Phoenix (Disconnected)

Chapter 10

Nhinx

Tap. Tap. Tap

The sound of our shoes against the marble tiles in the hallway was the only noise graces the quiet place.

"We're almost there." My attention snapped at Carter as he said those words.

"This place is really quiet, huh," I said while looking around.

"Students should be in class this time of the afternoon." He explained while motioning the wide door on his right.

A massive door with exquisite gold embellishments decorating the whole door and knob.

Hunter stepped up and knock the door and opened it.

Carter motions us to follow them inside, and we did.

Inside, there is a large office table located in the middle far back of the room. There was a man probably in his mid-60s.

He's wearing some kind of an old fashion cloak for rich people as he hovers a stack of papers and writing something to it one by one.

Nicole leans and whispered "Yep. No young headmaster here. The books are correct at this part."

I shook my head hearing her comment.

"What did the books say?" We both Nicole and I looked at the headmaster immediately.

He slides off from his chair and approached us.

As he's near, I noticed the cane on his side, that is now exposed from his cloak, the handle gold and carved beautifully from the image of a phoenix.

"Uh..." Nicole trailed off, her face making it obvious that she the guilty one.

From the corner of my eyes, I say Carter shakes his head and Hunter just gave his usual smile.

"I'm still young! If I say so myself." The headmaster laughs loudly and then followed by a cough.

Nicole mindlessly acts, put her hands on the headmaster's back and give him a loud whack.

"Are you going to kill me?!" The headmaster shoots her a glare.

"I-I am so sorry! I thought it may help you... With the old age coughing." Nicole looks like a guilty puppy caught for pooping on the carpet.

"O-O-Old?! You little brat! You call this hunk of a man old?!" The headmaster motions his hands to present himself.

"Hunk?" Nicole looked at us and then the headmaster "Lol. What?"

He gave Nicole a light whack on the head with her head. Nicole covers the spot where she's been hit.

"What was that for?" She grits her teeth and looked at the headmaster with her eyes formed into slits.

"Do you believe me now?" The headmaster looked at her with one eyebrow upward.

"Sure. I believe you're kind of crazy for your... Erm.... Experience-wa!" Nicole's words were cut when the cane hits her again on the forehead.

"Pardon. My hand slipped." The headmaster looked at her with indifference.

Then they start bickering.

I looked at the two men standing either at my side, they're just watching like it was an ordinary vision for them.

I lean at Hunter "I'm sorry about my friend, but is this normal?"

Hunter chuckled " Yes, our headmaster is a little lively, I would say, unlike others around his age."

"I would say, like the soul of a twenty-five on a sixty-seven body." Carter joins the conversation.

"So... Is he like that to the students?" I asked.

"Not really, he's welcoming... Just go along with his... uh... claim," Hunter said while smiling uncomfortably.

Carter scratches the back of his neck and exhales tiredly.

"Hunter. Go stop them." Hunter gave a little nod before walking towards the two.

"There's a lot of things you would know... After this, you can rest. Feel free to ask us tomorrow for confirmation." Carter put his hand on my shoulder.

"Ehem." We both shift our heads to see the headmaster in front of us. Carter stepped back.

"You both take this human on your way out. I will think of what I will do to her tomorrow." The headmaster instructs the guys.

"I need to go ho–mmph!" Nicole was cut off by Carter as he clamps his hand on her mouth. "Of course, sir."

Carter drags Nicole out of the room followed by Hunter who bowed before closing the door behind us.

The room became quiet as I wait for him to talk.

He opened his mouth to say something, but then close it again and shook his head.

He looked at me and opened his arms and gave a tight hug.

"You've grown up so fast. My dear granddaughter."

"What?" Another one is added to the pool of other questions I've kept from the start of the day here.