IM shook the headmaster's hand, his grip firm and confident. "Thank you, Headmaster," he replied, his voice smooth and polite. "I'm sure I will."
I watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and admiration. IM was a natural charmer, effortlessly putting the headmaster at ease.
Mind Control…
"So, Xian Ying tells me you'd like to enroll here," the headmaster said, turning back to me. "What grade are you in, Eem?"
"Eleventh," IM replied.
The headmaster nodded, tapping his fingers on his desk. "Well, we'll certainly do our best to accommodate you," he said. "Let me just fill out some paperwork..."
As the headmaster busied himself with the enrollment forms, I glanced at IM, a silent question in my eyes.
He winked at me, a mischievous glint in his eye. Just watch, he seemed to say.
A moment later, the headmaster looked up, a blank expression on his face. "So, Eem," he said slowly, "tell me a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to school before?"
IM launched into a well-rehearsed story about attending a prestigious boarding school in a far-off country, his tale filled with impressive achievements and glowing recommendations. The headmaster listened intently, his eyes widening with each passing detail.
By the time IM had finished his story, the headmaster was practically salivating at the prospect of having such a talented student join the school. He quickly filled out the remaining paperwork, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Welcome to Rectangle Academy, Eem," he said, shaking IM's hand once again. "We're so happy to have you."
IM smiled graciously. "The pleasure is all mine, Headmaster," he replied.
As we left the office, I couldn't help but chuckle. IM had used his charm and persuasive skills to manipulate the headmaster into accepting him with open arms. It was a testament to his power, a glimpse of the untapped potential that lay within him.
"So, are we going to class now?" IM asked, his voice a smooth purr in the quiet hallway.
I nodded. "But let's wait a bit. The headmaster probably needs to inform the teachers about your enrollment. Want to go somewhere else first?"
IM nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Lead the way, Xian Ying."
We strolled through the school hallways, our footsteps echoing in the relative quiet. I glanced at IM, a flicker of curiosity in my eyes.
"So," I asked, "how does it feel to be visible to humans now?"
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I never thought about it much before," he admitted. "But it seems like being a human could be quite... fun."
I chuckled. "I'm sure you will," I replied. "But don't get too comfortable. You might have to return to being a shadow soon enough."
IM shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. "We'll see," he said. "For now, I'm enjoying the freedom of this new form."
We continued walking, a comfortable silence settling between us. I was still trying to process the idea of having a Harbinger who could walk and talk like a regular human. It was both fascinating and a little bit unnerving.
As we rounded a corner, we came face-to-face with a group of students huddled together, their eyes glued to their phones.
"People love staring at their phones, don't they?" IM remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yeah," I replied. "I guess it's a form of entertainment."
IM nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Just then, Lenna appeared in front of us, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw IM.
"Oh, Senior!" she greeted me, a shy smile on her face.
"Morning, Lenna," I replied, returning her smile.
IM stepped forward, a playful smirk on his lips. "Oh, this is the girl who fainted when she saw me, isn't it?"
Lenna tilted her head, confused. "I'm sorry?"
I leaned closer to her and whispered, "This is my Harbinger... my guardian, in your terms. He evolved into a human form."
Lenna's eyes widened in astonishment. "What?!" she exclaimed, staring at IM in disbelief.
IM simply smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Lenna looked IM up and down, her gaze lingering on his stylish clothes. "He's not wearing a dark robe... or that creepy smile," she observed, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
"Of course not," IM replied with a chuckle. "I've evolved. But remember, descendant of the Seers, keep this information to yourself."
Lenna flinched slightly at being addressed so directly, but she nodded in understanding.
"So... you're going to be a student here?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
Both IM and I nodded in confirmation.
"What's your name again?" Lenna asked, tilting her head slightly.
"IM," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Lenna's brow furrowed. "Just IM? I thought it would be a more... human name."
"It's pronounced 'Eem,' not 'Im'," IM corrected her gently.
"Oh, sorry," Lenna mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
I stifled a laugh. "It's certainly... unique," I offered, trying to be diplomatic.
"Well, whatever his name is," Lenna interrupted, a nervous glance at the clock on the wall. "I should head to class now. The bell's about to ring."
She hurried away, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
"That girl seems..." IM began, but trailed off.
"Unique?" I finished his sentence, a smirk playing on my lips.
"Yeah..."
I leaned against the wall by the window, pulling out my phone. IM leaned beside me, peering at the screen.
"What's that?" he asked, his voice curious.
"It's the university's student portal," I explained. "I'm logged in as Hanna... just checking out what she's up to."
"Can you do that?"
"Yeah, I can see her assignments and grades. If they're completed, then she's done them."
IM nodded, his eyes scanning the screen. "There seem to be a lot of assignments," he observed.
"Yeah," I sighed. "College life is tough."
"We're not even in college yet," IM pointed out, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yeah," I agreed, "but I can still relate to the pressure of schoolwork."
"You two haven't even met in person. What are you going to do with that information?"
< Chapter 082 > Fin.