Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

"Can you repeat that again?"

With his brows raised in astonishment, Austin leaned slightly forward as he raised his voice to confirm whether he heard the Headmaster's request right or not.

"Austin being a professor with a stick in hand...hmm~."

Luna, after finishing her tea, got a new time pass as she started imagining some of the things which children should better not know about.

(A/n: - Luna and her kinks*sigh*)

Merlin focused on the boy in front, and after thinking again about the decision, he spoke with a little more certainty this time.

"You and Luna both are very well aware of what kind of catastrophes are rising at such consecutive rates. It feels that monstrosities are developing, but we aren't. The rate of demons' appearance has risen so much recently that I fear we might lose our footing without even being able to counter properly."

What Merlin said was all true.

Since the time Austin started his academy life, the incidents with demons have leveled a whole lot.

From minor stampedes or large massacres, the demons have actively gotten involved with humans in one way or another.

Not to talk about the incident with Xylex where it was clearly exposed, how demons submitted to humans. It was a terrifying thing to witness that monsters who only have loyalty toward their liege, Monarch of Darkness, were following the orders of those beings, who were way weaker than them.

"You and Luna are the irregulars among the irregular. But you both can't protect everyone, and since they are not your responsibility, I won't either ask you to help them. But Austin as a student of Eden Academy, can I request you to teach the students a little something so, at the very least, they could protect themselves to some extent."

Grandmaster Merlin wasn't an everyday mage or principal. He's a renowned magician who has been standing at the top tier of hierarchy since the time Austin didn't even exist in either world.

For such a person to plea in front of a mere teenager was a sight that could make thousands gasp in shock. But here he was, utterly devoid of any ego or any other emotion other than genuine desperation for Austin's help.

More than saving humanity from fall, Merlin cared about none.

"Hmmm.."

Austin fell back on his chair with his eyes relaxed as he thought about the request for a brief moment.

It was true that he wouldn't bother to save everyone's arses if some unexpected event unfolds this very moment. But he might help the students to at least learn how to retreat safely from a situation that seems impossible to deal with.

There wasn't any gain, but there wasn't any drawback too. And since he needed a favor from Headmaster , this offer would be perfect bargain.

"Okay, I will do what I can. But in return, headmaster, I want permission to let a relative of mine stay in the school. I hope it will be fine, right?"

"Che! Sis-con."

Austin ignored Luna for now as he made his request since it would help Saya to move more freely in the school.

Merlin didn't even think for a second, before responding in affirmation.

Another set of tea was served as in to congratulate the admission of the new professor before Austin brought the next matter to light.

"What about your second request, Headmaster?"

The room suddenly went a little more silent than it already was as Merlin, after putting back the cup on the plate, sat upright while facing the two.

With a long exhale, the bearded man tapped his palm on the table before lifting it steadily and conjuring a thing beneath his palm.

It was a purple cube with thin golden lines drawn at uncertain points. Even Austin and Luna tried to sense it; they didn't feel any kind of mana from it; even the cube looked nothing less than a high-grade artifact.

"This...I want you to keep this in your protection. What's inside this definitely would benefit you, but I would request not to try opening it until it doesn't naturally split up."

Austin took the cube and examined it before passing it to Luna.

The Silver Haired saint appraised the thing with a top-tier spell but didn't find any trap or hidden danger in it, so she handed back the box to Austin.

"Don't worry, headmaster. I would fulfill both of your requests."

________________________

[Some days earlier]

A day ago, before the labyrinth incident in the Eden Academy, a similar occurrence happened in a forest far away from the academy.

In a vast forest where nothing than greenery could be seen stood two people, covered in the purplish fluid, which by density seemed like blood.

One of them, by physique looked like a massive man with dark raven hair covering his face as he held his sword in a tight grip while surveying the surrounding.

The other one, despite being in such a horrifying state, still could be defined as a beautiful girl whose charm was only enhanced by the blood she got covered in.

"I could have handled it on my own, Papa."

Vanessa spoke in a low tone as she swung her composite sword to splash the fluid away, which she got from a certain someone.

"Don't try to act tough in front of your father, little one."

Charles planted his blade on the ground before ruffling his daughter's hair, much to the latter's annoyance, but still, she didn't reject it.

"So why did my little princess decide to leave the Academy suddenly?"

Vanessa knew it was coming, but she didn't want to answer him. However she also knew it was nearly impossible to just say bye-bye to her father from this point.

"I just want to become strong."

"That is a half-truth. Come on, tell me what it is or I would pick you up and drop you in the Eden's Academy and will only after ensuring that you won't leave the premise before graduation."

Vanessa pouted since it was too unfair of her papa to treat her like a child when she finally took such a serious step in life.

But again, she knew it was her parents who cared for her without any hidden intent. To leave them without words, would not be fair on her part.

"I-I want to become worthy to stand beside Austin."

She felt fortunate that her face was practically hidden behind the blood since her blush would have made a fool out of her.

Charles fell silent for several seconds, when Venessa slowly raised her face before asking.

"Are you disappointed in me, father?"

It seemed Charles suddenly got out of his stupor as he replied with a big smile on his face.

"Of course not. I can never be disappointed in my daughter. It was just I felt like seeing myself in you. Just like you, Venessa, I also became stronger than anyone in order to hold your mother's hand confidently."

Vanessa's eyes went slightly round in astonishment as she felt Charles patting her head before he spoke the parting words.

"Do whatever you want, Venessa. Strive to be the strongest and pursue what you desire. And if ever you feel like there might be consequences of your action, then don't worry. Your father would always be standing on your back."

Vanessa smiled brightly before she nodded with her eyes closed in elation as her resolve become even stronger.

After a little more chat, Venessa parted ways as she moved in an uncertain direction, leaving the big man Charles all alone at the site.

"*Sigh* Kids really does grow too quick."

With a sigh he turned his head, before his gaze became sharp as daggers as he looked in a certain direction.

"Now let's see who the fuck dared to harm my princess."

____________________

A/N: - Drop a comment. And tell me, whether I should be keep posting about Venessa? She would return after a while but keeping her out of the story would be a little unfair.

Please suggest me in the comments