The Author's POV

"Sure, yes, okay, we're coming."

Hanging up the phone, Kevin headed for the entrance of the academy.

I followed him from behind.

Glancing around the place, I curiously asked.

"Where are we going now?"

"Section B."

Kevin answered before he turned his head to glance my way.

"By the way, I forgot to compliment you about the glasses."

"Oh, these. "

Raising my hand, I pushed my glasses up a little.

"Wanted to look the part."

"...Kind of cringe."

"Says the guy who is wearing a suit."

I bluntly replied while pushing my hair back.

Actually, the reason why I was wearing the glasses wasn't actually because I wanted to look the part.

Well, a small part was. However, the main reason was something else.

Connected to the glasses was a small camera that Smallsnake and Ryan could see through.

From there, whenever I wanted to pick information about someone, they would quickly send me a brief overview of their information.

Was kind of handy.

"Wait is that..."

"It's them."

"It can't be..."

Along the way, some of the staff and students that were not in the auditorium managed to recognize us as I could hear faint whispering coming from their direction.

Some even went as far as taking out their phones and started taking pictures of us from the distance.

I feigned ignorance to that.

"We're here."

Walking for the next ten minutes, we soon stopped in front of a familiar rectangular infrastructure.

Even after having seen the building countless times in the past, I couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer size of the structure.

"Let's go."

Waving his hand toward the guard, Kevin and I entered the building and soon made it all the way toward Donna's office which was on the fifth floor of the structure.

To Tok—!

Kevin knocked on the door and Donna's voice echoed soon after.

"Come in."

"If you will excuse us."

Clank—!

"Welcome you two."

Upon entering the room, we were greeted by Donna who sat behind her desk. Kevin was the first to greet her.

"Hey. It's been a while, Donna."

"Mhm, it's nice seeing you again, Kevin. Did you have any trouble getting here?"

"Not at all."

"That's good."

As the two were talking, I glanced around the place. It had been a while since I had been in Donna's office and it still looked exactly as it did in the past. Small, and comfy.

"Ren?"

Snapping me out of it, I suddenly felt someone tap me on the shoulder. It was Kevin.

"What is it?"

"Are you not paying attention at all?"

before nudging his head, in

hit to

a realization, I lowered my head and

yes, good to see you

to see you

not minding my rudeness. She then pressed her hand on the table and passed

to the point, I need you two

papers, a stern look appeared on Kevin's

"Mana contracts?"

"That's right."

she placed two pens next to the

it an assistant, staff, or regular professor must sign a mana contract. This is for security reasons, I'm sure you know,

"I see..."

brown leather chair opposite Donna's desk and picked up

as he was about to sign, his hand came to

this, how come the academy still

was a valid

everyone sign mana contracts, how was it possible for

knew the

face, Donna leaned back in

just tells you how deep-rooted the influence of

I sat down next to Kevin and did a quick

I made sure that there was nothing I was against,

by now, but a mana contract

although useful,

people to escape its influence, although, the method was actually extremely

large degree due to the fact that their soul would get

Monolith had managed to infiltrate the Lock

"I guess you're right."

Kevin signed the paper and

straight. I barely signed

the contract back to

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

satisfied smile, Donna put the papers

was then

on who the individuals you

of professors

low-ranked professors to

all varied in gender, rank, and the level of suspicion

individuals that the Lock suspects

a few familiar faces amongst the list

to the point of being surprised by what I

of figures whom I knew were in fact spies. I

can be of use

a professor while Ren you

then, snapping me out of my thoughts were Donna's

is a

lips curved

first year at the Lock. Even if you do have the qualifications to

"Oh."

moved my head

was happy with this arrangement. Since I was an assistant professor, it could only mean that I had less

have any

Donna clapped her hands.

toward the holographic projection in front of her and started to brief Kevin and m, on all the individuals we had to be

now that you two know what your roles are. I will

...30 minutes later.

situation, and what

was stick close to one of

***

Demon Hunter Guild.

"Young Miss? Young Miss?"

"Hm?"

out of her thoughts was

worried

everything alright, young

"Yeah."

her head and stared at the papers in front

"What were we discussing?"

the magic cards system. We have currently mass-produced over a couple of millions of cards, and we're currently sold out

"Ah, right."

through her notes, Amanda's eyes squinted. After a bit of thought, she

start releasing the cards to the market by next week. Amp up security during the time, and make sure that nothing happens to the reserves. Make sure that nothing happens during the transition phase. We can't afford to have our cards

"Understood."

with

folder, Amanda looked

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

head with a kind smile

caused Amanda to tilt

there something else

"No, no."

Maxwell took his folder back. Lowering his body, he bit Amanda