“No thanks.” Arthur’s quick response left Nigel speechless. Who would turn down the prime minister?

“But, you don’t know what I was going to ask yet. How can you turn me down so definitively?” Nigel didn’t look annoyed, just curious.

“Let me ask you something.” Arthur had something to focus on. Something to take his mind off that constant, voiceless feeling at the back of his mind. That nagging over what to say and how to say it. He shut all that down by focusing solely on the topic at hand. “Although you know I’m a Montale, you don’t know which one. How do you know I could help with your situation? And why would you want to be associated with my family at all?” Arthur kept thinking of more and more questions to ask.

“I know you’re the right one simply because you’re in this university. There is no such thing as a weak Montale and I need a bodyguard for my daughter that’s a little more inconspicuous than my usual hires. Some extra help with classes wouldn’t be too bad either.” Arthur looked back at the two bodyguards behind him missing the not so subtle wink the prime minister gave him. They stood out way too much. “As for the affiliation….I don’t think your family is truly as evil as everyone says.”

“You would be surprised, but if I were to take this job I might need some protection of my own. I’m not on the best terms with my own family at the moment. If I’m going to stay on campus you will have to convince them not to get involved.” The prime minister grinned already taking that as a yes. “I can see to that. I would also cover any expenses you may incur while here. On top of that, I can also promise $20,000 a month as payment.” It was a lot of money. Money Arthur desperately needed since his accounts had been closed by his asshole parents. This could also allow him to stay within the University he loved and close to his friends who both seem to need him and whom he needed as well to be completely honest. He wasn’t ready to take on the world alone. Not after what he had done a few weeks ago.

Arthur nodded slowly. He couldn’t see any downsides to the position. “What exactly would you need me to do?” The prime minister looked at Arthur then back at a teenage girl among the others. “You would just need to be around her. You will attend all of her classes, follow her through campus, and tag along to any social gatherings she is a part of. You don’t have to actually take part in anything she does though. I don’t expect you to become her friend. Just be in the same general area and prevent anyone that would try to hurt or kidnap her.”

Arthur nodded once more. It was a simple job. He could seemingly work on whatever he wished while protecting her and would still retain access to the University’s facilities. No downsides so far.

“Are you really willing to accept my ability to protect your daughter solely based off my last name? Are you sure you wouldn’t like a demonstration of some type?” It was more of an excuse for Arthur to use his magic once more. He had been having difficulties with certain spells since the incident and thought a demonstration in front of others might help.

Nigel smiled at that and waved over the male bodyguard. “An excellent idea. I also never got your name?”

“Arthur Montale.” Arthur reached out his hand to formally shake the Prime Ministers. It was a life-changing handshake although neither of them realized it at the time. “Arthur? Ahh, I’ve heard of you. It seems as though I’ve found the troublesome one in the family.” By now the bodyguard had reached the two of them. He was much larger than expected now that he was right beside them. The man easily stood a hulking six and a half feet. His dark, heavy set brow and a jagged, dispersed scar that cut across his left cheek indicated the man was no stranger to violence. The man was heavily-built. His muscles were visible even through the thick suit he was wearing. He was more of a bull than a man.

“Arthur Montale.” Arthur introduced himself to the man. The man looked over Arthur questioning just how much of a threat the skinny, pale, average looking Arthur could pose.

“Bernard.” The man met Arthur’s grip with his own. The man’s giant hand engulfed Arthur’s. The single name was also the sign of an elite bodyguard. Many professionally trained bodyguards discarded their names for simpler ones. Not just to make themselves easier to forget, but to also hide their previous identities from anyone interested. Arthur was a little excited. It had been a long while since he fought someone competent.

The prime minister looked between the two of them before taking multiple steps back, joining the tour group who were now watching Arthur and Bernard with interest. “Try not to destroy the school!” The tour guide shouted, but his words were ignored by the two figures squaring off in the plaza before him. Arthur’s muscles were tensing in in preparation. He already had his first few moves planned out. He knew to win this one he had to keep his distance. Close-combat would be a quick way to lose.

Nigel shouted out next, “Begin when ready! Fight to incapacitate, not kill!” At his words, Arthur made the first move. He shoved his arms out to each side causing roaring orange flames to burst around him, enclosing him a circle of immensely hot hellfire. Tentacles of flame burst out of the walls as if they had minds of their own rushing towards the bodyguard.

“I said not to kill!’ Nigel shouted out seeing the immense display of power, but it was much too late. The tentacles encircled the bodyguard who was still standing calmly in the spot he started. It wasn’t until a tentacle shot towards his head that he moved. Despite his size, the man moved fluidly and efficiently. Each of his movements seemed so minuscule, but the tentacles continued to miss the target as the man inched his way towards Arthur’s position. Each tentacle that missed lashed out and smashed against the brown and red bricks causing many to crumble and melt under the immense power of the attacks.

The tour guide wanted to speak up, but he knew he didn’t stand a chance. Not against the monsters in front of him. He was already preparing a speech for how to best describe this situation to his superiors. He leaned over to whisper to the prime minister, “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m assuming you’ll be covering the cost of damages?” It was framed as a question, but they both knew it wasn’t.

The prime minister just nodded, not taking his eyes off the fight for a second. He was enraptured by the magic he was seeing. It was unlike any he had seen before.

Arthur noticed the man was gaining ground and chose to switch tactics. The tentacles disappeared almost instantly causing the bodyguard to hesitate out of confusion. Arthur took the opportunity to cast large fireball in his direction. He realized the bodyguard was too quick for his previous magic, so why not attack with a spell he can’t dodge. The blinding fireball caused many watching to turn away as it slammed into the bodyguard’s position. Flames burst out in all directions flickering across the ground. Hungry for something to consume. The bodyguard burst through the flames with his arms crossed across his chest. He was seemingly unfazed as he started running towards Arthur. The bodyguard withdrew two blue daggers. Weapons Arthur had never seen before. The bodyguard was frighteningly fast as the daggers cut through the wall of flames surrounding Arthur aiming directly at his chest. Although unplanned, Arthur used a new minor teleportation spell to burst into flames appearing a few feet behind the hulking man.

Arthur hadn’t accounted for the extreme speed the bodyguard was showing. He couldn’t keep up with just his fire. It wasn’t his specialty, and Arthur wasn’t sure how effective it would be, but he cast a time-slowing spell directly onto the hulking man. A look of surprise flashed across both the bodyguard and the prime minister’s faces. “Go.” The Prime minister said to the female bodyguard beside him. With carefully practiced grace she performed a series of hand gestures often only needed for very complex magic. Arthur felt his body turn rigid. He wasn’t able to move. It wasn’t that he couldn’t control his muscles, it was that something else in his body was working against them. It was a painfully grating sensation as his body refused to listen and he fell to the ground at an odd angle. A snap rang out as his elbow broke from the impact. He wanted to scream out, but his body still refused to do as he said.

The female bodyguard looked down at him apologetically, “Sorry about that. That magic may have been a little much. It should wear off in a minute or two.” Arthur could only look at her shoes walk towards Bernard. His eyes refused to move as well.

Next up was an expensive pair of black, leather shoes. “I had heard stories, but I’m even more surprised seeing it in person. To think there’s a human capable of using time magic. Are you sure you even are a human?” The prime minister’s last question was followed by odd chuckling. The man had one of the most ridiculous laughs Arthur had ever heard. If he was capable of doing so, he would’ve laughed as well.

The prime minister then looked down at the small amount of blood that was coming from Arthur’s elbow with a look of regret. “I didn’t think she would actually use water magic in such a way. I just couldn’t afford to have Bernard hurt any further. You burnt him up pretty bad during that fight. Bernard’s always been a little headstrong. He should have forfeited the second you used that first attack. He didn’t stand a chance.” Arthur could feel his movement slowly returning and he painfully pushed himself onto his back to relieve the pressure on his elbow with a pained grunt. If he wasn’t so consumed by the pain, Arthur would have been pretty disappointed he didn’t have a chance to use his lightning magic. For some reason, ever since the village incident, he wasn’t able to use lightning at all.

When Arthur looked over at his elbow, he noticed the bone was actually sticking out through his forearm which is why there was blood in the first place. Not many injuries could bother Arthur anymore, but something about the sight of his own bone made him nauseous. Any energy Arthur had left was now being used to prevent himself from fainting. “Oooo that’s looking worse than I thought. Let’s get you healed up and then we can discuss your first day of work.” Arthur let out a pained grunt of agreement. The prime minister helped Arthur to his feet. Soon after the female bodyguard came to help as well. With the tour guides help they partially carried Arthur to the school medical center.