[Author’s Note: Please check the Commt section… I asked a few questions and wanted to know feedback… Please give me your honest answers]
“I am truly grateful that Ms. Delphine took care of my snake in her bosom. Thank you, Ms. Delphine… hehehe.”
Ever since Aether made that public statemt, Delphine had be suffering immsely. She almost lost her job due to his playful and misleading words.
Left with no other choice, Delphine had to tell the truth to the Empress wh the Empress pressed on to her.
Had the Empress not supported Delphine and clarified that Aether really meant a literal ‘snake’, Delphine would surely have lost her position as a professor at the Academy.
Each Empire is represted by only five professors in the Academy, making it crucial for the Aquaris Naiadae Empire to maintain their stronghold. Losing Delphine would have be a significant disadvantage in areas such as research, information exchange, advanced spell theories, and support for their chos ones.
The implications were vast and far-reaching, affecting not just Delphine but the tire empire she represted.
Despite having other professors, only five were permitted to teach or access dangerous information at the Academy, highlighting the importance of Delphine’s role. These select few held immse responsibility and wielded considerable influce within the institution. Losing one of them would be a serious blow to the Academy’s knowledge and capabilities.
“I-I see…” Aether nodded nervously after hearing this. To be honest, he had indeed intded a double meaning at that time… Yeah, although he had unconsciously said those things before, that time he really meant it!
He never thought his words would almost make Delphine lose her job.
“Now you understand,” the Principal said, looking at Aether, who was still held by Snowflake.
“I understood,” Aether replied, glancing at Delphine, who maintained a stern, professional face.
“I heard a lot from Delphine about you… You are quite… a pervert,” the Principal said with a frown.
“Hmm? Who?” Aether was confused.
“You”
” Me?”
“Yes”
Aether glanced at Delphine, who still had a stern face, though her sternness was brok wh,
[+ Affection]
‘Yup, I’ll teach her later who the real pervert is here,’ Aether mumbled inwardly, th wided his eyes.
“A lot?”
“Yes, she told me a lot of things about you… Ev Sandra mtioned a few things,” the Principal said.
“Sandra?” Aether frowned, trying to place the name, th realization dawned on him.
“Marisandra Naiadia… She asked me to take care of you,” the Principal explained, her tone revealing a hint of reluctance.
“I-I see…” Aether nodded again, feeling the tsion in the room height. He patted Snowflake, who looked at him with concern. After he gave her a reassuring smile, Snowflake returned to her normal size and nestled into his pocket, her head peeking out.
“Hmm… You really tamed her well,” the Principal observed Snowflake, who was still glaring at her despite not being nearly as powerful as the Principal. ‘I suppose it’s not about taming… He truly earned her loyalty, but how?’ she thought, turning serious,
“Sandra said you’re a special dog to her and wants me to let you rol so you can learn many things and become a special pet lion for her.”
“OH!” Aether was momtarily overwhelmed by the Empress’s dorsemt, his heart softing before he snapped back to the peculiar term, ‘Dog?’
“Pardon? Did you say dog?” Aether asked, confused.
The Principal shook her head, indicating he had misunderstood. Aether sighed, ‘Maybe I’m just tired…’
“Special dog,” she repeated with a smile, emphasizing the phrase.
Aether’s eyes twitched, but he forced himself to remain calm. He saw this as an opportunity to learn more and possibly uncover the truth about his slave status. He knew he had to lower his head wh necessary to gather valuable information.
Suppressing his urge to punch the Empress’s face, he said with a professional smile, “I am very much honoured to d–”
“However, I don’t think I can now,” the Principal interrupted before Aether could finish.
“W-Why is that?” Aether asked, unable to hide his surprise.
“Well…” The Principal shrugged as if the answer were obvious. “Because I am an OLD HAG!”
Aether’s expression shifted to one of disbelief, ‘Are you serious? Are you really going to hang on that?’ he had this expression, while the Principal’s face clearly conveyed, ‘I am damn serious’ with her expression.
Without hesitation, Aether said with a straight face, “Oh! The principal, the almighty of the Academy, your presce is a testamt to timeless grace and wisdom. Your elegance transcds the boundaries of AGE, exuding a beauty that is both captivating and ENDURING. The poise with which you carry yourself, the sparkle in your eyes, and the warmth of your smile are UNMATCHED.
Your charm is ough to make suffer of nightm- ahem, wonderful dreams.” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
The Principal’s lips twitched. Ev though Aether spoke with a straight face, there was a hint of sarcasm in his words.
” points… I guess,” she mumbled, th said, “Still, I cannot accept you though….”
Aether’s lips twitched, and before she could finish, he tried to interfere,
“If you’re truly worried about that, I’m telling you, you really a GIL–”
“Because it will break the rule, but since Sandra asked me and I still owe her, so…”
Both of their voices overlapped, creating a momt of mutual confusion.
They looked at each other and asked in unison, “”What did you say?””
Aether flinched, a slight tremor coursing through him. “N-Nothing, please, carry on.”
The Principal’s brows furrowed in mild concern, she wanted to press but she already wasted ough time so she got into matters, her voice measured yet authoritative,
“Next week, we have an upcoming contest integral to our Ranking system… and you must participate.”
“What manner of contest might this be?” Aether’s curiosity piqued.
Delphine, interjected, her voice calm and composed, as she spoke while the Principal took a momt to hydrate herself with a sip of water.
“It’s a contest to determine the hierarchy/Rank among the Chos Ones… T teams shall be formed, each comprised of five individuals and led by Chos ones.
The contest is other than Capture the Flag!
As the name implies, each team will stake claim to its own base and flag…
Their mission: protect their flag while strategically infiltrating the emy’s base to seize theirs…
The number of flags they manage to secure will ultimately determine their team’s rank.
That sums it up,” Delphine concluded short and sweet.