Chapter 14

"What is it?"

"The principal called the teachers. Including you, Professor Read."

"Okay! I'll be right there."

Chris left the room. Go without saying excuse me. Professor Read snorted in annoyance. He got up from the chair. Swing the stick to the right. Show something to Isaac. That is a book containing black magic.

"What book is this?" asked Isaac.

"This is a black magic book. Someday you will use it to fight or protect you from enemies. At least that's what normal people do."

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Isaac."

Professor Read walked over to get a piece of paper. The paper contained the map of Aeckland Stronghold on the silver-haired youth. His brows furrowed. Glancing sharply at Professor Read.

"What's this?"

"A map I think," replied Professor Read.

Issac frowned again and his eyes blinked. Couldn't believe what he heard. The silver-haired youth gaped at the words just now. Professor Read thought that Isaac was hiding something. Especially with a place called Aeckland Stronghold. Both of his eyes concentrated on Isaac. From eyes, nose, face to suspicious gestures. All he saw once again.

But there are no suspicious signs. Professor Read got up from the chair, picking up the cloak that was on the wooden pole. Put it on until it looks neat.

Isaac said goodbye. Closing the door rushed somewhere. The three then hide while waiting for the right time. The fast pace of the silver-haired youth, took out a wand from his pocket. As soon as Issac left, Professor Read gave a golden fish floating in the air. Sneaking into the silver-haired youth's clothes as he left the room. He walked towards the golem. Give him instructions. Leave a message in the form of a piece of paper. He walked quickly when he heard the sound of the door squeaking from inside.

He turned the bow to the right. Make sure no one catches him. Until he met Professor Tristan. Pointed his wand at the office's outdoor door. Professor Tristan took out something from a room magic. The magic circle is activated. Glancing at Professor Read, who was walking towards the principal's office. Smile at him.

Professor Read looked up at an old room and the door was locked tight. Indicates that no one should enter the room unless it is necessary. Including teachers and students. No one came close without exception. If he intends to invite teachers here, it means that there is an emergency that must be investigated immediately. Professor Read and the other teachers realized that. Moreover, Professor Read wanted to find out what Isaac was hiding.

As he drifted off into a daydream, Professor McCoy tapped him on the shoulder. Professor Read jerked her head towards him. Smile lips smirk. Everywhere always carry a round hat while teaching. Big face and snub nose. His hair was neatly combed like a legislator. His body is fat and carries a taller stick. And there is a large orb attached to the stick. The teacher's robe he wore was too wide and had a long beard. Over his shoulder, the figure of a phoenix stroked Professor McCoy's cheek.

"Professor Anthony McCoy."

"Please call me Professor McCoy. Calling me by my first name makes me uncomfortable," Professor McCoy said.

"Are you sure? That sounds like trouble to me."

"That's because my son wants the same stick as me. This is a stick when I was the best animal trainer in the world. And no one can beat me," he said arrogantly.

Professor Read held her breath for a moment. He didn't want to hear Professor McCoy's story over and over again. As the two of them walked, students flocked to the scene.

"Then?"

"In the end, I got a phoenix monster of the worst quality. While my son gets the best because he is often fed by him at exorbitant prices."

Professor Read's expression frowned. A long sigh escaped Professor McCoy's mouth. It seems, he has a problem with a family that is too spoiled, he thought to himself. The stick and the rhythm of the two legs are balanced. However, he can't run as fast as he used to. At the age of 60, it is time to retire according to Professor Read. However, the enthusiasm gained during teaching was never extinguished. In fact, a zoologist who is the only one capable of taming even rare animals, earns a hefty salary or equivalent to Professor Read.

However, Professor McCoy didn't want to dwell on resentment over family matters. The other two co-teachers entered the principal's office. A welcome from the golem Professor Read gave to the Headmaster. Its body is made of mithril with full weapons such as a long ax and a shield with two golems guarding it.

Both of them checked his identity card and physical. After that, one by one the teachers went straight in there without saying a word. Professor Read looked at the three teachers in front. Apparently, Professor Tristan is being checked by the two golems.

Until it was Professor Read's turn to be checked. Starting from the eyeball, the surface of the face both outside and inside. Nose, chin, limbs and hands. All were checked along with placing an identity card into the golem's body. After that, Professor Read was invited to come inside. The door of the first layer was split in two. Passed him into the meeting room. The servants of the golems were behind each teacher's seat. He closed his eyes and asked him to sit on a chair. The rectangular table is covered by a white cloth decorated with roses and jasmine. Everything was neatly arranged with a book floating in the air. The book was written with a magic pen. Count how many teachers are in the class.

A door opened with a loud squeak. Third step shoes worn. Wearing a white uniform even though the back was covered in thick armor and protective magic. If you pay attention, the principal of this school is 340 years old. However, the face to the appearance of a young man in his 20s. Plus, no one underestimated him. Especially the use of magic. The teachers felt an overwhelming power within him. It had Clay Stanton's name on it. Escorted by a 14 year old girl. Was carrying a handkerchief for him while carrying a long stick like Professor McCoy. The magic energy flows. Show them something. Meanwhile, the new teacher could not move because Principal Clay Stanton locked the meeting of the new teacher movement. Sharp gazes were directed at them, who had been lowering their heads in shame. Then, Clay cleared his throat. Correcting his vocal cords. For a senior Professor like McCoy

"To all of you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming to this meeting. Here, I will talk about the incident from a while ago."

~o0o~

Principal Clay sat neatly with his palms touching the table. Served hot tea. Sip the tea until it leaves a third. His wand is removed from his waist pocket, activating recordings of images and sounds during activities around the school. The teachers watched the recording carefully.

Issac hid behind the doorway. Listen and peek at the event carefully. Then, he hid in the shadows. Passed by Sapphire and his gang. There was only the fireplace torch that suddenly lit up. Issac intended not to interrupt their meeting. The problem is that the torch is lit indirectly.

His palm touched the cone part. Black color with heat in it. Out of curiosity, Isaac turned around. Towards a path of darkness. Not to be missed, a silver-haired youth was holding a torch. The palm of his left hand gripped it, making sure as hard as it could to withstand the heat generated. The sound of silence began to be felt and eerie. Step by step Isaac moved. His shoes rubbed slowly. Glancing around when space is limited.

"Hello… is there anyone?" mumbled Isaac.

Of course it was the dumbest decision that crossed Isaac's mind. But how else. The silver-haired man didn't want to have the same fate as himself. When he tried to find out, what he got was insults and stone-throwing at Issac. Since then, he did not have the courage to go there.

However, the situation this time was different. Issac ventured to change. Little by little. Isaac pulled out his wand. The right palm groped the sky. But there is no change. Finally, Isaac continued to walk cautiously.

Until he stood a rectangular door. Has a strange ornament on the gate. Tree roots cover the writing of the Epuni language. The gate stood firm. The moment Issac stepped close to the door, the arch began to narrow in an indirect way. In the center, a large ring made of an unknown ferrous metal. Feels heavy and difficult to swing. So is the wood. Its surface is thicker than an ordinary tree. Isaac took a deep breath. He pushed the door. How shocked Issac saw an amazing and terrible sight in turn.

Meanwhile, from a distance a uniformed man was leaning against the side wall. Smiling when there is an exit. Shows five students screaming in fear. Only he could hear the shrill screams coming into his ear canal. The name tag was written Reynolds.

"A student has entered a mysterious dungeon huh? Interesting! Do you think he is strong or not?" mumbled Reynolds breaking away from the wall.

Ignoring the sound of hysterical cries for help, Reynold walked towards the classroom. Pretending not to hear any sound except for a few students busy talking. One of the students just came out of the portal, screaming for help desperately.

Principal Clay turned off the tape. He deliberately disguised the identity of the two people. Staring at the teachers who gulped.

"Maybe for you it's a trivial thing. But thanks to the portal, there have been casualties. The teacher is Skye Cooper and the student is Adeline Cook. Both of them died from being attacked by the monsters from the portal."

Whispering voices were heard on each of the two opposite sides. Except for Professor Read and Professor Tristan who sat with their hands folded. Meanwhile Professor McCoy raised his right hand. Staring at Principal Clay.

"If you already know, why were we all summoned here?"

"That's because the portal is called Unknown Origin. The portal should exist for high-level adventurers and magicians. Aren't you suspicious of his whereabouts?" said Clay placing the cup on a small saucer, staring at the teachers who had been silent for a while.

He already knew aware of Unknown Origin. At the same time wanting to test the extent of understanding about the portal, Read muttered to himself. Glancing at Professor Watts and Professor Tristan seriously. The conversation led to an unusual conclusion. Moreover, there is no solid or physical evidence of where the portal is.

"But one thing is for sure, the portal will be dangerous for students and teachers because it can take away the people we care about. Therefore, I call on all of you to find the right solution."

A hand raised from one of the teachers. They noticed the teacher who raised his right hand. A man in his 30s, brown hair with wrinkles around his cheeks. His name tag is Abdul Khan with the title of the youngest Professor at this time. Middle eastern skin with both eyes open.

"Have you informed the worldwide Academy Committee about this incident?" asked Abdul.

"Not. The Academy Committee doesn't know about this yet. Because if they knew, the Kingdom would take action in the form of closing the portal or attacking head-on without knowing what it was like inside. After all, we cannot take rash actions."

Suddenly, an old woman raised her right hand. Wearing a round wizard hat with a wrinkled face. Fat body with a handkerchief on the table. The waiter beside him served mineral water because he was often thirsty. Her hair was gray and she was often mistaken for a witch because of her ugly face. However, no one underestimated him when it came to magic.

"Principal Clay, should we tell the parents about this?"

"For now we can't."

"The reason?"

"Like I said. We do not know the contents of the portal. Even if they had known, it would not have ended in a tragedy like the teacher Skye Cooper or the student Adeline Cook. They deserve their youth before someone snatches them away."

"Someone said you said? Who dares to kill them?"

Principal Clay looked at Professor Tristan. It seems, old wounds are still imprinting on him. He held both palms. Trying to contain the anger he felt in the incident. Take a deep breath. Released slowly. Thinking there is no point in hiding the truth in front of the teachers. When Professor Watts had told him about Astraldi, then Professor Tristan would explain the incident. Just as it made a sound, the window was tightly closed along with soundproofing magic. It is confidential and no one dares to divulge it.

"Thank you Principal Clay. I will tell you about the Edgeville Incident that I experienced before teaching here. I hope this information is useful if Astraldi is targeting the students and teachers here."