Chapter 166: Chapter 166: News of Parents
Feeling the gaze on him, Dean Bruce couldn't help but reflect.
If this were anything like the novels he used to read, people like this often concealed their strength; it wouldn't be surprising if Mordo Chakol had already reached the grand archmage level or was even close to the Saint realm!
Thankfully, they were on the same side, so Dean Bruce didn't need to be overly cautious about his power.
With a smile, Mordo Chakol asked, "Lord Cyb, is there something important that brings you here? And this gentleman, might he be a younger relation of yours?"
"Not exactly a younger relation, but he's certainly one of our own," Cyb Louis replied. "This is Dean Bruce from Notting City, recommended by Biber himself. I intend for him to serve as a senior mentor and stay here at the academy long-term."
"Biber?" Mordo Chakol thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Ah, yes, that young man. His parents both fell in battle, and he has quite a record of service. Since he personally recommended Dean, there's no issue at all with him becoming a senior mentor."
"Dean, isn't it? From now on, you'll be under my guidance, and I'll make sure everything is taken care of for you," Mordo Chakol said.
Dean Bruce replied with a courteous smile, "Thank you for your help, Director Mordo."
At this, Cyb Louis nodded and said, "All the paperwork is done. Take him to collect his supplies; I'll leave the rest to you both. I have other matters to attend to."
As Cyb Louis departed, Mordo Chakol narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and asked, "Dean, are you close with Lord Cyb?"
"We've only met three or four times," Dean Bruce replied calmly. "I'm just here to do my job as a mentor."
Hearing this, Mordo Chakol nodded approvingly and said, "Very well, then. Wait here a moment. Once the other mentors arrive, I'll go over a few things and then take you to get your supplies. For now, let's head to the conference room."
"More formalities?" Dean Bruce frowned slightly; nothing annoyed him more than endless regulations.
Noticing Dean Bruce's irritation, Mordo Chakol chuckled. "If you're not interested, feel free to take a nap. Most of the speech is directed at the mentor assistants, so you don't need to listen.
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"Senior mentors hold a high position in our academy, after all."
At this reassurance, Dean Bruce felt less resistant and followed Mordo Chakol into the conference room.
Though called a conference room, it was more of a hall.
Besides rows of chairs at the front and long tables on either side stocked with sweets and drinks, the middle of the room was wide open and empty.
"I have other matters to attend to, so feel free to relax here. Make yourself at home," Mordo Chakol said with a warm smile. As he turned to leave, he subtly waved his right hand, and a faint pulse of magic rippled through the air.
Noticing this, Dean Bruce frowned slightly. Clearly, Mordo Chakol didn't fully trust him and was likely trying to keep him under magical surveillance.
But since Dean Bruce had no plans to do anything suspicious, Mordo's efforts were in vain.
Ignoring the surveillance spell, Dean Bruce didn't touch any of the refreshments or drinks. Instead, he moved to the front of the conference table, pulled out a chair, reclined in it, and closed his eyes to rest while waiting for the other mentors to arrive.
With his newly acquired Tower of Belief spell constantly running in the background, Dean Bruce found his mind unusually clear, enhancing his magical growth rate even further.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed when the sounds of footsteps began echoing from outside, followed by the creaking of the doors and a wave of voices flooding the room as people streamed in.
Under normal circumstances, such noise would have jolted him awake, but today he remained calm and undisturbed, as though all the clamor had been filtered out.
[So the Tower of Belief spell has this effect as well? ]
Dean Bruce thought, intrigued as he began to delve deeper into understanding the spell. [I see—when Nemesis first grasped this spell, he was amidst a bustling street, which must be why it has this filtering effect.]
[It seems I should focus on crafting more complex or layered phrases when speaking to students. The more they ponder my words, the stronger the magic's effect will be!]
Pleased with this new insight, a slight smirk tugged at Dean Bruce's lips. If he gathered more students and managed to charm them into following his lead, he might even gain enough power to rival an archmage and be counted among the strongest in this world.
Just then, the scent of a subtle fragrance wafted toward him. Opening his eyes, he saw Alita Miller approaching with a graceful sway. She pulled out a chair and sat down beside him.
"Mr. Dean, I didn't expect your status to shift so quickly," Alita Miller remarked, her tone laced with curiosity. After working as colleagues for several years, she knew Dean Bruce hadn't previously had any influence or ties in Saint Laurent City.
Now, seeing him with such a position of authority here, she couldn't help but be both surprised and contemplative.
"Let's skip the small talk," Dean Bruce said calmly. "Our collaboration has ended. If you have no further business, I'd prefer you leave."
"Ha ha ha!" Alita Miller let out a soft, teasing laugh, her ample chest shaking as she did. Her fair skin drew more than a few glances from the surrounding mentors.
With delicate fingers, she lightly traced along Dean Bruce's arm in a playful, almost massaging motion, smiling as she said, "Mr. Dean, must you be so distant? We've shared life-and-death experiences together, haven't we?"
"No, we haven't," Dean Bruce replied flatly. "If you have something to say, then say it. If not, please leave—I'd prefer to rest undisturbed."
Alita's smile twitched momentarily, but having been rejected by him more times than she cared to count, she held her composure. She retracted her hand and spoke in a soft voice, "How about another collaboration?"
Dean Bruce didn't outright refuse but instead cut to the chase. "And what would you be offering me in return?"
A sly smile spread across Alita's face. "Just as straightforward as ever, Mr. Dean. If I told you that we've uncovered information…about your parents, would that interest you?"
His breath caught for a split second, and a cold gleam entered his gaze as he looked sharply at Alita. "Is that true?"
"Of course!" Alita's smile remained steady. "I know your strength, Mr. Dean; lying to you would be suicide."
Dean Bruce narrowed his eyes, his voice low and cautious. "And what do you want in exchange?"
With a casual flick of her hair, Alita leaned in close, speaking softly, "We need you to kill someone for us."
"Who?" Dean Bruce didn't agree right away.
As much as he cared about news of his parents, he had to be certain it wouldn't jeopardize his safety. After all, only if he survived could he hope to find and rescue them.
Even if they weren't his biological parents in the truest sense, over the years he had come to regard them as his own—they had cared for him as if he were truly their child.
Alita shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I can't tell you the name now. Too many ears around, and I don't want anyone listening in."
Leaning in even closer, Alita's face was almost against his, her finger tracing along his lips as she murmured, "Why don't you come to my room tonight? We can discuss this in private."
Dean Bruce stayed completely composed, his expression unflinching as her breath warmed his cheek.
But before he could decline, a loud voice rang out across the room, "Hey! What do you two think you're doing over there?"
"That's the chair for the Dean of Students. It's not for you two!"
Interrupted, a flash of irritation and anger flickered in Alita's eyes, but she quickly composed herself, turning around with a polite smile plastered on her face.
Dean Bruce remained seated, his gaze sweeping over the newcomer in a work uniform before calmly saying, "Go call Director Mordo here."
Though Dean Bruce typically didn't care much about ranks, he knew that arguing with the staff wouldn't get him anywhere. Calling the person in charge was simply more efficient.
The staff member caught on quickly, gave Dean Bruce a once-over, and then turned to leave.
The minor incident passed quietly, a mere blip that didn't catch much attention from the other mentors.
In fact, Dean Bruce's response had the opposite effect—seeing him reclining there inspired a few other mentors, who were worn out from the long journey, to pull up chairs and settle down around him.
With the crowd growing, Alita Miller refrained from continuing her conversation with Dean Bruce. Instead, she moved behind him, reaching out her slender fingers to massage his temples.
The sight stirred envy among many of the mentors, both men and women, who looked on with jealousy.
Thud, thud, thud—
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as Mordo Chakol, his large belly leading the way, entered with the staff member from earlier guiding him.
With a warm smile that contrasted his serious tone, he addressed them, "Welcome, everyone, to Saint Laurent Advanced Magic Academy. I am Mordo Chakol, the Director of Academic Affairs for the entire academy! It's our first meeting…and I must say, my first impression of you all…is truly something!"
His words cut through the room, immediately drawing the mentors' attention. They paused whatever they were doing, throats tightening as they swallowed nervously.
Even the mentors who had been lounging quickly sat up, reaching over to nudge Dean Bruce to do the same.