In the East Academy, within the staff workspace adjacent to the Victoria Grand Auditorium, several professors returned to their offices after finishing their lectures. The building itself was designed in a style reminiscent of a grand cathedral.
Professor Stephenson, one of the professors in the Art Department, possessed magic that could bring objects in paintings to life. Although he was a Great Mage, his advanced age meant he no longer possessed the handsome appearance of his youth.
His once jet-black hair had turned white, though it remained lustrous, and his eyes still glowed with a flame-like crimson. His neatly combed hair draped over his shoulders.
He sat with his head down, grading student assignments. The corridor outside was silent; few students ever ventured here. The marble reliefs lining the hallway were said to be the work of another professor. Besides being incredibly lifelike, they supposedly possessed other functions, though the occasion to use them had never arisen.
"Professor Stephenson!" A figure flashed into the room. Her features were blurred; even a seasoned Great Mage like Stephenson could not make out her face. However, based on her attire, he could tell she was one of their Five Staves, "Desolate Time" Chronos.
"Lady Clo, in my presence, surely you can drop your facial disguise," Stephenson said with a smile, setting down his grading brush. "What brings you here? The last time we spoke privately was... let me think, forty or fifty years ago?"
"Has it been that long? I haven't even noticed," Clo replied with a smile. She deactivated the facial-concealing magic she used year-round. This magic caused her appearance to look slightly different to everyone who saw her, ensuring no one saw her true face.
This was typical of her. Compared to the other members of the Five Staves, Clo was considered the least mysterious. Among some professors, she was even known for her gentle temperament.
"I've grown so used to this magic that I forgot to turn it off." Clo lifted the spell, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face. Her sapphire-blue eyes were as clear as crystal. This magic was effective against everyone except Li Yue.
"What is it? Speak your mind. We were friends when I was young, after all," Stephenson said, sitting up straighter. "Besides, a request from one of the Five Staves is practically an order."
"When you were young, though the back of your hair was already white, it looked much more stylish when you tied it up," Clo remarked, not immediately getting to the point.
"I'm old now; I have to accept it... why bother competing with the youngsters?" Stephenson chuckled. As he aged, his painting style had changed. In many ways, this represented a breakthrough and development in his magic. Although it only broadened his magical path rather than advancing it in scale, it was enough for him.
As a magic user who pursued art, he didn't seek raw power. Magic users in the Art Department focused on how to clearly depict the world within their hearts.
Perhaps Roland was an exception, but he had truly used his Blues to paint a brilliant future for Parvati. That was something most Art Department members—even Great Mages—could never achieve.
"I do have a request this time." Clo smiled and handed over a resume, looking like a junior employee at an interview. Stephenson took it and put on his magical glasses, which he only wore when critiquing art. They allowed him to see the smallest details and even capture a hint of the creator's emotions.
"A request from the Five Staves? What's this resume about?" Stephenson raised an eyebrow.
"I want to apply for the position of professor's assistant. After all, I am technically still a student, and since I've reached the level of a Great Mage, I meet the criteria for the role," Clo explained with a smile. Stephenson froze for a moment. A few seconds later, his expression became quite... interesting.
"You're not joking? I feel like I'm old enough to start having auditory hallucinations," Stephenson said, somewhat speechless.
"I'm serious. Look, the assistant position has great benefits and many privileges. Plus, I can interact with the lovely new students and grow through our interactions."
"Aren't you the one who finds the young kids from the Time Casket most annoying? And besides..." For only the second time in his life, Stephenson felt utterly at a loss for words. The first time had also been during a conversation with Clo.
What was the reason back then?
Stephenson thought for a moment, and a strange memory came flooding back. He remembered it clearly: this eccentric woman had once discussed whether she could give him her Five Staves position just so she could sneak out for a vacation. She had even tried to hand him the Five Staves token.
I thought she had become much more mature and steady after she returned recently. I was thinking that just a few days ago, but the moment she knocked on my door today, I knew nothing good would come of it...
"No matter how many privileges a professor's assistant has, it's nothing compared to being one of the Five Staves, a position second to none..." Stephenson tried to reason with her.
"But I meet all the requirements. I'm actually here for an interview. I'm very serious," Clo insisted.
"You're not trying to flee the Academy again, are you?" Stephenson asked, half-doubting and half-believing. For a moment, he questioned himself—why was he even half-believing her?
Have I been fooled by her so many times that I've lost my mind?
Should I consider moving to another campus to be an Art professor there instead?
"I'll be blunt... there is someone here I have been waiting for," Clo said, her tone suddenly becoming earnest. "If I remain in my capacity as one of the Five Staves, I'm afraid I won't even have the chance to enjoy this final beautiful period of time..."
"A person? Although I had a premonition that a powerful force of fate was approaching, I didn't think it would be as simple as a new student." Stephenson slowly stood up. He recalled the contents of a recent letter he had received from Clo.
When the first letters of each line were read together, they spelled out: Please help me.
"I've waited for her for so long... from the very beginning until now..."
"I suppose you must have discovered something in the traces of fate."
The space around Clo seemed to solidify. She nodded with a movement so slight it was almost invisible, but she knew Stephenson would catch it.
"Is she the one you mentioned... the one to break the deadlock? Your destined person?" Stephenson took off his glasses.
A look of longing appeared in Clo's eyes, and she nodded.
"Respected Professor Stephenson, I, Clo, solemnly apply to become your assistant. My current roles within the Academy are student and Five Staves mage."
Clo stood up, her demeanor suddenly becoming much more formal.
"I will still fulfill my duties as one of the Five Staves, and next year is not my year of residency anyway." Clo's expression was grave, devoid of her usual playful style.
Stephenson dithered, seemingly finally understanding something. He pushed aside the resume—which could only be described as perfect—and thought for a moment. Finally, he signed his name at the bottom of the document.
"I agree." Stephenson smiled. Clo looked slightly shocked, and a moment of silence hung in the air. Stephenson removed his glasses; he seemed to have seen through a great deal.
"I don't have much else to say, other than I hope you find the happiness you've dreamed of." He smiled.
He handed the approved assistant application to Clo. As the Chairman of the Art Department Magic Users' Association, he had the authority to hire assistants directly.
"I came, I saw, I recorded." Stephenson glanced out the window at the bright sunshine.
"I promised you that I would witness your fate," Stephenson sighed.
"No matter the outcome..."
Though my eyes cannot see through fate, I can see your curse, your pain... and the sincere love you have hidden away.
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