"So?"
"What happened?"
Silence.
Then—
the Headmaster's smile deepened.
"…He's nothing like we expected."
A pause.
"That child is nothing like his father."
The figure frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
The Headmaster leaned back slowly.
"He's weak."
"A walking shell."
"Worse…"
"He possesses neither mana nor spiritual energy."
Silence.
The figure slowly leaned back into the chair.
"…Impossible."
His eyes narrowed.
"That child doesn't feel weak."
His voice darkened.
"What a disgrace."
"He cannot be our nemesis' child."
"Maybe my suspicions were wrong."
"No.
The Headmaster answered calmly.
"They weren't."
The figure's eyes sharpened.
"Then how did you confirm it was him?"
A slow chuckle escaped the Headmaster.
"Heh…"
"I gave him this."
He raised the letter slightly.
The figure frowned.
"…A piece of paper?"
The Headmaster smiled.
"Look closer."
Then—
he tossed it across the room.
The figure caught it effortlessly.
Opened it.
And froze.
Immediately—
his eyes widened.
"…You're joking."
"Why would I joke about this?"
The Headmaster replied calmly.
The figure shot to his feet.
"Are you insane?!"
His voice echoed through the office.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
The chair scraped loudly across the floor.
The Headmaster remained calm.
Still smiling.
"Relax."
"Let me finish."
The figure forced himself silent.
But his expression remained dark.
"Hah…"
"The child read the letter."
Silence.
Then—
"Nothing happened."
The figure moved forward slightly.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Confusion.
All mixed together.
"…You mean a mere human read that?"
"And survived?"
The Headmaster's smile widened slightly.
"Yes."
"Every single word."
The figure's face hardened instantly.
"But—
"You were reckless."
"Far too reckless."
"If it had been anyone else…"
"They would have died immediately."
A pause.
His eyes darkened.
"What would we tell the old man?"
"One mistake…"
"And we both die."
"That's not what concerns me right now."
The Headmaster interrupted calmly.
Silence.
Then—
he smiled.
Slowly.
"At last…"
"We found our prey."
The figure clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"How troublesome."
"He was standing right beside me…"
"Powerless."
"One strike was enough."
His killing intent leaked slightly.
"But…"
His expression twisted.
"That old fool."
"If not for him…"
"Calm yourself."
The figure went silent.
The Headmaster's gaze darkened.
"For now—we remain hidden."
"No unnecessary movements."
"We cannot risk alerting him."
Silence filled the office.
Then—
the figure laughed softly.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"Understood."
"But…"
"I'll go through any length…"
"…to find that loathsome man."
A pause.
His eyes sharpened.
"But first—"
The Headmaster interrupted him.
"…we'll destroy everything he left behind."
Silence.
Then—
his eyes darkened slightly.
"Even if it means going against that old monster."
Inside Class One.******
The students slowly settled
into their seats.
Noise filled the room.
Then—
the classroom door opened.
Instructor Moon stepped inside.
Calm as ever.
"Good morning."
His gaze swept across the class.
"Today…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…will be your first practical lesson."