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Grauzauberer - Mephisto's Office
A Few Days Before Michael's Birthday
-----------------------
The Office of the Chairman of Grauzbaurer was... something else.
The room had bookshelves lined every wall from floor to ceiling, packed with ancient grimoires and books from different era ,magical artifacts, and bizarre novelty items shoved in between serious tomes without any apparent organizational logic.
A taxidermied basilisk sat on one shelf between a first edition Latin spellbook and what appeared to be a snow globe containing a tiny, sentient plant.
The desk was enormous made of mahogany, ornately carved and completely buried under papers, half-finished cups of tea, and at least one plate of an unfinished sandwich that had been forgotten so long they'd turned to stone.
Possibly literally.
Behind the desk sat Mephisto Pheles.
Chairman of Grauzauberer.
One of the most powerful Devils alive.
He appeared as a middle aged man with elaborately gelled hair that are both red and blue simultaneously, swept back in dramatic waves. With hetechromic eyes.
His left eye being blue,while his right is red.
Both were currently fixed on some paperwork, while his phone was on his desk.
With him having an expression of somewhat a mild, perpetual amusement reading the paperwork.
Meanwhile He radiated mysteriousness as well, being one of the most mysterious devils to be alive, with most knowledge of him having made a deal with Johann Georg Faust.
And has the distinct impression that he found absolutely everything in the world entertaining in some way,including things that probably shouldn't be entertaining.
He believed in liberalism,the idea of freedom, in letting people make their own choices.
Which was why he'd never gotten along with the original Four Satans.
Who were domineering,controlling,and often ordering him around like he was furniture.
He outright hated them.
The current ones were considerably better.
He was currently reviewing a stack of incident reports.
...Twelve rogue magicians this month alone, honestly, where do they all come from , Mephisto thought.
The report Mephisto was looking at was the reason surged of activities done by rogue magician , with them increasing sharply for some reason.
Soon Mephisto focus change, when his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Since the person calling him was a familiar name.
Vivienne de Montfort.
His expression shifted, with a smile, and genuine interest, on why is she calling him, considering how long since they had talked.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Mephisto. It's Vivienne."
"Vivienne!" His voice warmed considerably. "It's been ages. How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you. And you?"
"Oh, surviving, running a magical school full of teenagers and young adults who weild with access to what is abilities to make anything real isn't exactly relaxing." He leaned back in his chair, which creaked dramatically. "But you know me. I somewhat enjoy the chaos."
A slight pause on the line from Vivienne was noticeable,the kind that meant someone was choosing their words carefully.
"About the contract-"
"Still valid," he said immediately. "Obviously. Even accounting for your son's..." He paused, searching for a diplomatic word. To not make it rude.
"...Departure?"
"I was going to say theatrical exit, but departure works."
He smiled. "No hard feelings on my end, Vivienne. The de Montfort family's contributions to Grauzauberer have been invaluable. Not to mention being friends, one dropout doesn't erase that history."
"I'm glad to hear it. Because I'm calling about expanding it."
"Oh?" He sat up slightly. "More students? Did Edward agree to send his son ?"
"Michael, yes. But there's someone else as well."
"Mm?"
"We recently adopted a granddaughter."
"Adopted,really?" Genuine surprise crossed his face. "Congratulations! You should have told me sooner, I would have brought you a present!"
"It was complicated," Vivienne said, her tone suggesting significantly more than those two words conveyed.
"Fair enough." He reached for one of his tea cups, found it cold and made a small gesture that reheated it. "So you want to add her to the contract as well? That should be straightforward enough, I can have the paperwork be done in a-"
"Mephisto." Vivienne tone soon changed, which the way her tone made him stop,and listen what she was about to say.
He set down the tea cup.
"Yes?"
"She's a Longinus user."
...
...
"...Come again?" he said quietly. He also rubbed his ears, making sure that he didn't mistake hearing what Vivienne just said.
"One of the Thirteen." Vivienne said,once again to confirm on what Mephisto just heard.
More silence.
...
...
Meanwhile Mephisto soon stood up from his chair and walked to the window, looking out over the Grauzauberer grounds students crossing the courtyard, magical lights flickering in classroom windows, everything normal in Grauzbaurer.
"I see," he said finally.
"I thought you should know."
"Yes....." He exhaled slowly.
".... I think we need to have this conversation in person, Vivienne. Can you come in?"
"I was planning to."
"Good. I'll have my assistant arrange it." He paused. "And bring Edgar. It's been too long since I've seen him, I want to see how much he's aged."
"He'll complain about that."
"I'm counting on it."
He heard something that might have been a smile in her voice.
"We'll see you soon, Mephisto."
"Looking forward to it."
He hung up.
And stood very, very still for a long moment.
...
A Longinus, in the de Montfort family.
...Of all the things Vivienne could have told me.
He walked back to his desk, sat down, and looked at the mountain of paperwork in front of him.
Twelve rogue magicians this month.
Three ongoing ethics violations under investigation.
Two territorial disputes between affiliated families.
And now this.
He reached for a fresh cup of tea.
This job, he thought, never gets boring.
----------
Mephisto's Office..
A Few Days After Michael's Birthday
----------
Unknown to Michael, Lavinia, Edward, or anyone else in the immediate family, Vivienne and Edgar were currently sitting across from Mephisto Pheles in his office.
One of the most powerful figure in the magician faction.
Both of them were perfectly composed decades of experience with extraordinary situations had that effect.
Vivienne sat with her tea, elegant and calm as always.
Edgar sat with his arms crossed, back straight, and radiating the quiet solidity of a man who had fought Ultimate-Class Devils and considered paperwork the more annoying challenge.
Mephisto sat across from them, looking between them with those mismatched eyes.
"You look older than before Edgar." he said to Edgar conversationally.
"You look exactly the same," Edgar replied. "It's unsettling."
"Devil genetics." Mephisto smiled pleasantly. "One of the perks."
"Must be nice."
"It has its moments."
Vivienne set down her tea cup. "Shall we?"
"Of course." Mephisto folded his hands on the desk. "Let's discuss the contract first expanding it to include your grandchildren. Michael and your adopted granddaughter."
"Lavinia," Vivienne said. "Lavinia Reni de Montfort."
"Lavinia." He nodded. "And she's a Longinus wielder. Which one?"
"Absolute Demise."
Mephisto absorbed that.
"Ahh... The ice doll, an independent avatar type," he said slowly. "Sentient construct. Ice manipulation. One of the more powerful longinus in terms of development potential."
"You know your sacred gears," Edgar said.
"It's my business to know them." Mephisto's expression was thoughtful. "How many people are aware of her status?"
"Within the family circle and those connected to it," Vivienne said. "People we trust completely."
"But someone outside knows."
"Yes." Vivienne's voice cooled slightly.
"Glenda."
The name landed in the room like a stone in still water.
Mephisto's expression shifted something sharp and uncomfortable moving behind his eyes.
"Glenda," he repeated.
"You cut ties with her," Vivienne said. "We already know that. But sadly she's been active ever since that. Which she found Lavinia before we adopted her. Killed the girl's parents,orchestrated a workplace explosion to isolate the target."
Edgar's jaw was set. "Then manipulate her relatives to hate her,and she attempted to kidnap Lavinia directly. We stopped her from being able to do it,but she sadly escaped."
Mephisto was quiet for a moment, a very long moment.
"I cut ties with Glenda a while back for ethics violations," he said finally. "Experimenting with unknown and dangerous spell and misuse of artifacts,not to mention using forbidden spells and using illegal magic that we're violating the code of ethics" He paused. "I did not know she had escalated to that much."
"You couldn't have known," Vivienne said.
"No. But she was once Grauzauberer partner" His voice was flat. "Which means her actions carry our shadow, whether I like it or not."
He stood up and walked to the window the same gesture he'd made during the phone call, looking out over the school grounds
"I owe you an apology," he said.
"You don't-" Vivienne started.
"I do." He turned back. "She learned a lot from here. She built her network here. And when she went rogue, we didn't track her closely enough." His expression was uncharacteristically tight. "That's a failure of my oversight."
He returned to his desk and sat down.
"I'll make inquiries, discreet ones." His tone was precise. "Which I want to make it clear Glenda will find no shelter in any Grauzauberer-affiliated organization. And I'll make sure that Every door will close to her. And if my people find her..." He left the sentence unfinished. "She won't be a problem. I'll make sure that she won't survive, if my organisation encounters her"
"Thank you," Edgar said quietly.
"Don't thank me yet." Mephisto poured himself fresh tea. "She's clever. And she has connections we may not know about. This won't be quick. And it may take a long time sadly..."
He sighed a rare, genuine sound of weariness.
"Which brings me to a broader problem." He looked at them both. "Glenda isn't an isolated case. We've had twelve rogue magicians this month alone. Twelve and those are just the ones we've just found and confirmed"
Edgar raised an eyebrow. "That's high."
"Extremely high." Mephisto's expression was serious. "Something is moving in the magical community. I don't have full intelligence yet, but there's a high amount of unrest happening in the community, with dissatisfaction growing,and some factions pushing back against the current supernatural status quo."
"The Great war stalemate instability," Vivienne said thoughtfully.
"Partly. But it's more than that." He drummed his fingers on the desk.
"Magicians who feel undervalued, magician Who resent the Churchs,those Who want more autonomy, more power, more recognition." He paused. "And some who are simply being recruited."
"By whom?" Edgar asked sharply.
"That," Mephisto said, "is what I'm trying to find out." He looked at them steadily. "I'm telling you this because your grandchildren are about to enter this world. They should enter it with open eyes."
Vivienne nodded slowly. "We appreciate the warning."
"Consider it a courtesy between old associates." He relaxed slightly. "Now. About your grandchildren joining Grauzauberer-"
"You'd still going to accept them?" Vivienne asked. "Given everything?"
Mephisto looked almost offended. "A brilliant young magician descendants of de Montfort, Nimue, and of the templar knights trained in Nimue's system and a Longinus wielder who also practices magic?" He spread his hands. "Vivienne, I'd be an idiot and a laughing stock to turn them away. Especially your grandchildren."
She smiled. "Good."
"When they're old enough and truly ready, not just of age they're welcome here." His expression softened slightly. "I'll make sure they're treated well, i mean it's very clear they'll pass the test especially your grandchildren.not to mention no one will bother Lavinia about her Sacred Gear. Grauzauberer's policy on that is clear."
"We know," Edgar said. "It's part of why we came to you."
With Mephisto smiling hearing that.
Then Mephisto's expression shifted again becoming nostalgic, almost fond.
"Speaking of your family..." He picked up his tea. "How is Edward?"
Vivienne and Edgar exchanged a glance.
"Married as you know And teaching his children magic overalls," Vivienne said. "Doing well, overall actually."
"Still drinking wine obsessively?" Mephisto asked.
"Yes," Edgar said.
"Some things never change." Mephisto chuckled. "I still think about him sometimes, you know. Edward de Montfort." He shook his head. "The Skirt-Chasing Wizard, they called him. I believe he holds the record for most simultaneous romantic pursuits by a single student."
"Don't remind me," Edgar muttered.
"Three in one week at one point, wasn't it?"
"Four," Vivienne said quietly. "There was one he thought we didn't know about."
Edgar closed his eyes.
Mephisto laughed genuinely seeing Vivienne and Edgar expression.
"Extraordinary, the boy had talent in multiple senses of the word." He leaned forward slightly. "Do you know what I remember most about him, though?"
"What?" Vivienne asked.
"His magic circles,and particularly his thesis" Mephisto's expression grew thoughtful. "He'd sit in the back of advanced theoretical seminars clearly not paying attention, probably composing letters to whoever he was pursuing that week and then produce spell work that made the professors stop and stare and giving out some of the most questionable ideas that even would make the instructors question."
He swirled his tea.
"One of the instructors came to me once. Old Bergmann you remember him don't you, sharp as a blade but never impressed by anyone." He paused. "He came to my office looking genuinely baffled and said, 'That de Montfort boy just created a functioning advanced Burning Spell in the middle of a simple fire magic class. I don't think he even meant to do that.'"
Edgar made a sound.
It might have been pride.
It might have been exasperation.
It was probably both.
"Which is why," Mephisto continued, "when he dropped out, the reason he gave was so spectacular in its absurdity." He shook his head. "What was it exactly? 'The organization schedule interferes with my personal development'?"
"'My social and emotional growth requires freedom that the organisation cannot provide,'" Vivienne recited, with the precision of someone who had memorized it against their will.
"Magnificent," Mephisto said reverently. "Truly magnificent. I've been running this school for a very long time, and no one has ever provided me with a more creative excuse."
He set down his tea.
"No bad blood, though,never was." His voice became sincere. "He was talented, Edward. Whatever else he was, whatever choices he made genuinely, remarkably talented. Nimue's blood running true."
He looked at both of them.
"Tell him I said hello. And tell him..." He paused. "The door is open. If he ever wants to come back as a consultant, a guest lecturer, anything I'd welcome it."
Edgar looked slightly surprised. "After everything?"
"Because of his personality and also his talent." Mephisto smiled. "People like him don't come along often the one that are talented yet still act like a normal person. It would be a shame to waste that permanently over youthful foolishness." He paused. "Even spectacularly youthful foolishness."
Vivienne smiled. "I'll pass the message along."
"Good." Mephisto stood, signaling the meeting was drawing to a close. "I'll have the expanded contract drawn up within the week. And the matter of Glenda will be handled quietly."
He extended his hand.
Vivienne shook it.
Edgar shook it.
"Also it's good to see you both," Mephisto said. "Despite the circumstances."
"Likewise," Vivienne replied.
"Oh, and Vivienne?" He tilted his head. "This granddaughter of yours. Lavinia." His expression was genuinely warm. "Take care of her. A Longinus wielder at that age, with everything she's apparently been through...you know"
"We will," Vivienne said firmly.
"I know." He smiled. "That's why I'm not worried."
Later....
Mephisto then leaned back in his chair, the formal business portion of the meeting concluded, the signed contract sitting neatly on the corner of his desk.
He picked up his tea cup again, clearly in no rush to end the conversation.
"So," he said, his tone shifting to something more casual and genuinely curious. "Tell me about them. Your grandchildren."
Vivienne and Edgar exchanged a glance.
"What would you like to know?" Vivienne asked.
"Whatever you'd like to share." Mephisto smiled. "I find it's useful to know something about students before they arrive. Helps me understand what I'm working with."
He paused.
"Also, I'll be frank I'm curious. You two don't do anything by halves. Your son was one of the most memorable students this school has ever had." His mismatched eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'm wondering what the next generation will bring."
He tilted his head toward Edgar. "Let's start with the grandson. Michael, was it?"
Edgar nodded.
"And please," Mephisto added pleasantly, "tell me he isn't going to drop out to chase skirts. I'm not sure my paperwork department could handle another de Montfort withdrawal form."
Edgar's expression remained completely flat.
"Not currently, no."
"That's reassuring."
"He's five," Edgar added dryly.
"Edward was showing concerning signs at five," Mephisto replied without missing a beat.
Edgar Paused, doesn't know whether to agree or deny that fact. Especially when his son likes eating escargot when he was a kid.
Vivienne pressed her lips together, clearly suppressing a smile. "Michael is... different from his father in that regard."
"Different how?"
"Focused," Edgar said. "Serious. He doesn't waste time."
"He's remarkably analytical for his age," Vivienne added. "He absorbs information quickly,not just memorizing it, but understanding it. He also works hard to train himself in using magic, rivaling Edward or more when he found out about magic.
He also often asked questions that go beyond what he's been taught."
Mephisto raised an eyebrow. "What kind of questions?"
"The kind that make you realize he's already three steps ahead of the lesson," Vivienne said. "He doesn't just learn a spell,he immediately starts thinking about how to improve it,not to mention his eyes are always full of curiosity "
"Nimue's blood," Mephisto said thoughtfully.
"Very much so." Vivienne paused. "He's also been very much progressing quickly in learning magic,at five years old."
"How quickly ?"
"Very quick. He hasn't fully created anything yet, but with his current progress it would not be possible for him when he's a teenager to be thinking on customs spells." She smiled.
"He reminds me of what Nimue must have been like when she discover magic in a way. That same restless curiosity."
Mephisto was quiet for a moment, genuinely processing that.
"Interesting," he said finally. Not his usual casual interesting,something more substantive. "And personality wise? Temperament?"
"Calm," Edgar said. "Observant, he sometimes doesn't talk much but you can see it."
"He also cares deeply about the people around him very much" Vivienne added.
"Good instincts?"
"Excellent instincts." Edgar nodded. "He reads situations well. Reads people well."
Mephisto drummed his fingers on the desk thoughtfully.
"So. Analytically gifted,creatively inclined, and emotionally intelligent." Mephisto raised his fingers, while he glanced at Edgar. "You're certain he's Edward's son?"
Edgar made a sound that was almost a laugh.
"Personality wise," he said, "thankfully no resemblance. Not currently."
"Edward was talented," Mephisto said. "I meant no insult."
"I know what you meant."
Vivienne interjected smoothly. "Michael has his father's talent,he has his mother's discipline, and something else beside something that's entirely his own."
"That's the best kind of student," Mephisto said. He sounded genuinely pleased. "What about the girl? Lavinia?"
Vivienne's expression warmed noticeably.
"She's remarkable," she said simply. "Resilient in ways she shouldn't have to be, given everything she's been through. But not hardened by it she's still kind,and open, girl ."
"She works hard," Edgar added. "Harder than she needs to. She pushes herself constantly."
"Her Sacred Gear connection is already stronger than it should be at her age,"
Vivienne continued. "She and the construct have a deep bond from my observation. Lavinia seem to unknowingly communicate with her sacred gear, though more emotionally."
Mephisto nodded slowly. "That kind of connection with an independent avatar type is rare. Most wielders spend years just establishing basic control"
"She's had it almost instinctively," Vivienne confirmed. "Her magical talent is also considerable, separate from the Longinus entirely. She has good instincts for spellwork."
"Any particular affinity?"
"Elemental. Ice primarily obviously, though she shows promise across multiple types from defensive, enchantment, offensive, defensive magic,and many others." Vivienne paused.
"And she's protective, to anyone she considers family."
Mephisto smiled faintly. "A guardian type,That suits absolute demise."
"It does."
He was quiet for a moment, looking between them.
"You must be proud of them," he observed smiling. Not unkindly.
"We are," Vivienne said simply.
"Good." He set down his tea cup. "They sound like they'll fit well here, when the time comes." His expression became more serious. "I'll make sure of it personally,and make it clear that no one will pressure her about the Longinus,and no one will treat either of them as a resource or their way to raise their reputation rather than a student."
"We appreciate that," Edgar said.
"It shouldn't need saying." Mephisto's voice was firm. "But given the current climate in the magic community and on people view onsacred gear users" He paused, something briefly shadowing his expression. "It bears repeating.... Very Loudly."
He tapped the signed contract once.
"This isn't just a formality,but also a commitment from me personally, not just Grauzauberer the institution."
Vivienne looked at him steadily. "We know the difference, Mephisto."
"Good."
A comfortable silence settled between the three of them,the silence of people who have known each other long enough to not need to fill every moment with words.
Then Mephisto smiled again, lighter now.
"Come back more often," he said. "Both of you,not just for meetings like today." He gestured vaguely. " Have tea,look around. The organisation has changed considerably since Edward's time."
"I can clearly see that, you've expanded the eastern wing," Vivienne noted. Looking through the window.
"And completely renovated the practical training facilities. We had a rather enthusiastic third-year student accidentally collapse the old ones." He paused. "Two times."
"Were they alright?" Vivienne asked.
"Perfectly fine, extremely talented, actually, I hired them as a research assistant after graduation." He smiled. "Chaos and talent often arrive together."
Edgar stood, straightening his jacket. "We'll visit more, we were overdue regardless."
Vivienne rose as well. "And when the children are ready "
"Send them to me," Mephisto said simply. "I'll take care of them and give them what i could offer"
He stood, watching as Vivienne began the teleportation sequence.
A magic circle appeared on the floor of the office,it was elegant, precise, Vivienne's signature spatial work.
It glowed softly, casting blue white light across the room.
"Vivienne," Mephisto said as the circle began to pulse.
She looked up.
"Thank you for coming in person," he said. "And for trusting me with this."
She studied him for a moment, then smiled genuinely.
"You've always been trustworthy person, Mephisto," she said. "Whatever else you are."
"High praise," he said. "I'll try to live up to it."
The magic circle flared.
And they were gone.
Mephisto stood in the empty office for a moment.
The signed contract sat on his desk.
Outside, Grauzauberer continue it's usual activity as students, instructors do their own things as magic crackling through the air.
A grandson who's talented as his father but with great discipline at five years old.
A granddaughter with a Longinus and the instincts to wield it.
Mephisto walked back to his window.
Interesting times, he thought.
Very interesting times.
He reached for his tea.
It had gone cold again.
He reheated it without looking.
Meanwhile Mephisto soon thought of someone, he had meet during before he made his contract with Johan Georg Faust.
I wonder on how you'll see your descendant, Nimue ?
Mephisto thought, while a faint, cryptic smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
_________
Did i do it right for Mephisto personality ?
Considering things.... It's really hard to not make Mephisto sound childish, considering the way ishibumi written Mephisto.
Also yeah i planned for Lavinia to go to Grauzbaurer, since something will somehwhat follow course. Though one thing for sure she'll be very important in my plots. And I'll use Grauzbaurer as a way to expand the world building on human magician.
Well I'll see ya in.... A few weeks 👋
- AgentByteGOC