In the headmaster's office of Mystra Academy.
Alaric was slamming the desk.
"Circe!" His voice echoed through the room.
"This is the one hundred and eighty-fifth time! You've turned a student who tried to confess to you into a pig for the one hundred and eighty-fifth time!
Can't you give me a break for once?"
"Ehehe~" The pink-haired girl sitting behind the ornate desk tilted her head and stuck out her tongue.
"It's their own fault for overestimating themselves. A cute witch like me isn't someone just anyone can pursue, you know?
That privilege should be reserved for true heroes. If some random fool dares to waste my time by standing in front of me, he deserves to be turned into a little piglet!"
"Ha… really?" Alaric sighed, pressing his fingers to his temple as he heard that same excuse yet again.
"So we're just supposed to clean up after you every single time? Ever since you came to this academy, I've had to capture random animals a dozen times every year!
I've had to cast Memory Charms more than thirty times! 'Those who confess to Circe will suffer temporary memory loss' has become a campus legend!
Could you, for once, think about how this looks for me?"
"But Headmaster~," Circe's expression softened into something pitiful, her voice sweet as honey.
"If you would just agree to my request, I'd be perfectly obedient. There wouldn't be any of these little problems anymore."
Her innocent eyes and pleading look could melt even a golem's heart, but Alaric just looked utterly used to it. He inhaled deeply, weariness clouding his expression.
"No. You can have whatever else you want, but that one request is off limits. You're Hecate's apprentice, don't forget who you are."
His tone was firm and righteous, but Circe only pouted disdainfully.
"Tch... what kind of excuse is that? Just a master–apprentice relationship, what's the big deal? Besides, you clearly care about me. Why won't you just admit it?"
"When did I ever care about you?" Alaric shot back.
"Huh? You don't?" Circe's eyes widened in mock surprise.
"You even remember the exact number of confessions I've had, one hundred and eighty-five! Only a jealous man would hold on to that kind of thing. It's kinda cute~"
"That's not jealousy," Alaric muttered helplessly. Finally, he gave up arguing.
"Forget it. I'm the fool here. This is the one hundred and eighty-fifth time, when have I ever managed to talk sense into you…"
"That's not true at all!" Circe objected loudly. "I always listen to the Headmaster! Whatever you say, I'll do!"
"Oh really? Then what if I tell you to give up?" Alaric asked immediately.
"That's the one thing I refuse!" Circe crossed her arms in front of her chest, forming an X.
"Then I have nothing more to say."
Alaric sighed, standing up from behind his desk. "Forget it. Aphrodite and Hecate spoil you anyway. I can't control you. Reflect on your own behavior."
He threw on his cloak and started toward the door.
Behind him, Circe hurried to catch up.
"Hey hey! Headmaster! Uncle! Grandmaster! Where are you going? Aren't you supposed to be working right now? You haven't reviewed this year's advanced study list yet!"
"Next time," Alaric replied without turning around as the door slid open. "I'm leaving Colchis for a while. There's something I need to take care of."
At that, Circe followed even faster.
"Take me with you! Take me!" her crisp voice rang by his ear.
"I haven't seen the outside world in so long! I want to go too! If you don't take me, I'll tell everyone that the Headmaster abandoned his post!"
"Go ahead," Alaric said flatly. "The entire academy belongs to me. I can do whatever I want."
"So you're just going to leave me behind again?" Circe stomped her foot angrily and dropped into a squat, hugging her knees like a sulking child.
Alaric ignored her completely and kept walking.
Seeing that her pouting wasn't working, Circe grew irritated.
"Ugh! You stupid man! Don't you know how to comfort a lady? How did you even manage to win over so many goddesses before, huh?"
Of course, that last part she only muttered under her breath.
As Hecate's pupil, Circe had already lived on Colchis Island for over ten years.
Mystra Academy, the most wondrous and magnificent place in all the Greek divine realm, was brimming with magical marvels, but no matter how beautiful a view was, one could tire of it eventually.
Circe truly wanted to leave the island with Alaric and see the world beyond.
So, when neither stubbornness nor whining worked, she changed tactics.
"Um… I'm sorry about earlier," she said in a tiny, trembling voice. "Please take me with you? Please?"
This time, she used a pitiful doll-like tone to tug at his heartstrings, and to amplify its effect, she wrapped both arms around one of Alaric's.
Feeling the unexpected softness against him, Alaric finally couldn't ignore her any longer.
"Circe, please, let go. We can talk, but don't start clinging to me like this."
Not wanting to cause rumors inside the academy, Alaric stopped and tried to reason with her.
"Nope!" Circe refused outright, hugging him tighter. "It's so rare to have a chance to go out alone with the Headmaster, I'm not letting this one slip away!"
And so, the two of them stood there locked in an awkward pose in the corridor, Circe clinging to his arm while Alaric stood frozen, exasperated.
Even a passing spectral maid couldn't help but giggle at the sight.
As Headmaster of Mystra Academy, and lover of several goddesses, Alaric's authority in the academy was absolute.
Yet the only person who could truly give him a headache was Circe.
By now, they had made it all the way to the first-floor hallway. It was a quieter area, but still one frequented by students and faculty.
If anyone saw them like this…
With no better option, Alaric finally gave in.
"Fine, fine." He rubbed his nose in defeat. "You can come with me this time."
He sighed inwardly. The goddess is definitely going to explode when she hears about this.
"Yay!" Circe cheered like a girl, or perhaps she had always been one at heart, and suddenly kissed him on the cheek.
"Headmaster, you're the best! I love you so much I could turn you into a pig! For real!"
"I'd rather not experience that kind of love."
Wiping the faint trace of moisture from his cheek, Alaric urged, "Since you're coming, go pack your magical gear quickly."
"Okay!" Circe skipped happily down the corridor.
But after a few steps, she turned back.
"Just so you know, Headmaster, you're not allowed to sneak away without me."
"Unlike someone who's broken the same promise over a hundred times," Alaric muttered, waving her off impatiently. "Hurry up and come back."