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?"

nudging his

hit to

a realization, I lowered my head and greeted

to

good to see

She then pressed her hand on the table

I need you

Donna passed the papers, a stern look appeared on Kevin's

"Mana contracts?"

"That's right."

as she placed two pens next to the

the academy policy. Each professor, be it an assistant, staff, or regular professor must sign a mana contract. This is for security

"I see..."

by Donna's argument, Kevin sat down on a brown leather chair opposite Donna's desk and picked up

he was about to sign, his hand came to a sudden

guys do this, how

a valid

the academy made everyone sign mana contracts, how

I already knew the

face, Donna leaned back

you how deep-rooted the

down next to Kevin and did a quick skim of

made sure that there was nothing I was against,

I'm sure you know this by now, but a mana contract is not exactly

contracts, although useful, weren't

to escape its influence, although, the method was actually extremely complex and it required massive amounts of

user would find their lifespan shortening by a large degree due to the fact that their soul would get split in

fact that the Monolith had managed to infiltrate the Lock

"I guess you're right."

signed the paper and put the

straight. I barely signed more

then passed the contract back to

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

smile, Donna put the papers

then

give you a brief rundown on who the individuals you

long list of professors began

professors to

gender, rank, and the level of suspicion

they are the individuals that the Lock suspects of

There were quite a few familiar faces amongst the list of professors,

point of being surprised

couple of figures whom I knew were in fact

be of use to

be a professor while Ren you will

me out of my

is a

curved upward, then

Lock. Even if you do have the

"Oh."

my head a

was happy with this arrangement. Since I was an assistant

don't have any issues with the

Donna clapped her hands.

turned her attention toward the holographic projection in front of her and started to brief Kevin and m, on all the

what your roles are. I will now start giving you details on the people on

...30 minutes later.

a proper rundown on the situation,

do was stick close to one of the

***

Demon Hunter Guild.

"Young Miss? Young Miss?"

"Hm?"

out of her thoughts was

a worried look,

alright, young

"Yeah."

her head and stared at

"What were we discussing?"

launch of the magic cards system. We have currently mass-produced over a couple of millions of cards, and we're currently sold out in terms of pre-released booking. We're practically ready to launch them, however, what we need at the

"Ah, right."

Amanda's eyes squinted. After

sure that nothing happens to the reserves. Make sure that nothing happens during the transition phase. We can't afford to have our cards robbed. Even if it

"Understood."

with

the folder, Amanda

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

a kind smile

reaction caused Amanda to tilt her

else

"No, no."

took his folder back. Lowering his body,