Chapter 127: Echoes of the Past and New Faces
By this time, classes had come to a complete halt. Nearly every student and staff member had gathered, forming a dense circle around Tessa, Adrian, Nyala, and the principal. The murmurs and whispers faded into an expectant hush as all eyes fixed on them, waiting with a reverence usually reserved for royalty.
Tessa turned to Adrian, giving him a nod and an encouraging smile as if to say, It's your turn. Adrian shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling the weight of hundreds of eyes on him.
For a man who could decimate Ashley Duve with a strike of his eternal flames and bring enemies down in a single hit, he was a bit overwhelmed with the stares and adoration of the crowd. When it comes to setting entire battlefields ablaze with his eternal flame, that was a piece of cake but at this moment, this sudden role of "school legend" felt more daunting than any enemy he'd ever faced.
He took a deep breath, meeting Tessa's gaze, and a slight smirk crossed his face—she knew he couldn't resist a challenge. Clearing his throat, Adrian began, his voice steady but carrying a hint of that casual confidence that made him seem larger than life.
"Well, I never thought I'd be back here like this," he said, glancing around the familiar halls. "It's a bit surreal, honestly. Back when I was a student, all I wanted to do was play football, keep my head down, and, maybe—just maybe—make a little trouble now and then." The students laughed, loosening the tension, hanging onto every word as if it held some secret magic.
He paused, scanning the crowd, and then continued, "But things changed. The world beyond these walls—it's not always as safe as we wish it would be. There are challenges out there, bigger than a quiz competition or a football final. And that's why we're here." He exchanged a look with Tessa, who nodded encouragingly.
"And every one of you," he said, pointing to the crowd, "you have strength in you that you don't even realize. Just like Tessa and I discovered ours, you'll find yours too. So, be fearless, be kind, and—most importantly—never stop supporting each other."
As his words echoed through the silent crowd, they began to cheer, a thunderous applause building as students clapped, whistled, and cheered for the legends before them. Adrian glanced over at Tessa, who was beaming, and for a moment, he felt that maybe, just maybe, being adored wasn't so overwhelming after all.
After leaving the students buzzing with excitement, the group continued down the hall, rounding a corner to the left and entering a quieter, more secluded section of the underground school. The distant murmur of student chatter faded as the students reluctantly returned to their classes, sneaking the occasional glance back as if hoping for one last glimpse of the legendary Tessa and Adrian.
As they walked, Tessa's mind wandered back to the spectacled man who had been teaching about the importance of sound to plant growth. She'd been struck by his passion and clear expertise, so she turned to Principal Hammond, curiosity lacing her words. "That teacher I saw earlier—Mr. Clayton, I think? He was impressive. How did someone that skilled end up here?"
Principal Hammond nodded, his admiration for the teacher evident. "Ah, Mr. Clayton. I was in desperate need of a teacher who could cover both Physics and Agriculture. With the budget cuts, finding someone who could do both was nearly impossible. Then, as if by fate, Mr. Clayton appeared out of nowhere. He even offered to take a reduced salary. I don't know what we would have done without him; he's truly one of the best here."
Hearing this, Tessa's instincts flared. Someone that qualified just appearing? She felt a chill run down her spine. No one with such expertise simply offers themselves at a discount, especially for a challenging dual role. People like that either had hidden motives or were hiding from something.
Initially, she'd admired Mr. Clayton's teaching skills, but now, her admiration shifted to caution. The image of a wolf lurking among sheep came to mind, and a knot formed in her stomach.
Turning to the principal, she voiced her concern. "Principal Hammond, I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I have a strange feeling about Mr. Clayton. His sudden appearance, his willingness to take reduced pay—it doesn't quite add up. Either he's here for reasons he's not sharing, or he could be hiding from something. Have you looked into his background?"
Principal Hammond's smile faltered, a look of surprise crossing his face. He seemed caught off guard by her suggestion, but there was also a hint of worry in his eyes. "You know, Tessa, I hadn't thought much about it. He's been nothing but a model teacher so far... but now that you mention it, maybe I should look into his history a bit more carefully."
Tessa nodded, her mind already whirling with possibilities. "Let's just be cautious. With everything going on, we can't afford any more surprises. And if he really is who he says he is, then we'll have no reason to worry."
The principal nodded solemnly, his face now shadowed with concern. Tessa glanced over at Adrian, who was listening intently, his jaw set in a determined line. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
As they continued down the left wing, the group passed the basketball court, where students were practicing drills under the sharp blasts of a whistle. The coach, a man with messy blond hair and a rugged look, barked instructions at the players, his voice carrying an intensity that commanded the court's attention. He seemed to have a bit of a temper, gesturing emphatically as he corrected a student's stance.
Noticing the new face on the sidelines, Tessa raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you've got a new sports coach," she remarked, observing the coach's fiery demeanor. He seemed like the type who didn't take excuses, pushing his players hard.
Principal Hammond gave a half-smile. "Yes, that's Mr. Reed. After Mr. Joel and Mr. Thompson left, there was a huge gap in our sports program. Reed came here as a refugee—he'd been moving around for a while, looking for somewhere stable. It took a bit of convincing on my part to get him to take on the coaching role. He didn't think he'd fit in at first, but with time, he started to adjust. And now, well, he's made a strong impression."
Tessa nodded thoughtfully. It was reassuring to see that the school was still attracting skilled individuals, even if they arrived from unexpected places. She watched the coach for a moment, noting the way he challenged each student to go beyond their limits, but a subtle tension remained in her.
Adrian, who'd been watching with his arms crossed, muttered with a hint of a smirk, "If I'd still been here, we never would've gotten along." His gaze followed Mr. Reed's every move, sizing up the man. Adrian was never one to back down from a challenge, and he had no patience for those who couldn't handle his intensity. He was the kind of player who left it all on the field, and he could already sense that Reed was someone who'd push back just as hard.
Principal Hammond chuckled lightly, catching Adrian's expression. "Reed's a bit... intense, but he's good for the students. They respect him. He's made an impact, even if his approach isn't the gentlest."
As they continued down the hall, Tessa couldn't shake the lingering questions surrounding both Mr. Clayton and now Mr. Reed. This quiet school in the corner of Grinwall seemed to be attracting some unusual figures lately.