- Julia -

“Wait wait wait, we can’t just barge in his office.”

After finishing the student council work, Michael immediately left to talk with Edward. Trying to keep him out of trouble, I followed him and here we are.

“Sure we can. People love to glorify this dude but he’s just another guy.”

“That doesn’t mean you can just walk into the principal’s office without an appointment.”

“Hey, we’re just gonna ask a few questions. You wanna know his plans too right?”

This persistent fuck. There’s no use arguing with him when he’s like this.

We approached the entrance to Edward’s office and Michael paused in front of the door.

“Uhh, are you going to knock?” I asked skeptically.

“Oh, uh yeah.” He sputtered. He quickly raised his hand and knocked on the large wooden doors. The sound echoed through the hall as we waited for a response.

“Is nobody here?” Michael said, trying the handle. Upon making contact with it, the door suddenly opened inward by itself and Michael jerked back.

“Hello, Mr. Edward is not in right now.” A voice notified. The door fully opened and Mary greeted us wearing the expected formal attire.

“Why were you so scared?” I said to Michael. He jumped back as if a monster had appeared.

“Ah, just out of habit. I haven’t had pleasant experiences with sentient doors.” He responded nervously.

"What?" I laughed under my breath, “What does that even mean?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He said, scratching his cheek.

We refocused on Mary who had been silently waiting.

“Do you wish to leave a message for Mr. Edward?” She offered in a quiet, steady tone. I knew that she worked for Edward but to think that she doubles as our driver and as Edward’s secretary.

“What did he leave for?” Michael inquired.

“Mr. Edward has left to begin preparations for the division selection assessments. He will be back shortly.”

“Oh. Then why don’t we just wait inside?” He said casually, as if Edward was just any old friend. News alert, he’s the thirty year old Principal of a top educational facility.

Mary lowered her head. “Very well.”

Wait, really?

We entered the office that looked relatively the same as the last time we visited. A few differences were that there were now small tables on the sides of the room and chairs to accommodate them, as well as two chairs placed near Edward’s desk, presumably for audiences. The book shelves were filled out with various selections of studies and documents regarding history and the Magic System.

I took a seat at one of the tables and settled in. Michael strolled alongside the shelves, inspecting the different titles available.

“You won’t find any novels in there.” I said.

“Wha- Who said I was looking for novels?” He replied defensively.

“Come on, it couldn’t have been more obvious. Or are you going to say that the history of Sunimert City caught your interest?” I said, pointing at the shelf beside him.

He glanced at the books on the shelf labeled “History” and then frantically ran up to the next shelf.

“Here look. The Study of Fundamental Essential Nature. Sounds like something I would read right?”

“No, sounds more like something I might read. I bet you don’t even know the basics of Essential Nature.”

“Look at you trying to make a fool of me.” Michael turned to Mary who stood quietly in the corner. “Don’t believe anything she says. She’s an impulsive liar.”

“Yeah yeah, who are you trying to impress?” I brushed off.

“I see you two are on good terms as always.” Edward walked into the office wearing his usual business clothing.

“Do you have a special ability to make cool entrances or something?” Michael asked. “If so, teach me it.”

“You haven’t even finished what I have taught you Michael. Besides, those entrances you do where you injure yourself are plenty cool as they are.”

“Hey, those weren’t on purpose, it just ends up that way when I pick fights- I mean when I stand up for justice.”

Edward winked “Gotcha~”

Haah, these idiots…

“Anyhow, it looks like Miss Lockhart is getting impatient, so let’s get on with it.” He sat down at his desk and faced us. “So what did you come here for?”

Michael and I looked at each other and nodded.

“Is it true that Michael will be able to fight Aidin at the Division Examination?” I queried.

“Oh, that.” Edward steepled his fingers, something he only did when he was scheming. “Yes, Michael will be afforded an opportunity to face Aidin in combat. I’ve already made the arrangements.”

“Wait, so it is a combat exam?” asked Michael.

“Yes, that is correct.”

Michael looked at me with a smug expression and I could hear him saying I-told-you-so in his head.

I glared back at him with a, “Shut up and get back on topic.” look.

“Wow, rude.” Michael retorted.

Oops, did I say that out loud?

“So,” Edward interrupted. “Is that all you two came to ask?”

“I was also wondering if we could by any chance know how the testing activity will look?” I posed apprehensively. I’d be lucky if he told me anything more about the assessment.

Edward shook his head. “I cannot divulge that amount of information. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the test, we restructure the evaluation material every year.”

As I thought.

My creation algorithm has limitless possibilities, but it is hard to narrow down to the one you need. I wanted to know the details of the test so that I could prepare for it but I guess that was asking too much.

“I understand.”

“Alright, any more questions from you two?”

Both Michael and I remained silent.

“Then that’s that.”

We both got up to return to the council office when a knock was heard at the door.

“Hello Principal Charester, this is Eric Kaiser here to report.”

“You may enter.” Edward announced. The right door creaked open and Michael stepped aside. Eric walked in and quickly noticed our presence.

“So this is where you were slacking off.” He berated. He looked disapprovingly at Michael while speaking.

“Hey, she’s here too.” Michael justified, pointing a finger at me.

“You have no shame, do you?” I said, frowning.

“Julia here properly finished her work,” said Eric. “You on the other hand have yet to submit your report this week.”

He didn’t wait for Michael’s reaction and immediately returned his gaze to Edward. “Principal Edward, should I proceed with my report?”

Edward held up his hand, “Before that, I have something to tell our little first years.”

“What is it? We already covered everything we needed today with confirming Michael’s fight with Aidin.”

“Hmm, I was going to inform you later,” Edward said with a slightly conflicted, but overtly amused expression. “But it’ll be more fun to tell you now.”

Michael sighed “Stop beating around the bush, what’s up?”

Edward smiled, “You won’t be the only one fighting Aidin.” He raised his hand and pointed between the two of us. “You two will be fighting him together.”