Chapter 24

The principal, Evora, left the classroom, her expression stern yet composed. It felt like she was trying to downplay what had happened and shield me from scrutiny. But just as she reached the hallway, someone called out to her.

"Miss Evora?" a deep voice rumbled.

The principal stopped in her tracks, her body stiffening. Slowly, she turned around to face the person who had spoken—a man whose very presence seemed to dominate the space around him. Her calm demeanor cracked ever so slightly, betraying her unease.

Standing before her was a tall figure with sharp features and piercing eyes. His aura was suffocating, his mere presence radiating authority.

"M-Mister Bargue..." Principal Evora stammered, clutching her hands together.

"I was just wandering around the academy," the man said casually, though his gaze was anything but. "But then I felt a sudden surge of magic. A strong one. It came from... somewhere close."

The principal forced a smile, masking her growing tension. "Ah! Mister Bargue, it was probably nothing. You know how it is—a magic academy often has surges like that."

Bargue's lips curled into a faint grin. "Of course," he replied. "But this one was... unusual. The origin point seemed to be coming from Class 1."

Evora froze, her calm mask threatening to crack entirely.

Bargue tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he pressed further. "And as luck would have it, I saw you leaving that classroom just now. Tell me, Principal, is the academy hiding talents again?"

The principal maintained her composure, her tone steady as she replied, "Ah, yes! I remember now. It was just a small accident. The teacher was demonstrating a large fireball spell, and it... got out of hand. That's all."

Bargue raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Is that so? Then surely it wouldn't be an issue if I took a look for myself."

"Wait—" the principal began, but before she could stop him, Bargue pushed the classroom door open and stepped inside.

---

Meanwhile, in the classroom...

I was half-listening to Miss Talia's lecture, bored out of my mind, when suddenly, the door swung open with a loud creak.

Every child fell silent, their eyes wide with awe. Teacher Talia's expression turned pale as she stared at the intruder, visibly shaken.

"M-Mister Bargue?!" she stammered.

The classroom erupted into whispers and gasps.

"It's Griffin Bargue! The legendary hero!"

"What is he doing here?!"

"My hero!"

"Do you think he'll give me an autograph?"

I stayed silent, confused by the sudden commotion. I didn't recognize the man, though his presence did feel... different. It was powerful, almost suffocating, but nothing compared to what Zoth had emanated. Still, it carried a strange, similar undertone.

Bargue cleared his throat, silencing the chatter instantly. His gaze swept across the room before he spoke.

"Can anyone tell me what caused the magic surge just now?"

Talia quickly stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Sir, this is just a misunderstanding. There's no need to intrude further—"

"It was her!" a group of students shouted in unison, pointing straight at me.

I blinked, utterly baffled.

The man's eyes locked onto me, and he began to approach. His steps were slow, deliberate.

The principal rushed into the room, but it was clear she was too late. Bargue had already reached me.

He stopped in front of me, crossing his arms. His sharp gaze swept over me, lingering on my small stature.

"Interesting," he murmured. "I wonder why the academy has a child as young as five years old in Class 1."

"Four years!" I snapped, pouting. My voice came out high-pitched and childish, completely failing to convey my annoyance.

Bargue raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Four years, huh? Even more impressive. Tell me, can anyone explain exactly what this little one did?"

One of the students eagerly stood up, ignoring Talia and Evora's silent pleas to stay quiet.

"She made a small fireball," the student began, "but then, when the principal came in, it turned really big and... BOOM! The whole board was destroyed!"

Bargue chuckled, clearly amused. "Thank you, kiddo," he said, patting the student's head before turning back to me. "So... you know how to conjure magic, do you?"

I nodded hesitantly, still unsure of what was happening.

"Well then," Bargue said, his tone light yet calculating. "Let's see what we have here."

I frowned, noticing something strange. His eyes began to glow white, their piercing gaze locking onto mine.

Hypnosis magic.

My confusion evaporated, replaced by annoyance. I didn't know who this guy was or why he was here, but attempting something like this on me was beyond insolent.

My mana flared instinctively, and I smirked internally.

This fool doesn't know what he's just unleashed.