"There. Now everything is ready," the voice of a certain old man came out with a last type on a computer keyboard.
It was Hugo, standing up from his office seat as he then headed and lingered his gaze on the campus grounds of Therion Academy through his window.
'Just like those two youngsters, it's almost time for me to also fulfill my role,' he thought to himself, the subtle magical aura surrounding him seeming like a tranquil river of mastered power that could surge like the strongest torrents.
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"Well, that's weird," a young teenage boy with layered reddish-orange hair looked around him, his head turning from one side to another as he then looked at his watch. "Where is she?"
"Got you~" the boy felt a whisper in his ear as he immediately felt his heart jump out of his heart.
"Damn you, Mia! What did you do that for?!" with a bit of embarrassment etched on his face as he covered his ear with his hand, the boy's green eyes shot angrily at the brown-haired girl with a side ponytail whose form slowly appeared from thin air.
"Hehe. Sorry, Shaw," Mia playfully said. "Ya just looked so cute waiting for me that it made me want to tease ya a little bit~"
She then gave the boy, a now grown-up Shaw Blakelord, innocent puppy eyes with those blue pearls that were fixed on the blushing boy.
"You'll forgive me, right… darling~?"
"…" as he remained silent, one could swear Shaw's head was exuding vapor from how red he was. "You little…"
"Mmm~?" Mia tilted her head, curious mischief etched on her face as if she was a cat.
"I'm gonna make you pay!" Shaw sprung into action as Mia also started running away from him.
"Nya~! My boyfriend has finally lost it!"
"Come back here!"
"Hmm?" at the same moment, their attention drawn towards the outside commotion, a beautiful woman with long blonde hair took a look outside the window. It was none other than Isabella. 'Was that Miss Albert?'
With the possibility in mind, a gentle smile drew itself on Isabella's face before her expression shifted to a more serious one the very next instant.
"Huu…" she released a soft yet heavy breath as a few minutes later, she walked and arrived at a certain door with a Dean's Office label above its frame.
She then raised her right hand towards the door before her and knocked three times.
"It's me. I'm coming in," her hand on the door handle, a clacking sound echoed as she opened the door.
Hugo, standing beside the window, glanced back at Isabella, walking towards the couches of his office and then taking a seat.
"Take a seat," Hugo gestured to the opposite couch, two cups of tea as well as steaming teapot and other wares laid out on the small table in front of him.
"…" Isabella examined Hugo's expression with growing suspicion.
Isabella then took a few steps forward and sat down.
"So, what is it you want from me?" she asked, Hugo already pouring her tea in her cup and offering to her along with the sugar cubes.
"…"
The tension in the air was palpable as the silence reigned. The only thing audible being the teaspoons that were twirling in the cups, mixing the sugar with the tea.
As she stared into her cup, Isabella's gaze drifted towards Hugo who had already started sipping on his tea.
"There is no need to glare at me like that," Hugo finally broke the silence.
"Please," Hugo gestured towards the cup in front of Isabella, the latter picking it up and blowing on it, trying to cool it down before taking a sip.
As she did, Hugo pulled out an envelope and set it in front of her.
"Here. This is why I summoned you today," he said, taking another sip as Isabella stared at the envelope intently.
"Hmm?" she took the envelope and opened it, pulling the paper within it and reading it attentively.
As her eyes continued to scan the paper, confusing shock hit Isabella.
'Huh?' Isabella's eyes widened. 'What the…?'
"What is this?" she muttered before raising her voice as she slapped the table in a fit, scrunching the paper in the process. "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
"Exactly as it says," Hugo replied calmly. "Starting from the next academic year onward, you will become the new Dean of Therion Academy."
"If this is a joke it's in bad taste, old man," Isabella said, boiling with seething anger. "What the hell are you planning to do this time?"
"Firstly, this is not a joke." Hugo leaned into the couch, one leg above the other and hands cupped his knees. "And secondly, I am not planning anything this ti—"
"That's a lie," Isabella immediately shut him off. "You're withholding something. I'm sure of it."
"…" Hugo remained silent, his expression remaining unreadable.
"Hah. I knew it," an awkward smirk played on Isabella's before coming undone as she bit on her lower lip.
Isabella then released a shaky breath that obviously held back her rage.
"Fine. Suit yourself," she stood up from the couch, walking towards the door with her hand now on its handle. "Just remember this."
Isabella glanced back at Hugo with a piercing, determined gaze, jaw clenched trying to hold back her own rage.
"I sure hope that this time you won't pull any of my students in your crap," the emphasis Isabella pointed out didn't seem to force any reaction out of Hugo. "Because if you do, I'll beat you up myself."
She slammed the door behind her, the clacking sound of her heels fading into the distance.
As he released a sigh, Hugo stared blankly at the ceiling light.
"…You're more than welcome to."
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'HUFF… HUFF… HUFF…'
"So," Shaw started, looking down at a worn-out Mia with a deadpan expression. "In the end you just collapsed there, huh?"
"Hmph," a smug, smirking expression etched itself on his face as he continued to stare down at the huffing Mia.
"Urk!" a vein popped in Mia as she stayed victim to Shaw's mocking air.
"Aaaaahh…" Mia's body shifted to a suggestive and inviting pose as Shaw's face started blushing. "I'm reeking with sweat."
Shaw immediately faced the other way, though he couldn't help himself from stealing glances as a satisfied, victorious smirk spread on Mia's face.
"Nya~ Shaw, you perv~"
The comment hit Shaw like an arrow, his brow twitching uncontrollably.
'Sh-she got me…'