Chapter 3: Don't stop me.

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The next morning was quiet. Y/N was lying on his bed and watched as Akko tried unsuccessfully to use the Shiny Rod. He had nothing to do, so the only idea was how to kill the time.

Akko: Get back on the shelf! I said come back! Noctu Orfei Aude Fraetor!!

Y/N: It's useless. It will not work.

Akko: Maybe... But I won't give up until it works.

Akko was going to try again, but as she looked at her wizard friend, she remembered something.

Akko: Wait! Y/N! You're a wizy, right? Maybe you know how to at least activate it?

Y/N: Who? Me?

The wizard thought about it a little, and something occurred to him.

Y/N: Of course I know.

Akko: Really?

Y/N: That's right. First, stand up straight.

Akko obeyed, quickly.

Akko: Mhm!

Y/N: Spin three times like a ballerina.

Akko quickly did as he told her.

Akko: What's next?

Y/N: Wave your cane and shout: "I'm dumb!"

Akko waved her staff at her as she shouted:

Akko: I'm dumb!... Hey! That's not funny at all!

Laughing, Y/N said:

Y/N: No! That's and I mean very very fun! Can't you see my face?!

Akko: Why you...?!

Suddenly, Akko noticed Professor Ursula at the door and hid the staff behind her back.

Akko: Um… Professor?

Ursula: Professor Ursula. I teach magical astronomy.

Akko: Professor Ursula? I can help you with something?

Ursula: Right, I came to tell you that I was named your mentor. Feel free to ask about anything you want. I would be glad to help you.

The teacher handed Akko a broom.

Ursula: This is the broom the school gave you.

Y/N: Wait... Brooms? Am I going to learn to fly on broomsticks too?

Ursula: Mhm... The headmistress thought this would be useful knowledge for you.

Akko quickly took the broom in her hands and began to hug it like a mother hugs her child. Ursula noticed the Shining Rod.

Ursula: Oh... This staff...

Akko: Oh, do you mean this? It's Shiny Chariot's magic staff.

Y/N: Yes, and she will do anything to activate it. For example, she just called herself...

The young wizard did not finish speaking, as Akko threw a pillow in his face.

Akko: Shut up! Professor, do you know Shiny Chariot? I heard about Lotte! She told me that I have to return any lost property I find, but I'm sure holding on to this will eventually lead me to Chariot. I promise I'll return it once I find her!

Ursula: You are the one it was revealed to, which makes you the rightful owner. Fate and magic will surely guide you.

Akko: Teacher, can I put my name on my new broom? Now I can finally fly. A believing heart is my magic! It's my time! Yeah!

Akko exclaimed, excited and with her eyes shining.

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Later...

After the wizard went out to prepare for the flying lesson, Akko didn't let go of her broom and walked in a circle.

Lotte: Akko, relax.

Y/N: Listen to her. You're scaring the students.

Akko: As if I could! My first flight magic lesson is about to begin. I'll get to learn how to ride a broom in the long run. Look, how do you think I got this scar?

Akko asked, showing a scar on her foot.

Lotte: -_- I don't know.

Akko: I fell out of a tree trying to fly when I was little. This is from when I rolled downhill. And I have this one falling off a roof.

Y/N's mind: (Should I tell him?)

Susy: No one can fly out of the reach of the Sorcerer’s stone. The only reason we can use magic freely on campus is because the Philosopher's Stone is here.

Y/N's mind: (Wait, really?  Then why does...?)

Akko: You can't blame my little self for not knowing. How could he have guessed that the magical energy comes from the Sorcerer’s stone? I simply believed I could fly and practiced with all my heart! And now I can really fly! My childhood dream is coming true!

Lotte: I understand, just calm down.

Y/N: Sometimes, you scare me.

Akko: Well... So, what was your dream since childhood?

Y/N: It's personal...

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In the field...

The flight class has just started, and it is taught by Professor Nelson. Everyone and the wizard were in the courtyard, ready to start the lesson.

Professor Nelson: I'll be instructing the class on flight magic. The new students are having a special person. Everyone else should practice high-speed flying! Hop to it!

Diana and the other witches sat on a broom and with the words "Tia Freyre!" They were flying.

Professor Nelson: New students, this way! Flight magic is the most basic of essentials in a witch's repertoire. But take it lightly and you'll get hurt, so be careful. First, grip your broom firmly. Next, respect your brooms.

Akko put her hand to her temple and the boy just whispered, "I respect you."

Professor Nelson: Straddle your broom. Imagine taking her to the sky, cast the spell and kick the ground.

Y/N took a deep breath and pushed herself off the ground.

Y/N/Sucy/Akko: Tia Frayre!

And with that said, the next second, you didn't feel the ground under your feet. You were flying on a broomstick.

Y/N: Wow.

Together with Sucy, Y/N flew forward. The girl noticed her face and asked:

Sucy: First time?

Y/N: Yeah. This is so... cool. I'm flying on the broom!!!

Sucy: Yes, you are.

Sucy pointed at Akko and said:

Sucy: But not her.

Y/N: Huh?

The wizard looked towards Akko and noticed what Sucy said: Akko was still on the ground. Strange, Y/N approached her, flying.

Y/N: Akko…

Akko looked towards Y/N, a little anxious.

Akko: Y/N... I can't fly.

Y/N: I see. Is it because you're not from a witch family? Or because...

???: Yahoo!

But someone stopped their conversation. Someone flew over the wizard, quickly. Y/N looked up at the sky and saw a girl with salmon hair flying on a broom and performing dangerous looking tricks.

Professor Nelson: Amanda! No stunts during class! Shove that through your thick skull now!

She lay down on her broom.

Amanda: Wow, way to kill the fun.

The next thing they saw was Diana's shadow, flying at high speed with other students. According to Hannah's words, she beat her record by 8.09 seconds.

Professor Nelson: Diana is the clear favorite to win this year's broomstick relay.

Y/N's mind: (Everyone is talking about her again...)

Hannah: Well, if it's not Akko! You're still unable to ride a broom!

Barbara: I know just what you need. Oruihon Dance!

Akko's broom turned into a tricycle, making the wizard laugh.

Y/N: Hehe… Ok. Stop now. You two can't just show up out of nowhere and make fun of her.

Hannah: But, Y/N, you have to admit, it's fun.

Y/N: I'd say it's funny, but as her friend, I won't let you make fun of her. Get out of here!

Barbara: Okay, okay. We have to fly to Diana anyway.

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Inside the school...

Akko let go of her head out of disappointment in herself.

Lotte: You can fly if you keep practicing.

Akko: And here I was confident in my athletic ability.

Kagari's attention was drawn to the witches outside the window, passing rings to each other.

Akko: What are you doing?

Y/N looked out the window, and her eyes widened with some fear.

Y/N: 0_0 Ring...

Lotte: Oh, they must be practicing their baton pass for the upcoming broom relay. It is a long tradition in which teams of three races lead the way to the finish line.

While Lotte was narrating this, the red team was looking at a display case where the photographs of the winners of said event were. The brunette saw Chariot as the winner of one of the years.

Akko: Chariot? It's Chariot! Hey, look, this is Chariot! That's great! Chariot also entered and won! Great, I want to do it too! I'll win and have my photo along with Chariot's!

Lotte: But, Akko... You can't fly!

Akko: Weren't you the one who just told me that I would be able to fly if I keep practicing?

Y/N: She's not lying.

Lotte: Y-yes... But there's barely any time between now and the broom relay.

But Akko didn't hear anything.

Akko: Isn't Chariot just the best?

Y/N: -_-

Lotte: Anyway, I have to stop by the magic item cafe to pick up the broom I sent for repair.

This information interested Akko, who, excited, asked:

Akko: Magic item coffee? What's that?

Lotte: Do you want to come?

Akko nodded in response, happily.

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In the village...

Lotte: Why did you come with us?

Y/N: I just decided to take a walk.

Lotte: Well... We're here.

Upon entering the cafe, the first thing that caught your attention were skeletons and various antiques. The first few sent shivers down the spine.

Seller: Hello.

Lotte: I'm here to pick up my broom.

Seller: Let's see...

The salesman took Lotte's receipt.

Seller: Right, this one. Wait a moment here.

As Y/N looked at the memories, her attention was caught by one of the skulls.

Y/N: It was a bad idea to come here.

Akko: Hey, Lotte, Y/N! Look! A broom?

They approached and saw a red broom with beautiful wings locked in a cage.

Lotte: I don't recognize this.

Lotte picked up a newspaper that talked about such an object.

Lotte: It's the legendary Shooting Star broom! They say that a witch was able to cross the entire Atlantic Ocean in it. She can fly even without the power of the Sorcerer’s stone. The legendary broom itself is full of witch magic. It really looks like a shooting star crossing the sky. A broom full of magic...

Akko approached the broom with desire.

Akko: I want it.

Seller: Wait. Take your hands off it. That thing has been sitting. It is a dangerous broom that will fly to the ends of the earth without restrictions to scare away witches. But as long as he has this thing on, we can cage him even if he escapes.

Y/N: Woah.

The wizard moved his face a little closer to the cage when suddenly the broom began to move aggressively and tried to get out.

The seller and the customers were scared.

Salesman: This is strange. He is usually not so aggressive with customers.

Akko: Anyway, lend me the Shooting Star! Just for a day! I beg you!

Seller: You?! Does the broom relay win?

Akko: Yes! I want to win!

Seller: No way! There is no one who can tame this wild broom. Plus, the cup goes to Diana this year.

Lotte: "Diana is the big favorite to win and also number one in popularity."

Lotte read, in a newspaper.

Akko: Whaaat?

Lotte: I think it's time for us to go.

Y/N: Go ahead you two. I'll be here for a while.

Lotte: Alrigth, Y/N.

Akko took one last look at the Shooting Star before closing the door behind her. The boy approached the seller and asked where the bathroom was.

Seller: There. On the second floor.

Y/N nodded and went upstairs while the salesman went to sort the new products. He, Akko and Lotte didn't even suspect that Amanda was hiding behind the corner, watching the Shooting Star.

Smiling, Amanda said:

Amanda: There's no one here. This is my opportunity.

Suddenly, something happened that made Amanda scream. Luckily, Y/N managed to shut her mouth.

Y/N: Shhh... Don't scream. It's me.

Amanda went from scared mode to angry mode. When he gently removed his hand from her, she pushed him away and said:

Amanda: Why did you do this?! You are disgusting? And... weren't you supposed to be on the second floor?! How did you end up here?!

Y/N: A magician never reveals his secrets, but it doesn't matter. What are you doing here?

Amanda smiled and returned her attention to the broom.

Amanda: That's why I came.

Y/N: Do you want to steal the broom?

Amanda: Don't be silly. I'll borrow it for a while.

Y/N: Good. How will you control the broom? He doesn't listen to anyone.

Amanda: Same as me. We can be buds.

Y/N: -_- ...

The wizard sighed.

Y/N: I honestly don't care at all. Goodbye, see you at the broom relay.

Before the boy left, Amanda stopped him.

Amanda: Hey, wait. We can hang out later if you want. You are not like the others.

At those words, Y/N became nervous, fearing that he had been discovered.

Y/N: W-what do you mean?

Amanda: You're not boring like Diana, so I think we can be friends.

Y/N: O-oh. Ummm...

The wizard smiled as he let out a small laugh, because his concern was wrong, miraculously for him.

Y/N: I... I think it's not a bad idea. I wanted to find someone to talk to anyway. Well, good luck!

The wizard left there. Amanda managed to hear him talking to the salesperson and, once finished, she left the store ringing the bell on the door.

Amanda: I don't need luck. I need this broom.

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Back at the academy...

Y/N: Can't ride the broom yet?

The wizard asked this question, seeing how Akko is trying to do it in different ways.

Sucy nodded in response.

Sucy: Before she was just a hunch, but now I'm sure she's an idiot.

Y/N: Don't be so wild. She has already been hit by her broom.

Akko: You two, shut up! If we don't do something, there's no way we'll win!

Sucy: I couldn't care less about competing.

Akko: You're also competing.

Sucy: Huh?

She pulled out a list of participants.

Akko: I already entered our application.

Lotte: What?! When did you do this?

Akko: If you don't want to, then Y/N will participate.

Y/N: What?! No!

The boy exclaimed, forming an "X" with his arms.

Akko: Why?

Y/N: Let's pass those rings, right?

Akko: Yes. So what?

Y/N: When I was a child, I was traumatized by a ring. That's why I don't want to.

Lotte: Y/N, calm down. Take a deep breath.

The magician heeded Lotte's recommendation and managed to calm down... a little.

Y/N: Phew. Well, I calmed down.

Lotte: Well done. Now, can you tell us what kind of trauma you have with rings?

Y/N: Ummm...

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8 years ago…

A tall, gray-haired old man: Child, you must destroy this ring!

Y/N: Who created it?! It's as if a mouse had created a mousetrap for itself and its companions!

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Y/N: -_- No.

Lotte: F-fine. You can tell us when you're ready.

Y/N's mind: (I doubt you believe me...).

The wizard ran his fingers through his hair as he sighed.

Y/N: Anyway, I'm leaving. I'll see you after the competition.

Akko: Oh, believe me. You will see us… with big smiles on our faces because we are going to win.

Y/N: I hope so. Bye bye.

The wizard said goodbye, and Lotte and Sucy waved at him.

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In the woods...

Y/N: I need to take a break from this magical crap.

Having said these words, he sat down on a log.

He has been thinking about his life, or, rather, his times: past, present and future. The past was full of pain, resentment and tears. But, despite this, it was also full of happy moments from their adventures. Memories of him gave her not only sadness, but also a smile that has been confirmed in these moments.

The present, in turn, was filled with the question "Will I have a normal life?" This question was answered by the future tense. He was full of motivation and hopes for a bright future.

Y/N smiled and, after some thought, decided to go home. Such hobbies have been common in the past 5 years, but she never lost hope and kept going. Suddenly, he felt the ground begin to shake and form cracks. The birds perched on the trees flew away and the nearest rocks crumbled. A huge monster emerged from the ground. Its sharp claws and teeth flaunted its wielder, and its body looked as if it were covered in thorns.

Taking a breath, the creature roared with the force of the wind, driving away all living things.

Y/N just stood there and didn't give off any emotions except boredom.

Monster: My name is Kávma, and I came here to destroy you.

Y/N: Did Furui send you?

Monster: She said to kill you without any mercy and that you should cover you with your blood.

The boy, whose quiet moment was killed as usual by a new threat, shook his head.

Y/N: Like I said before: "A new day, a new monster corpse in a new dimension."

The monster raised its hand high and tried to hit the wizard, but Y/N made the jump and dodged the attack. Kávma quickly pinned him down with his hands, or, rather, hit him. The creature's eyes widened when it saw the child in front of its nose. Y/N clapped her hands together, took a deep breath, and then released the energy in the monster's heart.

The creature had never felt such pain in its life. He wanted him to stop even if it only lasted a few seconds. And finally, he felt the nearness of her death. Kávma was delighted and his last thoughts were: "It is better to die than to endure" before his body turned to dust and the creature's head fell with its eyes dull.

Y/N landed on her feet and made sure no one saw it.

Y/N's mind: (I want to see his face when he finds out.)

After stretching his arms, he continued on his way to the academy. Until she suddenly heard a small whistle from behind her.

Y/N sighed heavily.

Y/N: What now?

When Y/N turned around, she didn't see anyone. For a second, he thought that he had gone crazy, but these thoughts disappeared when he looked up and saw… The Shooting Star.

Y/N: The legendary broom?

She quickly flew straight towards the guy who dodged it.

Y/N's mind: (-_- Not only does everyone want to kill me, but also everything.)

The shooting star quickly flew towards the magician, noticing that he had lost his vigilance.

Bzzzzzzzz

Y/N reacted very quickly and grabbed the broom by the tip with a death grip.

Y/N: Not today, bud.

He froze even as he relaxed his grip.

Y/N: Hmmm… I must return you to the seller.

Hearing this, the broom slipped from his hands and froze in midair. Then she started rubbing against you like a dog.

Y/N: Hey, hey... What are you doing? Wait… I think I understand. Do you want me to... chain you up first?

Knock

The broom hit him with the tip.

Y/N: Oh. Then what do you want? Wait, you don't have anyone who can ride you?

The broom remained silent.

Y/N: Do you want me to own you?

In response, the broom began to rub against him again.

Y/N: Okay, okay. I think we're friends now.

He got on the broom and said:

Y/N: This is my second time riding a broom, so… you don't have to hold back.

The broom obeyed. She rushed forward at high speed while the boy tried not to vomit what he ate today.

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In academia...

Y/N: Phew. That was something...

The boy was walking down the hallway, playing with his new broom. The sun had already set, which meant that the competition was already over. Y/N hoped it would be her team that won because she didn't want to see Akko's motivation die.

But Y/N was surprised when she looked at Diana seeing something in the middle of the hallway. The magician approached Diana after seeing her in the hallway.

Y/N: Hey, Diana.

Diana, who was looking at a display case (the same display case which was the one with the most photos of the winners), slowly turned around to see who was speaking to her.

Diana: Y/N, I'm delighted to...

But his gaze froze with surprise when he noticed the legendary broom in his hand.

Diana: It's... that...

Y/N: The Shooting Star? Yes. It's a long story. I'll tell you, but it answers my question: "Who won the broom relay?"

Diana pointed to the photo with the awards. The young wizard felt a little sorry to see that Akko was not the winner.

Y/N: Oh. Of course, the blue team...

The boy said, with some annoyance.

Diana: Yes. Ahem, ahem. But I must admit… If Akko could hold on to the Shooting Star a little longer, she might have won.

Y/N: Wait, what?!

The wizard looked at his broom.

Y/N: Did she ride that? How?!

Diana: It's a long story.

The wizard laughed at Diana's response.

Y/N: Okay. So… Let me tell you the story of how I found the legendary broom.

Diana: I'm all ears.

While Y/N was telling her story, Ursula, who was hiding around the corner, was listening to their conversation.

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Y/N: Hello girls.

Y/N said her typical words as she entered her team's room, but no one responded. Turning his head, he saw Lotte and Sucy looking at Akko, who turned her back on the boy.

The boy sighed.

Y/N: Hello, Akko.

Akko:...

Y/N: Listen, I understand your pain and disappointment in yourself, but this is not a reason to give up.

Lotte: That's what I'm trying to say...

Lotte froze when she saw the object that Y/N had in her hands.

Lotte: Sucy, Akko, look! The Shooting Star!

Sucy was surprised to see the broom that no one could handle in the wizard's hands. Akko had the opposite reaction. She just looked at the things in her hands from the corner of her eye and returned to her previous position.

Akko: You're lucky.

Y/N: No...! Akko…! Damn…!

The boy put the broom in the corner and sat on the edge of Akko's bed.

Y/N: Listen, you could be a witch. Believe me.

Akko: I'm not doubting that.

His voice sounded sad.

Y/N: So... What's the problem?

Akko: I don't know! I'm starting to doubt myself! "Can I become a witch?!" This question stuck in my head! But I won't give up! You didn't give up on something, did you?

Y/N: 0_0

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Flashback...

A pirate with a big hat: Boy, you know what to do. Destroy the Kraken and I'll buy you candy.

Y/N: I don't want to be a pirate anymore...

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Y/N: -_- Maybe... But you're not me! You are Akko and I am Y/N!

Sucy: Really? We did not know.

Y/N: Shut up. Akko… Failure is not the end. When I was younger, I had the same problems. But I was reassured by the words: "I would rather trust and repent than doubt and repent."

Akko finally looked at him, thinking about his words.

Akko: What do you think of me? As you see me?

Y/N: I see you as a girl who never wants to give up, but always has doubts about herself. So that's the problem with the world. Geniuses are full of doubts!

Akko smiled slowly and hugged the boy.

Akko: Thank you.

Y/N: You're welcome.

While Akko hugged you, you were sweating as you thought:

Y/N's Mind: (I stole the quote from the anime, but it helped liven it up, so it doesn't matter.)

Akko: I have one more question...

Akko broke away from the hug and pointed to the broom.

Akko: How the hell did you manage to train him?! Hey! The legendary broom! That is not fair! Tomorrow I will ride you and this time you won't escape from me!

Y/N and Lotte laughed together upon seeing this, while Sucy smiled warmly.

End of chapter.