Discussion!

Once the 'New Semester Ceremony' had finished, everyone headed their own ways. Most of the teachers moved off to their own classes or back to their personal offices to prepare for their classes and Arthur was no different.

Arthur's office was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Grand Auditorium. Although it was large, It was modest, though elegantly furnished, with towering bookshelves that lined the walls, filled with countless tomes and scrolls. A large mahogany desk sat near the window, where sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting soft patterns across the polished surface.

The air carried the faint scent of parchment, ink, and the rich bitterness of freshly brewed coffee. A small, ornate kettle sat atop a mana-powered warmer on a side table, and Arthur leaned back in his chair, a porcelain cup resting lightly in his hand.

His rainbow-colored hair seemed muted in the soft lighting, and his sharp, glowing eyes were focused on the notes neatly arranged across his desk. Diagrams of mana circuits, rune formations, and elemental interactions covered the parchment, annotated in impossibly neat handwriting.

A single knock echoed through the door. Arthur didn't move, his lips twitching slightly upwards as spoke, "Come in, Ayame."

The door creaked open, and Ayame stepped inside. She closed it behind her and paused, her pink eyes sweeping over the office before settling on Arthur.

He looked… different here. Less like the intimidating figure from the ceremony and more like the quiet scholar she'd spoken with before.

"You could sense me?" Ayame asked as she approached his desk cautiously.

Arthur raised his cup to his lips and took a sip of coffee before answering, "Your mana signature is distinct, and our Souls are bound together, Ayame. I could recognize it even amidst a crowd of millions."

Ayame's lips pressed into a thin line as she crossed her arms, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Enhanced senses and all that."

Arthur chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "You sound almost annoyed."

Ayame sighed and pulled out a chair across from him, settling into it, "I'm not annoyed, Arthur. Just… surprised. What are you doing here, really? You could have gone to any magical institution in the world—any one of them would have bent over backward to have Andrius as a professor."

Arthur placed his cup down on a coaster, his sharp gaze softening slightly, "I came here because this is where you are."

Ayame blinked, her lips parting slightly as she was very surprised at his answer, "Me?" she said, pointing to herself.

"Yes." Arthur leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled together, "Your condition is… unique, Ayame. It's all something I need to monitor closely."

Her pink eyes narrowed slightly, "So you're here to… watch me?"

"To protect you," Arthur corrected gently as he stood up, handing Ayame a cup of coffee, which she took with a thankful expression on her face, "Whatever is happening to you is unprecedented. It could be harmless, or it could be catastrophic, not just for you, but for everyone around you. Being here as a professor allows me to stay close without drawing too much attention."

Ayame leaned back in her chair, arms crossing again as she processed his words. After a moment, she sighed softly and nodded, "I suppose that makes sense. But… why the name Arthur Nightshade Andrius? I thought Nightshade was your last name."

Arthur's lips quirked upwards in an almost-smile, "It is. Arthur Nightshade is my real name. Andrius is… a pen name I've used for my research."

"Why not use Nightshade on your papers, then?" Ayame pressed, curiosity sparkling in her pink eyes.

Arthur's smile faded slightly as he looked down at his coffee cup. "Because Andrius became famous. Too famous. If I published under Arthur Nightshade, I'd never have had a moment's peace. The name became a wall, a way to keep a distance between myself and the world that constantly wanted answers from me."

Ayame nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "That makes sense. Though it's still surreal seeing you here. Most people in academia consider Andrius a myth. A mysterious genius who never shows his face."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, "And what do you think?"

"I think you're a lot less intimidating when you're drinking coffee in a cozy office," Ayame said with a faint smirk, taking another sip of the coffee Arthur had given her.

Arthur chuckled, the sound warm and genuine this time as he was managing to regulate his new emotions rather well, "I'll take that as a compliment."

A brief silence fell between them, comfortable yet weighted with unspoken questions. Ayame shifted slightly in her seat before asking, "How… how did you get this job so quickly? I've been here for years, and even I had to go through weeks of interviews and tests."

Arthur leaned back in his chair, his arms folding across his chest, "Celeste is an old friend."

Ayame's eyes widened slightly, "You know Principal Celeste?"

Arthur inclined his head slightly, "We've crossed paths many times over the years. Spirits like her have… a long view of time. When I mentioned wanting to teach here, she arranged everything."

Ayame let out a low whistle, shaking her head in disbelief, "Of course. The elusive Andrius just knows the Elder Spirit Principal of the most prestigious university in the world."

Arthur's lips twitched with faint amusement. "I assure you, it's not as glamorous as it sounds."

Ayame exhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Well… I suppose it's good to have someone like you around, even if your presence will probably cause chaos among the students. I've already heard some of them planning to sneak into your lectures even if they aren't enrolled in your classes."

Arthur sighed softly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I expected as much. Students are… excitable."

"Understatement of the century," Ayame said with a small laugh.

The two sat in silence for a moment before Ayame rose from her seat. "Well, I suppose I should leave you to your… whatever it is you're doing." Her gaze flicked to the scattered notes on his desk, "Ruin some ancient magical law of reality, probably."

Arthur smirked faintly, chuckling as he responded, "Something like that."

As Ayame turned to leave, Arthur's voice stopped her.

"Ayame."

She paused, her hand on the doorknob, and turned back to face him.

"If you ever feel… strange, or if your connection to Akeno begins to shift in any way, come to me immediately. Don't dismiss it as exhaustion or stress. Understand?" he said.

Ayame's pink eyes softened slightly as she gave a small nod. "I will."

Arthur's glowing eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he nodded, satisfied. "Good."

Ayame turned back to the door and exited quietly, closing it behind her.

Arthur let out a long breath, his hand reaching for his coffee cup once more as he took a sip of his coffee, eventually beginning to organize his notes and head to his first lecture.

*************

The lecture hall designated for 'Magic Theory and Its Subsections' was nothing short of breathtaking. Each seat, cushioned and imbued with mild comfort enchantments, was arranged in ascending arcs, ensuring every student had a clear view of the stage-like teaching platform at the front.

The ceiling shimmered with a semi-transparent illusion of an open sky, reflecting the current weather above the university, today, it was a serene expanse of pale blue with drifting clouds. Mana-infused lanterns hung in graceful arcs, casting a gentle glow that created an atmosphere both studious and ethereal.

Hundreds of students poured into the hall, their excited chatter rising and falling like ocean waves. They carried leather-bound notebooks, enchanted tablets, and mana-infused quills designed for rapid note-taking.

At the very front of the lecture platform stood a massive slate board infused with mana-reactive ink, ready to display whatever intricate diagrams or equations Arthur would conjure.

Beside it, a podium etched with faintly glowing runes awaited the legendary professor. The buzz of anticipation was palpable. Conversations overlapped in a sea of speculation and wonder.

"Do you think he'll show us some of the spells from his papers?"

"I heard he can manipulate mana on a level no mortal can."

"Do you think he'll notice me if I sit in the front row?"

Needless to say, the excitement was palpable!