Normal POV
I thought for sure I had actually died for real since I hadn't even deployed the Domain Expansion.
Yet to my surprise and relief I managed to snap my eyes open after who knows how many hours or even days.
"Yeah I definitely don't recognize this ceiling," I hoarsely uttered.
My hands moved towards my ribs half expecting pain from any broken or bruised ribs.
Yet there was nothing but a faint ache and the feeling of cloth.
I looked down, finally noticing that I was shirtless and had white bandages wrapped around me.
Glancing around I noticed how better looking everything was in this room.
Compared to the apartment Nate and I lived in, this place actually looked livable I thought.
I stood up with a slight wince "alright note to self pay better attention to my surroundings next time," I muttered.
I searched around until I found my belongings sitting nearby at a mirror table.
I went up closer for the first time seeing my new appearance.
Much like Nate, I had black hair but without the curls, my eyes looked a bit evil looking which I recall was a feature that came from Rigel's father, while their color was a warm hazel from his mother's side.
"By God I look like shit," I said with an exhausted sigh.
I wasn't insulting my appearance but rather how tired and empty my gaze looked.
Reaching down I grabbed my flip-phone and was relieved to see that it was only 1:15pm.
I hurriedly placed the phone back into my jeans and wore my red shirt and surprisingly clean coat back on.
After that I placed my shoes on and stepped out of the room.
I was greeted by a hallway with several rooms. Down on the right was where I'd guess the living room to be.
"Excuse me? Is anyone here?" I called out loud.
Stepping into the large living room I saw Waver Velvet sitting on a dark green couch doing some work on his computer. While Gray, who had simply been drinking tea looked up in surprise before shyly glancing away.
Waver broke the awkward silence "so you're finally awake, that's good," he said setting aside his laptop with a soft click and folding his hands, while studying me with an expression halfway between concern and irritation.
I cleared my throat and put on my best 'totally confused' face.
"Uh excuse me, sir, but where exactly am I? And... what happened? The last thing I remember was walking and then everything kinda went dark."
Waver exhaled sharply through his nose, pinching the bridge of it as if reliving a fresh migraine "well, for starters you were hit by my car."
I froze "...oh."
"Yes oh." he repeated back, with an unimpressed glare "you stepped directly into the crosswalk with all the grace of a drunken moron. You're quite fortunate that I managed to brake by just a little. Otherwise you would have been a splattered mess on the street"
I blinked, cheeks warming from embarrassment at being scolded so harshly.
Gray made a tiny sound something between a gasp and a sympathetic squeak. Before looking away again, hands clasped tightly around her cup.
Waver continued more calmly this time, "anyways I brought you back here to my home and used a minor healing ritual and a pair of alchemical vials to treat your injuries. It fixed the bone fractures and your wounds, but the lingering aches will fade naturally in a day or two."
"Oh uh thank you sir? And I am sorry for... you know, stepping like a drunken idiot. I was distracted and wasn't paying attention to where I was going. If I may ask how did you know I was a mage?" I was actually curious since I only just found out I had circuits.
So how did the old librarian and Waver know I was or rather had the potential to be one? Instead of assuming that I was a random normie.
In response Waver raised an unimpressed eyebrow "are you new or something? Even the lowest of students at the clocktower know that our eyes are capable of an instinctive scanning when meeting someone who has magic circuits be they awakened or unawakened. Of course there are times when one can miss this if the individual has atrophied circuits or simply does not manifest the ability to instinctively 'know'" the man lectured.
"Woah, that sure was a lot of yapping," I muttered, thankful for the knowledge and curious to know more.
Waver's eye twitched "yapping? Yapping? I've just explained basic magecraft physiology, you-" he stopped himself, muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'this boy might just be an even worse idiot like Flat' which strangely enough left me feeling a bit insulted.
He then exhaled through his nose and spoke once more "moving on," he straightened, smoothing his black leather jacket, regaining the poise of a well-mannered professor.
"Earlier you asked where you are. This is my residence, the Lord El-Melloi II's home and as I said before, you were hit by my car," he shot me a look filled with lingering irritation "because you stepped in front of it," he repeated.
"Look I get it you don't have to repeat it so many times. I am really sorry sir," I muttered while rubbing the back of my head a bit irritably.
Yeah I admit it was my fault but seriously the guy didn't need to repeat it in my face.
Seeing that I understood the trouble I had bought with my unintended action, Waver's voice took on a bit of a softer tone "good, now then allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Waver Velvet, the second Lord El-Melloi, lecturer for modern theory of magecraft, and fellow lord at the Clock Tower," he then motioned over towards Gray, "this is my apprentice and assistant, Gray."
Gray jumped a little, nearly spilling her tea before she stood up shuffling into a small, awkward bow "h-hello" she greeted in a soft voice.
Her black hood shifted just a bit, revealing a sliver of pale cheek before she sat right back down adjusting her hood again.
"She's always like that with strangers," Waver added "don't take it personally."
"I see..well it's nice to meet you both," I gave a small head bow "my name is Rigel Jones and uh again I am very sorry for having gotten in front of your car sir. Like I mentioned I ended up letting myself get distracted with my thoughts. I kind of just found out I was a magus today and ended up overthinking about it."
Waver blinked.
"You just found out you were a magus today?" he repeated.
I rubbed the back of my neck, sheepish "uh... yeah pretty much."
Waver stared white Gray peeked at me over her teacup, green eyes wide with a bit of surprise.
I cleared my throat "anyways, I should probably get going. My little brother's waiting for me, and I need to figure out what I'm even doing now so if you'll excuse me."
I took a step toward the door, thoughts already spiraling again.
What now? I mean I already know what I am going to do but I can't do any of those things if I can't confirm what damn timeline I am in.
"Wait," Waver's voice suddenly cut through my thoughts.
I turned back in surprise wondering what he wanted this time.
He was watching me with a narrowed, calculating look "have you joined the Clock Tower yet?" he asked.
I shook my head "No I... can't. Actually I think it's best to say that I for sure can't."
His brow twitched "explain."
I swallowed, talking about this was never easy for Rigel and still the same for the current version of myself "my parents died a couple months ago in a car crash," I murmured.
"So now it's just me and my five year old little brother Nathanial. We live in a tiny apartment a bit far from the Big Ben. I worked part-time at a restaurant as an assistant chef and sometimes a server just to keep us afloat. Bills have been stacking up faster than I can pay them on time. Food, water, rent, electricity, school lunch fees, and more. We barely make it month to month as it is. I've only recently dropped out of high school so I could work full-time. I couldn't keep up with school, my job, and taking care of Nathaniel at the same time."
My voice was heavy as the memories of the original Rigel replay back in my mind.
Gray's breath caught quietly, her fingers tightening around her cup.
I kept going, the words heavy, dull, and tired.
"So even if I wanted to join the Clock Tower. Even if I'm curious about magecraft, even if part of me wants to learn and explore I can't. I can't leave Nate alone. I can't afford whatever tuition that's most likely require. Yet more importantly I can't risk losing our only income I just... can't."
The room fell silent after that.
Waver didn't interrupt, scold, or roll his eyes.
He just listened.
Until finally, he exhaled a long and controlled breath as if making a decision he already regretted.
"...You truly are a fool young man," he muttered.
I blinked, not expecting him to say that "huh?"
Waver stood up, straightening his leather jacket "you got hit by my car, and instead of using that as an excuse to perhaps demand compensation, you're over here worrying about your little brother, your bills, and your inability to pursue magecraft."
He clicked his tongue irritably "it's aggravating so completely aggravating to me."
I stared at him confused and unsure of what to say "uh...I am sorry sir?"
He waved a hand sharply "enough with your apologies. Just just stand there and listen."
Gray set her cup down gently, watching him with a hint of anticipation.
Waver fixed me with a firm, almost resigned look "...I'll take responsibility."
"Huh?? For hitting me? But I told you already that was my fault," I argued a bit only because of my pride.
"Like I said I'll take responsibility for it," he snapped with a look of irritation "now don't interrupt me again or I'll wack you."
I shut my mouth.
Waver sighed through his nose, pinching the bridge "I am offering you a position," he said carefully, "as my assistant. You would work under me and alongside Gray. You would receive a better pay then whatever meager amount that restaurant has been paying you. It should be enough to support your brother and pay your rent.
His jaw tightened, as if the next part physically hurt to say.
"As an added benefit to being my assistant, you would also gain entry into the Clock Tower without the usual... method of admission. My recommendation is more than enough to get you in and skip straight into the class enrollment process."
My mouth hung open, not really expecting Waver to actually bother helping some total rando.
I had to wonder if this could be the work of Fate? I mean it is a bit suspicious that after actually wanting to join the tower that I so happen to literally crash into Waver's car.
Gray nodded shyly, saying "Nidaime Lord El-Melloi has many students...but he always helps those who truly need it. Even if he sounds stern, he wouldn't offer this if he didn't want to help."
Waver sputtered immediately "I am not doing this out of kindness! Don't ever make such assumptions Gray."
Gray blinked "oh sorry," she mumbled, striking an arrow to my heart.
Cuteness overload .
"Hmmph! I am doing this because it is logical! Responsible even" he insisted, jabbing a finger at me again "it would be a shame to see someone not at least having a bit of their potential as a magus unlocked. So I as a teacher and professor am simply preventing that."
I couldn't stop it a small, strangled laugh escaped me.
I bowed my head deeply, voice shaking despite myself "...thank you. Truly I don't know how to repay you, but thank you."
Inside though? I was screaming.
SCORE. LIKE ACTUAL. LITERAL. GOLDEN. SCORE.
Assistant to Lord El-Melloi II?! Clock Tower entry bypass?! Plus a better income?!
Nasuverse gods, bless this man's tsundere soul.
But on the outside, I kept my head low and my voice soft "I won't waste this chance you've given me. Even though I probably don't deserve it, I'll work hard to meet your expectations."
Waver scowled as he pulled out a cigar and started smoking.
Homeboy was doing some serious aura farming "yeah well the first thing you can do is work a bit on your self-esteem, seriously don't degrade yourself like that," Waver finished gruffly, exhaling smoke toward the ceiling.
The words hit harder than I expected.
I straightened slowly, hands curling at my sides. For a moment I didn't say anything I just stood there, staring at the carpet, feeling something tight and old coil in my chest.
"Sorry," I muttered out of reflex.
Waver's eye twitched again, but he didn't snap this time.
I swallowed, then forced myself to speak properly "it's not... I'm not trying to fish for pity or anything like that. It's just-" my voice faltered, and I hated that it did.
I took a breath, to steady myself "it's just kind of a habit of mine."
"I've spent most of my life being told I wasn't enough," I said quietly "not smart enough, not talented enough, or special enough. Even when I tried like really tried it was always... 'that's it?'" I laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.
"So somewhere along the way, I guess I just learned to lower my expectations. Of myself, that way it hurts less when other people do it for me."
Gray's fingers tightened in her lap.
Waver didn't interrupt but he did have a thoughtful look before grimacing.
I lifted my gaze, not quite meeting his eyes, but close "when my parents died... I didn't really have time to grieve. Nate needed me, the bills didn't care, and the world didn't pause. So I just became what was necessary. An elder brother, guardian, and provider," my throat tightened.
"There just wasn't room to really want things anymore. Wanting things felt...selfish."
I hesitated, then admitted the truth I hadn't said out loud to anyone.
These were the true feelings of James Parker and Rigel Jones.
"But I was curious," I said "when I learnt about magecraft. Even before today I didn't know what it was called, or that it had rules, or a whole damn tower dedicated to it. However the idea that there was something hidden behind the world... something deeper...it always pulled at me," my hand curled faintly against my chest.
"When I realized this world had that I wanted to understand it," I exhaled shakily "to see the kinds of things that could be explored and realized," I passionately spoke.
I mean what person from the ordinary world wouldn't want to learn all they could about what should have been impossible?
Gray watched me openly now, her green eyes wide at how genuine I was.
Waver was quiet for a long moment then he clicked his tongue and turned slightly away, rubbing at his temple.
"Geez you really do remind me too much of someone I know," he muttered.
I blinked trying to think of who I could remind him of "is that bad?"
"No," he flatly replied with a bit of smirk "it actually makes me feel a bit nostalgic," he admitted before standing up.
"Come on, I'll drive you back off at your place and we can discuss further details during the ride."
-end of chapter three-
Just to clarify Waver was reminded a bit of himself when he heard Rigel's speech of wanting to pursue magecraft.
He also noticed how Rigel spoke down of himself and didn't really like it as it also reminded him of time when he also held little self-esteem before Iskander helped him out.
Furthermore, I faintly remember in the VN Rin mentioned something about how magi are able to tell someone else might be a magus just by looking at them with their eyes. Often not many are capable of such things though.
So take that with a grain of salt if you will.
Anyways the kind of magecraft I plan on Rigel pursuing is related to both Shadow-Earth + Stars. Mostly I am going to attempt to remake some of the magic from Re:Zero but remade to fit the rule of the Nasuverse Magecraft system.
I might do a small POV chapter from Waver's side of things.
Last final mention Rigel has a mix of depression + extreme low self-esteem because of his past life. He's really good with a lot of things but was repeatedly told how useless they were. He's prideful of something's but when it comes to his own well-being it's extremely less. That's why he'll repeatedly use his Authority with little regard for himself even though he's scared of dying…he's going to eventually become numb to death just like Aldebaran. However as I progress the story I am hoping to fix some of his negative traits.