Gray couldn't help but blink, speechless…
That Lizzy seemed so cute and all, but she sure was something! Listing so many of his "flaws" that quickly? Then finishing it off with a no-thanks at the end! Hearing this, even Teacher Eagle-Eye couldn't help but choke:
"Cough cough. Isn't that a little too harsh? Teacher Gale's still a guest of—"
But just as he was about to keep reprimanding her, Gray took a few steps. Yet, oddly, he didn't seem angry in the least? There was even a brilliant smile on his face? He approached Lizzy and then… gently rubbed her adorable head?!
"Hehe, what a cute fan! You sure know a lot about me…"
"…."
"…."
"…."
W-What was wrong with him?! He should have been angry, maybe ashamed, perhaps even emotionless as he quickly gave up. But he didn't seem just pleased but absolutely content.
Yet, little did they know that Gray was furiously using the Gloomy Headpat technique! Except… nothing?! Was there something wrong with the technique, or was there nothing despair-worthy in her past?
Happy family, was it? With this, he knew exactly what to do…
"My little fan, I have grave news. Turns out you're actually sick in the head, and so is your entire family! I'm afraid if it's not treated soon, we'll have to amputate!"
"You bastard, who's family is sick?!"
"Teacher Gale, that's a little—"
But before Teacher Eagle-Eye could intervene, Gray went all in:
"Let's start at the beginning, then, shall we? Your Power's remembering anything you see or hear, correct?"
The countless books? Her listing stuff that easily? Clues for sure, but her gasp confirmed it…
"H-How did you kn—"
"That's a power that would be amazing for a mage, wouldn't it? See a spell once and remember it forever? I can't believe your family wouldn't push you to become a powerful mage! That's why they're sick!"
How she clenched her jaw instantly told him otherwise, so he kept going…
"Just kidding. That'd only be if your power didn't have major flaws, which it does. Now it's probably something like consuming a lot of Mana or even not being too reliable… or both! What about a time limit? Wait, all three!"
"I-It was supposed to be confidential?! H-How?!"
"Now, that brings us to this moment. You've given up on practicing magic, merely content with becoming a researcher, but even that isn't going too great, am I right?"
"Y-You, who are you?!"
"The Academy's rising star, but let's focus. I still think your family's sick. Loving, supporting, and I'm guessing rich… but that's where it gets weird. They didn't bully you, but they didn't heal you either?
"Let me guess, clan struggle? No, that's not it. You're power's just that rare? Yep, that's it! So they're ignorant about your power, and blind for they haven't asked me for help yet…. Yep, sick for sure, but nothing too bad."
Retort? She was just staring at him, mouth open, in utter shock.
Even Teacher Eagle-Eye by the side was opening and closing his mouth in disbelief. Gray led the conversation and guessed the answers based on her reactions… that he understood. But wasn't he guessing a little too much?!
"You want to know how I knew about your power?"
They both nodded like little chicks.
"Listing my flaws? In order of length to boot? Seriously, who does that? Either you've been rehearsing it, or you have one hell of a memory. And by that, I mean not just remembering stuff… but organizing it too!"
"Ah?! Just that?"
"Then, there are the books. The way you're looking at them, I'm guessing they're for your personal reading. No one reads that many books at once except if they have a supercomputer in their brains!"
Supa-compu-what?! At first they were simply confused, but then it turned to utter stupefaction. D-Didn't this mean he knew what her power was?! The two of them shared a look of disbelief.
"Student Lizzy, I hereby kick you as a Disciple! Teacher Gale, could you—"
"You want me to accept her as a Disciple? Sigh, you're asking a lot…"
At this moment, Old Eagle actually gave his ex-disciple a small push. If she didn't beg for forgiveness, he'd beat her up himself! Teacher Gale had learned more about her in two minutes than her entire family in 18 years?!
"T-Teacher Gale, please forgive me. I won't spread rumors about you—"
"Tch— That's a given! You better be a good student!"
What followed was her kneeling repeatedly on the ground, with her little butt in the air. Seeing how earnest she was, Gray directly sent her the Disciple request and followed it right away with another.
"P-Personal Disciple too?! But I'm…."
"Weak? I just have to cure you, and you won't be!"
Just have to cure you… that's what she had tried doing all her life?! It was only then that she was reminded of the Disciple he had supposedly killed. Since he was here, the girl had probably survived in the end, right?!
She had always been content being the Luska clan's Failure.
But suddenly, she found herself wanting more for the first time.
And it was all thanks to this crazy teacher. He had given her HOPE!
But before she could celebrate, there was suddenly a commotion. A fellow student barged into the room, out of breath, dread on his face.
"TEACHER! The Enforcers have surrounded the Astral Tower!"
"WHAT?! What the hell happened exactly? Tell me everything!"
"Apparently, some weird guy in a Black Raven Mask's wanted for assaulting Teacher Mei! He was seen earlier and— Point is, if they find Teacher Gale here…."
Then as soon as the student was gone...
"Tch— Who's the Bastard slandering me now?! It was consensual, I swear!"
W-What?! That was Teacher Gale, too! Was there any drama he wasn't part of?! Luckily, Old Eagle wasn't too fazed by it. Assault Teacher Mei? Please! She was one of the strongest Teachers in the Academy!
"Teacher Gale, you'll have to hide. Follow me!"
He hurriedly brought them to… a wall?! But as he pressed a few seemingly random stars, it suddenly opened! That's when a cozy medium sized room with a throne in the middle was revealed, Old Eagle ushering them in.
"It's Mana-Detection Proof, soundproof, and you can play with the Star Gazer in the middle all you want. Lizzy knows how it works. I'll bring you all out tonight, alright? Take care!" He hurriedly closed the door on them.
Gray instantly turned his eyes to the throne in the middle. Star Gazer, was it? It looked like it came straight out of an X-m*n set! The helmet the professor used to detect minds? Well this one seemed like it detected stars!
What if he could finally learn a bit of Astral Magic with this? How awesome would that be?! Wouldn't it allow him to posture even better? Still, he couldn't help but praise:
"This is Old Eagle's seclusion bunker, eh? Amazing! Lizzy, teach me how to use it!" At this moment, poor Lizzy almost fell over. How could he be so relaxed?! No, really, how?! The Enforcers were right out there!
Gray was already grabbing the Star Gazer….