Glory Cael Magic Academy, Central Teaching Area, top-floor circular conference room.
On both sides of the long, dark conference table sat dozens of men and women wearing professor robes of various colors.
Morning light shone diagonally through the tall arched windows, casting geometric patches of light onto the polished tabletop, yet doing little to dispel the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the room.
The air was filled with the scent of old parchment, ink, and a faint, refreshing herbal incense.
This was an emergency meeting addressing the abnormal tremors coming from the dungeon in the early hours of the morning.
Most of the attendees were responsible professors and relevant administrators of the first and second years.
The third-year professors were busy preparing the students' off-campus internship projects, while the fourth-year professors were mired in final reviews and guidance for graduation topics, leaving them no time to attend to other matters.
"Are there any preliminary findings regarding the abnormal tremors coming from the dungeon's deep area in the early morning?"
Near the middle of the conference table, a gray-haired male professor with a stern face spoke first, his voice carrying the calm weight settled by years of teaching.
He was Professor Martin, responsible for teaching the academy's basic magic theory.
Sitting opposite him, a female professor with a somewhat harsh face and a monocle—Professor Isabella—pushed up her glasses and responded in a businesslike tone:
"No clear conclusion for now. The four students who came out of the dungeon this morning have undergone a simple inquiry, but all claimed to be unaware of the specific cause of the tremors."
She paused, then continued:
"So I have informed the Student Council to dispatch reliable members into the deep area for an investigation. Considering the efficiency and strength of the Student Council members, I believe news will be reported back soon."
This arrangement was reasonable, yet it also carried a hint of helplessness.
The entrance to the dungeon of Glory Cael Magic Academy was set with an ancient, powerful special barrier restriction; only enrolled students of the academy could enter and exit freely.
The professors present were certainly not weak, but they were far from qualified if they wished to ignore or forcefully break through this long-inherited restriction.
Therefore, when encountering a situation that required a deep investigation, they could only rely on the top handful of students—usually the elites of the Student Council.
"Efficiency must be accelerated further."
Near the front of the conference table, a cold, clear female voice sounded, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
The speaker was a woman.
She wore a well-tailored dark blue professor's robe, the cuffs and collar embroidered with simple silver patterns representing the identity of a "Chief Professor."
Most eye-catching were her eyes, a rare light brown color. At this moment, they were slightly narrowed, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with an unquestionable authority and a... clear sense of urgency.
Grace Quinn.
First-year Chief Professor, head of combat magic and applied tactics courses.
A recognized meritocrat within the academy, known for her tough and resolute style.
"The Headmistress will return to the academy from the Annual Magic Tower Exchange in a week at the latest."
Grace's voice was not loud, but every word was crystal clear with a metallic texture:
"Before the Headmistress returns, we must thoroughly investigate the whole story behind this matter and produce a proper handling plan. Otherwise..."
Something seemed to come to her mind, and a complex emotion mixed with helplessness and determination flashed in her eyes.
"...Otherwise, given that lord's personality, she will absolutely seize this opportunity to chatter endlessly about how 'the academy can't function without her,' and then use that as the perfect excuse to turn down all external exchanges, social engagements, and visiting events for at least the next half year, contentedly shutting herself in at the top of the tower or in her laboratory."
Grace leaned forward slightly, resting her folded hands on the table, her gaze sharp:
"So for the sake of the academy's reputation and normal operations, we cannot let things be affected by a sudden incident like this, much less provide that lord with a legitimate reason to be a shut-in."
Hearing this, several senior professors present showed subtle expressions, seeming to have deep personal experience with the acting style of "that lord," nodding silently in agreement.
"Speaking of causing trouble..."
At this moment, another soft yet subtly penetrating female voice chimed in, steering the topic in another direction.
Everyone turned their eyes to the source of the voice. Sitting diagonally opposite Grace was a woman who appeared to be around forty years old, possessing an elegant demeanor, her chestnut hair gracefully styled, wearing an exquisite dark green professor's robe.
Adele Kent, Second-year Chief Professor, head of Magic History and Noble Etiquette courses, and also one of the influential faction representatives within the academy.
Adele wore a just-right, gentle smile that seemed to care for a junior, but her gaze crossed more than half the conference table to land on a petite figure in the back row who was trying hard to shrink into her chair.
"Professor Alice."
Adele's voice remained soft, yet it made the called figure shudder noticeably.
"I remember that the student you are responsible for guiding individually... seems to have been missing for over a week, hasn't he? If I remember correctly, that student is named... Greg Sass, right?"
The woman addressed as Professor Alice abruptly raised her head, revealing a pale face that looked somewhat youthful, even younger than some upperclassmen.
She had smooth light-purple short hair, and a pair of violet eyes were wide with panic right now, faint dark circles beneath them, clearly showing she hadn't rested well.
She was petite, wearing an ordinary black professor's robe that was visibly loose and oversized for her, radiating a nervous and anxious aura.
When the name Greg Sass was spoken clearly by Adele, several suppressed, barely audible whispers immediately sounded around the conference table.
A few professors closer to Alice exchanged glances, their lips moving faintly:
"How pitiful... to actually be designated by Professor Adele to handle that student with connections..."
"Shh, keep it down... If Professor Adele hears you, you might be the next one receiving special attention."
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