"So?"
"What happened?"
Silence.
Then—
the Headmaster's smile deepened.
"…He's nothing like we expected."
A pause.
"That child is nothing like his father."
The figure frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
The Headmaster leaned back slowly.
"He's weak."
"An empty shell."
"Worse…"
"He possesses neither mana nor spiritual energy."
Silence.
The figure leaned back into the chair.
"…Impossible."
His eyes narrowed.
Yet something in his expression shifted.
"That child doesn't feel weak."
His voice darkened.
"That would be a disgrace."
"He cannot be that man's child."
"Perhaps my suspicions were wrong."
"No."
The Headmaster replied calmly.
"They weren't."
The figure's eyes sharpened.
"Then how did you confirm it was him?"
A slow chuckle escaped the Headmaster.
"I gave him this."
He lifted the letter slightly.
The figure frowned.
"…A piece of paper?"
The Headmaster smiled faintly.
"Look closer."
Then—
he tossed it across the room.
The figure caught it instantly.
Opened it.
And froze.
His eyes widened.
"…You're joking."
"Why would I joke about this?"
The Headmaster replied evenly.
The figure shot to his feet.
"Are you insane?!"
His voice echoed through the office.
"Do you understand what you've done?!"
The chair scraped loudly behind him.
The Headmaster remained calm.
Still smiling.
"Relax."
"Let me finish."
The figure forced himself to stay still.
But his expression remained sharp.
"Hah…"
"The child read the letter."
Silence.
Then—
"Nothing happened."
The figure stepped forward slightly.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Confusion.
"…You're telling me a normal human read that… and survived?"
The Headmaster's smile widened slightly.
"Yes."
"Every single word."
" That alone is prove that we are right.
The figure's expression darkened immediately.
"But—"
"You were reckless."
"Extremely reckless."
"If it had been anyone else…"
"They would have died instantly."
A pause.
His voice lowered.
"What would we tell the old man?"
"One mistake…"
"And we both die."
"That is not what concerns me."
The Headmaster interrupted calmly.
Then—
he smiled.
Slowly.
"At last…"
"We've found our prey."
The figure clicked his tongue.
"How troublesome."
"He was standing right beside me…"
"Powerless."
"One strike would have been enough."
Killing intent leaked faintly from his voice.
"But…"
His expression twisted.
"That old fool…"
"If not for him—"
"Calm yourself."
The Headmaster cut in.
The figure fell silent.
The Headmaster's gaze darkened slightly.
"For now—we stay hidden."
"No unnecessary movements."
"We cannot afford to alert him."
Silence filled the office.
Then—
the figure gave a low laugh.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"Understood."
"But…"
"I will go to any length…"
"…to find that loathsome man."
A pause.
His eyes sharpened.
"But first—"
The Headmaster interrupted.
"…We destroy everything he left behind."
Silence.
Then—
his gaze darkened slightly.
"Even if it means standing against that old monster."
---
Inside Class One.
The students gradually settled into their seats.
Noise filled the room.
Excitement.
Nervousness.
Anticipation.
Then—
the classroom door opened.
Instructor Moon stepped in.
Calm as ever.
"Good morning."
His gaze swept across the class.
"Today…"
A faint smile formed.
"…will be your first practical lesson."
***
Isolation's note:
Well...
At this point, Tia is suffering.
Joshua is confused.
The Headmaster is plotting something.
And who the hell is that old man can't they just tell.
Argghh!....
And honestly, everyone's life is getting progressively worse.
Thank you for reading.
See you in the next chapter.