After a series of routine follow-up arrangements, the curtain fell.
In the Consciousness Space, the collective meeting began to dissolve as most of the hazy figures thinned and dissipated after the Chief made the final assignments, exiting this realm between reality and illusion.
However, the consciousness bodies of Sefina, Feliel, and the Deputy did not leave immediately.
They needed to have a preliminary discussion on a smaller scale about the specific plans for heading to the Western Continent.
The Deputy spoke:
“Ninth Seat, Seventh Seat, considering your current public identities in Oselenka, if you suddenly go missing for a long time during the semester, it will inevitably arouse suspicion from the academy and other parties, increasing the risk of exposure.”
This went without saying; Sefina and Feliel both understood.
As a teacher, Sefina needed a valid reason to take leave or resign; as an exchange student, Feliel was also bound by the academy’s regulations.
“So, the operation time needs to be arranged during a more natural gap. According to the customary practices of the Eastern Continent academies, Oselenka’s final exams will end in about a month, followed by several weeks of winter break.
“At that time, students will leave the academy, and teachers will also be relatively free. I believe setting the departure time at the beginning of the winter break is most suitable.”
Sefina pondered for a moment, then responded:
“Indeed.”
“Mm, then the operation plan is temporarily arranged as follows: you two continue to maintain the status quo and stay put, focusing on your respective affairs at the academy without revealing any abnormality.
“I will use this time to personally go to Sarkax on the Western Continent to conduct a more in-depth preliminary investigation of the church and its surroundings, attempting to gather more valuable information to pave the way for your subsequent actions.”
The Deputy personally undertaking the preliminary reconnaissance showed the organization’s emphasis on this incident and also indirectly confirmed the danger of the mission.
Sefina felt a slight chill in her heart, but her face remained calm:
“Understood.”
“Understood,” Feliel also replied succinctly.
Then, the three’s consciousness communication was cut off, and the hazy figures completely dissipated in the Consciousness Space.
Sefina slowly opened her eyes, and the familiar ceiling of the dormitory room came into view.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and the academy was silent.
She sat up, gently removed the mana ring from her index finger, then walked to the window and pushed it open a crack. A cool night breeze brushed her face.
There was less than a month until the end of Oselenka’s final exams. It seemed time was almost up.
The next day, Sefina resumed her daily teaching life.
When she walked into the familiar classroom holding her lesson plans, the students were first stunned, then expressions of relief or hidden joy appeared on their faces.
Although Teacher Sefina’s academic requirements were strict and her explanations often cut to the core without mercy, compared to Teacher Clyde’s dry, by-the-book lectures and latent prejudice, the students seemed to prefer this “loli” teacher who, though cold-faced, was fair and occasionally gave them unique insights.
The class proceeded step by step. Sefina’s explanations were clear and efficient, her wine-red eyes scanning the classroom to ensure every student kept up.
Near the end of class, she closed her lesson plan and announced in her usual cool voice:
“The final exams are approaching. The review scope and key points will be announced later. Everyone, manage your time well and study diligently.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the bell signaling the end of class rang. The rustling of students packing their books and whispers immediately filled the classroom.
At noon, Sefina had lunch as usual with Teacher Shalina in the faculty dining hall, chatting about trivial academy matters.
After the meal, Shalina had other plans, and Sefina planned to return to her office for a short rest.
She pushed open the door to her office, but unexpectedly found someone already inside. It was Mia.
This girl, usually full of energy and bounce, was now standing somewhat awkwardly in front of the desk, clutching a thick notebook on magic theory.
Seeing Sefina enter, she looked startled, then put on a slightly ingratiating smile.
“Teacher Sefina! You’re back!”
Sefina closed the door behind her, walked to her seat, put down her lesson plan, and looked at Mia calmly:
“Is there something during the lunch break?”
Mia scratched her head sheepishly, her azure eyes flickering, her voice a bit lower than usual:
“Um… Teacher, it’s almost finals… You know my theory grades… cough cough.”
Mia let out a dry cough.
“So, I was thinking, could I take advantage of the lunch break to ask you a few questions I’ve noted down that I don’t quite understand? Just a few questions! It won’t take up too much of your time!”
As she spoke, Mia looked at Sefina with eager eyes, clutching the densely written notebook tightly in her hands.
Sefina’s gaze fell on the notebook in Mia’s hand, then on her face with a pleading expression.
Although her nap plan was interrupted, facing a student who actively sought guidance, her sense of responsibility as a teacher prevailed. Besides, there were no classes in the afternoon, so resting later wouldn’t hurt.
“Mm.”
Sefina nodded slightly. “Sit down.”
Mia’s eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled out the chair opposite the desk and sat down. She eagerly opened her notebook and pointed to several paragraphs and formulas circled in red.
Sefina did not sit back in her own chair but naturally walked to Mia’s side, bent slightly, and looked at the contents of the notebook.
At this distance, she could clearly see the soft gray strands of hair at the nape of Mia’s slender neck and her slightly reddened earlobes.
“Where are your points of confusion?”
Sefina’s voice sounded in Mia’s ear, calm and clear, with her characteristic cool quality.
Mia felt a slightly cool yet gentle breath brush past her ear along with the teacher’s words, making her involuntarily shrink her neck a little, her cheeks feeling warm.
Mia composed herself and pointed to a complex formula derivation in the notebook:
“Teacher, it’s this step. The conversion from energy conservation to elemental weight coefficients—I don’t quite understand how this constraint condition is introduced…”
Hearing this, Sefina leaned in even closer, almost enveloping Mia from behind and to the side.
To see the notebook clearly and point conveniently, Sefina’s chin inadvertently neared Mia’s shoulder, and a few strands of blue hair fell, lightly brushing Mia’s arm.
Sefina extended her slender finger to point at the formula in the notebook and began to explain in detail:
“Note that the key here is to identify the dominant interfering element attribute in the node. The conservation equation here needs to be combined with the previous elemental affinity measurement data.”
Sefina’s explanation was well-organized and easy to understand, her fingertip moving across the formulas and diagrams as she spoke.
Sefina was explaining very seriously, and Mia was listening very seriously. Just… it felt a little close.