A while ago.
After entering the Academy grounds, the trio first headed toward the administration building.
The large marble hall remained just as busy as before. Academy staff moved around while students lined up at different counters for admissions, schedules, dorm assignnts, and various academy matters.
Since Amon had disappeared after first sester exam and had only recently returned alive, the mont the academy staff confird his identity, several of them imdiately beca shocked.
After all, many students and even teachers had already believed he was dead.
A few staff mbers quickly began whispering among themselves while checking records.
anwhile, Amon stood there awkwardly while scratching his cheek.
"...Why does it feel like I committed a cri?"
Selena rolled her eyes.
"You vanished for months and suddenly returned alive. Of course people would react like this."
Seraphina nodded lightly beside her.
Soon, one of the older staff mbers adjusted his glasses before speaking respectfully.
"Student Amon Vale."
"Yes?"
"The Headmistress has been inford about your return."
Amon imdiately froze.
"...Ah."
The man continued politely,
"She requested that you et her imdiately."
Amon sighed internally. As expected. There was no way the Headmistress would ignore his return after everything that happened.
Selena smirked slightly after seeing his expression.
"Looks like you got summoned already."
Amon looked toward her helplessly. "I just ca back."
Seraphina smiled softly."You should go."
Amon sighed dramatically before nodding.
"Fine."
Then he looked toward the two girls. "I’ll et you both later."
Selena waved one hand casually.
"We’ll head toward the dorms first."
Seraphina nodded.
"See you later, Amon."
After parting ways with them, Amon began walking alone through the Academy corridors.
The familiar hallways brought strange nostalgia to him.
Students walked around everywhere while conversations echoed throughout the corridors. So people noticed him and widened their eyes in surprise after recognizing him.
Amon ignored most of them and continued walking.
Eventually, he arrived outside the Headmistress Office. The large wooden door stood before him elegantly.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
Knock. Knock.
A calm mature voice ca from inside.
"Co in."
Amon opened the door and entered.
The office remained just as luxurious and elegant as he rembered.
Tall shelves filled with books lined the walls while large windows allowed warm sunlight to illuminate the room beautifully.
And sitting behind the large desk was Isabel Dawnheart.
The Headmistress of Arcadia Academy.
Even now, Amon still couldn’t help admitting one thing internally.
She was absurdly beautiful.
Her long white hair which were turned white because of her age, they flowed elegantly over her shoulders while transparent glasses rested before her calm silver eyes. She wore a dark violet dress beneath a white academy coat, perfectly highlighting her mature figure.
Despite clearly being extrely old...
She looked far too young.
But now Amon was no longer the sa rookie boy from before.
After spending months around won like Selena, Seraphina, Scarlett, and even seeing Celestia herself...
He had gotten sowhat used to beauty.
Sowhat.
Still...
His eyes unconsciously drifted toward her chest for one brief second before imdiately returning upward.
’Focus Amon... focus.’
He tried his absolute best to act calm and mature.
Very hard.
anwhile, Isabel quietly watched him with amusent hidden behind her gentle smile.
"Welco back, Amon."
Her soft voice carried warmth.
"It’s really good to see my student return safely."
Amon smiled awkwardly before sitting across from her desk.
"Thank you, Headmistress."
A faint guilt appeared in Isabel’s eyes afterward.
"And honestly..." she continued softly, "I feel ashad."
Amon blinked.
She folded her hands together calmly.
"As the Headmistress of this Academy, it is my responsibility to protect and guide my students."
Her silver eyes looked directly at him.
"And yet... when one of my students disappeared into such a dangerous situation, I was unable to help."
For the first ti, Amon noticed genuine regret in her voice.
"It feels like I failed you."
Amon imdiately shook his head with a smile.
"It’s alright."
His expression beca softer.
"I returned safely. That’s what matters."
Isabel stared at him silently for a mont.
Then she smiled faintly.
"You really are kind."
Amon coughed awkwardly.
’If only you knew my thoughts few minutes ago...’
Thankfully she couldn’t hear minds. Then Isabel adjusted her glasses lightly before speaking again.
"Now then."
Her tone beca slightly professional. "You missed the entirety of the second sester."
Amon imdiately beca nervous. But before he could speak.
"However," Isabel continued calmly, "the Academy already understands the reason behind your absence."
She smiled gently afterward. "So your admission into the second year has already been approved."
Amon’s eyes widened instantly.
"Really?!"
"Yes."
His face imdiately brightened.
"And you will remain in the sa class."
A huge smile spread across Amon’s face. "Thank you so much, Headmistress!"
Isabel chuckled softly seeing his excitent. Then her expression beca more serious.
"I already heard most of what happened from Elizabeth."
Amon imdiately understood she ant Professor Elizabeth.
"So I won’t force you to explain everything again."
Amon relaxed slightly.
"But..." Isabel continued calmly, "there is still one thing I wish to hear directly from you."
Her silver eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tell about Vetaal."
The mont she said that na, Amon’s expression also beca serious.
Amon nodded imdiately. "I’ll tell you everything."
Then he began explaining.
He talked about how he find himself in loop like place, how he found Vetaal there. Also about the village.
The more he spoke, the quieter Isabel beca.
Especially after hearing about the mont Vetaal regained his true appearance. By the ti Amon finished, silence filled the office.
Isabel remained seated quietly while thinking deeply.
Amon watched her eagerly. "So?" he asked hopefully.
"Do you know anything about him?" Isabel slowly shook her head.
"...Not much." Amon’s shoulders imdiately dropped.
"Hah..." Disappointnt filled his face.
No one knew anything.
Not Celestia, not Elizabeth nor Alistair. And not even the Headmistress.
But then, Isabel suddenly spoke again.
"However..."
Amon imdiately looked back up.
A mysterious expression appeared on her beautiful face.
"There might be sothing we can check."
Amon’s eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!"
Without answering imdiately, Isabel slowly stood up from her chair.
"Follow ."
Excitent imdiately filled Amon. He quickly stood up and followed her outside the office.
The two walked through the Academy corridors quietly. Amon stayed behind her while wondering what exactly she wanted to show him.
But unfortunately... His attention slowly began drifting elsewhere.
Specifically, toward Isabel’s hips.
The mature woman’s wide hips swayed gently beneath her dress while walking gracefully through the corridor.
Amon stared for two whole seconds before imdiately panicking internally.
’No! Stop looking!’
He quickly looked away. Then looked again.
’...Just one more second.’
He was truly hopeless. Thankfully Isabel either didn’t notice or simply ignored him.
Soon they arrived at the massive Academy Library.
Students quietly studied at various tables while librarians organized books nearby. Isabel calmly walked deeper inside without stopping.
Amon followed closely behind.
The deeper they went, the emptier the library beca. Eventually, they reached the highest floor of the library.
This section looked far older than the lower areas. Ancient books filled the shelves while dim magical lamps illuminated the area softly.
Almost no students ever ca here. Amon looked around curiously. Then Isabel suddenly stopped before one particular bookshelf. Without hesitation, she reached forward and pulled out a specific old book.
Click.
A deep chanical sound echoed.
Amon’s eyes widened.
The entire bookshelf slowly moved sideways.
Behind it a hidden stone door appeared within the wall.
"...What the hell?!"
Amon stared in shock.
Isabel calmly placed one hand against the stone door. A faint magical circle glowed beneath her palm.
Then.
RUMBLE.
The hidden door slowly opened inward. Cold ancient air imdiately flowed outward from inside.
Amon stared speechlessly.
Isabel glanced back toward him. "Co."
Still shocked, Amon quickly followed her inside. The hidden room was massive.
Far larger than expected.
Ancient shelves filled every corner while countless old books and scrolls rested everywhere.
The room itself looked incredibly old.
The stone walls carried signs of age while strange magic circles were carved into various surfaces.
It genuinely felt like stepping hundreds of years into the past.
Amon looked around with amazent.
"What is this place?"
Isabel walked deeper inside calmly.
"This is a hidden archive."
Her voice echoed softly through the room. "Only a very small number of people know this place exists."
Amon blinked.
"And only I possess authority to access it." She said further.
Amon looked even more shocked now. "Then why bring here?"
Isabel stopped briefly before answering.
She looked back toward him calmly. "Because you are involved in sothing dangerous, young man."
Her silver eyes behind glasses beca serious. "And I don’t think making an exception for you is unreasonable anymore."
Amon stayed silent. For so reason... Hearing that made him feel strangely trusted.
anwhile, Isabel began searching through various shelves carefully. Clearly, she already knew what she was looking for.
Amon wandered around slowly while observing the room.
So books looked so old they seed ready to crumble into dust.
Ancient symbols were carved everywhere. The atmosphere itself felt mysterious.
After several minutes.
Isabel suddenly stopped.
Then her eyes widened slightly. "I found it."
Amon imdiately turned toward her. His heartbeat accelerated instantly.
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