Dean Anderson chuckled, "I heard that it's possible you found a conduit with a mental energy compatibility as high as 90%. How come you haven't brought your partner to meet me yet?
Word about him being smitten had gotten around so fast.
Blaze Asherion blushed profusely which made Dean Anderson laugh even louder.
It was rare to see Blaze look around with embarrassment to see if anyone overheard their conversation.
"We are both still young and neither of us are ready to get serious. I also have some other pressing concerns that I need to take care of before bringing a partner into my situation."
While escorting his nephew out of the administration block Huntley had a sympathetic look in his gaze.
Blaze's situation was very complicated and he felt for the young man, "despite the ongoing investigation how have you been adjusting now that your parents are gone?"
"I'm doing the best I can given the circumstances," replied Blaze.
When the pair rounded the corner they ran into Azalea and Professor Lane.
Professor Lane inquired, "Dean Anderson, I hope you didn't forget about the meeting with Azalea?"
"I was just escorting my nephew out, please make yourselves comfortable in my office until I return," responded Dean Anderson gently.
It was Azalea who couldn't hide her shock at seeing the guy who helped her at her Coming of Age dream ceremony, he was even Dean Anderson's nephew.
Dean Anderson's eyes gleamed, nothing missed his keen eyes and when the pair was out of earshot he looked at Blaze and asked, "is that her?"
At this point Blaze couldn't conceal anything from his crafty uncle who knew him inside out.
Blaze lowered his head hoping to hide the blush that creeped up beneath his collar, "I wasn't expecting to run into her so soon, what gave it away?"
"You remind me of my best friend when he first fell in love. Anyways, focus on graduating from Mercy Academy before delving into anything serious. I'm always here for you Blaze, don't keep things bottled inside, if you feel overwhelmed you can always visit or call me."
Blaze gave his uncle a quick hug, an endearing expression of his gratitude, "thank you for always looking out for me."
His limo driver had already arrived at the entrance of the academy, "you head back now. Classes for A and above will resume next week."
"Thanks Uncle, I'll be there."
Blaze got into the car and his uncle watched until the limo was out of sight before heading back inside.
Sensing Dean Anderson's piercing gaze, Azalea self-consciously raised her head and met the deep set eyes of the head of Mercy Academy.
To control both the conduit and the sentry side the formidable man was not to be underestimated.
Professor Lane said encouragingly to Azalea in a low voice, "go ahead and tell Dean Anderson what happened this morning during class."
Dean Anderson added, "conduits have strong memories so I would certainly love to hear your version of what happened."
Azalea nodded her head politely, just decided to be somewhat honest saying, "we were doing introductions in class when everyone started bringing out their mental beasts. Not wanting to be left out I tried to bring out my mental beast but then something went wrong. I blanked out and when I opened my eyes everyone in the classroom was fast asleep. In a panic, without properly thinking things out I ran as far as my two feet could carry me. By the time I calmed down, I realized that running away from my problems was not the answer so I returned to class and Professor Lane was generous enough to overlook my behavior and admit me into class. After class was over we came to your office."
There was nothing simple about Azalea's explanation, the fact that every time she tried to bring out her mental beast such situations occurred.
It meant that Azalea was no ordinary C-class conduit, Professor Blythe had said that when he tested Azalea her mental energy levels had been off the charts showing an affinity for A class.
Retesting at the academy showed fluctuations until it dropped to C-class which was an anomaly in itself but regardless it meant Azalea was still qualified to attend Mercy Academy.
Professor Blythe had also argued that she was the rare plant type and based on who her mother was the strange occurrences that got her expelled from three academies made sense.
So Dean Anderson theorized that her mental plant might actually be at an S-level but Azalea herself was still a C-class conduit with the capacity to grow.
With the two being currently incompatible may be the reason for the black outs Azalea experiences whenever she tries to call out to her mental plant.
All her classmates had low mental energy unlike them Professor Lane was the first to come to her senses and realize Azalea was missing.
By time they had arranged enough staff for a search Azalea returned to class on her own accord.
None of the students in the class had been hurt or experienced any mental attacks while put to sleep.
"Thank you for sharing your version of what happened, Azalea. I will need more time to come to a decision in your matter. Since Professor Lane has no objections to you attending her class, you will stay with her group and continue to learn the basics for the time being. Professor Lane please stay behind. Azalea, you may return to your dorm now."
When Azalea left the Dean's office and returned to the dorm Lana had already made dinner and was waiting patiently to hear what was discussed in the meeting.
"I was so worried that they would expel you from Mercy Academy for what happened today in class," cried Lana as she frantically hugged Azalea. "Did they threaten you? What punishment did you get?"
Azalea sighed.
Lana was getting excited and spitting questions at her so fast it made Azalea's head spin.
"I honestly don't know the outcome either. It wasn't decided in today's meeting but Dean Anderson said I could still attend classes, so I guess I'm safe for now."
"Seriously?" said Lana after scratching her head in confusion. "It was the first time any of us in class had ever experienced being put to sleep by a mental beast and yet none of us felt afraid. It was a peaceful rest with happy thoughts. In fact it almost felt kind of sad to wake from it."
She decided to change the subject because Azalea didn't feel the need to correct Lana that she had a mental plant not a beast, that was a topic for another day.
Azalea yawned, "it's been a long day. I'm gonna skip dinner and get some sleep. Is there something else you want to say?"
Seeing the disappointed look on Lana's face at her words Azalea felt compelled to ask.
Lana said, "Fine, I'll also go to bed early then. I only wanted to mention that there will be a joint ball between the conduits and sentinels soon. Tomorrow we can discuss how we can attend because only those who are in the top 100 on the leaderboards can attend."
Suddenly restless Azalea found her eyes wide open when her sprout perked up at the exciting news.
Sprout needed to be around sentries to make her mental garden blossom and she would ensure Azalea attended even if it meant sneaking her comatose body inside.