Screw it!!! In normal cases shouldn't all of them start clapping after one starts. Why are they such dimwits?sigh~~ I can only look over their pea sized brains.
Everyone glanced at Roselia. She is the only student who clapped not minding her surroundings. Of course, she didn't really offend anyone nor commit any crime. It's just....feeling many eyes at the same time on her made her feel rather uncomfortable which resembled rather they are watching a ghost instead of a human.
All people present in the Hall halted their actions and were intently gazing on Roselia as if she was an eighth wonder and someone might snatch her if they even turned their eyes somewhere else.
Noticing the awkward air, Amelia immediately striked her plams, her claps more resounding in the eerily calm room, knocking out the silence instantly.
Following her all other teachers and students too clapped at the end.
Heaving a sigh Roselia glanced in Amelia's direction. However, unknown thing to her was that Amelia never shifted her gaze from Roselia right from start of the speech and was focused on her from time to time. She was observing Roselia's each and every minute action right from start.
When their eyes met, Amelia slightly curled up her lips for a fleeting moment and turned to continue the conversation between her colleagues.
Wouldn't it be bad if she was discovered by Roselia? So giving a thought about it for sometime, Amelia unwillingly diverted her attention.
On the middle of the stage, Mr. Manves faintly smiled upon observing Roselia, "Interesting~", he commented in a voice only audible to him and turned to return to his office room.
After all, there's still one more meeting waiting for his arrival and that was the most important compared to the opening ceremony according to him.
As he turned around, he saw from the corner of his eyes, Lucas still standing on the other side of him, waiting for his command, but in real Lucas seemed to dissipate an aura of negligence and arrogance which suits more, for the teenage girls here to have ripples of love in their hearts.
"Huh~", Manves smirked, " Let's go to our respective seats my dear good student, " Manves responded politely and smiled that he thought was cordial.
" Old man. I don't remember we have any old scores to settle yet. Do you have to go this far to set me in such a tough spot, huh? " Lucas questioned apathetically in a voice only Manves could hear.
Manves: " Your question itself holds the answer my dear little ancestor"
He briefly paused before continuing, " Say won't they feel pressured and might scold me inside if it was someone else, " he frowned slightly as though he was wronged.
Lucas:"..." He was dumbfounded looking at the way Manves behaved.
Why was he acting docile and well-behaved in front of me today?
And if others feel Pressured then what about me? Ain't I a person in his eyes? Or does he believe I won't curse him back?
Taking a half day to hit back to reality, he continued, " Old man.... Your acting skills indeed improved alot compared to before. "
Manves merely smiled back but didn't say anything in the end.
"Old man.... ", before Lucas could finish, he got interjected by Manves.
Manves:" We are in school. Shouldn't you address me more formally. "
Lucas nodded his head as if he understood something, " Oh... Now should I learn from you to how to address you? ", he refuted back aloofly.
As if he fell into a contemplation, " And it's not like I can't change your form of address. You know, I got used to it since my childhood. Now how can I suddenly change it since you merely ask for it. But don't worry old man, I will sure try my best to give you face and respect in front if outsiders. "
Manves smiled lightly and shook his head, " You better be self aware. Otherwise I can't gurantee your safety, little ancestor. "
It seemed like he was really concerned for Lucas, however there was an underlying threat in his words.
" Huh~", he puffed haughtily, " Are you threatening me now. It's not like I'm lying. You are indeed old. The fact that you dont have a woman beside you doesn't hide the fact you are an old geezer. Or else could be that you have someone behind my bac...? "He lightly glanced at Manves for a second.
However, what he didn't expect was Manves frightening gaze on him. Even a ferocious beast from the forest… couldn't compare to one ten-thousandth of this. Chilling breezes were sent down his spine making him gasp in Nervousness. It's been years since he saw this terrifying gaze again.
'Looks like I unknowingly touched the weak point of Manves. Will he beat me in front of all. That would be terrible if it happens. After all, there's no one who could save me here and I will sure lose my face. Forget about my face.... It would be a wonder even he leaves me without peeling my skin. I hope he won't ask to spar with me. Oh dear Lord... Please show mercy upon me.'
Lucas couldn't help but pray for God to help him. Lucas doesn't know Manves past and it was this reaction of Manves which piqued Lucas interest to know Manves past. After many attempts to dig into the matter and probe others, he never got a satisfactory answer and could only face Manves warth because of his slip of tongue in front of him.
'Why was it a taboo to not to speak about such matter to Manves? Did he have a dark past and doesn't want others to know about it? He literally rasied me to my adulthood and was not any less than my father. He taught me everything he had and will continue teaching me. But why did he never spoke about his past?'
It was then did Lucas realise never did Manves mention his past to others or to Lucas and Ethan.
From the corner of his eyes, Lucas could see Manves digging his nails into his palms and his face cherry red from the anger he was trying to suppress.