"Principal Anjou, we're old acquaintances, so let's skip the pleasantries," Gustave said, picking up his tea and blowing gently across the surface. He took a careful sip as the temperature cooled to his liking. "I came here today to ask if there are any dragons about to awaken that you can't handle yourselves."
"I wondered why you'd visit me unprompted," Anjou replied with a knowing smile. "It turns out you're feeling entrepreneurial about the dragon-slaying business."
Gustave set down his teacup with practiced elegance. "These dragons pose an enormous threat to human survival. The war between humanity and dragons—between mixed-bloods and their ancient enemies—has raged for millennia. I simply cannot bear to watch these creatures continue their arrogant dominance."
"Beautifully said, Mr. Gustave. Though we've known each other only briefly, I feel as if I've met a kindred spirit," Anjou declared with theatrical passion.
"Then Principal Anjou, allow me to toast with tea in place of wine!" Gustave raised his cup with flourish.
"A toast indeed!"
The two men clinked their teacups together like wine glasses, the porcelain ringing with a delicate chime.
Both Gustave and Anjou were masterful at speaking with completely straight faces. What was clearly a straightforward business negotiation, they elevated to the realm of righteous crusade, as if humanity's very survival depended on their noble partnership.
Outside the door, Chen Motong fought back a wave of secondhand embarrassment as she listened to the mutual flattery. The ability of these two men to transform a mercenary transaction into something so grandiose was almost impressive in its shamelessness.
Though to be fair, she had to admit, this wasn't exactly dirty business. One party had demand, the other had capability—both sides benefited from the arrangement. Every dollar Gustave earned was legitimately acquired through skills that few others possessed.
"But judging from their conversation, neither of them seems particularly concerned about facing dragons," Chen Motong analyzed silently. "Plus, the academy recently acquired a complete second-generation specimen. Could this Gustave be the one who's been helping the school eliminate dragons?"
The realization sent a chill down her spine.
Inside the office, Anjou's expression grew more serious. "Speaking of dragons, we've received some interesting intelligence recently. However, our people have encountered certain procedural difficulties that prevent us from fully confirming the information's accuracy."
"Oh?" Gustave's eyebrows raised with curiosity. With Cassel College's resources and typically heavy-handed approach, what could possibly constitute "procedural problems"? Their usual style was to bulldoze through obstacles with overwhelming force.
While Gustave couldn't recall specific details, he remembered similar scenarios from the Dragon Raja series. When Chu Zihang, Caesar, and Lu Mingfei had been hunted by Japanese mixed-bloods during a mission, Cassel had responded by sending death threats across the Pacific and deploying a B-1 bomber to circle overhead, ready to level entire city blocks if their students faced mortal danger.
Given the academy's typically domineering methods, procedural problems could only mean they were dealing with a power that didn't fear the United States. The number of countries fitting that description could be counted on one hand.
"So we're talking about China or Russia?" Gustave asked, though his instincts leaned toward China. Cassel could usually operate freely in Siberian Russia—complications would only arise when dealing with more politically sensitive regions.
"Your deductive abilities are impressive, Mr.Gustave. You've identified the crux of our dilemma immediately."
Anjou's smile carried both admiration and frustration. "The procedural issues involve operations within China."
"However, please don't worry. Cassel College is already negotiating with the major mixed-blood families in China. Within days, we should obtain official authorization and confirm the specific situation."
"Where exactly in China has this dragon appeared?" Gustave asked, his mind immediately jumping to the possibility that Cassel had discovered the Bronze and Fire King's palace beneath the Three Gorges. Though Norton had already awakened and left to become the person Lu Mingfei knew as Old Tang, Constantine should still be sleeping within those ancient halls.
The thought made his pulse quicken. According to his previous negotiations with Anjou, Dragon Kings carried a starting price of five billion dollars—with pricing authority firmly in Gustave's hands. Dealing with beings at that power level required compensation matching the extraordinary risk involved.
If this really was Constantine, Gustave figured he could extract at least ten billion from the academy's coffers.
"According to our preliminary intelligence, the dragon is located somewhere in the Kunlun Mountains," Anjou explained. "We've confirmed it's at minimum a second-generation species, though the exact power level remains unknown."
Gustave couldn't hide his slight disappointment. If it wasn't Constantine, the payout would be considerably less impressive.
"I hope you can expedite your intelligence gathering, Principal Anjou."
While Gustave could certainly travel to the Kunlun Mountains to investigate personally, why should he? Unless Anjou provided upfront payment—and knowing the principal's personality, that was far from guaranteed.
Better to leave the reconnaissance work to Cassel College's extensive network. Once they confirmed the target's details and negotiated a proper price, then Gustave would make his move.
"Rest assured, Mr.Gustave. The moment we obtain concrete information about this Kunlun dragon, I'll contact you immediately. Then we can discuss the terms of your intervention."
"Perfect. After all, this isn't our first collaboration. Just let me know when action is required, and I'll be there."
Outside the office door, Chen Motong had heard enough. She quietly retreated from her eavesdropping position, her mind racing with implications.
Now she was certain—this Gustave was the one who had eliminated dragon for Cassel College. And currently, he and Anjou were planning their next dragon hunt in the Kunlun Mountains. This was explosive intelligence that could shake the entire mixed-blood community.
After exchanging farewells, Anjou asked Finger to escort Gustave out while he remained behind, standing at his office window. His eyes tracked the red-haired figure moving across the campus below.
"The information has been delivered," he murmured to himself with a calculating smile. "I wonder how long it will take the Chen family to receive their intelligence update?"