Li Yue looked at the powerful aura before her, momentarily dazed. The confrontation had come so suddenly; she had underestimated the academy’s magic detection and forgotten the powerful mana fluctuations of her Death Abyss.
The newcomer... was a Great Mage. No, he was far more powerful than an average Great Mage, though perhaps not quite at the level of a half step Calamity. If she had to compare, Professor Kent was likely the stronger of the two.
Li Yue’s blood red vertical pupils sized up the professor. She had suppressed her aura well; it seemed only Stephenson could perceive her pupils. If not for the powerful perception unique to the Art Department, even he might not have noticed.
“Truly powerful...” Stephenson shook his head with a smile. In his eyes, a massive pitch black serpent loomed behind the girl, its blood red eyes seemingly fixed on everyone present. Even he could feel a wave of intense fear of death emanating from the depths of his soul.
“That is the downside of the Art Department. When facing an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, we visualize their strength all too clearly...” He gave a wry smile and lowered his hand, signaling the surrounding students to calm down. Even before he had fully manifested, he had noticed the ring on Li Yue’s left hand.
This is the person... Miss Clo mentioned... This is someone at the level of the Five Staves... Perhaps even stronger. Is this the legendary... Death of the seas? The magic user who slaughtered the Overlords of the Four Seas and countless great pirates...
“Everyone, do not be nervous. This is... your new classmate.” Stephenson smiled and was the first to deactivate the automatic protection magic surrounding him. He walked forward slowly, appearing calm and relaxed.
Cold moonlight spilled over the nearby marble buildings. The stone pillars were carved with various divine statues. Among them, Li Yue glimpsed a giant snake coiled around a marble column.
“I am Professor Stephenson, the Coordinator Professor of the Art Department. My assistant... Miss Clo, should be an acquaintance of yours.” Stephenson smiled at the girl. The moment he lowered his guard, Li Yue also reduced her aggressiveness.
The giant snake blurred slightly in Stephenson’s vision, seemingly a phenomenon unintentionally leaked by the girl. Stephenson surreptitiously wiped away a bead of cold sweat.
Upon hearing Clo’s name, Li Yue’s defensive stance relaxed. She fiddled with her ring, seemingly in a better mood. She retracted the killing intent she had unintentionally released, doing her best to pull that powerful aura back into her Death Abyss.
“My apologies...” Li Yue thought for a moment before pinching the sides of her skirt and performing a slight bow. The surrounding crowd seemed stunned. They lowered their guard and cautiously sized up this exceptionally beautiful future classmate.
“She’s really beautiful...” someone whispered.
“It’s true. There doesn’t seem to be any trainee in the academy this year more beautiful than her.” Two students whispered to each other.
“I wonder what cosmetics she uses. I’d love to find out if I get the chance,” a female trainee murmured.
“I wonder if she has a boyfriend...”
“Look at the ring finger on her left hand. She’s already taken,” two students whispered. Li Yue suddenly felt a wave of gazes converging on her left ring finger. For some reason, she felt a bit shy. She hid the ring for a few seconds before revealing it again with confidence.
Irene also noticed this detail. She examined the ring; though it bore the academy’s craftsmanship and style, it looked incredibly precious.
“A Five Staves token... She really is... I thought... Never mind.” Stephenson looked at the surrounding students with a smile. “I will take this trainee to handle the procedures. Everyone, return to your posts.”
The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Stephenson, Li Yue, and a nervous Irene. For them, these prominent professors were rarely seen. Aside from their own mentors, these powerful and high ranking professors usually only appeared during school anniversaries or certain practical exams.
“You should head back as well. If there are no other urgent matters, go and get some rest,” Stephenson said, smiling as he patted Irene on the shoulder and smoothed his slightly messy grey hair.
“Now then, let me take you to handle the enrollment procedures.” Stephenson led Li Yue forward. Teleportation arrays appeared beneath their feet, and they vanished from the Outer Ring. A few minutes later, they appeared before a magnificent complex of buildings.
“Give me your identification information and mana signature; I will go register you.” Stephenson reached out and produced a small drawing palette containing some pale white pigment. Li Yue extended her finger, and a few sparks of blood red magic energy emerged from her fingertip. The moment it touched the drawing palette, the white pigment turned blood red.
“All right, I will go process this. As for touring the academy, I have contacted someone to help you... She should be waiting for you.” Stephenson smiled and walked ahead with his hands behind his back. He bypassed the statues in the hall and ascended the tiled steps.
He raised a hand, signaling Li Yue to wait. Li Yue nodded and began pacing around the statues, looking a bit bored. She waited in the hall until a graceful figure entered her vision from the end of the corridor.
A faint smile slowly appeared on her face.
It really has... been a long time.
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