Li Yue stood frozen in place, feeling an inexplicable wave of nervousness.
This person really just started without explaining anything... Why does everyone else seem to know what they are doing... I am doomed...
Li Yue leaned against the table, her pale hair looking a bit disheveled.
Healing potions... I have absolutely no use for them... It should be fine if I do not know how to make them, right... No, that will not work... I will not have enough academic credits... Maybe I should skip class and study on my own... But this is Clo’s class, there is no way I can escape.
“To be honest, I was a bit surprised when you made this decision,” Albert said, stroking his beard. “Is there someone among this year’s freshmen that you care about?”
Stephenson did not speak. He simply smiled and took out a blank sheet of paper, sketching the layout of the classroom.
“You could say that.”
“Did you actually take on a disciple? Though, if you wanted to open a back door for someone, you could have just taken my position as the East Academy Director.” Albert thought for a moment and adjusted his suit. “I really miss the beaches of the East Continent.”
“Are you planning to retire too?”
“Who wouldn’t? Wearing a floral shirt, basking in the sun, drinking a chilled light beer, and watching the sunset with my head resting on a young beauty’s lap...”
Albert began to laugh.
“Back when we traveled the continent, I was the one driving the carriage while this fellow sat in the back sketching. The white haired heartthrob who lived in the dreams of countless young girls has now become a senile old man.”
“I am only intoxicated by a twilight that never turns to night.” Stephenson took off his glasses, revealing his fiery, crimson eyes.
“Why is it that not a single member of this generation’s Five Staves wants to take over the position of director?” Albert sighed.
“It is because you people complain to them about how tiring it is every single day.” Stephenson chuckled. As the Coordinator Professor for the Art Department, he lived a life of leisure.
“How about this: next time, I will intentionally lose my position as one of the Five Staves, and then you can step down and let me take your place? That way, we can both go our separate ways,” Clo suggested after thinking for a moment.
“Good God, Clo, you truly are the youngest of the Five Staves for a reason. You are a genius!” Albert’s pale blue eyes instantly lit up, and even his greyish hair seemed to regain some luster.
“That is enough from you two.” Stephenson covered his forehead. “Merlin and Edwin will be coming for the serious matters as well.”
“So, why the sudden interest in teaching freshmen?” Albert summoned a floating teapot and poured himself a cup of black tea.
“I met someone during my travels and we made a private vow.” Clo waved her hands. The ring on her right hand was gone, and the ring on her left hand had been moved to her ring finger.
“Pffft!” Albert sprayed tea all over the floor. He grabbed several of Stephenson’s drawing papers to wipe it up.
“Do you have any idea how much my sketches are worth in a collector’s cabinet?” Stephenson’s face darkened.
“Weren’t those all from your early years? You don’t sell your work anymore anyway.”
“If you hadn’t squandered all our travel funds flirting with young ladies back then, I wouldn’t have had to sell my paintings.”
“Back to the point, you are not joking?” Albert poured a cup of black tea for Stephenson as well. Clo tapped the table in front of her, so Albert had no choice but to pour her a cup too.
“We spent a long, wonderful time together until fate separated us. Now, I have found her again.” Clo seemed to be in a very good mood.
“Hmph, you make it sound like a breakup and a reunion.” Albert downed his tea in one gulp. “So, the person you fell for is not even a magic user?”
“She was once a powerful magic user, but she is not anymore.” Clo smiled.
“Fine, fine. Let us not interfere with the lives of the youth. Our free time is running out anyway; the negotiations are about to begin.” Stephenson set down his teacup and handed a sketch to Clo. It depicted Li Yue, looking so anxious she was breaking into a sweat.
Albert sighed, patted Clo on the head, and strode out the door with Stephenson. In the silent corridor, a sturdy old man with a long beard and an elderly man radiating a melancholy aura walked together. The light from outside the window stretched to the end of the hallway, illuminating the darkness in the corners.
“That person... have you seen her yet?” Albert seemed less concerned with the upcoming task and was still thinking about Clo’s situation.
“I have,” Stephenson replied with a smile.
“Tell me more.”
“A vassal of Death. She is very beautiful, more so than your first love.”
“Hmm...” Albert paused. “She is that special freshman, isn’t she?”
“Yes.” Stephenson nodded. He pulled out a slender blue cigarette holder and a long, thin white cigarette.
“Hmph. A vassal walking toward the throne... why would she come here?”
“To escape, perhaps. Or maybe the person who led her here does not want her to ascend the throne.” Stephenson exhaled a puff of snow-white smoke that drifted slowly through the air before dispersing evenly.
“No wonder... I could barely sense that aura of death. I thought it was just the scent of my own impending demise, hahaha!” Albert laughed. “Well, then she will likely have to learn basic magic from scratch.”
“If she is willing, it is not our place to interfere,” Stephenson said with a bitter smile. “I was the one who approved her back door enrollment process, after all.”
“Given the current state of the Royal Court, she is a very important existence.” Albert’s boots made a rhythmic clicking sound against the floor.
“At these critical junctures, fate still has its arrangements.” Stephenson extinguished his cigarette. “Clo knows her limits. Nothing will happen within the academy, but as for the outside...”
“The matters outside will still have to be settled by us old folks who are about to die.”
Stephenson pulled out a paintbrush. A gate, rendered in pencil, was rapidly sketched into existence before them. Stephenson opened the door, which seemed to connect to another world.
The two figures quickly vanished. They reappeared on a patch of ground surrounded by forest. A massive, burning humanoid tree stump looked down at them. In the shadows, a pale white dragon appeared nearby, as if it had been outlined by a paintbrush.
Albert stood with his hands in his pockets, his overcoat fluttering behind him like a cape. His presence did not falter in the face of anyone present.
Meanwhile, Li Yue was still fretting over her potions.
Rate on N.U.
