Chapter 3 - The Director

And here I was, sitting right in front of the director. While she prepared herself to talk to me in detail about my role as a professor, I looked around her office.

It was quite unconventional. Well, the furniture was exactly the same as everywhere else—a desk, a few chairs, a shelf with some books. However, one tiny little thing made this a bit unique: magic beasts.

They were everywhere, and when I say everywhere, I mean it. There was one on her head, one on each of her shoulders. There was even one on top of the shelf. It was crazy. The one on her head seemed to be an owl, but it wasn't a normal one. It looked a lot more dangerous than a typical owl with huge claws.

The director brought me out of my thoughts as she coughed twice, finally catching my attention.

The director was actually beautiful. She had long red hair and beautiful green eyes. She was also wearing quite revealing clothes. In fact, her top was almost see-through, which wasn't something that I had expected at all. Her curves also didn't help, as my eyes were always attracted to her cleavage. 

I'm a simple man, alright. I see a beautiful lady, and I look…that's all.

"It's nice to meet you, Caedrel. I've heard a lot about you and your achievements in the war against the Demons."

I swung my hand in the air as if flattered. "Ah, it really wasn't anything incredible."

"Hm, right, I also heard about that personality of yours." She shook her head with a slight smirk. "Well, since you didn't ask, my name is Alexandra Red."

"Alexandra, what a beautiful name!" I said while winking in her direction.

She blushed slightly and shook my hand right back.

Within seconds, she focused on the conversation between us. However, I had clearly seen that blush of hers.

"So, is there a reason why you came here three weeks in advance? Most of your colleagues will be arriving next week."

I gritted my teeth. Does it look like I did this on purpose? Of course, I didn't want to arrive early; it's just that the Emperor didn't give me any details about when the semester would start.

"About that, uh, well… I heard that my role within the Royal Academy would be a different one. So, I arrived as quickly as possible. I also wanted to ensure I would be ready to welcome my precious students!"

I lied without hesitation. I at least wanted the director to have a good impression of me, and I could tell that my first impression was shaky, to say the least.

"Oh, I didn't think you would be so dedicated to this new role of yours," she said as he slightly leaned forward, showing her cleavage even more. "Oh, and since you mentioned your students, did the Emperor mention what kind of class you would be teaching?"

I shook my head in response. That was actually a question I wanted the answer to. I wanted to know why he had called the class that I would be teaching a special class. That was one of the main reasons I had accepted this role.

"No, he didn't mention anything about it. He just called it special."

She suddenly leaned back and took a piece of paper that had been on the desk.

"I see. Well, since he didn't say anything in that letter, I will also do the same."

I think she noticed the frown on my face because she quickly added another sentence to reassure me.

"Don't worry. I promise you that it's nothing bad. In fact, it's the only role in the academy worthy of your strength."

I just shrugged my shoulders. Well, it's not like I needed to know immediately, so I simply let it go. My class was only secondary as I wanted to know a lot more about my role as an undercover professor.

"Mhm, I see. Then, shouldn't we talk about that other role of mine…" I tried to act as mysterious as possible. However, the director looked at me with a frown for some reason.

"That other role of yours? You mean…as a professor?"

At that moment, I realized that there was a good chance that the director wasn't aware of my role as an undercover professor just yet. 

I had arrived way too early. 

"Never mind that, then. Do you have any tips for me to prepare myself as a teacher? After all, this is my first time."

This time, she took her sweet time as she turned her head and seemed to be murmuring something in the ear of the owl, which was now on her right shoulder. A few seconds passed, and it started flying away through the open window that was right behind Alexandra.

I didn't say anything, waiting for her answer. However, she just stayed there, completely still.

"Uh, so about the tip? Can I have one?"

She seemed surprised that I was still there as she practically jumped in her own seat.

"Right, sorry, it shouldn't take long. I just need to verify something."

Minutes passed by, and it was starting to get boring. I observed a few of her magic beasts, but at one point, it was starting to get a little redundant…so I just looked up at the ceiling and closed my eyes.

-Whoo-Whoo!

The owl made a little sound as it went through the window once more.

I opened my eyes and saw the owl communicating with the director through animal noises. Alexandra, the director, was nodding as if understanding everything.

"So, what's it saying?" I inquired, curious to see if that was all an act.

"Oh, uh, I wanted to make sure before telling you. But it seems that one of your students has already arrived at the Royal Academy."

I frowned. "You really understood that owl?"

It's not that I didn't believe her, but it was the first time I had ever seen someone in this world do something like that.

The director even formed a smug smile on her face when she answered me.

"You never met a druid during the war?"

Now that she mentioned it, I did meet druids, but they usually didn't have any animals with them since they were basically the ones healing everyone. Obviously, I never got hurt, so I never spent a lot of time with them…but they seemed nice.

"I did, I just didn't know they could communicate with magic beasts."

She nodded. "I see. Well, enough about me. Let's go back to that student of yours."

"Right, right. Is that student really in my class?"

"Yes. Look, what I would recommend you to do is find your student right away. Meeting your first student completely alone would make things easier for you later."

I nodded. She wasn't wrong; gaining the trust of someone would be a lot easier if we could talk one-on-one.

"And where should I go to find that student of mine?"

"Uh…right now, it's not a good time. You see, I would suggest looking for your student at night."

At night?