Chapter 17 - One Day Left

Loud murmurs and conversations echoed from all directions. The sound in the halls still wasn't something that I had gotten used to. The academy grounds were now fluttering with students.

Within the blink of an eye, two weeks had passed by, and the opening ceremony was just a day away.

Students had started arriving since last week, slowly but surely finding their way to their dorms. The old students sighed with familiarity, while the new students gawked at everything they saw.

Despite the ridiculous number of students, the Royal Academy was big enough to welcome them all at the same time, leaving just enough space for each of them.

Looking at all the students in front of me, I put on my leather hat, pulled it down to be discreet, and held my suitcase.

Yes, I know…I'm a bit of a show-off. I even put on the same tuxedo as the day I humiliated Derek. 

Nothing much had happened between us two; he just gritted his teeth every time we passed in the halls. Some of the professors he knew well did the same. Most of the gifts I had bought…I hadn't given. I know…what a waste of my money.

At least, there was one teacher in the entire Royal Academy that I had become friends with. The rest looked at me as if I was some sort of monster. Who knows what Derek had told them? Honestly, I couldn't care less. I would finally learn what this special class of mine would look like.

Just like the students with empty bags, I was starting fresh.

These past two weeks had definitely been more interesting than I had originally thought. Meeting Darla, the mixed vampire, and the fact that Derek might just be a demon…However, my real job would finally be starting.

"Nervous?" Ava asked, turning her gaze my way.

"Uh…kinda. I don't even know what my class looks like, may I remind you."

She nodded.

"Right. The director insisted on hiding everything from you. Not even giving the list of students you would be teaching. Still, she did tell you that you're teaching first years…so, there's that."

That was a good point. The director had told me that I wouldn't be teaching old students, only focusing on certain new students that had recently joined the school.

"What kind of professors did you like when you were younger, Caedrel?"

I rubbed my chin. A few heads popped up in my mind, but there was one that was completely different from the others. I couldn't tell her about it; it was related to how I received my powers. Maybe if I trust her enough, I might just tell her…but we're far from that stage.

"Uh…I like them a bit eccentric. You know, those so passionate about their courses that you can't even see the time pass. I had only one teacher like that in my life, and I will always remember him. That's why I'll try to be just like him." I turned in her direction. "What about you?"

"Oh, uh, those who can listen. Listening to your students is one of the most important parts of your job. Just those who were genuine with me, that's the ones I liked the most."

"I see…genuine, huh?"

"Yes. You see, most teachers think that you need to show your students everything from the start right until the end. But, for them to truly realize something, they need to figure it out by themselves through their own hardships."

I kept on listening, taking in as much information as I could.

"At the end of the day, you can only show them the path. You can't walk it for them."

She looked done, and a little giggle escaped my mouth.

"Wise words, wow. Thank you."

She also smiled in my direction, staring directly into my eyes. Over the past two weeks, her shyness had subdued quite a bit. However, there were still certain instances where she was red as a tomato, but it clearly wasn't as bad anymore.

"Well, I need to go. The director asked to meet me before classes start. Maybe she'll finally tell me what I will be teaching those kids."

"Hah. Good luck with that!"

I left her behind, walking a little faster through the hall as I could hear mutters from the older students.

"Did you see that teacher before?"

"I don't know, but he looks so young. He might even be our age."

A couple of seconds later, I walked past a group of girls who were chatting, and they instantly started whispering. I just smiled at them, and a couple of them started screaming.

I had never noticed in the past because I lacked the time, but I might really be handsome.

Either way, it was no time to think about this as I continued my way in the direction of Alexandra's office. I briefly met with her secretary, and she led me to her office.

-Swoosh!-

I swung open the door and was met with the same view as always. She was sitting in her chair with all her magic beasts around her.

"Come in, come in."

She had a smile on her face, which was never a good sign. I had seen her a couple of times since I had "threatened" her, and let's say that our relationship had taken a little dip. So, I was quite surprised when she asked to see me today.

I sat down and stared back into her eyes.

"So, the opening ceremony is tomorrow," she announced. "And I just thought I'd let you know that you need to prepare a test for your students."

'A test? Why hadn't I heard of that before today? I didn't prepare anything.'

"What kind of test?"

"A way to determine the strongest from the weakest."

I frowned. "Why?"

"To acclimate them to the Academy and to figure out those with the most potential." She had a hearty laugh. "It can be anything, unsolvable problems, humiliation by fighting against you, anything really."

What kind of school was this? My image of the opening ceremony wasn't like that at all. This sounded like it was straight out of a novel. 

Oh wait… I am in one.