"Mia, you're back? How were the Coopers doing?" Diana asked as she noticed Mia enter the room.
"Not so great as you would imagine. The hospital feels like a funeral ceremony."
She walked over to the corner of the room and prepared some tea.
"Did you give them the note?"
"Yes, though they were not exactly thrilled with the idea of meeting you." She replied, putting a teacup down by Diana.
"That's to be expected. Thank you," she said as she lifted the cup.
The tea was warm and smoothing enough that it took off some of the tension resting in Diana's shoulders.
"Looks like you needed it. By the way I never asked you about why you were late. Usually that never happens."
"Oh that. There was a commotion that caught my attention at the docks."
"That's surprising. What was it? 'Gasp' Was it a man?" Mia wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Sort of-"
"Oooo la la! Has spring finally come for you hmmm~?"
"Argh get out my face!" Diana shoved Mia's annoying head out the way.
"Was he handsome~? Give me a rating from one to ten."
"How should I know? He was lying face first on the ground!"
"What about his body? Was he packing?"
"From what I felt, he was pretty sturdy- HEY that's not the point!" Diana shouted, her face flushing red.
"Wow~ Look at you all assertive! You already know what his body feels like~"
"Can you stop making assumptions and let me speak! He was unconscious! The mana in his body was going rampant, so I helped to settle it! Stop making it weird! I don't even know the guy! Besides, you know I'm busy with-"
"Ok ok I get it hahaha! I'm only teasing."
Diana pouted, feeling embarrassed that she fell for Mia's silliness.
"You know for someone who gets attention from men all the time, you get flustered easily when it comes to tackling the subject head on."
"I did not get flustered."
"Could've fooled me." Mia shrugged.
"I was just trying to correct any misunderstandings."
"So, tell me the story then. I promise I won't interrupt you~"
'Grrrr' "Ahem, as I was saying: I went to the docks, helped a young man with his mana problems and signed off the papers. I was late because helping took time. That's it."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"Should be yes. I left him with a guardsman."
"That's good. What about the Kirstenbell students?"
"Sorted. They'll go to the hospital tomorrow and apologise to the Coopers."
"Haaa I feel bad for saying this but I'm glad that it was Dale and not one of our representatives that got caught up in this situation."
"You should feel bad," Diana said as she sipped on her tea, "We should protect our own, no matter how dumb they can be, and not cause any drama. Especially with the tournament coming up. But I understand what you're trying to say."
"You're right, I apologise for thinking that way."
"Don't worry about it. Now come, we still have much paperwork to get through before I have to leave again."
"Yes ma'am!"
Diana and Mia both continued to work through the morning and into the afternoon with quiet professionalism. Until finally it was time to meet with the Coopers.
"It's time. I'm going now." Diana stood up and walked to the door. "Feel free to continue working or take a break."
"You're not going to teleport there?" Mia asked, puzzled.
"No. I don't want to waste any more magic. Besides, taking a walk and seeing the preparations happening should help to motivate me."
"Good point. Well, I've got just a few things left to do then I'll take a break."
"Mmhm." Diana nodded. "Be back soon."
Mia waved her off and got right back to work.
Walking through the hallways of the academy, Diana was greeted by the students around. They rarely see their principal around campus, so when they do it's always in a moment of reverence towards her.
"E-excuse me, P-principal Valentine!" A voice called from behind.
Turning around she saw a twin braided pink-haired student with round glasses that covered almost half her face. She wore an indigo tie which indicated that she was a second-year student.
Incidentally the academy had grades that went all the way up to seven years, with each class being split into A, B and C. Although it may sound like a lot, in essence each class only averaged about twelve students.
The yearly grades were split like this:
1st Year - Violet tie
2nd Year - Indigo tie
3rd Year - Blue tie
4th Year - Green tie
5th Year - Yellow tie
6th Year - Orange tie
7th Year - Red tie
"Yes?" Diana answered, "Is something the matter?"
"S-sorry for stopping you! I-I know you must be b-busy!" She bowed, nearly falling over herself.
"It's alright. Just breathe, introduce yourself and tell me what you need." Diana spoke in a soothing voice and put on her signature, motherly-warm, smile that could melt anyone's heart.
'Wow…. seeing her up close…. she's amazing…. No snap out of it!' She shook her head and took a deep breath to calm herself.
"M-my name is Amy. I'm in class 2-B and am part of the Media Club. T-the reason I called you is, I w-was wondering if the imported version two display tags from Tricea have arrived?"
"Nice to meet you, Amy. Yes, they arrived at the docks this morning. I've already signed them off and they'll be arriving later on today."
"Oh, thank goodness…" Relieved, Amy held a hand to her chest.
"I must say," Diana continued, "I didn't know that the version two display tags had been invented. Well done to you and your club members for taking initiative and getting those. Now we'll have a bigger and better picture quality for the audience watching."
"O-of course ma'am! We're glad to help!" She bowed again.
'So cute.' Diana let out a small laugh as she watched Amy stumble over herself.
"Will that be all? If so, then I'll be going." She asked.
"T-that's all ma'am! Thank you for your time!"
Diana then patted her on the head and walked away.
'Waaaah! Wait until they hear about this!' Amy held her head as she made her way to the clubroom.
The journey to Sophie's Diner was an uneventful one, at least according to her. She received tons of affectionate gazes from men and women alike and every so often they would try to flirt with her. But with her being used to this kind of attention she could easily fend them off.
Finally, she reached the diner.
She stood in front of the door, straightened her clothes and closed her eyes to prepare for the yelling she may receive.
'Just be professional. Explain that the situation has been handled and leave.' She repeated to herself.
ring ring
The doorbells jingled as she opened it.
'Now where are they?'
Diana looked around the diner for the Coopers when suddenly she felt a strong gaze directed at her.
'Hmm?'
Staring at her, wide eyed in the corner seat, was a young man she recognised. He had near-shoulder length black hair, an ocean-blue left eye and an eyepatch that covered his right. He wore a black suit with a blue tie and the look on his face told her that something in his brain just fried.
'Isn't that the person I helped at the docks?' She wondered.
'Looks like he recovered. That's good but why is he staring at me like that? Oh, who am I kidding, I can probably guess why heh.'
She almost smirked at the thought when out of her peripheral she saw the Coopers, waiting for her with not so happy faces.
'And here we go.' She lamented.
Walking over, she stood opposite them and greeted, "Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cooper."
"... Good afternoon." The husband greeted in a low guttural voice.
"Yes, good afternoon, Principal Valentine. This is quite the place you asked us to meet at." The wife greeted next.
There was an impatient fury in her tone that suggested one wrong word, and not even the title of "Principal" would be able to stop her wrath.
"I don't want to waste anybody's time here today so I will make this quick." Diana bowed respectfully and apologised. "Firstly, I deeply apologise for what happened to Dale. Something like this should have never happened."
Taking a deep breath, the wife spoke, "Please…. sit. I want to hear from you about what happened."
Sitting down, Diana recounted to her what had transpired. About how she had to leave for the docks and about how while she was away, he harassed the students of Kirstenbell.
"I have already dealt with the students, and they will be punished. Additionally, they will be sent to the hospital tomorrow to personally apologise to both of you."
Feeling deflated, the wife sagged her shoulders and whispered, "Why did this have to happen to my baby."
"One again I apologise. Please leave any and all the hospital fees to me. If you are not satisfied by the end of the meeting tomorrow let me know and I'll do anything in my power to help you."
"..."
Without saying another word, the couple stood up and left.
'Haaa… that went…well?'
"What was that about?"
Looking up Diana saw a woman with blonde hair wearing a chef's clothing and hat. She was the owner of the diner, Sophie.
She sat down where the couple were sitting and asked, "Everything alright?"
"Hi Sophie. It could be worse but I'm alright. You?"
"Oh, I'm great," She pointed her head towards the young man behind them, "I love seeing customers wolf down my food like that."
Diana took a quick glance at him and indeed he was "wolfing" the food. She smiled at this then noticed Sophie giving her a teasing look.
"No Sophie," she straightened her face, "Not you too."
"I didn't say anything!" she raised her hands and smirked, "But what do you mean by "not you too~" hmm?"
"Urgh!" Diana took out a piece of paper from her purse and shoved it to Sophie," This is a sponsor contract for your diner! Whether you accept it or not, I don't care!"
She then stood up, red in the face and power walked out the door.
ring ring
SHUT
'What's wrong with everyone today?'
Just as she was about to teleport away, she heard a faint yell, "-cuse me I-"
She was about to turn around to see if the call was directed at her, but the spell was already finished.
'Whatever.' She thought.
SHWOOSH