Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Five - I meet the Headmaster

The Headmaster was considered a mysterious existence within the Ascending Mountain Institute. No one but the Teachers (and even then, not all of the younger Teachers) and a few select individuals, through luck or otherwise, knew what he looked like or had ever seen him. He didn't announce his attendance during the various Standings, Festivals and other school events, he never gave speeches to greet new students, nor to wish well of graduates. Such a person was bound to have rumours and legends spoken about him; he was an immortal, his bloodline was of a legendary spirit beast, he was an omniscient presence so long as he was on school grounds. Men imagined a person of god-like statistics, with golden skin and muscles formed from battles in his youth, with a square jawline framed with a masculine beard and deep set eyes. Women imagined a scholarly man, tall, white-skinned with a bamboo figure; slender and flexible. His eyes would sparkle with wisdom and his beauty would have countries bend their knee before him.

They probably would have been disappointed to see this large, round man with a long wispy beard and slightly ruddy skin. He was not handsome by any standards of the word, but he also was not unpleasant of face. However, his eyes were bright and knowing, so long as one noticed them, they could somewhat forget his otherwise harmless and indulgent appearance. Jin Li was not one to judge a book by its cover and quickly accessed this man as devious and dangerous, but also knew he meant them no ill intent. He did not relax his guard, despite this.

"Headmaster," Teacher Sagi greeted him, respectfully. The Healer and Teacher Volun echoed his sentiment, while Maimai's eyes widened with disbelief. She'd naturally heard the rumours and had been seeking a gong for a man with a scholarly appearance. Her ship had been crushed before she'd even managed to set it a sail. A re-evaluation was required; she would not let his less than expected appearance defeat her! "Headmaster, what are you doing here?"

"Hmm, is there a reason I should not be?" The man's eyes glinted, but it was with humour rather than anything else.

"Of course not, Headmaster," Teacher Sagi denied quickly. "We just were not expecting to see you."

"My Institute, I go where I feel like," the Headmaster pouted childishly, crossing his arms about his ample chest. It should be mentioned, the Headmaster was not the Founder. Rumours claimed that the Founder ascended to a Higher Realm to continue his cultivation towards immortality, leaving his institute to his succeeding apprentice. The current Headmaster was actually the succeeding apprentice of that woman, taking over once she had sought to find and follow her Master. "Besides I heard some interesting things about your apprentice, Sagi, so I came to look at him." His eyes fell upon Leon and the youth couldn't help but feel as if he'd been visually examined inside and out.

Jin Li's hold tightened gently about the trembling youth in his arms and he glared unwisely at the large man. The Headmaster, however, didn't take it to heart. After all, although they were considered very young to him, he could not deny their connection where others might. He felt they were just blessed to find each other at such an age, while others were still seeking their Dao Companion after several millennia.

Teacher Sagi was not surprised that the Headmaster once again knew more than he probably should. He would not be surprised, he though not resigned to the fact, that the old man likely knew Leon was able to carve spiritual energy into wood and was responsible for creating two improved alchemy pills before anyone else did. Creating new pills... a sudden thought occurred to him and he spun around eyes wide to stare at his student.

The Headmaster noticed his action and stepped forward to grasp Sagi's arm and pat it comfortingly, as if he knew exactly what had crossed the man's mind.

"Um, Headmaster," Maimai suddenly piped up, thinking that the conversation from earlier was far from over. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No thank you, Miss Maimai," the Headmaster replied with a warm smile. "Actually, I came to invite Leon to speak with me about somethings and my place has more seating." Leon blushed a little shamefaced, but he did catch the Headmaster's address for him. His heart began to beat more rapidly in his chest, slightly panicked. "Would you come, Leon?" Although it was phrased as a question, Leon did not feel as if he had a choice, but to accept.

The Teachers also noticed the difference in address, frowned, but did not attempt to make a query or correction. They too were invited to discuss things with the Headmaster regarding Leon. This did help Leon relax a tiny bit, for Teacher Sagi had always been good to him, even before they became direct Teacher and Student. He did not feel as if Teacher Sagi would abandon him at this stage. And from the tightness of Jin Li's embrace, there was no way the martial artist would let him go without him, no matter what the Headmaster said.

Maimai took the hint and bowed in farewell to the Teachers and Headmaster before leaving the small clearing of Leon's hut. No more than a minute after she'd disappeared beyond the tree line, several cups of tea were tossed towards the wildflowers and trees. The black tea actually stained one tree trunk and were the tree able to speak, it would probably exclaim; "Why?" Maimai was a good girl, a good friend, but she made a lousy cup of tea.