Having the owner of the office step outside so Kyle could speak in private felt more than a little awkward.
Still, Christopher had been the one to offer. He understood that Kyle might hesitate to ask certain questions or negotiate freely if he was genuinely considering joining.
That’s why, he said he would be just outside before excusing himself.
Thud.
The door clicked shut.
Only then did Kyle answer the call.
"Hello, Sir Pascal?" he said. "It’s me, Kyle." He was introduced since he was talking through Christopher’s phone.
{I know. Are you alright, Kyle?}
"Are you referring to the commotion just now?" He asked with a wry smile.
{I wouldn’t describe an incident involving two Special Grade sorcerers as a mere commotion. But yes, you’re correct. That is what I’m calling about.}
Kyle let out a slow breath and leaned back in his chair. So the headmaster was right about them finding out about the incident, even though it feels absurd.
"Yeah, I’m mostly fine."
If he ignored that strange sensation he felt within the Field, all that strange satisfaction and greed, then the statement was true.
The truth was, he needed time. Time to sort through everything that had happened, steady his thoughts, and make sense of the emotions still weighing on him.
{I’m glad to hear that. Even so, I recommend having a member of the medical staff examine you before you turn in for the night.}
Kyle gave a quiet hum.
"Understood."
A brief silence followed before he spoke again.
"I assume you didn’t call just to check on my condition, did you?"
{Truthfully, I first wanted to confirm with the Headmaster whether the information reaching me was accurate.}
"And that’s about?" Kyle asked, already fearing the answer.
His hopes were in vain.
{Your sudden manifestation of a Field. Did I see it correctly, Kyle?}
Kyle lowered his head until his forehead rested against the desk.
"I don’t know yet... but yeah. It feels like it."
There was no point denying it. Too many people had witnessed what happened.
What he couldn’t understand was how he had manifested a Field in the first place. It had felt as though invisible chains had bound him all this time, only to shatter the moment that bastard’s existence stained the world.
As for what happened inside the Field...
He wasn’t ready to think about it.
{I imagine you don’t wish to discuss it right now, and that’s understandable. Knowing you, you prefer keeping your cards close to your chest in preparation for an uncertain future. Unfortunately, this is no longer a secret that can remain hidden.}
"I know. There were nearly a hundred people watching. By now, they probably all think I’m a Special Grade."
After all, he had fought and killed one in the past and now this.... It was the only conclusion that made sense.
{Let’s leave that discussion for another time. If you’d rather rest and take a little longer before giving me your decision, I would understand.}
"No." Kyle rose from his chair and turned toward the window overlooking the academy grounds. "I’ve already made up my mind."
He had reached that conclusion during the journey to the academy.
He understood the weight of the upcoming raid and everything riding on it.
Veronica was going to put her life on the line. More than her strength, it would be her resolve that would be tested as she confronted the nightmare that had haunted her for years.
He wanted to stand beside her.
There were other reasons as well.
But that was the one that mattered most.
"So..." He drew a quiet breath. "I’m in."
A moment later, his gaze hardened.
"But I have one condition."
{Hmm, understood. Tell me what it is, and we’ll see whether it’s something we can accommodate.}
Kyle gave a faint, wry smile.
"It’s simple. I want you to stop pressuring Melissa Maylith to do anything for the government against her will. I believe you know who I’m talking about."
The matter had been weighing on his mind for a while. The government had been trying to recruit Melissa into developing weapons for them. If anyone had the authority to put an end to it, it was someone of Pascal’s standing.
{I see. I see the connection. I’ll look into what can be done. But rest assured, no one will force her to do anything against her will.}
"But her father could give his consent. And he definitely would."
{No. She’s legally an adult and has the right to make her own decisions. That said, I understand your concern, and I’ll personally see into the matter.}
"Please do."
Silence settled between them for a few moments before Pascal spoke again.
{Someone will come to pick you up tomorrow morning. Have a good night.}
The call ended.
Kyle stared at the phone for a second, slightly caught off guard by how abruptly Pascal had wrapped up the conversation.
With a small shrug, he rested the phone on the table.
"Well..." he murmured to himself. "Looks like a new journey begins tomorrow."
...
The moment the call ended, Pascal reached for another line.
"Connect me to Officer Ava. Immediately."
Only moments earlier, he had received word that Ava had approached the Maylith sisters.
He could already guess how that conversation was unfolding.
And he could already see it ending badly.
He understood exactly what Ava was trying to accomplish, but the plan was fundamentally flawed.
Everything he had observed about Kyle pointed to one conclusion. Cornering him had never worked, and it never would. Trying to use Melissa as leverage was not only misguided, it was likely to provoke the exact opposite reaction.
The line connected.
{Yeah, old man?}
Ava’s casual voice came through the speaker.
"Ava Klaus," Pascal said, his tone leaving no room for argument, "as your senior, I am ordering you to withdraw immediately. Apologize to them and leave."
His eyes remained fixed on the monitor displaying the café’s surveillance feed. Ava had already seated herself at the sisters’ table, clearly making them uncomfortable.
{What? I’m working here. Trust me, this is going to work.}
A faint crack appeared in Pascal’s usually composed demeanor.
"I no longer require your involvement in this matter, Miss Klaus. If you refuse to comply, I’ll have no choice but to bring Arthur into this."
Silence answered him.
On the monitor, he watched Ava’s expression subtly change the instant she heard that name.
"Now," Pascal continued, his voice returning to its usual calm, "you have one minute. Excuse yourself."
He ended the call without waiting for a reply.
As reckless as Ava could be, she still had a few people she wouldn’t dare cross.
Arthur stood at the top of that very short list.
She might ignore Pascal’s authority, but she would never risk defying Arthur’s.
A few moments later, Pascal watched her say something to the Maylith sisters. The two exchanged puzzled glances before Ava pushed back her chair, offered a brief farewell, and walked away.
At least one unnecessary incident had been prevented before it could spiral into something far worse.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading, make sure to drop a review to help the future readers.