An hour had passed since the headmaster had begun pacing behind his grand desk, admonishing Rufius for his lack of dignity, integrity, and the need to rectify the lost time he had wasted by avoiding his teaching responsibilities.
"Your students are worried, Rufius. They fear they won't be able to graduate because of your prolonged absence," the headmaster said.
Rufius, slouched in his seat, appeared disinterested, idly picking at something lodged in his ear. "I was in my room," he said, attention elsewhere.
"Yes, your quarters—employee housing provided by the academy. Have you no sense of propriety?"
Rufius shrugged nonchalantly. "So what? What's your point?"
The headmaster sighed deeply, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Rufius, I implore you to take your responsibilities seriously. Your actions—or lack thereof—have consequences, not just for yourself, but for the students who depend on you for guidance and instruction."
The words seemed to register with Rufius, albeit fleetingly, as a fleeting moment of clarity passed across his features. However, it was quickly replaced by his characteristic apathy. When all his professors were absent during his time as a student, he did his best to make up for it on his own.
"Just tell me what you want, and let's get this over with," he muttered, his tone resigned.
The headmaster rubbed his temples wearily. "I want you to understand the gravity of your neglect and to make amends, Rufius. The academy cannot afford to have its faculty shirking their duties."
Rufius gazed out the window, watching as the neophytes in their vibrant red robes frolicked about in the courtyard below, their laughter carrying faintly through the glass. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at their carefree demeanor—privileged, in a way, to still possess such innocence and optimism.
"I know," he interjected suddenly, turning back to face the headmaster. "I can take them on a field trip. It'll be educational and perhaps enlightening for them."
The headmaster paused, considering Rufius's proposal, his fingers absentmindedly stroking his white beard. "That could indeed be beneficial," he conceded. "However, I will insist on someone accompanying you to ensure everything runs smoothly."
Rufius nodded in agreement. "Harold will suffice," he suggested, already envisioning the logistics of the excursion.
The headmaster's brow furrowed slightly. "Harold is the son of the duke," he reminded Rufius gently. "Why is it that he's often shouldering more of your responsibilities than you?"
Rufius grimaced, realizing his oversight. "Ah, yes, I seem to have forgotten his... importance," he admitted sheepishly. "So, what do you suggest?"
The headmaster's expression softened, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I see potential in your idea, Rufius," he replied thoughtfully. "However, I also believe it would be prudent to assign someone to oversee your involvement, ensuring that you don't evade your responsibilities as you have in the past."
"Mhhm." Rufius nodded in understanding, accepting the need for supervision given his track record. "Who do you have in mind?" he asked.
A small smile tugged at the corners of the headmaster's lips. "I already have someone in mind," he assured Rufius.