Saoirse Academy of Alchemy

Chapter 6: New Task

Chapter 6: New Task

Principal Agnes' Office

Principal Agnes casually sipped the green tea served in a ceramic white teacup while facing Mr. Lowe who did nothing the entire time but to heavily sigh.

"What really is your plan?" Mr. Lowe asked in a defeated tone, leaning against the cushion of the seat while holding a similar cup with half-emptied black tea.

From the glass window, the remaining leaves of the trees slowly fell like confetti as the breeze swept the courtyard where students were on their way to their classes after an hour-long lunch break, draped in long coats and heavy jackets.

Pausing from taking another sip, Principal Agnes raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I'm referring to," stated Mr. Lowe. "It's about Anna Lawson, the girl you accepted to work in the academy. You don't do these rush decisions, Agnes."

Principal Agnes only smiled. Despite holding different titles in the academy, formality had been long abandoned between the two, having spent their entire school life together as students at the same academy they work in.

"We need to monitor her." Principal Agnes placed the cup back on the saucer before resting both of her elbows on the surface of the table,  firmly clasping her hands together. "You know what I'm talking about, Lowe."

Mr. Lowe stared at the black tea in his cup, deep in thought. "She doesn't show any signs so far. There's a chance we could be wrong in our assumptions."

"Hmm..." Principal Agnes only nodded. "How about the training of Anna Humphrey?" she asked. "Is there development that should be noted?"

"She's still under basic training. Coming from a family of non-magic users, it might take her a while to get used to using magic and displaying her full potential."

Principal Agnes leaned back on her executive chair, crossing her legs under the desk in a carefree manner while silently thinking things through. She swirled the remaining tea on the cup with the calm movements of her delicate hand.

"Keep a close watch."

"To whom?" Mr. Lowe inquired.

"Both of them."

Mr. Lowe's broad chest rose, letting out a deep breath. Shutting his eyes close for a second, he raised his hand to massage the waves on his forehead.

He knew so well the gleam in Principal Agnes' eyes. Known to be stubborn and free-spirited during their school years, this kind of personality didn't seem to leave the woman despite having one of the highest positions in the academy. It was the same reason Mr. Lowe recognized the need to look over her decisions, similar to what he had been doing back then.

"Anna Lawson, expose her to students who use magic."

"Agnes, you can't do this to a person who is not a student of the academy. There are too many risks to consider," he said, maintaining to be the rational side of her decisions.

The brief silence between the two was broken by the sound of the chirping birds playing from the windowsill. Principal Agnes' glanced at the window with a small smile that lit up her rather cold and unsmiling face.

"Lowe, this is a favor from me."

She faced him again with a radiant smile on her lips, something that Mr. Lowe rarely see from her since she took over the position as the Principal of the academy two years ago.

"They really should think things over on why they put someone as stubborn as you in this position," he sighed, knowing he could never say no to her.

"Don't go sulking like a child," Principal Agnes coaxed. But knowing what lies in her decision, the smile slowly faded from her lips. "You know how important this is, Lowe. If my assumption is right, she can save someone's life."