I walked into the Principal's office with Teon. He smiled the moment he saw us.
"This is a rare sight," he said, his expression full of mischief.
"Good afternoon, sir. It's been a few weeks," Teon said.
"It sure has. Since my students don't visit me anymore, I should relish the few times I see them," the Principal replied. "Why are you here? To ask my permission to propose to Faina or something?" My face reddened, and I looked away.
"No, I'm here to ask for your permission to take her," Teon responded.
"You want to take my favorite professor? But she's meant to start working full-time soon," the Principal said, and I looked up. "Right, Faina?"
"I wasn't informed," I replied.
"That's a mistake on my part. I should have asked you first," the Principal said, laughing. If I didn't know better, I'd think he had forgotten about our last conversation. "Well, I need to talk to Faina privately. I'll make my decision after that," he said, and Teon turned to me.
"Don't let him talk you into anything," Teon said as he stood up.
"I'm right here," the Principal laughed. The moment Teon left, we both became serious.
"I'm done," I said first.
"That's good to hear," the Principal said, a relieved expression crossing his face. "By the looks of it, you don't want the board to know yet, right?"
"Yes. I took the first dosage yesterday. It's still being tested, and I don't want to jump to conclusions until I'm better," I explained, and he nodded in understanding.
"That makes sense," he agreed.
"I'd also like to announce Gordon as my apprentice when I return," I added, and he smiled. "I'll need all the help I can get once I announce the completion of my research," I said, and he nodded again.
"I understand. Would you like to inform him, or should I?"
"Please do," I replied, and he smiled again.
"I'm elated, Faina. I just hope this achievement will help change your reputation," he said, and I nodded.
"I'd say it's still the same, but there's something new now," I said.
"And what is that?"
"Determined," I replied.
"That's good to know," he said. "Now, about the Rosens issue," he began.
"I don't think their leader will be able to do anything for now. As for their daughter, she's completely useless magic-wise," I said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Yesterday, she got poisoned in my lab, and I was asked to heal her. I used reverse healing magic and completely cut off her magic flow. She'll never heal again," I explained.
"That's... that's possible?" the Principal asked. "You should add that to your achievements—figuring out how to stop someone's magic flow," he said. Talking to the Principal is easier now since he's the only person who knows my secret.
"It's thanks to Gordon. I thought of the idea because I did the opposite when I was trying to awaken his magic," I said.
"That's also an incredible feat," he said. It isn't, really. "Kid, the moment your research goes public, you're going to be in trouble. This is your chance to run. The academy will do everything in its power to make you their property," he said. I laughed awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable at his statement. "You even have an example: Reginald. The moment his research went public, they locked him behind the academy's walls." I suddenly felt threatened.
"You might think I'm joking, but I'm not. The academy will do anything to get what they want. They make kids with potential 'special grade' as a way to lure them in, so they won't be able to escape once they show results." Why is he telling me this? "This is my last gesture to you, a warning, because I'll be leading the chase. You know what they say—you can't hide from the academy." Who says that?
"I understand," I said, standing up. "I'll go and start packing," I added, turning to leave.
"Don't let this be our last conversation," he warned. I nodded and walked out.
"Are you done?" Teon asked when I stepped outside, and I nodded.
We headed to the lab, and I went inside while he waited for me. I opened the door and started packing.
"Hey," a voice said, making me flinch and almost drop the bottle in my hand. "You didn't even notice me. You should be more aware of your surroundings," Walsh said, pulling off his hood.
I moved away carefully and almost tripped over a chair. He shook his head and stepped forward.
"Why do you keep resisting? You know my brother is doing everything he can to avoid hurting you, right? If you didn't know that, now you do. What did you do to my siblings yesterday?" he demanded.
"Nothing," I said.
"Whatever it was, you're coming with me to undo it," he threatened. It's fine. Teon is outside. I'll be okay.
"Teon is outside. How do you plan to get past him?" I asked, folding my arms tightly.
"You brought a guard, huh?" he said. "What exactly do you want from me? Whether you like it or not, you're very valuable, and Rosen wants you," he added, as though I should feel guilty for not going with them.
"I looked into you, but there's nothing—not even where you were before you were adopted. It seems Myra is fond of you and doesn't want any harm to come to you. That'd be a good bargaining chip, don't you think? We need Alden to step back. Once they do, everything will work out perfectly," he stated.
"I won't be your 'bargaining chip.' Whatever you want from me… find it elsewhere. I have more pressing matters," I said, and he laughed.
"Do you think there aren't other ways to get to Myra? Doesn't she have other children? I'm sure she'll get tired of you and the trouble you're causing her," he said, walking toward me. I stepped back, but he was soon in my face. "I think you still don't understand why we're so focused on you," he said.
Because my fate is to be plagued by your life-threatening attention.
"I'll take my leave now," he said and walked out. I exhaled, holding my chest.
"Fay," Teon called, rushing in. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm almost done," I said.
"Faina," he called again.
"I'm fine," I repeated and continued packing my things.