Half an hour ago,
William followed Vice Principal Claire down the hallway, the clicking of her heels echoing in the silent corridor. She led him to her office, a cozy room with a large window that let in the warm rays of the sun. The room was decorated in shades of brown and beige, giving it a peaceful ambiance. William couldn't help but notice the shelves full of books that lined the walls, from magical tomes to historical volumes.
"Please have a seat," Claire gestured to the comfortable armchair in front of her desk. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please," William replied, feeling his nerves settle a bit.
Claire walked over to the small table by the window, where a teapot and a few cups sat. She poured a cup for William and one for herself, then sat across from him. The aroma of the tea was soothing, with a hint of jasmine and honey.
"I wanted to speak with you about something important," Claire began, taking a sip of her tea. "As you know, we have taken several precautions against the criminal organization that has been targeting our students. We have implemented a curfew and require our students to travel in groups of three."
William nodded, sipping his tea. He knew all too well about the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
"I'm planning to introduce a new class that focuses on self-defense techniques," Claire continued. "I would like for you to be one of the instructors."
William was taken aback by the request but quickly considered it. "I agree," he said finally. "It will be a good opportunity for me to keep an eye on Isadora and the other students."
Claire nodded, pleased with his answer. "Speaking of students, I noticed that your sister, Charlotte, hasn't attended any classes yet. Is she unwell?"
William's expression darkened, and he set down his teacup. "She's fine. She's just not interested in magic classes."
Claire nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Well, we do offer regular classes on other subjects as well, such as swordsmanship, engineering, management, and arts. Perhaps that would be more to her liking."
"Why did your sister choose the magic classes, anyway? I thought the Valois had always been a family of swordsmen, including females?"
William remained silent at that question. He looked down at the tea in his hands, lost in thought as he reflected on his sister's decision. He had always hoped to inspire Charlotte, to make her proud of following in his footsteps. But now, it seemed that she had intentionally chosen a different path.
Claire noticed the change in William's demeanor and asked, "Is everything alright?"
William looked up at her and nodded, "Yes, thank you for asking."
Claire could sense that there was more to the story, but she didn't want to pry. She continued sipping her tea, waiting for William to speak again.
After a few moments of silence, William said, "I'll make sure to talk to my sister and see if she wants to switch classes."
Claire nodded, "I think that would be a good idea. We want all our students to feel comfortable and happy with their chosen path."
The two of them continued talking about the new class and the Academy for a while longer. Eventually, William finished his tea and stood up to leave.
Claire stood up and walked him to the door. "Thank you for coming today, William. I wish you all the best in your new position," she said.
"Thank you, Vice Principal," William replied.