Loren understood the price of growth.
With far too many preposterous rumors floating around, he had learned not to care overly much about how others looked at him, not to pay excessive attention to what others did, and above all, never to entertain notions of changing anyone.
If anything truly gave Loren a slight headache, it was that once the Chief Inquisitor returned to the Kingdom of Asethelan from the Calamitous Wasteland in the northernmost reaches of the Northern Continent, the Ice Snow Witch would depart for the Southern Continent.
The previous priest assessment had simply been too awkward.
Loren had already prepared himself to apologize and make amends to Almis in person.
He sighed as he thought, his gaze drifting past the window toward the beautiful campus and distant Ikerite beyond.
Although Ikerite differed from Gedaria, the capital of Asethelan, in having far fewer exotic races, even as an all-human city it had always been civilized and welcoming. The commercial districts near the academy were full of distinct charm as well; he hoped Almis would enjoy herself and come away with a favorable impression of the city.
The semester was drawing to a close, and the campus's unusually prolonged peace and quiet made Loren feel exceptionally at ease.
By all accounts, Lanqi and Hyperion should have returned long ago.
Although as dean, Loren ought to worry about his academy's students and look forward to their speedy return, knowing they were with the Ice Snow Witch meant he didn't need to fear for their safety—in fact, he almost wished they would stay and amuse themselves in the Northern Continent a little longer.
Loren then brought his thoughts back to the work at hand, turning to the final page of the secret letter to read on.
"...The newly appointed Cardinal continues to move south, possibly having reached the borders of the Hutton Kingdom. Their speed appears to be slowing, suggesting a potential stop, while their objective remains unknown."
With that, Loren finally pinched the missive between his fingers until it dissolved into golden light and vanished into thin air.
His brow furrowed faintly. Resting his hands on the desk, he remained silent for a long time.
The tidy office carried the soothing aroma of polished wood and ink from paper pages. Neatly arranged bookshelves lined the wall alongside antique paintings and a uniquely styled world map—which was where Loren's gaze settled now.
"South Vantina... wasn't that where Mikhail always liked to go?"
Loren murmured to himself as he looked at the hand-drawn map gifted by his old friend, stirring memories of the past.
With Mikhail gone, a major part of the heavy burden of protecting the Hutton Kingdom fell onto Loren's shoulders.
Whenever he felt overwhelmed, he missed Mikhail; bound by both official duty and personal friendship, the two had interacted extensively.
Yet recalling the period when they had spent the most time together, Loren felt thoroughly conflicted.
Mikhail was good at everything, and capable of everything.
Yet he also had strange, eccentric whims from time to time.
For instance, when Mikhail used magic to disguise himself as a girl, he was strikingly beautiful. Supposedly, to make up for Hyperion growing up without a mother's presence, Mikhail had once contemplated acting as both father and mother.
As luck would have it, on one occasion Loren was conferring over official business with Mikhail while the latter was dressed as a woman, and a journalist photographed them. It turned into rumors that Loren was intimately close to a mysterious black-haired noble lady.
Moreover, Mikhail was so immensely popular that many noble ladies across the Hutton Kingdom continually courted him despite knowing Duke Mikhail was already married. This forced Mikhail at times to rely on his most practiced magic to change his appearance and evade the persistent crowd of women. Mikhail got away scot-free, but ever since, Loren grew frightened whenever he saw Mikhail using transformation magic.
Unlike back when Mikhail was around, ever since this year began, the wild rumors circulating about Loren in Ikerite had grown increasingly absurd. Loren himself had laughed in utter exasperation when he heard the latest count of his "fiancées."
For the time being, he was helpless against the gossip.
What he truly dreaded was that at this rate, Mikhail might one day be added to the ranks of his "fiancées"—even if Loren were to lose his mind, there was no way he would ever stir up a scandal with a married man!
Loren both yearned for Mikhail's return and dreaded him from the bottom of his heart for being far too handsome—and pretty.
"Alas, Goddess... if anyone could bring Mikhail back, I'd be willing to pay whatever price it takes."
After a long pause, Loren closed his eyes softly and prayed.
If the day ever came where a choice was presented to sacrifice himself in exchange for Mikhail's return, he would agree without a second thought.
Just then, Loren's reverie was interrupted by a faint magical sense.
Two gentle taps sounded against the office door.
"Come in."
Loren raised his head, his gaze turning gently toward the doorway.
The door pushed open slowly, and a serene female student stepped inside. Carrying a folder like a well-seasoned departmental clerk, she approached the desk and offered Loren a smiling greeting:
"Good morning, Dean Loren."
The voice of Asna, vice president of the student council, was as melodic as a nightingale's song, and a warm smile always graced her face.
Asna was both a capable pillar of the student council and a reliable helper to the faculty of the School of Sages, frequently handling academy affairs on behalf of the instructors.
For that very reason, Loren was loath to see her go—Asna was due to graduate soon.
She had no intention of pursuing the realm of the seventh tier in the future, wishing only to devote herself to becoming a chef.
"Morning, Asna."
Loren nodded with a smile.
While he offered advice regarding students' career intentions, if a student already possessed a clear vision of their own, he would give his full support without reservation.
Without Asna, the top student of the School of Sages in the future would likely become Lanqi, who was about to enter his second year.
To Loren, that was a genuine horror story.
Asna gave a polite nod, opening her folder to draw out the documents. Discerning that Dean Loren was likely busy today, she presented a concise, methodical report on the affairs of the School of Sages.
It did not take long.
"Understood."
Having listened to Asna's summary, Loren nodded.
"I'll be away from Ikerite for a few days. As for remaining matters in the School of Sages, I'll have to trouble you to assist Vice Dean Ron for a short while, Asna. If anything requires approval from the dean of the School of Sages, go find Professor Borao, dean of the School of Magic Engineering. He holds the authority of all deans."
Loren rose to his feet, speaking apologetically.
Whenever he left the School of Sages, he ended up entrusting a great deal of work to Asna.
Even though she was already quite busy as it was.
"It's no trouble at all. Three new workers arrived at my master's restaurant yesterday, so I won't have to be nearly as busy anymore,"
Asna replied courteously.
Sensing that Dean Loren was preparing to leave, she walked alongside him, conversing as they moved.
"Is that so? What do you think of them?"
Loren smiled with mild surprise as he opened the office door.
"I get along with them quite well. Besides, their manners are exceptionally refined—they really seem like they hail from prestigious noble families."
Asna reflected for a moment as she followed him out.
"Haha, that little black cat is truly blessed. If the chance arises, I should go visit it someday as well,"
Loren chuckled with pleasant amusement, his eyes alight with hopeful cheer.
He had long heard that Asna's teacher was an adorable little black cat.
Though strange incidents had been plentiful lately, there were always heartwarming, pleasant little anecdotes like this to comfort him.
Yet, to protect all of this...
He needed to take an investigative team of priests from Ikerite and head out to inspect the South Vantina frontier territory.
Should that mysterious Cardinal harbor any nefarious schemes in the near future, he would be positioned to act without delay.
Come to think of it, Lanqi's home was in the South Vantina territory. When Lanqi's father visited Ikerite Academy last time, he had spent ages apologizing for the arena incident; this would be the perfect opportunity to pay him a visit.
Chapter 498