Triple Point

Chapter 29: New Normal

Content Warning (see in-line comments for details)

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21 OCT 27AE

Camilla was in her room, working on a report on her last training mission, when there were three sharp knocks on her door. The knocking was more of a formality than a necessity, as all of the Academy dorm rooms didn't have locks, so Camilla returned the respect by actually walking over to open the door instead of using her abilities. It was probably better that she did that, as the visitor turned out to be one of the Headmaster's personal guardians.

"Miss Camilla Wyatt," the guardian said seriously. "You have been summoned."

Camilla didn't bother to stifle her irritation. The last time she was summoned by the Headmaster, it was because she was being ordered to see the school's psychologist. The time before that was to welcome her back to the Academy, and the time before that was to inform her of her expulsion over her lack of meta-abilities and impending budget cuts. It was unlikely that anything good would come out of these summons as well.

She was already dressed in her uniform, so all Camilla had to do was save her progress on her report before she wordlessly followed the guardian.

There was no point in trying to ask what she was being summoned for; the guardian wasn't going to tell her, and Camilla would find out soon enough anyway. Instead, Camilla focused on bracing herself for the worse and reminded herself that she couldn't show any sign of weakness, no matter what. It helped that the route they took passed dozens of students, and Camilla could practice acting indifferent as the students watched her with either admiration or disgust.

When they reached the door to the Headmaster's office, there was another guardian waiting outside. The two guardians nodded once at each other, and the one escorting Camilla took up their assigned post at the opposite side of the door. Both of them paid no attention to Camilla now that she was where she needed to be. Camilla found their stoicism to be inspirational and did her best imitation of it as she knocked on the office door.

The door swung open instantly, but no one was on the other side. Of course, how could the Headmaster be bothered to stand up and open the door for a lowly student?

But Camilla knew the Headmaster didn't see her as just any other student, and this was just another ploy to try and get her to cooperate. And she wasn't going to let that happen.

"You wanted to see me?" Camilla asked as she strolled into the office. She waved a hand by her head to push the door closed with her abilities, doing so gently to show-off her control.

The Headmaster's brows furrowed slightly at Camilla's blatant disrespect, but she didn't comment on it. Instead she gestured politely at the chair on the other side of her desk. "Yes, Miss Wyatt. Have a seat."

Camilla sat. She also let herself slouch in the chair, then propped an elbow on one of the armrests so she could hold her head up with that hand.

"I'm happy to hear that you've been attending your biweekly sessions with Doctor Stein," the Headmaster continued, her eyes tracing Camilla's terrible posture.

"That makes one of us," Camilla said. She's already made it blatantly clear that she wasn't a fan of the mandatory therapy, but it wouldn't hurt to make her opinion even more obvious.

"And after several discussions," the Headmaster continued, ignoring Camilla. "I believe we've come to a consensus.

"I think we all can agree that you are a very gifted student in terms of your abilities. Unfortunately, your attitude is appalling. And, quite frankly, it would be an embarrassment to the Org to have someone with your personality serving as a full-fledged guardian."