A voice came from inside the office.
"Come in."
Zane opened the door and stepped inside alone.
Behind him, the door closed softly.
Outside, the rest of the crew did the sensible thing and stayed far, far away from whatever this was.
The office was spacious but restrained—bookshelves lining the walls, a large window letting in afternoon light, and a desk that had clearly seen its share of broken furniture and terrified students.
Professor Livia sat behind it, leaning back in her chair, looking tired in the way only dangerous people ever looked.
"Sit down, Caelum," she said.
Zane froze.
Not outwardly—no, outwardly he calmly walked over and sat—but inside, alarms screamed.
Caelum.
Very few people knew that name.
His father had made sure of that.
Zane tilted his head, eyes narrowing just a fraction. "That's interesting."
Livia raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"No one here is supposed to know my surname," Zane said casually. Too casually. "So either you're bluffing… or I should be very concerned."
Livia sighed, rubbing her temple. "Relax. If I wanted you restrained, you wouldn't be sitting."
She leaned forward slightly. "Of course I know your surname. I'm one of the higher-ups of this academy."
Zane didn't blink.
"Only three people here know who you are," she continued. "Me. The Headmaster. And someone else."
She continued smoothly. "We were commissioned to keep an eye on you. Special case. No mana usage, no visible abilities. A Hollow."
She leaned back again. "Or so we thought."
Her lips curled. "To think I was beaten by the Hollowed Prince."
She scoffed. "What an honor."
Zane grinned. "You kicked first."
Without another word, Livia reached under her desk and tossed three small pouches across the table.
Zane caught them easily, weighing them in his hands. "What's this?"
"The first," she said, "is your allowance. From your parents. I wonder what you'll do with that much money."
Zane's expression didn't change, but his fingers tightened slightly.
"The second," she continued, "is payment. From me. It's been a long time since I had a proper fight—most teachers are afraid of me."
She smirked. "You weren't."
"And the third," she added, "is for your hoodie."
Zane blinked.
She slid another pouch forward. He opened it just enough to glimpse the glint inside.
Five gold coins.
He looked up slowly. "You ripped it."
"I kicked you through it," she corrected. "Fair trade."
Zane nodded solemnly. "Accepted."
Livia's gaze sharpened. "One more thing."
Zane looked at her.
"I'm not going to stop you from sneaking into that town," she said calmly. "But if I catch you—"
She smiled, all teeth. "—you'll be punished. Personally. For kicking me like that."
Zane tilted his head. "Worth it."
Her smile faded slightly. "Also… that shadow of yours."
Zane stiffened internally.
"There's something wrong with it," she said quietly. "After our fight, I'm slower. Weaker. Like something was… taken."
She met his eyes. "That ability of yours carries a curse."
Zane shrugged. "You're not wrong."
Then, honestly: "I'm still figuring it out too."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Livia sighed. "So what do I do to get better?"
Zane stood up, slinging the pouches into his pockets. "I don't know."
He thought for a moment. "Sleep. Or something."
For a second, she stared at him.
Then she laughed.
A real laugh.
"Get out of my office, Caelum."
Zane turned toward the door. "Anytime."
He paused, glanced back. "Oh—and Professor?"
"Yes?"
"Next time you want a rematch," he said, smirking, "don't aim for my ribs."
The door closed behind him.
And for the first time in years, Professor Livia leaned back in her chair and smiled—not as a teacher.
But as a predator who had finally found something interesting.