NOVPUBNyla led Lanci through the garden and into the quiet corridor paved with brown stone bricks.
Through the continuous colonnades, plants were still visible until the shadows of flowers faded away, and they gradually reached the area governed by the High Priestess.
"We're here."
Nyla gestured to Lanci to head straight for the door at the end; she had already informed Headmaster Violet in advance.
She believed Professor Landry was no stranger to this place—they had been here together just a month ago.
"Alright, thank you."
Just as Lanci was about to quicken his pace and walk towards the room alone, a sudden voice startled them both, stopping them in their tracks.
From afar.
"Violet! It's all your fault!"
A man's fierce and angry voice echoed from behind the doors of the Violet Priest Hall.
Lanci and Nyla exchanged a glance.
Apparently, even Nyla wasn't aware that someone else had visited Violet's domain before Professor Landry's scheduled meeting.
It seemed the individual had barged into Violet's office and confronted her, not even having activated soundproof barriers in time.
"As High Priestess, I cannot recklessly make decisions like you do. Stop blaming everyone else for everything."
Inside the doors, Violet's voice, though rarely showing anger, carried a faint defiance tinged with resignation.
Having been chastised so abruptly, she was confused as well.
"Fine, everything you say is right. Talking to you is such a waste of my time."
Right after these words, the sound of footsteps followed, then the thud of a door being slammed.
"The Empire is in this mess because of indecisive people like you who obsess over irrelevant concerns!"
The man lashed out furiously as he turned back to shout.
Walking along the corridor of the Main Hall was a young man with slightly disheveled short dark-red hair, his pale skin and sharp features visible under his locks.
His brows furrowed slightly, and his dark eyes carried a hint of fierceness, as though perpetually angry. Although he was dressed casually, his noble air was unmistakable. The anger and irritation on his face did nothing to obscure his tall, composed posture and poised demeanor, evidence of excellent upbringing since childhood.
Lanci stared in astonishment at the young man with dark-red hair.
He realized that this youth, emerging from Violet's office, was now glaring directly at him and Nyla.
The young man's furrowed brows and tightly closed lips displayed a trace of restraint, as if constantly reminding himself to control his emotions.
Suppressing his temper, he glanced at the unfamiliar yet harmless professor without saying a word, then walked off.
Today seemed to be one of those days where even a dog on the roadside would tempt him to kick it.
For a long while, Nyla watched as the figure disappeared entirely at the end of the corridor before letting out a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, Professor Landry. I didn't expect the Tenth Army God Julius to show up here today. That reckless man must have forced his way into the Main Hall. If this has disturbed you, I sincerely apologize."
Nyla bowed slightly to Lanci.
Her tone was notably scornful when referring to the Tenth Army God Julius; she clearly harbored resentment toward the rude behavior Julius had displayed toward Violet earlier.
Even though Julius was also a War God, Nyla only sided with Violet, unconditionally supporting her esteemed friend and superior, Headmaster Violet.
"It's alright, this kind of thing is beyond your control. Disputes and arguments among prominent figures like the War Gods are quite normal; don't let it weigh on you."
Lanci, holding a large gray cat in his arms, comforted Nyla.
He had only just recognized that the youth with short dark-red hair in casual attire was none other than the infamous Tenth Army God, the Red Tourmaline Seat.
Recently, it seemed he had been summoned back to the Empire for a hearing and had even gone to the military tribunal.
The Tenth Army God, Red Tourmaline Julius, was the Empire's top heavy machinery specialist, famous for his overwhelming firepower on the battlefield, focusing purely on output. He had hardly any other flashy abilities, not even much control capability from his heavy firearms.
It suited his personality perfectly.
"Alright, you should go meet Headmaster Violet now."
Nyla said to Lanci, guiding him to a carved rosewood door. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Professor Landry was always easy to work with, thoughtful toward those around him even in moments like this. Nyla increasingly felt that he was a truly admirable colleague.
Nyla lightly knocked on the door, the crisp sound echoing through the silent corridor.
"Headmaster Violet, I've brought Professor Landry."
Just after she knocked—
"Come in."
The dignified yet warm voice leisurely drifted out.
Nyla assisted Lanci in pushing the heavy rosewood door open.
"Thank you."
Lanci thanked Nyla, holding his cat as he stepped into the grand hall.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, a rich floral fragrance enveloped him, the air steeped in the mingled scents of roses, jasmine, and violets. It felt like stepping into a garden-temple, moonlight filtering through the rose window casting silvery-white ripples onto the marble floor, resembling a mesmerizing oil painting.
Sitting beneath the rose window at her desk, a woman looked up at Lanci.
The moonlight cast a faint, hazy glow across her pale face.
"Professor Landry, we were long overdue for another conversation, but as you know, I've been far too busy these past weeks, unable even to return to Brilda."
Violet rose slowly and smiled at Lanci as he entered, gesturing toward the sofa.
It seemed she had swiftly composed herself, treating the prior conflict as though it had already faded into insignificance.
