Chapter 8: Entrust

The headmaster's office was shrouded by deafening silence contrary to the chaotic mind of the headmaster itself. He couldn't stop worrying about his student, Levina, who was currently on her mission with Professor Evans. He's also wondering why the security of their town became lenient and negligent.

Everwyn Town used to be the sternest town among all of the towns in their country, Mythralis. The security was always patrolling every entrance and border to ensure the safety of the citizens. However, even though their town is stern, the security and the government didn't control the people. They still have the freedom they deserve. But ever since the new mayor was appointed to the position, the town has changed.

As much as possible, the headmaster doesn't want to doubt their mayor, but ever since his leadership, everything has become chaotic.

Headmaster William massaged the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. "I shouldn't think badly of our mayor. This is bad."

A knock on the door resonated within his office, disrupting the deafening silence. He fixed his clothes and sat properly.

"Enter."

The owner of the Sunrise Orphanage, Mrs. Abba entered. "Good day, headmaster." she greeted, closing the door behind her and steering towards the desk.

"Good day, too, Mrs. The rescue is still ongoing. One of my students and my professors are on their way to save the children along with the reinforcement I requested from the police," Headmaster William explained, beckoning the old woman to take a seat.

"Thank you for listening to my request Mr. Headmaster even though it was too dangerous for your students to handle." She sat across from his desk. "I tried to ask for help from our town's police, but they didn't act alert nor mind to ask me about further information. They just said they'll surely rescue my children, but they weren't taking any action at that time, so I didn't have a choice but to request from your school."

Headmaster William's doubt worsens. He couldn't believe that their town's police had committed such actions.

"Don't worry, Mrs. we'll surely rescue the children. We still don't have any update, but I'm sure they can do that," he assured the old woman.

"I have a request for you, Sir. I know I'm being too much, but I need your help to secure Kaia's safety," she pleaded, her tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

"May I know what it is and who is this Kaia? Is she the one who got kidnapped with the children?"

"Yes, sir. Her name is Kaia. After the accident, I have a feeling that it has something to do with her ability." She intertwined her trembling hands. "She's an elemental sorcerer. She can utilize the earth element. So I think it's much safer for her to stay in this school and learn more about her abilities. Don't worry, I'll still provide for her. She's like a granddaughter to me. I just want to request to make her stay in one of your school dorms."

Headmaster William nodded, slightly shocked by the information. Elemental sorcerers are powerful, so there's really a possibility that the syndicate's target was Kaia.

"I see. Don't worry, Mrs. I'll surely keep her safe in my school." He tapped her shoulder.

"Kaia is a kind and cheerful person, you won't have a hard time getting to know her. Although sometimes she's a bit stubborn, that's just how she is."

"But Mrs. may I know why you thought the syndicate's target was Kaia except for her ability? Have you seen any prior suspicious people around your place?" asked Headmaster William.

Mrs. Abba averted her gaze from him, contemplating the past. She furrowed her brows upon remembering something.

"Sometimes there is a group of men who will visit the orphanage, but they weren't playing nor talking with the kids. They're just checking the place and sometimes talk to Kaia."

The headmaster held his chin, gazing down at his desk. "I see. We can consider that. But anyway, we'll take care of Kaia now. I'll introduce her to my students."

—

Levina arrived in the headmaster's office, seeing Mrs. Abba conversing with the headmaster. She bowed her head and greeted them before approaching them.

"We had finished the mission successfully, sir. Professor Evans said he had already sent the kids back while Kaia was on her way to the hospital along with the professor," she reported, glancing at the old woman.

"Yes, Evans had already reported to me a while ago." He nodded. "How are you? Did you have any wounds or is something painful with your body?"

"Nothing, sir. I'm completely fine."

"I see. That's good to hear." He beckoned Levina to sit on the chair across from his desk, but the woman refused. He took a paper and an envelope from his desk and handed them to her. "I congratulate you on finishing this mission successfully despite the risk it posed. This certificate is evidence that you're still part of the S-rank students."

"Thank you, sir." She took the certificate and the envelope that contained money. A reward for her successful mission.

"So, I called you to tell you something." He glanced at Mrs. Abba. "Kaia will be studying in this school and she'll be going to stay in the dorms. As much as I want to be the one to tour her around the academy, I couldn't possibly do that due to my tight schedule. So if you may... Can you look after her?"

Levina's brows furrowed, gazing alternately at him and the old woman. "What exactly do you mean by that, sir? Do I need to take care of her?"

"Yes, Levi. I want to put her in the same dorm as you, so you can look after her. She'll be a great friend to you." He nodded, plastering a smile.

Levina dropped her hands beside her, sighing. "Sir, I'm glad that you trust me for that kind of work, but I don't think I can look after her. You know my purpose right? And I can't be distracted by anyone for me to continue my plan. She'll only be a hindrance to me."

Headmaster William took a deep breath. He was about to reply, but Mrs. Abba stood from her seat and took Levina's hand.

"I know this might be burdensome, but Kaia needs to have someone she can rely on in a new environment. Don't worry, my granddaughter is a good person, you won't have any trouble with her," she pleaded, staring into her eyes.

Levina glanced at the headmaster, who is also looking hopefully at her. She sighed and carefully removed the old woman's hands.

"I only need to look after her, right? She's big enough to take care of other things." She placed the certificate and envelope in her pocket.

"Yes, yes, thank you." Mrs. Abba's tears trickled down her face.

"Then, I'll be taking my leave, sir." She bowed her head and proceeded outside the door.

Levina took the path leading to the girls' dormitories. She noticed Hestia near the entrance, leaning her back against the wall. She planned to ignore her, but the latter spoke to her first.

"Did you save her?" Hestia asked when Levina was a few inches away from her.

Levina gazed at her, remembering her words when she was in the clinic. "I'm entrusting her to you." Hestia's voice resonated in her head.

"Are you talking about Kaia?"

"Is there someone else?" She gazed at Levina.

Levina's brows furrowed. "The accident only happened earlier this morning. How did you know about that two days ago?"

Hestia rolled her eyes. "Your mission was supposed to be a C-rank, right? I've heard it was changed to B-rank from Nicholas and you were tasked to save Kaia. The C-rank mission was supposedly a mission about helping the Sunrise Orphanage hunt a boar for their training, but because of an accident, another mission erupted. And honestly, I didn't know Kaia was with them if I didn't hear it from Mrs. Abba."

"Then what is the C-rank mission that you and Thomas did?" Levina asked.

"It's still the same. We helped the other Sunrise Orphanage children hunt a boar for their training along with the other staff of the orphanage."

Levina nodded and remembered the picture she saw of where Hestia belonged. "Were you from Sunrise Orphanage?"

"Why are you asking that?" Hestia smirked. "I didn't. I just want to go there to visit Kaia."

"Is she your friend? I can tell the headmaster to assign you to look after her instead of me."

Hestia's brows furrowed, but she later relaxed. "No need. You can take care of her." She walked away after that as the wind blew in their direction.

Levina scowled and proceeded to the floor where her dorm is. "I think there's really something going on between them."

She stepped out of the elevator, her boots clicking on the floor, resonating through the whole hallway. She halted in front of her door, rummaging through her pocket to get her keys.

From her peripheral vision, she saw a man in a cloak outside the university, standing near the main gate. She immediately swerved her gaze there and found nothing. Only the townspeople are passing by.

"What was that?"

***