A meeting with the Headmaster

Asher thought about what he had said. He didn't know why it made him a little uncomfortable, but nevertheless, he actually planned to prove everyone wrong.

But then, he would have to hide some aspects of that. Meaning he would have to lay low until a situation called for him to use all he had.

He was still uncertain about what his class was about and what abilities he had. If it was deemed weak, then he had to find a way to break past that.

While he was thinking, Tay chuckled beside him as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Asher noticed it was something he liked doing, aside from staring at his phone.

Tay didn't really smile much—until now—but he knew he would return to his usual self soon. From what Asher observed, Tay was the withdrawn, introverted type, but he had a daring behavior.

Which meant no one could treat him like a pushover or an inferior.

"If you plan on showing them your class isn't actually useless, I suggest you start by motivating yourself," Tay uttered, instantly killing the joyful mood.

Asher's smile dropped, as well as his shoulders, then he scoffed. "Motivation would be the last thing I'd do. I'll just go with the flow."

Tay's brows rose questioningly. "But a few days ago, you said you'd do anything to be the best. What happened to that determination?"

Asher simply shrugged. "I got tired of it. Besides, I was forced to come here. I might not even last long."

Tay sighed heavily. "When did you become such a slacker?"

"You can't blame me," Asher answered with his arms spread apart. He then shifted his gaze to Emma, who just stared at him like he was a ghost.

After a few seconds, she exhaled. "You both are unbelievable."

Asher smiled slightly and stretched his arms over his head. "I didn't want the excessive attention. Still need to make sure no one remembers my name too. It's getting annoying, especially the stares."

"Blame your mother for that. Her genes rubbed off on you," Tay replied as he walked away. Then he paused and turned around. "If you're free later, I need you to check out something."

With that, he walked off without saying anything else—or even waiting for a reply—leaving Emma alone with Asher.

His expression instantly turned cold. From glad to irritated, but not at Tay. He shifted his gaze to Emma, who jumped when their eyes made contact.

"Why are you acting like that?" he asked. "I'm not going to bite you."

She laughed nervously, rubbing her neck. "Well… you just seem different, and the speed you change expressions is scary."

"Hm?" His brows furrowed. "You mean I changed?"

"Yes," she mumbled, her tone barely above a whisper.

"I see. Tell me what I was like before, then. I feel like all the reading and too much sleep made me forget a few things."

Emma raised her head to look at him. She assumed he was joking, but when she saw the seriousness in his eyes, she turned away.

"You just seem different."

Asher took a step closer to her and leaned in to get a better look at her face, but she stepped away, putting a big distance between them.

"So that's why you're keeping your distance," he uttered, amused but somewhat annoyed at her actions.

For someone who would have dragged him by the ear if he refused to leave the house—despite how timid she was—she was also really nice. Probably why she felt pity for him, even when her best friend did not. That, he saw as good. But what annoyed him was how she kept her distance.

He crossed his arms and glared down at her. "I don't know why you're scared of being near me, but it has to do with me being your best friend's ex-boyfriend, right?"

He made sure to emphasize the last three words so she could understand he was also done with Naomi—if anyone even thought he actually wanted something with her.

It was laughable how Naomi assumed he would look depressed or possibly beg her. He saw it in her eyes.

The way she glanced at him, to find something,But he watched her walk off, much to her dismay. She was already the first person on his list—to teach a lesson and maybe frustrate her a bit.

"Emma…"

"I'll see you after school," she cut him off, quickly bowed, and hurried off, mumbling "sorry" until she was out of sight.

'Tch.'

"This is why I don't like overly timid girls. And she's not even the most annoying one," he muttered to himself while reaching into his pocket to take out his phone.

He didn't have time to take out the device when he heard his name from a distance.

Annoyed, he turned away from the direction of the voice, made his way down from the stage, and started walking away like he hadn't heard anything.

To make it seem real, he slowed his pace, took out his phone, held it to his face, and went through his contact list.

At first, he almost commended the owner of the device for saving the numbers like a normal human being—until he landed on the letter N and below.

However, before his irritation could settle, he heard his name again, now louder behind him, causing him to stop.

"Asher Morgan!"

A uniformed academy official stood by the stage, looking irritated.

"You're required in the Headmaster's office immediately. Your registration is still incomplete."

The smile faded slightly from Asher's face. "Oh, right. I didn't exactly finish that yesterday, talk less of showing up," he chuckled nervously, hoping to elicit a smile from the man, but he just frowned and remained on his spot.

Asher exhaled and turned around. After a few steps, he stopped by the man's side, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've got a kid here, right?"

The man didn't seem offended by his tone or the question and simply nodded, oblivious to the look in Asher's eyes.

"Are they by any chance friends with Naomi Sinclair?"

"The mayor's daughter? Yes, of course."

Asher smiled with satisfaction and faced forward. "Send my greetings to them."

He spoke with all sincerity in his tone and walked off.

He strolled casually through the now-empty courtyard, feeling the occasional lingering stares from passing students and those on the upper ground level.

He spotted one of the girls who had laughed at him earlier, standing at a corner watching and whispering to her friends, but he chose to ignore her, seeing as it wasn't the time to confront anyone.

The academy official finally caught up to him and led him through the halls of the main building, where most of the upper heads' offices were located.

The man led him up a grand staircase, ignoring the elevator that Asher found easier and more convenient to use.

After a few minutes of climbing and passing through a few more halls, Asher was led toward an elaborately carved set of double doors. The plaque above them read: Headmaster Apollo Ardent.

Asher wasn't sure what to expect, with the daunting aura that seeped out from behind the doors and the name that rang a bell, but before he could dwell on it, the official knocked once, then stepped back.

"Enter."

A voice commanded. It was deep, carrying a weight that reminded him of his year advisor back in his old life. He straightened up, exhaled, and stepped in.

The office was massive, lined with bookshelves on two sides, filled with books that looked dusty, untouched, or bookmarked with stripes between the pages.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows provided a clear view of the academy's main field, situated at the center of the school.

At the center of the office, behind a white ornate desk with silver designs—mainly flowers and leaves—sat the headmaster.

A man with silver hair, lifeless or perhaps exhausted blue eyes, clad in a spotless white suit, and a glass of water halfway to his lips.

Asher assumed he had been about to take a sip when they interrupted him, and he almost felt sorry. Almost.

He didn't even look up from the files he was writing on. "Thank you, Kaleb. Please excuse us."