Anthony said brushing her off as he put his bags into the carriage.

"Oh, uh. Okay, stay safe."

"Yeah, yeah." Anthony said, too preoccupied with thinking about how fun his adventure is going to be to worry about these dumb goodbyes.

Isabella's mother watched as Anthony boarded the carriage and it quickly drove away from the leatherworking shop. She couldn't help but feel slightly helpless watching him leave. They used to be so close but over the last couple of years, it felt as though he changed.

She could link it back to when he fought the ogre. She remembered how he was covered in blood when he returned, though he seemed fine otherwise. Perhaps it did more damage to him than everyone thought.

As Anthony rode the carriage over, he did realize that he had forgotten something. There was supposed to be a wandering witch who was supposed to teach Anthony the basics of controlling his inner mana. But he learned that himself and never encountered someone like that. Trying to recall it, he only knows that it was mentioned vaguely in passing. He might have skipped that episode even. None of this early stuff was really important anyways, it only starts mattering once the academy arc begins.