The clock's hands showed nearly seven in the morning. After enjoying a substantial breakfast of fresh fruits, warm pastries, and fragrant tea, I descended to the reception area. As anticipated, Todd occupied his usual position behind the reception desk, his posture perfectly balanced between attentiveness and disinterest.
"Good morning, Todd."
I greeted him with a refreshing smile, my voice carrying just enough warmth to be polite without seeming overly familiar. His eyes flicked from my face to the figure looming behind me - Ducas, standing awkwardly. Seeing him he frowned just a little.
"Good morning, Assistant Professor."
I am an official assistant professor now. It was a cringy title in my opinion but that was still my title, for now, but I acknowledged it with a nod.
"Todd, I require a student registration form."
"Is this for your... companion?" His gaze sharpened, missing nothing. That razor-sharp perception made me briefly wish he weren't an assassin - he would have made an exceptional butler.
"Sir Arthur-"
Ducas's rasping voice interrupted. I turned to find him working his jaw like a rusted hinge. The realization dawned - maybe he thinks he is too old to go to school.
"What? You don't want to enroll?"
The words came out more patronizing than intended. It felt like I was scolding a child who is trying to make excuses so that he doesn't have to go to school. Ducas shook his head with surprising vigor, making his hair flutter.
"No. It is just... I don't have money to afford it."
Ah. Of course. In my comfortable wealth, I'd forgotten education required payment.
"Money is not the problem." I waved a dismissive hand. "Todd, prepare the registration documents. Enroll him in the research curriculum."
Between my assistant professor's salary and the considerable fortune already at my disposal, tuition fees meant much less. Yet Ducas's brow furrowed deeper.
"Why the research course?"
A valid question. A warrior of his caliber naturally belonged in battle studies. Trivia's academic structure offered three primary disciplines: the Battle track for combat specialists, the Magic track for arcane scholars, and the Research track for theoretical innovators, alongside various artistic programs.
My decision served two purposes. Firstly, the research department has individuals who could prove to be valuable in the future. Secondly, and more pressingly, Ducas needed socialization beyond clinging to my shadow like some monstrous lapdog. He was following me because he didn't have anyone else he could consider close, so, I just need to make him associate with other people.
I let him stay with me yesterday but I refused to play babysitter. By immersing him in proper academic circles, he might form meaningful connections and cease being my personal burden.
Ducas remained motionless, his mismatched eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity as he awaited explanation.
"Isn't it better to learn different things? You should try it while you have the chance. "
Ducas's eyes sparkled at my word- eyes widening, posture straightening. He couldn't possibly comprehend the grueling reality of research coursework, the endless nights of theoretical effort require genuine intellectual interest.
Todd observed our exchange with his characteristic professional detachment, though I noted how his fingers lingered near his letter opener.
As the clock's chime announced seven o'clock precisely, I directed Ducas to complete the paperwork and accompany Todd to the student dormitories. His mouth opened - no doubt to protest residential arrangements - but I turned sharply on my heel toward Lisa's office before he could say anything.
My knuckles rapped precisely three times on her oaken door at exactly seven o'clock.
"Come in."
I opened the door and walked inside, but just before my foot went inside the room, messages appeared in front of me.
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments "Don't have too much fun in there." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' comments "He won't" ]
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments "Barrier items ruin everything" ]
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jin' agrees with Gumiho. ]
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And then just like last time, after I went inside ignoring the messages, a message similar to yesterday appeared.
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[ Multiple Nubecula petition for barrier removal ]
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The barrier item on Lisa's office is blocking the drone's view. Items effect was absolute. Even if Nubecula had the power to destroy it, they can not do anything about it, unless they were willing to face the penalty for interfering.
The office appeared unchanged from yesterday - Lisa poised behind her desk, the white Persian cat draped elegantly across the velvet sofa. It greeted me with a melodic "meow," those sapphire-blue eyes undoubtedly dissecting whatever quality had captured her divine interest.
"Good morning, Headmaster. Good morning, Miss Lisa."
"Close the door and come inside."
Lisa's voice cut through the air like a honed blade. As I complied, she produced a towering stack of files which levitated toward me with unnatural grace.
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[ Lower Existence 'Lisa Hart' used the Active Skill 'Telekinesis Lvl.2' ]
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The system dutifully noted her Lvl.2 Telekinesis activation.
"These are the files of students who applied for the Magic course, sort it out.."
"Who applied for the course? But the magic course is a mandatory course."
In an institution literally named the School of Magic and Art, attendance wasn't optional. Although from what I remember Lisa never cared about who attended and who didn't. She was only interested in her own research.
"Yes, but I still want to know who is interested in taking the course."
That makes sense. Even the most disengaged professors needed basic awareness of their students.
"So where do I take these to start the work?"
"The chamber opposite to mine has been prepared with necessary materials."
"Okay."
Her curt nod dismissed me. Building her favor would require patience - this is but the opening move. I will gain her trust. I tried to be optimistic.
Holding the files in my arms, I offered Hekate one last smile before exiting the office.
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments "That was fast." ]
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My eyebrow twitched at the message. Fast? What was fast? This good-for-nothing Nubecula kept making lame jokes.
I ignored him and walked to the opposite door across Lisa's. It had one title written on a simple brass plaque: 'Assistant'.
As I went inside, The space inside was decent - about half the size of Lisa's office, containing one desk with a chair, a bookshelf, a couch, and a small table.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments "No Barrier. Wooo!" ]
+
[ Some Nubecula is observing you. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments "What the file is about?" ]
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I walked over to the table and slammed the files down, the impact making a loud bang against the wood surface.
"I have to sort out the student list."
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' sympathizes with you. ]
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It is funny that a Nubecula sympathizes with me over something so mundane. Maybe he'd also been stuck doing tedious tasks for his superior Archangels.
Sitting down at the desk, I began reviewing the applications for the Magic course. There were about ninety students on the list - not many compared to the total student body, but still a substantial stack to process.
My eyes scanned quickly, not reading every detail but searching for two specific names.
'Found them.'
Valerie Blackmore and Felicia Tull.
From my dream memories, these two had been the most capable magic users and most relentless in pursuing Lisa's favor through magical prowess. Now that I held her Assistant position they might prove problematic. While they appeared professional on the surface, their fierce rivalry is obvious. I definitely wanted to avoid getting caught between them.
After thirty minutes of sorting, I returned the organized files to Lisa's office. As I placed them in the corner, she suddenly spoke:
"Anyone catch your attention from the list?"
Was this simple curiosity or some test? There is no need to lie, so I answered honestly.
"There were many talented students. I'd say Valerie and Felicia stood out as particularly."
Valerie specialized in technical magic while Felicia excelled as a battle mage, but both were undoubtedly top students. Lisa gave a small nod before returning to her work.
"What should I do now, Professor?" The title still felt foreign.
She glanced up, perhaps expecting protest when she assigned lecture preparation.
"Classes begin the day after tomorrow. Draft basic points for the introductory magic lecture."
No complaints here. This was the job, after all. "What's the lecture topic?"
She looked up, and I could swear I saw the faintest hint of a smile - so subtle most would miss it. She'd probably expected me to protest.
"Since it's the first lecture, the topic is 'Introduction to Magic.'" She pointed to a cardboard box near the bookshelf. "Everything you need is there."
I nodded and retrieved the box. Of course, Lisa would have materials prepared weeks in advance - she always ensured teaching never interfered with her research.
"You'll help me deliver the lecture and assist students during class," she added.
"Understood, Miss Lisa."
" Call me Professor. "
I smiled and went back to my own office. The "basic" materials proved anything but easy. Three hours of intense study left me mentally drained. While I already knew the fundamentals from my dream observations, Lisa's academic approach was far more in-depth than I'd expected. Theoretical knowledge and practical application were completely different beasts.
Sigh...
My exhausted sigh filled the room, followed by a soft snicker.
-Are you having fun watching me like this?
Persephone had been silently observing me the whole time, perched elegantly across from my desk.
"I think you look more handsome working so seriously like that," she said with an amused smile.
If not for our Soul Contract, I might have believed her sincerity. Still, compliments were always welcome, even playful ones.
"Haaa... Let's have our riddle competition." A need distraction.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments "I will win this time~" ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments "How many do you have?" ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is listening to you. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments "Its been a while for me" ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jin' is excited, ]
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[ Some Nubeculas are paying attention to you. ]
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"Four fingers and a thumb, yet flesh and blood I have none. What am I?"
I found myself posing riddles to supposed gods - certainly not something I ever imagined saying.