When selecting students, Dean Bruce was certain to choose Lucy Michelle, but he deliberately passed over those who had previously speculated about his relationship with her.
After all, he intended to genuinely teach magic and didn't want those students benefiting from his instruction.
As for dealing with them?
Well, as a senior instructor, handling a few unruly students within the academy would be no challenge.
Aside from Lucy Michelle, Dean Bruce refrained from selecting too many highly talented students.
Firstly, the rules had limitations, and secondly, most gifted students carried an air of arrogance. Unlike Nicholas or Nemesis, who had sought out Dean Bruce specifically, these students might not take his teachings seriously.
Better to choose a few average students instead. Those students, eager to surpass their peers, would undoubtedly dedicate themselves to training.
For teaching assistants, Dean Bruce selected Alita Miller and a rather shy, young female instructor—Loha Ellis.
Initially, Dean Bruce had intended to avoid too much interaction with Alita, but the information she had was far too enticing to pass up.
With the student selection complete, the instructors dispersed.
After giving Lucy Michelle the key to the Quicksand Secret Realm, Dean Bruce called Alita Miller and Loha Ellis to join him as he headed toward the academy gates.
Since he planned to enter the Quicksand Secret Realm tomorrow, he wouldn't stay in the academy overnight. The initial student training would be managed by the two assistants.
Loha Ellis nodded at the news, replying, "Dean, don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on the training."
"Oh, by the way, have either of you spent your points on dormitories? If you haven't, feel free to join me!" Loha added softly. "My family owns several residences in Saint Laurent City, so we can stay there and save a ton of points!"
"Really?" Alita grinned with delight, playfully saying, "Then thank you, sister! Dean, are you coming too?"
"Opportunities to stay with two beautiful women don't come around often!"
Hearing this, Loha Ellis couldn't help but blush slightly.
Dean Bruce glanced at her and said calmly, "No need. I have my own residence here. Let's handle everything else after I return from the Secret Realm."
With that, Dean Bruce strode off, quickly putting distance between himself and the two women.
After passing through two Space Teleportation Arrays, an ancient, imposing gate finally appeared before him. There was no guard in sight, only a dark, abyss-like barrier of light.
Stepping through the barrier, the red insignia on Dean Bruce's chest glowed brightly, and the surrounding space began to warp.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself on a desolate street.
Turning around, he saw only an old wooden door with a small table beside it. On the table lay an elderly man with a head full of white hair, softly snoring.
Having read countless novels and seen many animes, Dean Bruce knew this gatekeeper was likely powerful beyond measure. But no matter how formidable the man was, it didn't concern Dean Bruce, so he ignored him and continued down the street.
The street was eerily quiet, with shop doors half-closed and barely a soul in sight.
"No need; we can talk about it some other time," Dean Bruce replied bluntly. Right now, his mind was set solely on finding out news about his parents.
With no further benefit in staying and knowing the timeline, Dean Bruce returned directly to his estate.
Nemesis Bruce was still training on the lively, bustling street, her skin rejuvenated by magic and nearly fully healed.
Yet, the lack of public attention left her feeling strangely unsettled.
She even contemplated reopening her own wounds.
Dean Bruce ignored her, finished his meal, and returned to the main courtyard to wait for Alita Miller's arrival.
Time passed slowly.
Eventually, night fell.
Swish—
The pond in the courtyard began to ripple as white water spilled over the edge, glowing under the moonlight.
Dean Bruce looked up to see the shimmering water coalesce into a delicate, graceful hand, soon followed by Alita Miller's body rising gracefully from the surface, floating atop the water.
The white flow surrounded her like a celestial nymph.
Though he'd seen this transformation before, Dean Bruce still marveled at it; the scene looked like something out of an anime.
Too bad Alita Miller was far too calculating—Dean Bruce preferred to keep his distance from her.
"Ahaha!" Alita let out a sultry laugh, her red lips parting, "Big brother, were you waiting for me?"
"Speak normally," Dean Bruce's single retort brought Alita back to her usual self.
With a sigh, she drifted closer to him, scanning her surroundings as she spoke, "Seems you've had quite a bit of luck lately. Or perhaps the 'old you' was just a façade?"
Dean Bruce's expression remained calm. "Who do you need killed?"
A wounded look flashed in Alita's eyes. "Must you be so cold, big brother? I went through a lot of trouble to find you."
"Or is it that I'm too old for you? What's Joan got that I don't?"
Dean Bruce's voice turned sharp, cutting through her words, "Let's stick to business. If you keep up with this nonsense, don't expect me to play nice. Don't think I can't get information about my parents without your help."
Alita sighed. "The one we need to kill is named Elvis Donimo."
The name didn't ring a bell. Dean Bruce narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's his position?"
"The head of enforcement for the Nine Provinces Alliance. He used to be one of us but betrayed the organization and even turned his blade on us, costing many of our brothers their lives," Alita's eyes grew fierce. "If you agree to help kill him, not only will I tell you everything I know about your parents, but I'll also arrange for our people to cooperate with you."
"Until your parents are safely out, what do you say to this partnership?"