"Why should I make an exception for you Hajime?", she asked as she rested her chin on folded hands, her elbows resting on the oak desk.
The office was dimly lit by the light of candles, casting long shadows across the floor and walls. A sweet but salty scent hung heavy in the room. The smell of erotic desires. Yet there were no feelings of arousal or lust emanating from her. Only calmness and control.
"I've already reached the Upper of Colorless Root-"
"That's just average." she cut him off, "Anyone can achieve that with enough time and dedication." she continued as she waved her hand dismissively.
"I thought the requirement was Middle of Colorless Root?"
"That's just the bare requirement. Your mother isn't involved with the admission process, so she may have told you otherwise. But the academy requires students who have the potential for greatness."
"Greatness?"
"Yes, greatness," she repeated as she leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed intently upon him. Her violet eyes glowed.
"What makes you special? Why should I take you in?" she asked bluntly.
"I've come up with my own unique flow method."
"Has it been approved by the Bureau of Mana?" she inquired, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice.
"No."
"Then it's worthless," she stated flatly. A slight smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she sat back in her chair. She waited patiently for his response.
"It works though..." he trailed off.
"Doesn't matter, if it's a death sentence. Any child could come up with an idea. It's the application where it shines," she retorted sharply.
She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Silence filled the room once again as they both considered the situation.
After a few moments, her eyes fluttered open as she spoke,
"I have no interest in bending the rules for an above-average Floral Attuned." Her words were laced with disappointment as she shook her head slightly.
"I expected Sophia's child to become an Avyris, maybe even rival Kaelos. But it seems like you inherited her weakness and not her strength..." she paused briefly before continuing, "I can refer you to other academies, where you'll probably rise to the top."
The chair creaked as she stood up and walked around her desk until she was standing directly in front of him.
She leaned back against the desk, crossing her arms across her chest, as she stared down at him. Curiosity still in her eyes. Her posture exuded confidence and authority. Her presence alone demanded respect from those around her. It was almost intoxicating.
"Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond Hajime?" she asked as she cocked her head to one side, raising one eyebrow slightly higher than its counterpart.
"I can't afford to." His reply was quick and decisive.
"So why should I let you in my academy?" she asked one last time.
Hajime took a deep breath. Secrets can't be hidden forever, eventually, someone will find out. The truth would eventually be known. Choosing what secrets to share and when to reveal them is important, and now was one such instance where Hajime chose to reveal a truth.
Their eyes locked. His blue and red irises clashed with her purple ones, they followed him until he was a few inches from her. Curiosity flashed across her face. It disappeared as soon as it appeared. His fingers gently caressed the side of her face before trailing slowly toward her violet-supple lips. As it rested on her lower lip, she gasped softly, unable to suppress her shock. She opened her mouth slightly to speak, but Hajime silenced her.
"Because I can do this."
He kissed her cheek tenderly, leaving a warm tingling sensation behind as the kiss lingered. She closed her eyes and slapped Hajime across the cheek, leaving a red hand mark across his face.
"That's assault." she snapped angrily. But despite her tone, the expression on her beautiful features betrayed her emotions. She was intrigued.
"Anyways I believe that makes me special enough right?" he grinned.
She scoffed as she rolled her eyes, "Special? That's enough to cause wars." She pushed him aside, "You're in. But you'll have to personally report to me every week. If I catch you touching any of the floraliths here, I will castrate you. Understand? Now leave. My secretary will handle the paperwork."
'That went surprisingly better than expected. Nectar Glans didn't work on her right?'
[Nope there should be an entirely different reason why she took it so well]
Hajime nodded and left Charlotte's Office, as he closed the door behind him he turned to face the blonde secretary. Her eyes widened in surprise as he smiled at her.
"Hello there, Miss..."
"Mia. I'm Mia." She replied shyly.
"Nice to meet you." he said politely before turning to head towards the exit.
"Wait." she called out.
Hajime stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder.
"Yes?" Hajime asked with a grin spread across his handsome features.
She bit her lip as her cheeks reddened slightly, her gaze shifting nervously between Hajime and the ground beneath her feet. "Would you like to go out with me?" She blurted out.
His smile grew wider as he chuckled softly under his breath. He glanced back over his shoulder at the blonde secretary, noticing the way her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"I'd love to."
Mia smiled broadly, "Really?" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
He nodded. "Of course," he replied nonchalantly. "But after I start my academy life." he added as his eyes wandered along her slender frame.
The secretary blushed furiously as she lowered her head. "I look forward to seeing you again." she muttered quietly. Her voice trembled slightly.
Hajime chuckled lightly, "Me too," he replied softly as he continued walking away.
[Mia Robbins,
Title: Charlotte's Secretary,
Soul Age: 25
Species: Floralith (Orchid)
Flower Realm: Orchida (lower)
Root Realm: Colorless Root (lower)
Lineage: None
Threat Level: None (Susceptible to Nectar Glans)
Last Known Status: Finding a way to dry her underwear]
[The System would like to remind the host that '???' will arrive in 257 days. So far the host has only plucked one flower]
Hajime laughed at the System's warning as he exited the office building and headed home. 'I know, I know'
[The Host needs to deflower and impregnate more flowers]
'You know you sound like a pimp right?'
[Pimps don't exist in this world]
'You know what I mean'