Lucas, in his guise as Ela, sat on a bench by the side of Victory Avenue in the central district.
A nearby street lamp brightly illuminated the area.
Behind the bench was a small park with neatly trimmed lawns showing traces of recent camping activities.
Across the road stood an opera house, its exterior adorned with posters, and faint singing emanated from within.
The faint sound of singing made the city feel even quieter.
After a while, a group of teenagers wearing uniforms from Arcanum Academy walked over. They stopped near the bench, waiting for the academy shuttle to arrive.
At the same time, they noticed the elf sitting on the bench.
In the bustling storm city, connected by various air routes, elves were not uncommon. There were many elf professors and scholars at Arcanum Academy.
However, none of them had ever seen an elf with such extraordinary looks.
A boy who looked about sixteen or seventeen walked over.
With a bag slung over his shoulder, he asked Lucas in a self-assured tone, "Hello, elf lady... My name is Mark Wilson. Are you also waiting for the shuttle to Arcanum Academy?"
"Yes," Lucas replied. "I'm going to Arcanum Academy. Are you all students there?"
The response from the unfamiliar elf boosted the boy's confidence. He turned back proudly to look at his companions before saying to Lucas, "Yes, we are all students at Arcanum Academy. The weekend passed so quickly, and I dread facing Professor Fennick again. His magic spell analysis class is incredibly difficult.
"Miss Elf, you aren't wearing the Arcanum Academy student uniform. Are you an instructor at the academy?"
Mark's conversation with the elf attracted the other students, who gathered around.
Some speculated about the elf's role at the academy.
"Miss Elf, I see you have two curved swords at your waist. I've heard that elven wind dancers use dual swords. Are you a combat instructor at the academy?"
"No, those curved swords are so exquisite, they must be ornamental. And such a beautiful elf couldn't be a rough warrior. You must be an elven druid who commands the power of nature."
"Elven druids have animal markings on their faces. I think you are a mage. Only a noble mage could match your beautiful appearance."
…
A group of Arcanum Academy students surrounded Lucas, chattering away. One little girl even reached out to touch his pointed ear.
Lucas jumped up and lightly landed outside the crowd.
"It's very impolite to touch an elf's ears without permission. I'm sure your etiquette teacher has taught you that.
"As for my profession,
I am an elven warrior, an elven druid, an elven mage, and an elven archer. At Arcanum Academy... I am a new magic professor."
Lucas concocted a new identity for himself.
To lend credibility to his claim, he opened his right hand, and a delicate ice lotus flower bloomed layer by layer in his palm.
The casually cast ice spell elicited a chorus of exclamations from the students.
Feeling overshadowed, Mark called out to his classmates, "Everyone, mind your manners! This is our new magic professor... Professor, may we know your name?"
"My name is Ela, which means clear sky in elvish language."
The students bowed to Lucas in unison and chanted, "Hello, Professor Ela!"
Mark then asked, "Professor Ela, which subject do you teach? Can we attend your class?"
"I teach..." Lucas pondered for a moment before replying, "I will wait for the academy to arrange my schedule. Once it's confirmed, you are all welcome to attend my class."
"That's great!"
The prospect of attending the class of a beautiful elven magic professor was enticing, even if the students had no interest in the subject itself.
At that moment, a bus pulled up to the curb. The doors opened, and a stern-looking, thin man in an old-fashioned mage robe stepped out.
"Students of Arcanum Academy, wear your badges. They are your honor."
The students quickly checked their uniforms for their badge pins, those without immediately found them and pinned them on.
They then lined up to board the bus.
When it was Lucas's turn, the man asked, "Beautiful elf lady, this is the shuttle to Arcanum Academy. Students and staff ride for free. If you are a visitor, the fare is ten Imperial Marks."
Already on the bus, Mark Wilson shouted, "Mr. Gregory, this is our magic professor, Miss Ela."
Other students chimed in, confirming she was their magic professor.
Lucas handed over ten marks to Gregory, "I'm here to complete my formal hiring process."
With so many students vouching for the elf as their magic professor, Gregory didn't question it. He didn't take Lucas's money.
"My apologies, Miss Ela. Please board. Welcome to Arcanum Academy. If you are single, I believe all the single male staff will be even more welcoming."
The usually stern Gregory managed a rare smile at the sight of the beautiful Ela.
Beautiful things have a way of disarming people.
Besides, Arcanum Academy was not an off-limits fortress; openness and inclusivity were its educational principles.
The ten-mark fare was more symbolic than anything.
"Thank you, Mage Gregory." Lucas boarded the bus.
Mark eagerly invited Lucas to sit beside him, but Lucas chose to sit next to a pleasant-looking female student instead.
Gregory closed the door and rang a bell beside it.
The academy shuttle, driverless, started moving and soon disappeared from the road.
At that moment, a group of Imperial agents ran up, panting. They watched the Arcanum Academy shuttle leave the main dimension.
"Damn it!" shouted Boner, who had failed to stop the bus. He then asked his subordinates, "Did you see Ela get on the bus?"
"Captain, we saw her. She boarded with the Arcanum Academy students. This is going to be a big problem!"
"More than a problem! A powerful assassin who killed so many in the Seaport District and possibly carrying the 'Heart of the Red Dragon Nielcolone' going to Arcanum Academy will cause a disaster! Notify the inspector immediately, alert the city administration.
Contact Arcanum Academy's liaison office and have them open a pathway to the academy for us. Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The agents quickly dispersed to carry out their orders.
The remaining agents looked in the direction where the Arcanum Academy shuttle had disappeared, worriedly asking Boner, "Captain, what do we do if we face that elf?"
Boner placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"There are many noble students at Arcanum Academy... we cannot hold back this time.
When we encounter Ela, don't give her the time to cast large-scale ice magic.
Attack swiftly and kill decisively, it's our only chance to leave Arcanum Academy alive."
"Yes, Captain!"