"Good day, ladies and gentlen. I do apologize for the abrupt eting which may have resulted in so of you ending your classes early." Roland began as he stood at the podium, with the administration board seated behind him.
The hall, filled with professors and lecturers, lent their ears to his words while keeping a noticeable distance from Lucius.
Taking a deep breath, Roland continued. "But the matter for which I have called you here is of grave importance. As we are all aware, Professor Albus was relieved of his job a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, that has left him... unhinged. Just yesterday, he attempted to release a pathogen in the school that if successful would have led to the deaths of many innocent lives.
"That sa man now has escaped his confinent and what’s worse, has gotten involved with yet another dangerous accomplice. So far, we have no idea who Albus has liaised with but we do know that he holds a grudge against Farfouth. I call on everyone to exercise caution during the period and ensure the security of not just yourselves but the students as well."
Pausing for a mont to ensure that all were in agreent, Roland finished. "That will be all. You may all leave."
With that, the eting ca to an end with the professors and lecturers rising to take their leave only for Roland to speak up again, drawing their attention over.
"And, ah yes, lest I forget, under no reason should a teacher or student, step outside the school premises. Farfouth has enough space to carry out whatever outdoor activity you plan to do. Also, Professor Lucius, please wait behind."
***
The developnt was abrupt, giving him little ti to adjust but this much was fine, after all, Alex had seen far worse.
Regardless, as he sat across from the Headmaster who had his attention focused outside, he couldn’t help but wonder what Roland wished to see him for.
Unfortunately, his attempt at getting an answer was t with a perfunctory gaze and resounding silence.
Soon, they arrived at the Dean’s building where the Headmaster’s office was but instead of going there, they headed toward Roland’s private library.
As they walked through the library stocked with scholarly books, most of which were on topics in Mathematics, Roland remarked. "You must be wondering why I brought you, professor."
"I wouldn’t claim otherwise." Ca the curt response.
Roland paused, his expression unreadable as he turned to regard Alex who also remained impassive.
Taking a deep breath, Roland began. "Albus was a close friend, a rival even. I majored in Mathematics while he majored in Alchemy. His brilliance was unlike most scholars I’d co in contact with. An illustrious man with intelligence rivaling so of the greatest scholars of old. Such a man is now regarded as a criminal and it’s all because of his wife."
"His wife?"
"Indeed, Albus tried to attack the school because I pulled his funding which was helping Albus in his research on the Blight which his wife suffers from."
"The Blight?" Alex furrowed his brows as he had never heard of the disease before.
Of course, a brief surf through the mories available to him allowed him a basic understanding of the disease.
For lack of a better term, Alex could only regard it as mystical cancer.
Considering the technology of the world and the lack of understanding, he doubted there would be a ans to cure such a plight, except the person was capable of miracles.
But then, Alex wondered... "Why are you telling this, Headmaster?"
"To let you understand that letting you in here has caused a lot of damage, much more than I could have imagined when I first accepted the decision of that crazy woman."
"You know about the Supre Order, sir?"
"I am a scholar and a TruthSeeker, how stupid would I be not to know of the organization lurking in my institution walls."
"Yet you allow us to do as we please?"
"As long as you don’t affect the peace of the school and don’t affect my studies, I would care less what happens."
"Is that why you accepted my promotion, sir?"
Roland remained silent, his expression revealing the answer to the question posed.
"I had no idea Albus would lose it like this. He was a logical man and he should know that curing the Blight is a pipe dream but now... now he is driven by that madness to do whatever it takes and in a way, I am part of the reason for his current state."
"Sir..."
"I brought you here in an attempt to assuage the guilt I feel. You have also been chosen by the god of Alchemy, sa as Albus. So here..." Roland remarked, gesturing to a wide range of books, dedicated to Alchemy and all research done on it, a welco change to the flurry of mathematical textbooks that adorned the library shelves.
"Take your pick and begin writing your thesis."
With that, Roland turned to leave, only pausing to remind Alex, or rather, Lucius.
"And rember, if you fail to impress , I won’t hesitate to kick you out of this academy. Be warned."
Leaving Lucius to ponder his words, Roland returned to his studies while charging his maid to watch over Lucius to ensure he didn’t take any book out.
Letting out a sigh, Alex massaged his temples.
All this was in an attempt to reduce the rate of collateral damage that would occur in the clash destined to happen between him and the Supre Order.
Realizing that an innocent man was being used as a scapegoat for that endeavor did not sit right with him, especially considering the man’s state was similar to his own.
How would he react if he could do nothing but watch as Isabella was claid by the cold hands of death?
Perhaps Albus’s response was a bit more ta compared to what he would do.
So, to honor the man’s legacy and perhaps, give his wife a fighting chance, Alex began to pick out alchemical books while pulling out every mory he had of cancer from his mories from Earth.
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