"What do you mean I need to go back to school?"
"Exactly what I said."
Steven laughed.
"I’m twenty-three. I’m already a professor."
"Which is exactly why you’re perfect."
The two men stood in the grand hall of the world’s most prestigious academy. Golden chandeliers hung low from the vaulted ceiling, bathing the room in warm light
’’And what if I refuse?’’ Steven asked, standing between the perfectly carved stone pillars. Small statues rested on either side, while portraits of former principals lined the walls.
"You wouldn’t dare to refuse me." But Steven merely smirked at those words.
Yumoth raised a hand.
BOOM.
Several pillars beside him were blown apart as if they were made of paper
’’Sir, I don’t understand why I would need to become a student again after all I have achieved!" He was furious. How did this old man think of reducing him down to such a state?
The principal simply raised his second hand towards him as the entire world seemed to start to bend to his will. It felt like gravity had multiplied a hundred times. Steven felt like he was about to be crushed, but his reflexes answered first.
As the marble floor cracked around his body, turning to dust slowly, he finally reacted. This simple spell of an old man would’ve crushed nearly anyone to dust in just a second.
With just a command of his mind, a small, nearly invisible bubble created itself around him. Completely stopping the effect of the spell the old man cast. Silence fell over the hall.
An old and creaking laugh echoed through the great hall. ’’That’s why I chose you, Steven. You are perfect for this mission!’’
As both of them released their spells at the same time, Steven stood in the self-repairing marble floor, staring at the old man, his gaze filled with amusement.
’’I must admit, your abilities exceed even the rumors" Principal Yumoth said while slowly raising his hand to remove a bit of dust from his perfectly sitting navy blue suit he especially ordered just for this event.
’’But sadly I have no interest in your mission. I already did my duty to this world.’’ His ego seemed to nearly explode even though he knew a direct clash with the principal could very well turn lethal to him.
But the same would go for the old man, so he trusted his ability to escape with relative ease.
As he turned to leave, the mighty voice of the principal called out once again. ’’Listen first, then you can leave when you want.’’ Slamming the doors shut with a single motion of his hand.
Well there goes to easy escape.
Something in the voice of the elderly man made him stop. It wasn’t the commanding tone of an experienced mage; no, it felt more like desperation.
Turning his face towards the principal, he said, ’’Spill the beans, old man. I have like ten more interviews for much better paying jobs.’’ He did have some other offers but still came to this place first because teaching sounded much more relaxing.
’’Two students went missing just yesterday, last week it was nine. Some of them were ministers children and even somebody of the diamond class .’’ The voice of the mighty principal had genuine sorrow in it, making Steven feel uncomfortable.
’’They are probably just up for some bullshit and not in real danger like we used to be back then?’’ He asked while his face darkened as faint memories flooded his mind. Shaking them off, the principal didn’t answer directly.
Knowing the principal wouldn’t give out crucial information for free, Steven sighed. The light coming through the giant painted windows moved unnaturally, nearly resembling the figures of humans.
’’I got like ten friends that are fitting for your job, why me? What do you need to do?’’ He knew not agreeing could land him in a dangerous position in their debate, but the desperation in the principal’s eyes was just too tempting.
’’You will go undercover as one of our university students and infiltrate an organization known as the Fingers" the principal spilled out, a bit too fast for Stevens’ liking.
’’You want me to find some mysterious organisation, find their leader, and kill him?" His voice was filled with surprise. How could this old man expect him to do something like this? ’’Have you lost your mind, or did it rot away with old age?’’
’’Arrest him," the principal added with a cough, sending Steven nearly in a frenzy.
But Steven didn’t care about his plea. ’’Can’t you ask a minister to handle the job? Why me? And who would teach my class instead? And I heard your coffee machine is broken. How exactly do you expect me to survive’’
The principal just shook his head in disagreement. "They are too well known, and long lasting appearance-changing spells can easily get deactivated by a high-level mage. You are barely known to the world because of your gap years.’’
Hearing the old man talk about his gap years, Steven felt like he should try to curse the old man, finally sending him to his grave.
’’The thing with the coffe can be sorted out later the mission comes first, and after you completed it, you would be allowed to return as a professor full time.’’ He quickly added, as if he were trying to stack positive aspects to cancel out any negative possibility.
’’And who will teach the kids until then? You got a replacement for me already just in case I die during this suicide?’’ He wasn’t sure why he had even continued to keep asking; the smartest choice would’ve been to simply leave through the way to tall magical doors.
’’One of your summons would be acting as a golem teacher," the now quietly talking principal answered truthfully.
’’You want me to teach at the same time I’m trying to kidnap a terrorist? Have you gone crazy, old man?’’ He was nearly fuming, about to jump at the old man sitting on his way to the glorious chair. This wasn’t an easy job even for somebody like him.
’’After everything I have already done for this country you want me to continue giving everything I have left?’’
’’You will get paid for both.’’ Hearing the woods echoing through the hall, his answer arrived just as fast.
’’Now we are talking about a deal.’’