Chapter 27

Somewhere inside the Magic Academy

Griffin Bargue strode down a long corridor, his student Gale trailing behind him. His usually composed demeanor was replaced with visible frustration, his brows furrowed and his posture stiff. They eventually stopped in front of a large double door.

Pushing it open, Bargue stepped inside a spacious room bustling with activity. Renowned heroes, instructors of the academy, were scattered about, mentoring their students with diligence. A blonde-haired woman with messy hair and a lively energy noticed him immediately.

"Bargue? Took you long enough," Mari said, placing her hands on her hips. "What were you up to? Babysitting Gale?"

Gale quickly shook his head, stepping forward. "No, I was in the library getting books. But after that, Teacher Bargue disappeared somewhere. When he came back, he… well, he seemed different."

"Oh?" Mari raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened? Did some teacher knock you down a peg or two?"

"No..." Bargue muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Mari smirked and crossed her arms. "Right, as if an S-rank could get beaten by a B-rank teacher. That'd be a first." She patted his back in jest, but her grin faded when she noticed his silence.

"Okay, now you're worrying me. What really happened?"

Bargue let out a heavy sigh, glancing at Gale briefly before turning back to Mari. "How would you feel if you got embarrassed by a four-year-old?"

Mari blinked, her confusion quickly replaced by amusement. "What? Did Gale pull a prank on you or something?"

"N-No!" Gale stammered, shaking his hands defensively. "I didn't leave the library! But… we did meet a girl my age. She called Teacher Bargue 'bad uncle.'"

At that, Mari snorted, barely holding back laughter. "Oh, this I have to hear. Spill it, Bargue."

Reluctantly, Bargue began recounting the incident, his tone heavy with humiliation.

---

At Home

The academy bus came to a halt outside my house, and as soon as the doors opened, I spotted Mama waiting by the gate.

"Mama!" I squealed, running toward her. I launched myself into her arms, clinging to her like a cicada on a tree.

She laughed softly, scooping me up with ease. "Welcome home, Aleena. How was your day today?"

I pouted, pressing my cheek against her shoulder. "I want Mama's pie!"

She raised an eyebrow at my abrupt response but smiled nonetheless. For a moment, she seemed to observe me closely, as if searching for something in my expression.

---

Later, as I happily munched on a warm slice of pie, Mama sat across from me at the dining table, her gaze steady. "So, Aleena," she began softly, "are you going to tell me what happened at school today?"

My chewing slowed, and my smile faltered slightly. I lowered the fork and muttered, "A bad uncle was teasing me… He tried to make me sign a scary paper, so I threw a pie at his face!"

Mama's eyes widened slightly, her face paling. "Bad uncle?" she repeated, her voice laced with concern.

I nodded firmly. "He's a teacher for the special classes or something. Principal Evora said he was trying to take me away from you."

The moment those words left my mouth, Mama's expression shifted from confusion to alarm. "Aleena," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "you didn't sign anything, did you?"

"No, Mama," I reassured her quickly. "He tried really hard to make me, but I didn't! Principal Evora said I did great and told me that if I'd signed it, I wouldn't be able to stay with you."

Mama's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I could feel her panic as she pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I don't wanna leave Mama!" I exclaimed, clutching her tightly. "Even if the bad uncle or anyone else comes, I'll stay with you! Forever!"

Her trembling eased as she held me close, her warmth chasing away my lingering fear. "Everything's going to be okay, Aleena," she murmured, her voice steadying. "Mama won't let anyone take you away."

---

Back at the Academy

"So let me get this straight," Mari said, her voice barely containing her laughter. "You used a mind-control skill on a four-year-old, and when that didn't work, you tried to knock her out—and that didn't work either?"

Bargue groaned, rubbing his temples.

Mari didn't let up, though. "And to top it all off, she tricked you and smashed a pie in your face."

From across the room, a petite woman with a deceptively youthful appearance, who was also an instructor, chimed in with a sly smile. "You're ruining the image of S-rankers everywhere, Bargue."

The large man sitting in the corner finally spoke, his deep voice tinged with amusement. "Bargue, do you realize that attacking a little girl could technically be considered a crime? If you weren't a teacher, you'd probably be arrested. And yet, not only did you fail miserably, you've also made yourself look like a third-rate villain from a bad play."

The room erupted in laughter, the other instructors doubling over as Bargue sank further into his chair, his face in his hands.

Mari clapped him on the back, still grinning. "Relax, Bargue. Next time, let me handle the recruiting, okay? Clearly, you're not cut out for dealing with kids."

She laughed, walking away as Bargue muttered under his breath, "I don't need your help…"