The man's expression shifted slightly, something like surprise crossing his features.
"Child, don't you have a master? You seem talented enough that someone should have explained this to you by now."
"Headmaster Kaiser is my master."
Damian's voice came out neutral.
"But he isn't around most of the time. I don't know if you know him."
The man paused, his crimson eyes studying Damian's face for several long moments.
His expression became complex, something flickering through his gaze that Damian couldn't quite identify.
"...That dumb guy is still taking on disciples?"
'Dumb?'
Damian's thoughts stuttered.
'The Headmaster of the top academy in the entire Federation, one of the strongest humans alive, a legend who's trained some of humanity's strongest awakeners… is dumb?'
The man shook his head slowly, his smile becoming almost helpless.
"I understand now."
He looked at Damian with something like sympathy.
