Chapter Two: Move In With Me
All eyes followed the young Mage who proudly strutted around the school halls as he was introduced to different classes and teachers.
A particular incident occurred when a crazed student tried jumping on the Mage, the student found himself unable to get close, as a force shield separated them.
Zenith had stared down at him, before faking a smile. "Nice to meet you too—" he stopped when the crazed fan had a nosebleed and fainted.
This had happened that morning.
Other incidents involved random students wanting to thank the young Mage for saving their country or a family member. A stampede rose by the second period.
Zenith Ichiban had been enjoying tea in the Principal's office while the stampede went on. His force shield had protected him so a freak who had sneaked in through the Principal's office window to jump at him ended up bouncing back to the wall and passing out.
Zenith concluded that students were wild and would definitely be worth his time here.
All the madness ended by the fourth period and Zenith moved along the halls once again and for the students' sake, he released an invisibility spell on he and the teacher showing him around.
The office allocated to Zenith had a pristine design with a Victorian era touch. The only problems he had were the large ruby stones etched to the wall.
They obviously oozed negative essence but the Principal might not have noticed. The door behind him closed and Sir Bennett walked in.
The thirty year old man had kept his head lowered after the incident in the class. "So this will be your personal office, Zen— Sir Zenith. Forgive the students' behavior."
The teacher hoped his insignificant presence didn't ruin the young Mage's mood as it was common knowledge how easily the youngest S-classed Mage of their realm had mood swings.
Sir Bennett wished he'd be more excited to stand in his presence but he didn't have the strength to fake being happy. "If you need anything you can—"
"Sir Bennett, right?"
The teacher looked up but quickly averted his eyes, also feeling unworthy of an eye contact. "Yes."
"How many students are in Class 11-B? The best is the Guandan citizen, is it not? What subjects am I to teach exactly?" Zenith rested on the wall with folded arms. "And what's your relationship with the Principal?"
Even the blind would see how downcast Sir Bennett had been when he got scolded by the Principal. Zenith had never been in those shoes and might never be, so he was curious to know how it felt. His curiosity led to his question.
Sir Bennett only reacted to the last question. He smiled a bit, thinking the Young Mage asked out of worry for him. "Nothing to interest you, Sir Zenith."
Since it wouldn't interest him, Zenith let it go. He brushed the surface of his table with his index finger and didn't find a speck of dust. He smirked.
"Um… well…" Sir Bennett realized other questions had been asked and tried to remember. "They are currently twelve students at Class 11-B but it could change."
He remembered another question and shook his head. "Nephis Deferitis is a Guandan citizen, but she isn't the best student in the class—"
"She has the potential to be." Zenith interrupted. "Perhaps because she has the most presence in the class. As they say; more presence, more essence."
She seemed to be the most interesting character in the class so he took notice. He had noticed the blonde girl he met on the way but felt disappointed in her.
Disappointed that she didn't have the courage to take her life to the next level as he met her doing, even despite his support.
All in all, he hoped to respect her decision and be a teacher that'd help her regain confidence if she decided to stay alive for longer.
Zenith had seen great Mages take their life after they've accomplished everything and taught all they know to their apprentices, so he understood. It felt like an honorable way to rest after a fulfilled life.
The saying Zenith quoted greatly discouraged Sir Bennett as he remembered he barely had any presence within the school filled with bustling Mages.
He forgot the last question and forced a smile. "So Sir Zenith, if you need me for anything, I am few rooms away so—"
"Move in with me." Zenith offered.
The teacher paused, misunderstanding and panicking at the same time. "M-Move in with… you?"
Zenith nodded, looking around the office. It had enough space to contain two more tables like the one he had, as well as the King sized bed he had ordered.
He came to the school to keep himself entertained so having an empty office only for him would defeat that purpose. In fact, to avoid having more times alone, he planned to move out of his apartment at his agency to the office. A lot of renovations would be made.
"It will be beneficial to me to have the former teacher of Class 11-B close." Zenith added when Sir Bennett hesitated to give a reply. "Is that not okay with you?"
Sir Bennett gasped when he finally understood what he meant, he nodded frantically. It made him glad that the young Mage thought to sought his help.
During the few minutes he interacted with the renowned SSSSS-Rank Mage, Zenith Ichiban, it'd been different from the heartless proud Mage he heard stories about.
"I will talk to the principal about it first." Sir Bennet came to his senses, his head went down in his usual fashion when he felt worthless. "She'd probably not approve of it."
If anything, she'd want to trade places with him, Sir Bennett thought. If he didn't worth being a teacher to class 11-B despite his seven years of experience, then he didn't worth sharing an office with the renowned Mage.
"Rebel."
Sir Bennett looked up at the young man, instantly understanding what he meant.
Zenith turned to Sir Bennett, with a constructed heroic smile. "Take the step to do what you think it's best for yourself. Show her that you are a man who can pull his own weight."
At that point, Zenith Ichiban looked like a savior to the unfortunate teacher, who had no idea he had fallen into the young genius' trap.
Sir Bennett balled his fists. "Thank you for your words of encouragement! I'd do so! My future is in my own hands!"
Zenith nodded at his resolve. His faked heroic smile fell flat when the teacher left. He sighed and shook his head.
"At least, I now have a manager by my side." This had been his goal all along.
As a renowned Mage, he always had competent managers who handled his affairs while he only jumped in for the important moments.
Even if he wanted to try out for interesting things in this mundane world, he needed to have someone who handled the boring affairs, like making notes and taking students attendance.
In return, he could actually help the teacher achieve the level of confidence he aspired, then getting the Principal to fall for him wouldn't be a dream.
"Now, over to you." He turned to the ruby stones.
They were undeniably from another realm, and because of that, they reeked of negative essence. They must've stayed in this realm long enough to be noticed by him.
"You pollute the air with your foul scent. Break or I'd break you." Zenith demanded.
An ominous aura filled the room, clouding the empty space quickly. Zenith strolled to the end of the room and closed the windows so the aura wouldn't escape.
A reverberating voice boomed within the room. "We know who you are but we've also heard of your latest handicap!"
Zenith waved his hand in the air to clear the aura around him, he wore an unbothered expression. "Handicap? What a condescending way to say it."