Never Die Villain

A month later.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"I’d like to submit this."

The administrative clerk accepted the document with both hands before quickly skimming the first page. Her eyes paused for a moment after reading the title, then slowly returned to the student as if to confirm she had read it correctly.

"A transfer application... to the Department of Magic?"

"Yes."

The clerk blinked once before lowering her gaze to the papers again. It was not an uncommon request for students to transfer between departments after their first semester, but it was certainly uncommon for someone from the Knight Department to request a transfer into Magic, especially when the applicant standing before her was this student.

"I understand. Since you’re applying for an interdepartmental transfer into the Department of Magic, your application must first undergo an administrative review before it is forwarded to the department itself."

"I see."

She stamped the first page before setting the seal aside.

"If your application satisfies the academy’s transfer requirements, you’ll be instructed to report to the Office of the Head of the Department of Magic for an interview. The department head will personally determine whether your application should proceed to the next stage."

"The next stage?"

"The entrance examination."

Ilya remained silent.

"The Department of Magic treats interdepartmental transfers as a complete change of academic discipline. As such, approval of your application does not constitute admission into the department. Should the department head deem you qualified, you’ll be required to undergo the department’s entrance examination before a final decision regarding your transfer is made."

"I understand."

The clerk gathered the papers into a stack before placing them inside a dark blue folder bearing the academy’s crest.

"Everything appears to be in order, Mr. Belozersky. Your transfer application has been formally received. You’ll be notified once the Office of Academic Affairs has completed its review."

"Thank you."

And then a day later, Ilya found himself seated inside the Office of the Head of the Department of Magic.

Seated across from him was the man who oversaw the entire Department of Magic.

Anders Joakim Rosenlund.

A direct descendant of the academy’s Headmaster, Ragnar Leif Ylander, and one of the empire’s most accomplished wizards.

Just like his great-grandfather—or perhaps his great-great-great-grandfather, neither history nor Anders himself seemed particularly concerned with counting anymore—he, too, wore the traditional wide-brimmed wizard hat.

It had gone out of fashion centuries ago, though convincing elderly wizards to change the way they dressed had always proven to be a hopeless endeavor.

At last, he closed the folder.

"So," Anders began, "the son of the Northern Grand Duke wishes to abandon the Knight Department and begin anew in the Department of Magic."

"Yes, sir."

"Hm."

Anders gave a slow nod before reopening the folder and turning another page. He read through the report in silence before raising his eyes to Ilya once again.

"And does your father know about this?"

"Of course," Ilya replied. "I wouldn’t be sitting here otherwise."

"Is that so?"

The room fell quiet once more. Anders tapped a finger against the edge of the folder as though arranging his thoughts before continuing.

"Then I assume this wasn’t a decision you made on impulse."

"No, sir."

"How long have you been considering this?"

"Nearly four months now."

"That long?"

"Yes."

"You’re aware that transferring into the Department of Magic isn’t as simple as changing classrooms, yes? If your application is approved, you’ll be starting over from the very beginning. Much of what you’ve learned in the Knight Department will have little practical value here, and you’ll be expected to learn everything your peers have already spent an entire semester studying..."

He paused for a moment before shaking his head.

"No... judging from your background, even that comparison isn’t entirely accurate."

Anders closed the folder and folded his hands atop the desk once more.

"Many of the students you’ll be studying alongside were born into wizarding families. They began learning the principles of magic long before they ever enrolled at this academy. By comparison, you’ll be competing against people who have been immersed in magic for most of their lives."

"I understand."

"Do you?" Anders asked. "The Department of Magic isn’t interested in whether someone is talented enough to cast spells. Talent is merely the prerequisite for entering through the front door. What truly determines whether a wizard succeeds is grit."

"...."

"Do you have that grit, Mr. Belozersky?"

"Yes."

"Hm."

Ilya couldn’t help but wonder, ’Wasn’t this guy talking way too much?’ Though he kept his thoughts to himself.

"While it isn’t my place to concern myself with rumors surrounding a student, neither can I pretend they don’t exist. Your reputation within the academy is... less than exemplary. Your instructors describe you as unmotivated, your practical evaluations are unremarkable, and from all outward appearances, you’ve spent the better part of the semester doing little to distinguish yourself from the average student."

He looked directly at Ilya.

"So, forgive my skepticism when a student with such a record suddenly requests admission into the Department of Magic."

"...."

"If your intention is merely to escape the Knight Department, then you’ve come to the wrong place. If you believe the Department of Magic is somehow easier, I can assure you that you’ll find the exact opposite. Wizards answer to no training schedules or prescribed drills."

"...."

"The moment you enter this department, your greatest enemy becomes yourself. No instructor will force you to open another book, repeat another spell, or continue researching after midnight. If you lack the discipline to pursue knowledge of your own accord, no amount of talent will bring you forward."

He closed the folder completely.

"So before I decide whether your application deserves to proceed any further, I need to know one thing."

His gaze remained fixed on Ilya.

"What is it that you wish to accomplish with magic?"

"...."

Ilya fell silent.

The answer came immediately because there had never been any other answer to begin with.

"To survive, sir."

"To survive?"

A faint crease formed between Anders’ brows. It wasn’t the answer he had expected to hear, nor was it one he could immediately understand.

Of all the ambitions a prospective wizard could have spoken of, survival had been the last thing he anticipated.

However, before this interview had begun, Vera had given Ilya a few words of advice.

Above all else, she had told him not to hide the one thing that mattered most.

"I am a Fallen."

"...."

The office became silent.

Anders stared at him for a long moment, as though questioning whether he had heard correctly.

"...Excuse me?"

"I am a Fallen Wizard, sir."