Feeling the gaze on him, Dean Bruce couldn't help but reflect.
If this were anything like the novels he used to read, people like this often concealed their strength; it wouldn't be surprising if Mordo Chakol had already reached the grand archmage level or was even close to the Saint realm!
Thankfully, they were on the same side, so Dean Bruce didn't need to be overly cautious about his power.
With a smile, Mordo Chakol asked, "Lord Cyb, is there something important that brings you here? And this gentleman, might he be a younger relation of yours?"
"Not exactly a younger relation, but he's certainly one of our own," Cyb Louis replied. "This is Dean Bruce from Notting City, recommended by Biber himself. I intend for him to serve as a senior mentor and stay here at the academy long-term."
"Biber?" Mordo Chakol thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Ah, yes, that young man. His parents both fell in battle, and he has quite a record of service. Since he personally recommended Dean, there's no issue at all with him becoming a senior mentor."
"Dean, isn't it? From now on, you'll be under my guidance, and I'll make sure everything is taken care of for you," Mordo Chakol said.
Dean Bruce replied with a courteous smile, "Thank you for your help, Director Mordo."
At this, Cyb Louis nodded and said, "All the paperwork is done. Take him to collect his supplies; I'll leave the rest to you both. I have other matters to attend to."
As Cyb Louis departed, Mordo Chakol narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and asked, "Dean, are you close with Lord Cyb?"
"We've only met three or four times," Dean Bruce replied calmly. "I'm just here to do my job as a mentor."
Hearing this, Mordo Chakol nodded approvingly and said, "Very well, then. Wait here a moment. Once the other mentors arrive, I'll go over a few things and then take you to get your supplies. For now, let's head to the conference room."
"More formalities?" Dean Bruce frowned slightly; nothing annoyed him more than endless regulations.
Noticing Dean Bruce's irritation, Mordo Chakol chuckled. "If you're not interested, feel free to take a nap. Most of the speech is directed at the mentor assistants, so you don't need to listen.
"Senior mentors hold a high position in our academy, after all."
At this reassurance, Dean Bruce felt less resistant and followed Mordo Chakol into the conference room.
Though called a conference room, it was more of a hall.
Besides rows of chairs at the front and long tables on either side stocked with sweets and drinks, the middle of the room was wide open and empty.
"I have other matters to attend to, so feel free to relax here. Make yourself at home," Mordo Chakol said with a warm smile. As he turned to leave, he subtly waved his right hand, and a faint pulse of magic rippled through the air.
Noticing this, Dean Bruce frowned slightly. Clearly, Mordo Chakol didn't fully trust him and was likely trying to keep him under magical surveillance.
But since Dean Bruce had no plans to do anything suspicious, Mordo's efforts were in vain.
"Who?" Dean Bruce didn't agree right away.
As much as he cared about news of his parents, he had to be certain it wouldn't jeopardize his safety. After all, only if he survived could he hope to find and rescue them.
Even if they weren't his biological parents in the truest sense, over the years he had come to regard them as his own—they had cared for him as if he were truly their child.
Alita shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I can't tell you the name now. Too many ears around, and I don't want anyone listening in."
Leaning in even closer, Alita's face was almost against his, her finger tracing along his lips as she murmured, "Why don't you come to my room tonight? We can discuss this in private."
Dean Bruce stayed completely composed, his expression unflinching as her breath warmed his cheek.
But before he could decline, a loud voice rang out across the room, "Hey! What do you two think you're doing over there?"
"That's the chair for the Dean of Students. It's not for you two!"
Interrupted, a flash of irritation and anger flickered in Alita's eyes, but she quickly composed herself, turning around with a polite smile plastered on her face.
Dean Bruce remained seated, his gaze sweeping over the newcomer in a work uniform before calmly saying, "Go call Director Mordo here."
Though Dean Bruce typically didn't care much about ranks, he knew that arguing with the staff wouldn't get him anywhere. Calling the person in charge was simply more efficient.
The staff member caught on quickly, gave Dean Bruce a once-over, and then turned to leave.
The minor incident passed quietly, a mere blip that didn't catch much attention from the other mentors.
In fact, Dean Bruce's response had the opposite effect—seeing him reclining there inspired a few other mentors, who were worn out from the long journey, to pull up chairs and settle down around him.
With the crowd growing, Alita Miller refrained from continuing her conversation with Dean Bruce. Instead, she moved behind him, reaching out her slender fingers to massage his temples.
The sight stirred envy among many of the mentors, both men and women, who looked on with jealousy.
Thud, thud, thud—
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as Mordo Chakol, his large belly leading the way, entered with the staff member from earlier guiding him.
With a warm smile that contrasted his serious tone, he addressed them, "Welcome, everyone, to Saint Laurent Advanced Magic Academy. I am Mordo Chakol, the Director of Academic Affairs for the entire academy! It's our first meeting...and I must say, my first impression of you all...is truly something!"
His words cut through the room, immediately drawing the mentors' attention. They paused whatever they were doing, throats tightening as they swallowed nervously.
Even the mentors who had been lounging quickly sat up, reaching over to nudge Dean Bruce to do the same.