The one to open the door was an old man that appeared to be bothered with my presence.

“What do you want? I’m busy.”

“I heard that you teach people how to use magic and I was wondering if you would teach me.”

He examines me from top to bottom.

“I guess it’s that time of year isn’t it. So I’m guessing you’re one of the new participants in the God & Devil war. Come inside I’ll decide if I’ll teach you after you answer some questions for me.”

“Ok.”

I followed him inside, he sat down on a rocking chair in his living room and I sat down in the chair facing him.

“So what are these questions you want to ask me?”

“I only have two questions I want to ask you, the first is which side you decided to join and why.”

“I chose the God’s side and for the reason it was because I didn’t want to be with the people on the Devil’s side.”

“Why is it that you didn’t want to be with the people on the Devil’s side?”

“I thought that the people on that side would be more difficult to work with so I chose God’s side.

“I see, so you didn’t choose on the thought process that you were a good person and didn’t belong there.”

“. . .” He was smirking at me.

“Well then let’s go on with my last question: why do you want to learn magic?”

“Why do I want to learn magic?”

“Yes, that's what I asked you.”

“Well, I could say it’s so I could defeat the Devil because he’s evil but that wouldn’t be true. Nor would that be the answer you're looking for, is it? The reason I want to learn magic is simple, magic I would imagine is the main force of power here in this world.”

“Naturally I would need to know how to use magic if I wish to stay here long and do the stuff I want to do. After all, wouldn't you find being in a new world fascinating? Why would someone wish to die so soon after coming to a new place where they can experience and learn new things.”

“Plus the idea of magic being an element of this world was what initially sold me on coming here. Just the thought of it had me thinking of a world with less technology and with magic ruling in strength. With what I envisioned magic as I came to the conclusion that I could get away with many more things than in my old world.”

“What do you imagine you can get away with more easily here that you need magic for?”

He stared down at me but it didn’t change anything.

“Killing. With the ability of magic it would basically be the same as being armed would it not? Plus I would imagine I can get away with killing from what I’ve seen so far. This world definitely doesn’t look as advanced with technology as my old one. It might be lack of drive with magic being a thing or perhaps it hasn’t had enough time. Either way with how it currently is it will be much easier than before.”

“So what you want is to kill people with magic?”

“No, the act of killing is boring to me. What I want is what comes from killing. I like seeing the after effects of someone’s death. Will they have people mourning their death? Were they a figurehead that will cause a stir in the world with the cause of it? Or maybe I want to see the process of the person's death.”

“I see but what is your end goal with learning magic?”

“My end goal. I would say it’s to use it for whatever I need it for to get my enjoyment. I am a selfish person who wants to learn a new skill to accomplish my own desires just like any other person to join this war.”

Breaking his character the old man burst into laughter.

“That’s good. I couldn’t have asked for more. I'll train you in magic.” 

He wipes away the tears in the corner of eyes.

“Looks like I was right to be honest with you.”

“Ya if it was to get me to teach you then yes it was. But I still gotta say I wasn’t expecting someone to meet my requirements especially from God's side. They always tell a “good” answer that makes them sound noble but that isn’t any fun. How did you know I wasn’t looking for that type of answer?”

“I was told you hadn’t accepted anyone that asked to be trained so I was wondering why that would be. When I heard the word standards from the receptionist it came to my mind that only people from God’s side must come here. So I thought by standards it must have had to do with something about how the person is and not by talent or skill.”

“You got that right all the ones before you had nothing interesting about them to make me want to teach them. It would have only been a waste of my time but I see potential in you.”

“That’s about what I expected but going past that stuff I have a question before that. Am I going to have to pay you for teaching me or how is this going to work?”

“Ah about that I don’t need any money from you but I will set one requirement for you. I want you to kill someone from this town so I can see you are legit.”

“That should be easy enough but am I allowed to pick anyone I want or did you have someone in mind?”

“It can be anyone as long as you kill them before you leave this town.”

“Looks like we got a deal. When will the training start?”

“Your training will start tomorrow morning. So you can go now for today if you want.”

“By the way, what's your name? You never told me that.”

I got up and brought  out my left hand to him.

“My name is Bon Cruz, what about you?”

He brought himself up and we shook hands.

“My name is Fran Aikawa.”

“See you tomorrow Fran.”

“Goodbye.”