CHAPTER - 88

  Narrator: The following day, Dav, feeling a bit sluggish and tired, woke up to a phone call from the director, forcing him to go to his office as quickly as possible.

  Upon arriving, he found the director looking even more tense than the first time Dav had seen him like that.

  Dav was surprised, making a funny face as he wondered why that old man was so anxious.

  He stepped into the office and saw the director with another man—elegant, with slicked-back hair, seemingly in his forties.

  Director’s Office

  Dav: (Tired, yawning) Oi, old man… Is this your revenge for me waking you up at six in the morning last time? What’s going on?

  Director Vittorio: (Tense, serious) This man is the royal advisor of the English royal family…

  Mr. Stefan Lancaster has personally come to speak with us about something important.

  Dav: (Irritated, running a hand through his hair) I’m glad our academy is so highly regarded, even by the royal family…

  But why the hell did he have to come at this hour?!

  Don’t they have clocks in London?!

  Stefan Lancaster: (With a slight bow, polite yet firm) Sir Hero, I apologize for disturbing you so early, but it was a direct order from the King.

  I simply couldn’t ignore it…

  I hope you understand now.

  Dav: (Long sigh, massaging his neck) I know it’s not your fault… It’s always those in power pulling the strings.

  Director Vittorio: (Concerned, lowering his voice) Dav, calm down… We’re talking about the royals. About the King.

  Dav: (Cold gaze, crossing his arms) As if I care, Vittorio.

  I sacrificed ten years of my life for them, and now they expect me to care?

  I hope they don’t disturb me again, or I’ll have to pay them a personal visit.

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  (Gestures with his hand toward Stefan, more relaxed) It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Lancaster.

  I’m not angry at you. Good night.

  [Without waiting for a response, Dav leaves the room and walks away.]

  Stefan: (Smirks, shaking his head in amusement) What a surprising man… Ahaha.

  He doesn’t even care about the royal family.

  Director Vittorio: (Hand on his face, exasperated) Please, don’t be upset with him…

  He has suffered a lot in his life. He’s a good man, always helping everyone.

  Stefan: (Thoughtful expression, with a hint of admiration) Yes, I’ve heard…

  Ten years sacrificed for others, not for himself. Very respectable.

  I probably would have done the same… and then stopped caring about everything else.

  Director Vittorio: (Surprised) It almost sounds like you admire him, sir.

  Stefan: (Smiles with a glint in his eyes) Who wouldn’t?

  Who else would be willing to give their life for all of humanity, suffering like that?

  The man who defeated Azrael and the great mage with a single strike…

  (Takes a deep breath, turning serious again.) I’d like to speak with him directly and deliver the news in person, if possible.

  Director Vittorio: (Hesitates) Won’t it be a problem for the royals if we waste time?

  Stefan: (Piercing gaze, confident tone) We’ll tell them the Hero forbade us from entering.

  Not even the royal family would dare contradict the legendary Hero.

  You can be sure of that, Director Vittorio.

  Director Vittorio: (Chuckles, getting up from his chair) I see.

  We’ll wait until classes begin. In the meantime, I invite you to have some coffee in our cafeteria.

  [Matteo, invisible, observing the scene with an amused smile]

  Matteo: (Telepathy, chuckling) My cousin sure is famous, ahaha.

  (More serious voice, telepathy to the assassins) Check the royal vehicle.

  Make sure there’s nothing suspicious.

  Assassins: (Telepathy, responding in unison) Yes, Master.

  Matteo: (Smirking to himself) The fact that he noticed me but didn’t acknowledge me… makes me a little sad.

  I wonder how he always manages to sense me.

  Academy Cafeteria – 9:00 AM

  Dav: (Yawning, stretching) Morning, Iris. You’re up early today.

  Iris: (Giggling sweetly, wiping her hands on her apron) Yes, I had to prepare the breakfasts with Miss Margherita and set them up in the display cases so the students can serve themselves.

  [Her eyes shine as she looks at Dav fondly.]

  Iris: Davy, do you want some coffee? A brioche?

  Dav: (Gives a small, still-drowsy smile) Just coffee, thanks.

  I have to get to class—Keal is waiting for me, and I don’t want to be late.

  [Iris notices someone behind him and looks up.]

  Iris: (Cheerful) Alright! I’ll make it right away.

  (Looking past Dav) And for you, sir?

  Stefan: (Smiling, gentle tone) A coffee, miss.

  [Dav slowly turns around and notices Stefan sitting there.]

  Dav: (Surprised, yawns again) Good morning, Mr. Lancaster.

  Stefan: (Chuckles quietly, amused) We already said that in a way earlier…

  But this time, I’ve received a greeting from Professor Dav, not from the Hero.

  Dav: (Long sigh, rubbing his forehead) Yeah, sorry… That wasn’t your fault.

  I haven’t been sleeping much lately—I had to check on a few things.

  Stefan: (Nods understandingly) No worries.

  I just wanted to talk to you about that matter… whenever you have a moment.

  [Iris arrives with two cups of coffee in hand.]

  Iris: (Smiling, placing the cups on the table) Here you go!

  If you need anything else, just ask.

  END OF CHAPTER - 88