Chapter 49 Meeting the Principal
Evelyn's POV
I grabbed Kane's sleeve and asked, worry creeping into my voice.
Kane replied calmly, "It's fine, don't be nervous."
When we arrived at the headmistress's office, Kane didn't bother to knock—he simply pushed the door open and walked right in.
The office was huge, with portraits of past headmasters lining the circular walls. They whispered among themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing our way.
At the center of the room, behind a massive desk, sat a woman.
She looked very young, with her long hair casually pinned up and a deep purple robe draped over her. Her features were strikingly beautiful, especially her eyes.
"Well, it seems you two weren't too shaken up—considering you're late."
Seraphina looked up, her gaze sweeping over us calmly.
"Headmistress."
I called out to her somewhat stiffly, while Kane simply stood there.
"Have a seat. There's no need to be so tense."
She gestured to the nearby sofa, then sat down across from us.
"I didn't call you here to reprimand you."
Kane raised an eyebrow. "Someone broke into my room, destroyed my belongings, and tried to steal Evelyn's things. As the headmistress, we're obviously not the ones who should be questioned!"
I watched Kane speak with clear logic, utterly unconcerned about being punished.
Seraphina spoke calmly, her tone carrying undeniable authority. "Those three students have been suspended for reflection, and their house has lost fifty points. As for David—the one you grabbed by the throat with your Phoenix claws—the school doctor is treating his throat. There's some fracturing, but fortunately, it's not life-threatening."
Hearing this, I finally let out a sigh of relief. At least no one had died.
"However..."
Seraphina's tone shifted, her gaze locking onto Kane's. "You lost control, Kane. You awakened your battle form in a public area, which violates school rules."
"They left me no choice."
Kane met her gaze without backing down. "If I hadn't done that, they would have stolen Evelyn's things. That's where I draw the line."
"I understand."
Seraphina let out a quiet sigh.
"This is a report on overhauling the school's security system. You're right—the school's security has serious flaws. The fact that three students could easily breach the protective barriers shows our defenses have major gaps."
Kane and I exchanged surprised glances, clearly not expecting her to say this.
"So, I've decided to appoint you as the 'Special Student Safety Advisor.'"
Seraphina dropped this bombshell. "Since you believe the school's security is inadequate, you'll be responsible for overseeing it. You may inspect the school's defense systems at any time and report any vulnerabilities directly to me. As for Evelyn..."
She looked at me, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Given your composure in the face of bullying, and your ability to keep Kane under control during that chaos just now, you and Kane won't lose points for missing class this afternoon. There's no need to worry."
"Thank you." I felt myself relax slightly.
I thought to myself that making Kane the Special Student Safety Advisor was probably perfect. Before we left, he had repaired the room door and kept checking its security. He had his head down then, but I thought I saw his lips move slightly—I wasn't sure if he was holding back a smile, but in that moment, I felt he was actually happy.
When I looked up, I found Seraphina watching me, a faint tenderness flickering in her eyes, as if she could see something deeper within me.
"However, Kane," she turned her head, her gaze settling back on Kane, her tone growing more serious, "although there were reasons this time, the fact remains that you openly released your battle form in the dormitory area, causing destruction and panic. I don't want this to happen again."
Kane said nothing. I noticed him staring at me the entire time, so I signaled with my eyes for him to listen to the headmistress.
"How about this—as your punishment..."
Seraphina pulled a wooden sign from the drawer. A large skull was painted on it, and beneath it were the words: [BEWARE OF THE BEAST. KEEP OUT.]
"Hang this on your door for the next three days."
This time, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
This wasn't a punishment at all—it felt more like staking a claim, warning others to stay away.
Kane didn't seem to mind and accepted it without hesitation.
"You can go now. Evelyn stays."
Seraphina waved her hand, but Kane clearly didn't want to leave. He hesitated, then turned to look at me intently, as if making sure I was safe.
"I'll be right outside," he finally said quietly before turning and walking out of the office.
Only Seraphina and I remained in the room.
The room fell silent, broken only by the occasional cough from the old headmasters in the portraits.
"Don't be nervous. I know you have many questions right now."
She looked at me, her gaze soft. "About Kane, about the school, and... about yourself."
I instinctively clenched my fists. "Headmistress, do you mean..."
"That 'Nebula Chat,'" Seraphina said it casually, and my heart dropped.
"I know someone has been spreading rumors about you there, even cyberbullying you. I've already had the tech department track the IP addresses of those posting malicious content."
Her eyes instantly turned cold as she continued, "The school will impose the harshest punishment on them. At the same time, I've had a clarification posted on the forum and banned all accounts involved in personal attacks."
"Thank you, Headmistress," Seraphina looked at me warmly and began to speak.
"Our academy, Thornwick Academy, is more than just a school," she raised her hand, as if gently brushing against invisible ripples in the air.
"It's a living relic—it has its own consciousness, its own preferences, and its own... choices. In this school, every student is protected and tested by the academy's magic. But few people know that, over time, the academy's magic may choose someone it favors."
"Choose?"
I didn't fully understand what she meant.
Seraphina continued in a low voice, "Maybe it's because you're willing to communicate with it, or maybe it took a liking to you at first sight. Either way, the academy's magic forms a 'resonance' with the chosen person."
"Whatever the reason, the academy seems to 'like' you."