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?"

rolled his eyes before nudging his head, in Donna's

saying hit to

lowered my

to

to see

a smile, not minding my rudeness. She then pressed her hand on the table and passed two papers in our

point, I need you

a stern look

"Mana contracts?"

"That's right."

placed two pens next

it an assistant, staff, or regular professor must sign a mana contract. This is

"I see..."

down on a brown leather chair opposite Donna's desk and picked

he was about to sign, his hand came to a

on, if you guys do this, how

a

how was it possible for people to infiltrate

knew

smile on her face, Donna leaned back in her

deep-rooted the influence

down next to Kevin

that there was nothing I was against, I signed it and

know this by now,

contracts, although useful, weren't exactly

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

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

was not something that could be done easily, and the fact that the Monolith had managed to infiltrate the Lock despite all of this went to show how big

"I guess you're right."

signed the

wasn't thinking straight. I barely

then passed the contract back

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

a satisfied smile, Donna put

was then projected in

I will give you a brief rundown on who the individuals

list of professors began

professors to

in gender, rank, and the level of

individuals that the Lock suspects of being part

thought as I stared at the projection. There were quite a few familiar faces amongst the list of professors, however, I

being surprised by what

a quick skim, I was in fact able to spot a couple of figures whom I knew

of use

while Ren

of my thoughts were

Kevin is a

curved upward,

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

"Oh."

moved my head

this arrangement. Since I was an assistant professor, it could only mean

don't have any issues with

Donna clapped her hands.

of her and started to brief Kevin and m, on all the individuals we had to be

know what your roles are. I will now start giving you details

...30 minutes later.

gave me a proper rundown on the situation, and what

I needed to do was stick close to one of the targets and be

***

Demon Hunter Guild.

"Young Miss? Young Miss?"

"Hm?"

her thoughts was

a worried look,

everything alright, young

"Yeah."

her head and stared at the papers in front

"What were we discussing?"

we're currently sold out in terms of pre-released booking. We're practically

"Ah, right."

her notes, Amanda's eyes squinted. After a bit

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

"Understood."

with

the folder, Amanda looked

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

shook his head with a

reaction caused Amanda to tilt

there something else

"No, no."

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