The academy hallways stretched endlessly in both directions. Flowers blooming along every corner of the corridor looked more vibrant than usual because of one person.
Elisha.
The Headmaster of Academy Aetherion.
She walked side by side with Ard through the academy halls. Every student who passed by lowered their heads respectfully and greeted them politely.
Elisha returned every greeting with a warm smile.
She truly was someone easy to approach. Not only beautiful, but genuinely warm-hearted. To many students, she was both a guide and a mother figure.
Meanwhile, Ard let out a long sigh while continuing to walk beside her.
He looked exhausted after everything that happened earlier.
"I only wanted to relax and enjoy life lazily. So how did everything end up like this?"
Elisha answered while waving toward several students.
"It is not good for someone your age to waste his life away lazily."
Ard immediately looked even more lifeless after hearing those horrible words.
"I have heard that line countless times already. People always say this age is the best time to be active."
"Good. Then stop being lazy."
"But Headmaster-"
"Sister."
"But Sister, it is still unfair. For the past fifteen years, I have not been able to relax properly. I want to go home, eat my mother's cooking, take naps, and go fishing. Is something that simple really impossible?"
Ard spoke dramatically like someone who had suffered for an entire year without rest.
"But earlier, you stepped into mud. So now you cannot go back anymore."
Hearing that, Ard's expression turned blank.
Then he snorted softly.
"That was part of my plan."
Elisha turned toward him curiously while still walking.
"What do you mean?"
"Seeing those students being so naive and stupid irritated me. Honestly, they have talent with much greater potential, but they are consumed by jealousy. Jealous of other people's strength. And arrogant too. They become proud after gaining only a tiny bit of power."
"So that is why you were so harsh toward them."
"They have spent years without realizing their own flaws. Ideally, they should realize it themselves. But with their pride and superiority complex, that is impossible. So I will force them to face the bitter truth about themselves."
Elisha smiled softly.
"So you actually care about them."
"Of course. Whether I like it or not, I am their professor now. No matter what kind of students they are, I will guide them beyond their limits. Even if my methods are harsh, the results will be worth it."
Suddenly, Elisha wrapped both arms around Ard's arm while continuing to walk.
Ard immediately froze.
Then he tried to pull away while protesting quietly. The students around them started staring more openly now.
Even so, Elisha ignored all the attention and continued walking while hugging Ard's arm happily.
"Were you angry earlier when Claire insulted your parents?"
Ard became silent for a moment while scratching his head awkwardly.
"It would be a lie if I said I was not angry. You should know better than anyone how much I love my parents... But I cannot exactly beat up my own students either. They are still immature."
Elisha smiled while looking at him.
"Just as expected, Ard is still Ard."
"What does that even mean? I am obviously still myself."
"But Claire used to be your junior."
"That is true. But now she is a student in my class. Which means she is my student."
"Wah~ Then what if I joined your class? Would I become your student too?"
"There is nothing left for me to teach you."
"Eh?! But I want to become your student."
"Impossible. And I would never accept it. Now let go of my arm."
"No."
The two continued walking through the hallways while talking endlessly.
Ard looked exhausted and annoyed the entire time. He only wanted to go home.
Meanwhile, Elisha continued laughing softly because of Ard's irritated expression.
Students secretly watched them from behind as they walked past.
Laughter echoed throughout the academy hallways.
Flowers bloomed beautifully wherever they passed.
Warm sunlight poured into every classroom window.
But more than the sunlight itself, the thing truly warming the atmosphere was Elisha's laughter.
* * *
Afterward, Ard and Elisha separated.
Ard claimed he had something he needed to do.
Elisha looked slightly confused because it contradicted Ard's earlier desire to spend the entire day being lazy, but she still nodded with a smile and allowed him to leave.
"Doesn't this make it look like he asked permission from me first?"
Elisha muttered while sitting inside her office with one hand against her cheek.
"Even though he could have simply left without saying anything."
"Headmaster."
Elisha turned toward the voice.
Inside the room stood Rachel, who had apparently been waiting there.
Elisha immediately let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank goodness that ended without anything serious happening."
In truth, when Ard released his aura earlier, it spread throughout the surrounding area.
Several nearby students fainted from the pressure while others struggled to breathe.
Even the professors became alarmed, believing some terrifying enemy had attacked the academy.
That was also why Elisha personally stepped in to calm Ard down.
Even if Ard himself was not truly enraged, the aura he released had still shaken an entire building.
"And that was only five percent of his strength. Amazing, isn't it~"
"...I would call him a monster. But no matter how strong Professor Ard is, you are still far stronger than him-"
"You are wrong, Rachel."
Elisha interrupted calmly.
"I may be stronger than Ard right now, but that does not mean I am better than him."
Rachel looked confused.
"What do you mean? Are you saying Professor Ard could someday surpass even you?"
Elisha slowly walked toward the large window behind her desk.
From there, she could see the vast scenery of the academy outside.
Then she spoke quietly.
"I do not know either. But..."
Her eyes landed on Ard, who was currently walking somewhere with one hand behind his neck while looking visibly annoyed.
Perhaps he sensed her gaze.
Then Elisha continued.
"Whether it becomes light... or darkness... something extraordinary will be born soon."
Elisha smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, Rachel remained silent while trying to understand the meaning behind those words.
Seeing Rachel's confused face, Elisha simply laughed softly before telling her not to think too deeply about it and return to work.
Rachel obeyed, bowed politely, and left the room.
Once alone again, Elisha sat back down in her chair and gently played with her silver hair while smiling to herself.
"A few years from now might become far more interesting."