Inside the office of Dean Michael Clayton, the air was thick with tension. After a sudden teleportation, Logan and the Dean stood in the quiet space, facing each other. The students in the academy had been left behind, their confusion only growing as rumors began to spread about the mysterious young man who had appeared with the Dean. Whispers filled the air as some students even dared to suggest that Logan was the Dean's illegitimate child.
As the door to his office closed, Michael Clayton took a seat behind his desk, gesturing for Logan to do the same. The Dean looked at him with a probing gaze and broke the silence.
"You didn't seem surprised by the teleportation," Michael remarked, his tone carefully controlled. "It only suggests that you've experienced teleportation before."
Logan leaned back in his chair, unfazed by the question. "More than once," he replied with a confident smile. "But also at a very large distance."
Michael Clayton raised an eyebrow, sensing that Logan was not revealing everything. "It seems you're not from the Lower Realm," the Dean continued, his voice steady. "And you want the Principle... I'll give it to you, but only if you tell me why. Based on your answer, I'll determine whether I can give it to you."
Logan's gaze remained unshaken as he responded, "I'm from the Lower Realm... and I won't tell you my reason. You just want to know if my intentions are good, don't you?"
Michael paused, considering Logan's words. "Hmm, right."
Logan leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving the Dean's. "Even if my intentions aren't good, you can't stop me from taking the World's Principle you possess. You're not strong enough to resist me."
The Dean hesitated, a troubled expression crossing his face. Inside, he battled with his thoughts. It is true that I cannot stop him... but I also cannot give him the Principle. If he has any wrong intentions, he could destroy this planet, or worse, take us all hostage. What should I do?
After a moment of silence, Logan seemed to sense the Dean's inner turmoil and offered a calm, almost teasing response. "Don't worry... I'll leave as soon as I get the Principle."
The Dean looked at him warily. "How can I trust you?"
Logan's smile widened. "That depends on you, doesn't it? But if you want, I can swear on Heaven and Earth."
The Dean scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "Swear on Heaven and Earth? Heh, people nowadays easily disregard that kind of thing... You don't need to do that. I just trust your words."
With that, the Dean pulled the World's Principle from his chest and extended it to Logan. Logan took it without hesitation, his right hand grasping the glowing artifact. He held the Principle close to his chest, and as the Dean watched, it seamlessly entered Logan's body.
Logan chuckled softly. "Aren't you a naïve one?"
The Dean, now visibly conflicted, sighed heavily. "So I was right not to give it to you... But now that I can't stop you, do as you wish."
Logan's eyes gleamed as he spoke. "All I want is you, Dean... I want to have you as my loyal subordinate. And I promise I won't do anything to this planet or its people."
The Dean's expression shifted as he tried to process the unexpected request. "Then what were you saying earlier? I just can't believe in you anymore..."
Logan's response was swift. "That was just to make you my subordinate. And even now, if you don't do as I say, then I'll do as I said earlier."
The Dean took a deep breath, his mind racing. "I have already trusted you once... how can I trust you now?"
Logan's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it. "You don't have to trust me. You don't have any other choice."
After a tense silence, the Dean nodded, a reluctant acceptance in his eyes.
"A wise decision, though perhaps a foolish one too," Logan added with a smile.
The Dean, having little choice, responded with quiet resolve. "If there's a chance to save my planet and its people, I will do everything in my power..."
Logan's smile softened. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to this planet. And as I said, I'll leave as soon as possible."
The Dean's expression hardened, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of reluctant agreement. With a final nod, he accepted Logan's words, realizing that he had little power in this situation. Logan had already won, and there was no turning back now.
End of Chapter 9