Selena walked up the small arena and then turned to looked at James.
James was a little excited. What would it look like if a woman like Selena Vaughn was in love with him? Having the help of a professor at the Ainsworth would be extremely useful to him and his plans.
"You're still slacking off? An apprentice mage at 18, aren't you embarrassed to be in this class?"
The harsh accusation brought James back to reality.
Something was wrong.
Selena didn't lower her voice so the surrounding students could still hear everything. At this moment Lydia stepped away from the arena and came towards the two of them.
"Sorry, professor. I asked him to wait there…" Her voice was apologetic but her eyes didn't cower in front of this woman who was much stronger than her.
"Hmph, whatever. I'm just saying this for your own good, don't waste your time with people like this." She cast a disdainful glance at James and walked away.
Afterward, Selena wandered around the rest of the groups watching them duel. Every time she stopped she would harshly criticise the students with a loud voice.
Of course she still skips over Ryan and his cronies…
James shook his head and stopped watching her. He looked back at the system but it was the same as usual. It clearly showed that Selena was contracted to him and that her favorability had indeed increased.
Looking at the words '[Favorability: 70 (Love)]', James couldn't help but curse in his mind.
"Is this what you call love?"
He wondered if the system was broken or something.
Later in the lesson he felt more of Selena's 'love'.
Near the end of class, just as Professor Vaughn began to dismiss them, she looked over her shoulder.
"Woodrow," she said, coolly. "Come see me after lessons. My office. I think we need to reexamine your status as a student at this academy."
The harsh words were spoken without any intent to hide.
The snickering started again. Darien and his friends led the charge and started laughing amongst themselves.
"Oof, he's done for. He's really made the professor mad." someone muttered. "She's finally kicking him out."
"Hope he brought tissues," another boy laughed. "He's gonna cry like before."
James had his head down as he stood weakly in the corner by himself. His eyes hidden under the bangs were thoughtful and all kinds of ideas were running through his head.
Evening came too quickly.
James headed across the academy grounds toward the Faculty Tower. A massive marble structure in the center of campus, adorned with elemental runes and hovering shields. The central floors held the professors' offices.
The reception hall inside was warm, glowing with sun-infused crystals. But when the receptionist scanned his ID, her expression changed.
"Civilian region," she muttered. "Right. Go to the third floor, to the left. Don't touch anything."
He nodded silently and followed the marble stairs to the third floor. The hallway was lined with gold trim paintings of various famous academy alumni. Soon he found her office. Selena Vaughn – Combat Instructor — was etched into the dark wood plaque.
Standing at the door, James couldn't deny that he was nervous. He had been thinking all afternoon about what went wrong. The system was all he had to rely on in this strange world, so he felt he had to trust its judgement.
Maybe she really is in love with me but she just shows it in a strange way?
James consoled himself, but he could feel that his dream of having a strong backer in the academy was beginning to slip.
He knocked on the door after he took a brief moment to gather himself.
"Enter."
As James stepped in he was taken aback. The office was massive. Wooden floors, high shelves lined with tomes and weapons, a dragon-hide couch near the fireplace. Magical relics floated in display cases.
Nobles really know how to play… This one office was bigger than his entire dorm room.
At the center of the room in front of a large stain glass window sat Selena. She was at her desk reading through some papers. When he came into the room, she didn't even look up.
So James just stood by the door and observed her figure.
Her fiery red hair was loose now, cascading in waves over her shoulders. Her top was made of fine silk, dipping slightly at the chest, revealing the creamy skin of her neck and soft collar bones. She had removed her robe and was dressed more casually.
James had never seen her like this.
"What are you doing standing there like an idiot?" Selena looked up with a cold face.
"Oh, sorry professor…" James quickly walked toward the desk and sat down on one of the mahogany chairs.
"Who said you could sit down?"
"Uh-then should I?" James was now hovering over the chair with a confused expression on his face. But in his mind he was cursing Selena fiercely.
"Whatever, just sit down. "
Selena returned to her documents, no longer paying any attention to James.
So James could only sit there in silence. After a few minutes he really couldn't take it anymore. He felt like he was being played around with.
Maybe the old James would've really been afraid and intimidated but not him!
James glanced at the system favourability again for the umpteenth time, making sure it was still the same.
He decided to take a risk.
James stood up suddenly and leaned over the desk. His eyes were focused on Selena's left hand that was resting on the table.
He slowly reached out his own hand, all the while bracing himself for things to go sideways.
If she gets angry I probably won't be able to escape injuries but at least my life will be safe. James comforted himself.
"What are you doing?" Selena's sharp voice rang out.
James flinched but he didn't retract his hand.
He knew she was much stronger than him, if she wanted to stop him she could do so easily. But surprisingly there was no resistance. He finally held her soft palm in his hands. It was delicate and slightly cool.
"You're just a commoner, how dare you touch me?!" Her voice was getting louder but she seemed to have no intention of moving his hand.
James looked up at her fair face. It was still wearing that same cold expression he was used to, but he could see a tinge of red creep up on her cheeks and her emerald eyes avoided his eye contact, instead staring intently at the desk.
"Are you shy?"