The following morning, the atmosphere inside the meeting room of Oselenka Magic Academy was solemn and slightly heavy.
Teacher representatives from various factions sat on both sides of the long table. Sefina sat in the section reserved for the elemental faction, her wine-red eyes calmly watching Headmaster Rofilia at the head of the table.
Rofilia looked around the room and announced an important matter in her clear, penetrating voice. “Teachers, we have recently received an official letter from Legdolo Magic Academy of the Sarkax Empire in the western continent.”
“They will be sending a group of exchange students to our academy for a one-semester program. This initiative aims to promote mutual understanding and academic cooperation in the field of magic education between the eastern and western continents.”
She paused for a moment before continuing.
“As a reciprocal exchange, we will also select a group of outstanding senior students to go to Legdolo Magic Academy. The list of students has been tentatively finalized, and we now need several teachers to be responsible for escorting and accompanying them.”
“This journey is long and requires crossing the continent, so the responsibility for ensuring student safety is significant.”
Her gaze swept over every teacher present. “Are there any teachers willing to take on this responsibility and make this long trip?”
A brief silence fell over the meeting room. The heavy responsibility of traveling to the western continent and protecting the students was indeed a grueling task.
It not only meant a long journey away from familiar surroundings but also carried a heavy burden regarding safety. The teachers either lowered their heads in thought or exchanged glances with those sitting next to them.
For a while, no one stepped forward. It seemed the decision would have to be made through the most “fair” yet frustrating method—drawing lots.
However, amidst the silence, a fair-skinned hand was slowly raised at the conference table. Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn to it.
Rofilia looked at the silent crowd, understanding their hesitation. Meeting their gazes, her expression remained calm and steady. The person who had raised her hand was Sefina.
She spoke clearly in her characteristically cool voice. “Headmaster, I am willing to go.”
In truth, Sefina had long entertained the thought of returning to the western continent.
Whether it was to investigate clues about the eighth seat of Black Utopia, track the whereabouts of her Deputy, or handle some personal matters from her past, the western continent was a place she had to step foot in again.
Her duties as a teacher had hindered her, as the long journey back and forth required a significant amount of time.
She had originally planned to use the winter break, but this was a perfect opportunity—traveling under the guise of an official mission would both hide her true intentions and save time.
‘But… Legdolo Magic Academy?’ A blurry figure flashed through Sefina’s mind. There seemed to be an ‘acquaintance’ there whom she was not particularly keen on meeting. ‘On second thought, it shouldn’t be such a coincidence to run into her…’
Rofilia looked at Sefina and nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in her eyes. Regardless of the circumstances, it was always good for someone to volunteer.
Moreover, as a 7th Tier Mage, Sefina was powerful enough to handle most risks during the journey and ensure the students’ safety.
“It is good that Teacher Sefina is willing to go,” Rofilia said.
“However, having only one teacher for the escort is a bit too few. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it would be best to add another accompanying teacher.”
As soon as she finished speaking, another hand went up on the other side of the conference table.
It was Teacher Shalina from the summoning faction. With a gentle smile on her face, she looked toward Sefina, her gaze suggesting a certain level of understanding.
Rofilia was somewhat surprised but soon realized why. Teacher Shalina and Teacher Sefina were on good terms.
Perhaps seeing Sefina volunteer made her want to go along as a companion so they could look out for one another.
“Teacher Shalina is also willing to go? Very well.” Rofilia made the decision on the spot.
“Then, the mission to escort the students to Legdolo Magic Academy in the western continent will be jointly handled by Teacher Sefina and Teacher Shalina.”
She looked at the two of them and announced the specific arrangements.
“The departure is scheduled for two days from now. Teachers, please use this time to prepare. I will arrange for other teachers to temporarily cover your classes.”
Subsequently, Rofilia announced several other matters regarding the academy’s daily management and academic activities, and the meeting ended with the slight sound of papers being shuffled and chairs being moved.
The teachers left the room one by one. Rofilia sat in the main seat, watching the crowd disperse. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Sefina’s small but straight back, her brow furrowing slightly.
She thought again about the investigation into the seventh seat of Black Utopia.
After multiple rigorous checks, the clues always ended abruptly at the most critical points, as if they were being cleverly obscured by an invisible hand or led in the wrong direction.
There was indeed no more direct evidence or clues at the moment, so she could only wait and see. But for some reason, intuition told Rofilia that there was always an indescribable, suspicious aura surrounding this Sefina…
Her composure, her strength, and the depth she occasionally showed that did not match her age or experience…
But without concrete evidence, all of this could only be speculation. In the end, Rofilia could only attribute her doubts to her perhaps being oversensitive.
Outside the meeting room, Teacher Shalina walked a few steps faster to catch up and walk alongside Sefina.
“Teacher Sefina, I didn’t expect you to take the initiative to go to the western continent.” Shalina’s tone was light, tinged with curiosity. “It is thousands of miles away, and taking care of so many students along the way is no easy task.”
Sefina glanced at her and asked in a flat tone, “What about you? Why did you want to go?”
Shalina smiled and blinked. “Actually, it’s not that bad, is it? It’s a great way to get out of teaching classes! Besides, I’ve never been to the western continent, so I’ll just treat it as a long sightseeing trip where I can keep you company.”
Her tone was relaxed, as if she truly viewed it as a vacation. Then, she asked curiously, “So, Teacher Sefina, why do you want to go? I assume it’s not just for the business trip?”
Naturally, Sefina could not reveal her true objective. Her expression remained unchanged as she looked into the distance, answering in a flat tone as if she were mentioning it in passing.
“To see an enemy.”
There were indeed enemies there, but… Sefina was not particularly keen on meeting them. She hoped it would not be such a coincidence.
Shalina did not seem to notice the subtle strangeness in her tone and enthusiastically began to chat with Sefina about the local customs, specialty foods, and magical plants that might be found in the western continent.
As they talked, they walked along the academy path toward the Teacher Cafeteria, planning to have lunch together.
However, as they passed a courtyard entrance filled with unknown small white flowers, Sefina’s footsteps paused slightly. Her gaze fell upon a familiar figure not far away…