"Heh..."
Olivia let out a low, melodic laugh. It sounded a bit out of place in a room cluttered with wine bottles.
"In all the reports and rumors at the academy, I really had no idea you were such an... interesting person, Greg Sass."
"Well, now you know."
Greg remained unmoved, even playing along. "So, if there's nothing important, may I leave? My cat is actually hungry."
"What's the rush? It's not like I'm going to eat you."
Olivia seemed to find his reaction amusing.
She finally let go of her wine glass and reached for a controller nearby, pausing the magic film on the wall.
Then, with a light kick to the base of her high-backed chair, she spun around a full hundred and eighty degrees to face Greg.
Those dainty feet that had been resting on the desk finally retracted, stepping casually onto the soft animal-hide rug.
"Actually, I called you here for two main reasons."
Olivia leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin on her interlaced fingers. Her molten-gold eyes locked onto Greg. Though her posture remained relaxed, her gaze had become sharp and clear. Her previous drunkenness seemed like a mere illusion.
"Two things?" Greg's guard went up even further.
"First."
Olivia held up a slender finger. Her smile was bright, but it gave Greg an uneasy feeling.
"To thank you."
"Thank me?" Greg was genuinely confused.
What could he have possibly done to earn the Headmistress's gratitude?
Olivia nodded as if it were obvious.
"The Magic Tower Exchange was incredibly boring for me. Thanks to your sudden disappearance for over a week, I had the perfect excuse to leave early."
Greg: "..."
Damn it!
So the reason this plot changed and brought this big shot back early... was me!
"And the second thing?"
Greg suppressed his exasperation and continued his questioning.
"The second thing..."
The smile on Olivia's face faded slightly. A complex light Greg couldn't decipher flickered in her molten-gold eyes. She leaned back into her chair and picked up her wine glass again, swirling the amber liquid inside. Her tone became meaningful.
"I really didn't expect... that in my academy, there was a... monster like you hiding in plain sight."
Greg's heart skipped a beat, his pupils constricting imperceptibly.
He was about to ask, "What do you mean by that?"
But suddenly, the female voice he had heard before losing consciousness merged with Olivia's voice...
There was no doubt. The person back then was definitely Headmistress Olivia!
While he couldn't be certain if Olivia had witnessed him using dark magic with her own eyes, as a Great Archmage, she must have sensed something from the traces of battle left at the scene.
Greg's heart sank.
If Olivia used what she knew to threaten or control him, given his current strength and situation, he would have almost no room to resist.
Dark magic, lost for over a thousand years, reappearing in the world—once this news leaked, the number of factions that would covet, investigate, or act with malice was obvious.
As if seeing through his suddenly tensed nerves and the wariness in his eyes, Olivia chuckled, a hint of playfulness in her molten-gold gaze.
"It seems... you aren't as foolish as the rumors describe. You've already guessed what I'm referring to."
Greg remained silent. He neither admitted nor denied anything, simply staring at Olivia, waiting for her to continue.
This feeling of someone having leverage over him was terrible.
"Don't be so nervous, little guy."
Olivia waved her hand, her tone light and even somewhat comforting.
"I'm not some kind of demon. Don't forget, besides being the Headmistress, I'm also a... well, a cowboy with a strong sense of justice!"
What does being a cowboy have to do with a sense of justice?!
Greg complained inwardly, but his face remained calm.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as if trying to push out the stifling feeling in his chest.
He knew that the initiative was entirely in her hands.
"Fine, Headmistress."
Greg's voice regained its composure, even carrying a hint of resigned indifference.
"Tell me, what exactly do you want from me? Or rather, what price do I need to pay to ensure you stay... silent about that night?"
"Heh, you really are a smart one. You catch on quick."
Olivia nodded with satisfaction. She drained the rest of her wine in one gulp and casually placed the empty glass on the snack-piled desk with a soft clink.
"Then I won't beat around the bush. My request is actually very simple."
She paused, her molten-gold eyes staring directly at Greg. She spoke each word clearly.
"Go and become the Representative, Greg Sass."
Greg: "...?"
He froze, his face showing clear bewilderment and confusion.
He was no stranger to the term 'Representative'.
Every year level at Glory Cael Magic Academy would select a Representative and a Vice-Representative, representing the top two students in terms of overall performance.
It wasn't just the highest honor; it also meant more resources, greater influence, and to some extent, acting as the face of the academy.
The Representative of his year was the "flower on the high peak," Princess Vivian Kahn.
But... she wanted him to be the Representative?
The request was so absurd it was almost laughable.
With his notorious reputation, he was supposed to compete for the position of Representative?
The idea would likely make every student and teacher laugh their heads off.
Olivia went to all this trouble just to make him fight for a title?
There was definitely a deeper purpose behind this.
It couldn't be that the Headmistress was just bored and wanted to see the delinquent student make a comeback for her own entertainment, could it?
"Headmistress." Greg frowned slightly, his tone laced with undisguised suspicion. "What is your real goal?"
Olivia sat up straight and said, "Seeing a student return to the right path—that is the goal. Don't forget, I am an educator."
Greg replied expressionlessly, "Right. But more than an educator, you actually prefer to think of yourself as a... spiritual cowboy."
Olivia pursed her lips, seemingly annoyed that he had seen through her facade so quickly, but she didn't deny it.
She shifted into a more comfortable position, crossing her legs and tapping her finger lightly on her knee.
"Tsk. Sometimes, having a student who's too smart isn't entirely a good thing for an educator."
She muttered to herself before turning serious. "Fine, I'll tell you the truth. My real purpose is—"
She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering but carrying an undeniable weight.
"I want you to be one of the representatives of Glory Cael Academy and participate in the next Five Academy Tournament."
Rate on N.U.
