The Smiling Death

Chapter 449: Meeting Headmistress

A while ago.

After entering the Academy grounds, the trio first headed toward the administration building.

The large marble hall remained just as busy as before. Academy staff moved around while students lined up at different counters for admissions, schedules, dorm assignments, and various academy matters.

Since Amon had disappeared after first semester exam and had only recently returned alive, the moment the academy staff confirmed his identity, several of them immediately became shocked.

After all, many students and even teachers had already believed he was dead.

A few staff members quickly began whispering among themselves while checking records.

Meanwhile, Amon stood there awkwardly while scratching his cheek.

"...Why does it feel like I committed a crime?"

Selena rolled her eyes.

"You vanished for months and suddenly returned alive. Of course people would react like this."

Seraphina nodded lightly beside her.

Soon, one of the older staff members adjusted his glasses before speaking respectfully.

"Student Amon Vale."

"Yes?"

"The Headmistress has been informed about your return."

Amon immediately froze.

"...Ah."

The man continued politely,

"She requested that you meet her immediately."

Amon sighed internally. As expected. There was no way the Headmistress would ignore his return after everything that happened.

Selena smirked slightly after seeing his expression.

"Looks like you got summoned already."

Amon looked toward her helplessly. "I just came back."

Seraphina smiled softly."You should go."

Amon sighed dramatically before nodding.

"Fine."

Then he looked toward the two girls. "I’ll meet you both later."

Selena waved one hand casually.

"We’ll head toward the dorms first."

Seraphina nodded.

"See you later, Amon."

After parting ways with them, Amon began walking alone through the Academy corridors.

The familiar hallways brought strange nostalgia to him.

Students walked around everywhere while conversations echoed throughout the corridors. Some people noticed him and widened their eyes in surprise after recognizing him.

Amon ignored most of them and continued walking.

Eventually, he arrived outside the Headmistress Office. The large wooden door stood before him elegantly.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked.

Knock. Knock.

A calm mature voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Amon opened the door and entered.

The office remained just as luxurious and elegant as he remembered.

Tall shelves filled with books lined the walls while large windows allowed warm sunlight to illuminate the room beautifully.

And sitting behind the large desk was Isabel Dawnheart.

The Headmistress of Arcadia Academy.

Even now, Amon still couldn’t help admitting one thing internally.

She was absurdly beautiful.

Her long white hair which were turned white because of her age, they flowed elegantly over her shoulders while transparent glasses rested before her calm silver eyes. She wore a dark violet dress beneath a white academy coat, perfectly highlighting her mature figure.

Despite clearly being extremely old...

She looked far too young.

But now Amon was no longer the same rookie boy from before.

After spending months around women like Selena, Seraphina, Scarlett, and even seeing Celestia herself...

He had gotten somewhat used to beauty.

Somewhat.

Still...

His eyes unconsciously drifted toward her chest for one brief second before immediately returning upward.

’Focus Amon... focus.’

He tried his absolute best to act calm and mature.

Very hard.

Meanwhile, Isabel quietly watched him with amusement hidden behind her gentle smile.

"Welcome back, Amon."

Her soft voice carried warmth.

"It’s really good to see my student return safely."

Amon smiled awkwardly before sitting across from her desk.

"Thank you, Headmistress."

A faint guilt appeared in Isabel’s eyes afterward.

"And honestly..." she continued softly, "I feel ashamed."

Amon blinked.

She folded her hands together calmly.

"As the Headmistress of this Academy, it is my responsibility to protect and guide my students."

Her silver eyes looked directly at him.

"And yet... when one of my students disappeared into such a dangerous situation, I was unable to help."

For the first time, Amon noticed genuine regret in her voice.

"It feels like I failed you."

Amon immediately shook his head with a smile.

"It’s alright."

His expression became softer.

"I returned safely. That’s what matters."

Isabel stared at him silently for a moment.

Then she smiled faintly.

"You really are kind."

Amon coughed awkwardly.

’If only you knew my thoughts few minutes ago...’

Thankfully she couldn’t hear minds. Then Isabel adjusted her glasses lightly before speaking again.

"Now then."

Her tone became slightly professional. "You missed the entirety of the second semester."

Amon immediately became nervous. But before he could speak.

"However," Isabel continued calmly, "the Academy already understands the reason behind your absence."

She smiled gently afterward. "So your admission into the second year has already been approved."

Amon’s eyes widened instantly.

"Really?!"

"Yes."

His face immediately brightened.

"And you will remain in the same class."

A huge smile spread across Amon’s face. "Thank you so much, Headmistress!"

Isabel chuckled softly seeing his excitement. Then her expression became more serious.

"I already heard most of what happened from Elizabeth."

Amon immediately understood she meant Professor Elizabeth.

"So I won’t force you to explain everything again."

Amon relaxed slightly.

"But..." Isabel continued calmly, "there is still one thing I wish to hear directly from you."

Her silver eyes narrowed slightly.

"Tell me about Vetaal."

The moment she said that name, Amon’s expression also became serious.

Amon nodded immediately. "I’ll tell you everything."

Then he began explaining.

He talked about how he find himself in loop like place, how he found Vetaal there. Also about the village.

The more he spoke, the quieter Isabel became.

Especially after hearing about the moment Vetaal regained his true appearance. By the time Amon finished, silence filled the office.

Isabel remained seated quietly while thinking deeply.

Amon watched her eagerly. "So?" he asked hopefully.

"Do you know anything about him?" Isabel slowly shook her head.

"...Not much." Amon’s shoulders immediately dropped.

"Hah..." Disappointment filled his face.

No one knew anything.

Not Celestia, not Elizabeth nor Alistair. And not even the Headmistress.

But then, Isabel suddenly spoke again.

"However..."

Amon immediately looked back up.

A mysterious expression appeared on her beautiful face.

"There might be something we can check."

Amon’s eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!"

Without answering immediately, Isabel slowly stood up from her chair.

"Follow me."

Excitement immediately filled Amon. He quickly stood up and followed her outside the office.

The two walked through the Academy corridors quietly. Amon stayed behind her while wondering what exactly she wanted to show him.

But unfortunately... His attention slowly began drifting elsewhere.

Specifically, toward Isabel’s hips.

The mature woman’s wide hips swayed gently beneath her dress while walking gracefully through the corridor.

Amon stared for two whole seconds before immediately panicking internally.

’No! Stop looking!’

He quickly looked away. Then looked again.

’...Just one more second.’

He was truly hopeless. Thankfully Isabel either didn’t notice or simply ignored him.

Soon they arrived at the massive Academy Library.

Students quietly studied at various tables while librarians organized books nearby. Isabel calmly walked deeper inside without stopping.

Amon followed closely behind.

The deeper they went, the emptier the library became. Eventually, they reached the highest floor of the library.

This section looked far older than the lower areas. Ancient books filled the shelves while dim magical lamps illuminated the area softly.

Almost no students ever came here. Amon looked around curiously. Then Isabel suddenly stopped before one particular bookshelf. Without hesitation, she reached forward and pulled out a specific old book.

Click.

A deep mechanical sound echoed.

Amon’s eyes widened.

The entire bookshelf slowly moved sideways.

Behind it a hidden stone door appeared within the wall.

"...What the hell?!"

Amon stared in shock.

Isabel calmly placed one hand against the stone door. A faint magical circle glowed beneath her palm.

Then.

RUMBLE.

The hidden door slowly opened inward. Cold ancient air immediately flowed outward from inside.

Amon stared speechlessly.

Isabel glanced back toward him. "Come."

Still shocked, Amon quickly followed her inside. The hidden room was massive.

Far larger than expected.

Ancient shelves filled every corner while countless old books and scrolls rested everywhere.

The room itself looked incredibly old.

The stone walls carried signs of age while strange magic circles were carved into various surfaces.

It genuinely felt like stepping hundreds of years into the past.

Amon looked around with amazement.

"What is this place?"

Isabel walked deeper inside calmly.

"This is a hidden archive."

Her voice echoed softly through the room. "Only a very small number of people know this place exists."

Amon blinked.

"And only I possess authority to access it." She said further.

Amon looked even more shocked now. "Then why bring me here?"

Isabel stopped briefly before answering.

She looked back toward him calmly. "Because you are involved in something dangerous, young man."

Her silver eyes behind glasses became serious. "And I don’t think making an exception for you is unreasonable anymore."

Amon stayed silent. For some reason... Hearing that made him feel strangely trusted.

Meanwhile, Isabel began searching through various shelves carefully. Clearly, she already knew what she was looking for.

Amon wandered around slowly while observing the room.

Some books looked so old they seemed ready to crumble into dust.

Ancient symbols were carved everywhere. The atmosphere itself felt mysterious.

After several minutes.

Isabel suddenly stopped.

Then her eyes widened slightly. "I found it."

Amon immediately turned toward her. His heartbeat accelerated instantly.