Page 29 of Is It Wrong to Escape My Fate?
“She’s usually very sweet, actually,” Elias indulged him, and a sense of betrayal flickered through me. “If you’re on her good side, at least. We used to play around in our garden; we’d have picnics, and she’d personally make the sandwiches or sweets and even feed me.”
He was talking about his memories of OG Bea. Eli smiled at me, as if letting me in on a little secret.
The secret was Ineverdid those things because I was a bratty little girl. Fun, but bratty.
Claude’s impressed look turned Eli’s smile into a mischievous one.That bastard.My brain was right!
Our conversation was cut short when our professor for this class walked in. It shouldn’t have surprised me that it would be Professor Strom, with how my circumstances liked to fuck with me, but it did anyway. I was also reminded I still had one of his coats that I should return soon.
He took a cursory glance over the class, but when his eyes landed on me, he lingered, before continuing to the remainder of the students. Dahlia noticed the action, judging from the curious side-eye she gave me. Apparently, Claude did too, when he turned on his seat and waggled his eyebrows.
It was only half of the first day of class, but I already felt exhausted.
There wasn’t actual casting yet for the Elemental Magic classes. It was expected that we’d learn about it theoretically before a hands-on experience.
Professor Strom also informed us that after our first two weeks of introductory classes, we’d have evaluations for our magic affinity. While everyone would still learn the same curriculum, it would be valuable to know which person was better at which magic.
As an example, the professor could also cast other types of magic, but his affinity was Water. When he used Water magic, the output was so much greater for little cost to his mana.
Our class ended, and it was time for lunch. Or at least, it was supposed to be, but Professor Strom made me stay behind, earning even more curious looks from Dahlia, more eyebrow-waggling from Claude, and now a frown from Eli.
When it was only me and the professor in the room, he beckoned me closer, and I stood by his desk as he sat behind it.
“I wanted to check up on you after the incident,” he explained, quite serious with his words. “I wasn’t sure how at first until I described you to the staff and one immediately named you. He was your former physician, I believe.”
He was talking about Derrick.
“Even though he assured me he checked up on you and you’re fine, I want to hear it from your own words.” His eyes roamed my body, assessing, pausing at the skin in-between my skirt and my thigh-highs, ending up on my face again. “Well, Bea?”
I nodded to mean that I was fine.
He shook his head. “Use your words.”
I bit my lip. Why did that sound so erotic? Holy fuck, was my libido acting up again?
“Bea.”
“I’m fine, professor,” I responded, my voice coming out breathier than I wanted.
His throat bobbed next, and his fingers twitched where they rested on his desk. He folded his hands together to alleviate it. “Good. As you may not know, the academy takes this kind of incident seriously. In case anything similar happens again, do not hesitate to inform me.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Or any other staff members.”
I nodded again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He exhaled, swiping a hand towards the door. “You may leave.”
As I left the classroom, I swore I could feel his eyes following my every step.
Dahlia immediately greeted me in the hallway, faking a wipe of her forehead. “Holy skies, the tension was so thick there.”
I gaped at her. “You were watching?”
“Wewere watching until your men had to leave for one reason or another.” She held out an arm for me to hold on to. “They were equally tense themselves.”
“First, they’re notmy men,” I grouched as we walked together to the dining hall. “Second, Professor Strom was only concerned about me.” Even as I said it, I couldn’t deny the weird atmosphere between us. “Some idiots threw a fireball at me the other day.”
“Are you okay?” Dahlia sounded genuinely concerned. For me? Someone she’d barely known for a minute?
“Perfectly fine.” Except for the self-immolation.
