Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Springs Call (2)

The regular faculty meeting was a formal and significant occasion, distinguished from the usual, routine faculty meetings. While the number of attendees was not much different from the regular faculty meetings, the caliber of participants was a step higher.

Whereas regular faculty meetings were gatherings where full professors, associate professors, and academic staff all came together to discuss practical matters, regular meetings were more focused on deciding macro-level operational directions. Above all, the most significant difference was that Headmaster Obel Forcius presided over these meetings himself.

The meeting was a venue for checking on the progress of various academic departments, exchanging situations that needed review regarding student education and management, and making direct decisions on important matters.

In reality, for veteran professors and management-level professors, these meetings were an opportunity to prove their competencies, so even the most experienced faculty members prepared thoroughly.

The winter vacation was reaching its end. Right now, with no spare moment in preparation for the upcoming semester, through the regular meeting, it was crucial to confirm the direction and policy of academic education.

As such, this meeting was reserved for those at least at the rank of mentor or emeritus professor

It was unnatural for anyone to see Assistant Professor Claire Elfin mixed in among the meeting attendees.

The results of the recent class assignment tests are as follows.

Dean McDowell was in the midst of presenting the overall test results to Headmaster Obel.

Obel browsed through the class allocation results for each department and briefly tilted his head in confusion.

This years Magic Department has no students in Class A? Who was in charge of the exams Assistant Professor Claire, I see

Claire, who had been trying to blend in inconspicuously, trembled and her shoulders shook when Obel called her by name.

By rights, she was not supposed to be attending such a meeting, but she was there as a special representative for Professor Glast, and thus had no choice.

She had intended to quietly shrink away amidst the meeting seats filled with emeritus professors, never expecting her name to be called.

Was she not said to be a protge of Professor Glast? My expectations are quite high.

Th-thank you

I have no intention of meddling in the strict criteria used to select students, but I did not expect that not a single A-class student would be chosen.

The emeritus professors were diligently scanning the distributed reports. Claire had not anticipated attracting so much attention.

Glast, her predecessor, had notoriously strict standards for A-class students, and there had been years when no A-class students were chosen, so she thought it wouldnt really matter.

From the standpoint of a principal, I feel the need to check the reasons behind this and consider them. Whether the level of incoming freshmen in the Magic Department is purely that low, or if more stringent conditions were requested I must be aware of such matters.

That is

Judging by the exam content you had them compete against upperclassmen, correct?

Attention was drawn

Headmaster Obels eyes moved from side to side as he began to analyze Claires hastily prepared exam report.

Hmm

Oh my

What?! The top combat student of the second-year pre-nursery?

The reactions of the emeritus professors, who were also reading the documents, varied.

The exam content was subject to interpretation, depending on who was reading it.

In particular, making students face off against Clevius Nortondale, the combat departments top student from the upcoming second-year, was seen by many to be too harsh.

Some of those upperclassmen appear to be fairly competent Perhaps the challenge given to the freshmen was too severe

Wiping away her increasing perspiration in secrecy, Claire spoke with as much confidence as she could muster.

With a bright smile, she said, I judged them to be fit for Class A if they could handle this much.

It was a hasty response, but faltering here would do no good. Assistant Professor Claire maintained as bold a front as possible.

Her bold demeanor prompted the emeritus professors to swallow dryly in response.

Hmm Yenika Faelover, Ed Rothtaylor, Anis Heilan, Clevius Nortondale

Reading through the list of Assistant Professor Claires research lab members, Headmaster Obel soon closed his eyes and nodded.

The perspiring emeritus professors deeply imprinted those names into their minds.

People who knew knew.

Even the professors who didnt believe in superstitions had to gradually acknowledge Claires natural affinity for people. It was as if she had done something extraordinary in a past life.

Some even considered her seemingly naive demeanor to be a faade. She was innately capable of selecting and managing people.

Otherwise, it made no sense for all of the talents to flock to Assistant Professor Claire.

She had the worlds scholars as advisors, famous figures within her circle of friends, and her own mentees were nothing short of remarkable gems.

It was to the point where one might ask why heavens favored Claire so much, and so the emeritus professors began to keep a close watch on any new faces around her.

Anis, the top teaching assistant that all professors coveted, was a prime example.

The other newly emerged names were still difficult to judge.

Just from the fact that Claire could sit in such a consequential meeting and assert her opinions with confidence, it was clear that she was not merely a naive individual.

The cunning hidden behind her innocent appearance remains to be fully assessed. What exactly was she thinking inside?

I want a tart

Rubbing her hungry stomach, Assistant Professor Claire sat there without a single word, just enduring the moment.

Anyway, the first-year class assignments are now finalized, and the lists of top students are confirmed So were almost ready for the next semester, Obel commented after going through the report outlining details not only of the new students but also the entire student bodys academic records.

Ahead of the student council elections, what mattered most in the present scenario was the list of top students.

Top combat student of the first-year: Wade Callamore Magic Department top: Joseph Whitepeltz Alchemy Department top: Claude Belarus Overall top: Wade Callamore

Top combat student of the second-year: Clevius Nortondale Magic Department top: Lucy Mayrill Alchemy Department top: Elvira Eniston Overall top: Lucy Mayrill

Top combat student of the third-year: Drake Lagers Magic Department top: Yenika Faelover Alchemy Department top: Atalante Overall top: Yenika Faelover

As mentioned rules are rules. To urge her to escape would be irresponsible, considering how much Lucy owes to the kind maids.

Being in a management position facing the snowstorm must be a new experience for you. Surely, you have many concerns?

Hmm.. Hmm Hmm

Would you continue with formal speech, please?

To be honest, theres not much to worry about. Ophelius Hall has excellent facilities, and generally, there are not many students who wander outside during the snowstorm season.

There shouldnt be too many issues as long as we keep a close eye on Miss Lucys escapades, there shouldnt be any unexpected variables.

Belle shifted the topic towards me while adjusting his hold on Lucy.

In fact, if theres any concern, its more about Master Ed. Can you endure a blizzard lasting a week in such conditions? No offense, but with just these windbreaks, it seems itll be quite challenging.

Well, this setup is just to protect the supplies.

Additionally, to prevent any adverse effects on the cabin, ropes were secured over the roof and tied tightly to the ground, and various traps were carefully stored inside the cabin.

I have a separate place to take refuge during the blizzard, so theres no need to worry too much.

With you saying that, Ill try to worry less

I plan to spend the blizzard week entirely focused on magical engineering research in the Soul Library.

Being underground, it does feel a bit claustrophobic, and its not a place Id want to stay long-term, but its necessary. All the required firewood has been moved there, and ventilation measures are in place, although its just making fires near openings.

Its unfortunate that I cant rely on Lucys magic, but I should be able to manage for a week.

I just hope the camp remains unharmed in my absence.

After completing an extensive training period in the library, the weather should have become quite mild, and Ill have made significant progress in my magical engineering training.

It feels odd, almost like hibernating through the winter.

Speaking of which Master Ed. Theres another concern

Another concern?

Belle looked troubled, stroking his chin, then shook his head vigorously.

Maybe its overstepping, but

Now Im even more curious.

Losing his resolve, Belle, holding Lucy more securely, spoke to me with a determined face.

Anyway best of luck, Master Ed.

The blueberry pie tasted like it had sand in it.

These were delicacies directly sourced from the most renowned bakery in Huangdao. Claire, excited to see her academic friends after a long time, brought these premium snacks.

Sitting in front of her closest friends, Yenika and Anis, Claire sipped her tea, feeling like she was on pins and needles.

In a student welfare facility at the professors student union building, the three of them sat side by side on a bench, unable to engage in proper conversation for nearly five minutes.

Claire initially tried to spark discussion with her excitement about vacation plans and next semesters classes, but only received short answers, with a tense atmosphere lingering between Yenika and Anis.

Why are they like this? Did they fight?

The obvious tension suggested a fight, giving Claire a headache.

It was heartbreaking to think her two dearest friends from Sylvania had fought.

She reminisced about seeing Yenika and Anis before leaving for vacation always together, despite their bickering, which now triggered Claires nostalgia.

The bond between Yenika and Anis was strong. Even if they had fought, it likely wasnt over something that could sever their friendship.

Anis, despite her tenacity, was inherently good-natured, and Yenika was beyond reproach. Any disagreement between them couldnt be too complex.

It was time for Claire to mediate and help them reconcile.

Ed hugged me, Yenika said emotionlessly.

Claire managed to swallow her tea, which threatened to reflux.

What do you mean?

Claire looked directly at Anis.

The implication of Yenikas words suggested something more, forcing Claire to digest the news while observing Aniss reaction.

Anis, looking awkward and sweating, couldnt meet Yenikas eyes.

Anis?

Its more of a misunderstanding, yeah.

Anis quickly looked up, explaining to Yenika while sweating profusely.

The spirits oversimplified the story. They focused too much on the superficial facts. Spirits dont know the full story.

What?

Anis took a deep breath, regaining her composure.

Anis Heilan, the meticulous and thorough chief teaching assistant of the academy, seemed to return to her usual self, reassuring Claire somewhat.

I need to apologize to Yenika. Theres something Claire also knew Actually, I did flirt with that man, Ed.

Claire finally understood the whole story.

Before leaving for vacation, Anis had mentioned throwing herself at Ed to see his reaction.

Ah, so that was it! Yenika found out?! Anis, youre really! But yes, you should apologize!

Yes, Yenika. Im sorry. I just couldnt trust Ed Rothtaylor He seemed too flippant I wanted to test him.

What? No really?

Yenikas pupils shook violently, understandable to Claire, whose heart also began to race.