Erin's footsteps stopped right in front of the large gate of the Royal Astra Magic Academy.
Before she could step any closer, an academy guard in light armor with the royal crest on his chest walked up to her.
The guard looked Erin up and down with an assessing gaze.
"What is Miss's business coming here? This area is a special academy zone and is not open to the public," the guard asked in a firm yet polite tone.
Erin did not feel intimidated at all.
She looked at the guard calmly, then pulled out an old letter of recommendation neatly kept inside her bag.
"My name is Erin," Erin answered in a soft yet clear tone.
"I have come to attend the selection interview for the new professor position at this academy."
The guard received the letter and read it briefly.
Upon seeing the official seal and the old signature listed on the letter, the guard's facial expression changed slightly.
He looked at Erin's face once more, then nodded respectfully.
"Ah, in that case, please enter. The Headmistress's office is on the third floor of the main building. You can just follow the straight corridor from here."
"Thank you very much," Erin replied with a faint smile.
Erin stepped past the magnificent iron gate.
As soon as she was inside the academy grounds, the academic atmosphere immediately felt very thick.
To her left and right were vast gardens with classical-style fountains.
Several neatly uniformed students appeared to be sitting on garden benches reading thick books or discussing with their peers.
There were also other groups of students practicing mana control under the supervision of a field supervisor.
Erin observed all of that in silence.
Every view reminded her of the stories often shared by her mother during her lifetime.
This place was not just an ordinary school, but a place where the dreams and futures of young mages were forged.
She walked along the neatly paved stone path until she arrived in front of the towering main building door.
The building was dominated by white stone architecture with large, sturdy pillars.
Erin entered the spacious lobby, climbed the winding stairs slowly, and finally arrived in front of a heavy dark wooden door on the third floor.
On the side of the door was a gold plate reading: *Headmistress Office*.
Erin took a deep breath to calm herself, adjusted her collar, and knocked on the door three times in a regular rhythm.
"Enter," a firm voice sounded from behind the door.
Erin turned the doorknob and stepped into the room.
The headmistress's office was very spacious and neatly organized.
Large bookshelves filled with thousands of volumes of ancient manuscripts lined the walls.
The distinctive smell of old paper mixed with the aroma of bergamot tea filled the air.
In the middle of the room, behind a large mahogany wooden desk, sat a middle-aged woman with her hair neatly bunned.
She was Amelia, the Head of the Royal Astra Magic Academy.
Amelia wore a dark formal robe with a silver star-shaped brooch on her chest.
Her gaze was sharp, radiating intelligence, firmness, and years of experience in leading the largest educational institution in the kingdom.
Amelia placed her quill pen on the desk, then raised her face to look at the newly arrived guest.
"Sit down," Amelia said briefly while pointing to the fabric-covered wooden chair in front of her desk.
"Thank you, Headmistress," Erin said politely, then sat with an upright and calm posture.
Amelia leaned back in her chair, folded both hands on the desk, and observed Erin closely.
"Your name is Erin, right? And that recommendation letter... is written under the name of our former professor who retired many years ago," Amelia investigated, her voice sounding untrusting of newcomers.
"That's right," Erin answered without hesitation in her voice.
"She was my mother. Before passing away, she taught me a lot about magic theory, history, and educational methods."
Amelia was silent for a moment, staring into Erin's yellow eyes which radiated extraordinary calmness.
Usually, young applicants coming to this academy would show nervousness or try to show off their magic powers.
Yet the girl in front of her looked very different.
There was no excessive ambition in her eyes, only sincerity and maturity unusual for her age.
"Becoming a professor at the Royal Astra Magic Academy is not an easy task," Amelia said, starting the series of interview test questions.
"This academy has students from various backgrounds, ranging from arrogant high nobles to commoners who often feel pressured. What will you do if a student underestimates you because you are a new professor?"
Erin smiled faintly upon hearing that.
"I will not respond with anger or show power to scare them," Erin answered calmly.
"A student's respect is not gained through fear, but through proof that we truly understand what we teach and care about their development."
Amelia raised an eyebrow slightly, interested in that answer.
"Then, what if a student experiences repeated failures in magic exams and begins to lose self-confidence?" Amelia continued.
"I will not immediately give the answer or let them give up," Erin stated firmly.
"I will find out where their difficulty lies. Whether it is because of the wrong mantra structure, blocked mana flow, or mental pressure. After that, I will guide them step by step until they can find the answer themselves."
Question after question was asked by Amelia.
Ranging from mana control theory, teaching ethics, handling student conflicts, to safety in field magic practices.
Erin answered everything coherently, logically, and reflected a deep understanding far beyond her current physical age.
Some answers even reminded Amelia of Erin's mother's teaching style in the past, although Erin had her own delivery method that felt more patient and calming.
After the interview lasted for almost an hour, the atmosphere in the room became slightly more relaxed.
Amelia took a long breath, then nodded slowly.
"Very well," Amelia said in a final tone.
Erin was silent for a moment, waiting for the absolute decision from the highest leader of the academy.
"You are accepted."
Hearing those words, Erin's yellow eyes widened slightly, radiating a glimmer of relief and genuine happiness.
"Really?" Erin asked to make sure.
Amelia nodded once more.
"Your mother's recommendation letter did pave the way, but your answers and attitude are what convinced me. You will hold the position of professor for the first-year students."
Amelia stood up from her chair, walking closer to the large window directly facing the academy courtyard.
"First-year students are the foundation of this academy. They are still raw, full of doubts, and easily lost. I hope you can guide them well, Erin."
"Thank you very much, Headmistress," Erin said while standing up from her seat and bowing respectfully.
"I will not disappoint you."
After getting her first teaching schedule and the key to the professor preparation room, Erin walked out of the headmistress's office.
She closed the large wooden door slowly, then stood in the quiet third-floor corridor.
Erin looked at the spacious academy corridor with rows of large glass windows reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
A wide, sincere smile was engraved on her beautiful face.
"Finally... I have a job," she muttered softly.
This was the beginning of her new journey.
Life as a teacher at a prestigious magic academy would start the next day.