Chapter 319: More Information [II] Charlotte’s face went through a dozen emotions in the span of a few seconds. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes widened, and then she froze like a statue. "B-boss..." she stammered, her voice cracking immediately. "I-I’m sorry for talking like that." Before Azel could even respond, she panicked and threw the half-empty beer bottle to the side, but a long shadow stretched across the floor, catching it mid-air before it could shatter. Azel raised a brow. "What was that?" "My sister has very poor alcohol resistance," Esther’s voice sounded from the corner. Esther stood there, her hands folded neatly behind her back. "She usually talks nonsense when she’s drunk." "...Oh," Azel muttered. "That explains it." Charlotte fidgeted nervously in her chair, avoiding his gaze. "S-sorry, boss. I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful." "Why are you even drinking beer if you can’t handle it?" he asked, especially when she had a business to run "It helps me calm down," she said sheepishly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Then she straightened up, desperate to shift the topic. "Ah, right! The document!" She reached into her storage ring, pulling out a thick stack of papers... fifteen neatly organized pages bound together. She set it down on the table with both hands. "Everything about Xebli Abron, just like you asked for. His history, movements, allies, businesses, and even his mana flow pattern. I compiled everything myself." Azel reached over, flipping through the pages. The level of detail was impressive... He skimmed through a few lines, then closed it with a small nod. "Nice work." He reached into his trouser pocket, dropped a few extra gold coins on the table, and said. "Here’s a tip." Charlotte blinked, stunned. "T-thank you, boss..." Her hands hovered over the gold, but Esther’s shadow quietly stretched across the table and scooped them up first, pulling them into her hand with a silent motion. "You train your shadow to collect payment now?" Azel asked. Esther tilted her head slightly. "Efficient management, my lord. I can’t have my sister spending it again." "Good answer," he said. Charlotte cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "I... I also have additional information for you." "Oh?" Azel leaned back. "Let’s hear it." "I’ve been meaning to deliver this earlier, but you were away," she said. "It’s about the Academy." Azel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Go on." "The Academy will reopen in three days’ time," she explained. He nodded slowly. "So the rumors were true." "Yes, boss," she continued, tapping her fingers against the table, "but the rumors don’t mention the important details. Several mages and swordsmen from the Empire have already arrived. They’ll be patrolling the grounds for the first few weeks. Every professor is currently undergoing a full background investigation." "Huh." Azel leaned back thoughtfully. "Tight security, then." "Yes," Esther said quietly, confirming her sister’s report. "The administrators are being thorough. It seems even visiting scholars are being screened." Azel smiled. "That’s nice, but it won’t stop what’s coming." Charlotte blinked. "Huh?" "Nothing." He brushed it off. In truth, he knew it wouldn’t matter. The so-called ’security’ would crumble as soon as the next incident... the Second Minor Arc began and then there was the first calamity too. Those soldiers were just cannon fodder. "Anything else?" he asked, eyes returning to Charlotte. "Yes." She reached into her drawer again and pulled out another thin file. "We have a new student." "Oh?" Azel asked, curious. "Anyone important?" Charlotte smiled wryly. "You could say that." She slid the file across the table toward him. "Sylvia Du Sorenia. A Descendant of the Elf King line... one of the youngest to be marked as the next royal successor. She’s a first-year like you." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮 Azel’s brow rose slightly as he took the file and flipped it open. "The future Elf King, huh?" He looked at the picture attached... she had silver hair, bright emerald eyes, and the usual regal posture that nobles have. "Pretty." Charlotte chuckled nervously. "There’s more. I tallied your class schedule and hers." She hesitated. "She’s in every single class you’re in. Basic Mana Theory, Runic Magic, Advanced Enchantment, and even the Field Combat elective." Azel blinked. Then his expression went flat. ’Ah, a heroine tailing me,’ he thought with a blissful sigh. It would be nice that way for a change... After all, he was the one going after heroines all the time, not the other way around. As for how he knew she was tailng him... Sylvia hated runes. "Doesn’t she think this looks suspicious?" Charlotte shrugged helplessly. "Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn’t care." Azel sighed. "Either she’s bold or stupid. Maybe both." "Probably both," Charlotte said, then immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. "S-sorry, boss!" Azel chuckled lightly, setting the file aside. "You’re fine." Then a thought crossed his mind, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait. How do you even have a list of my classes? That’s not supposed to be public." Charlotte froze. "Ah..." Esther stepped in smoothly. "We have good sources." Azel looked between them for a moment before sighing. "Of course you do." Charlotte clasped her hands together. "I hope you’re satisfied with my work, boss." "Satisfied?" Azel repeated, pretending to think about it. Charlotte tensed, visibly nervous. She’d done her best... spent the last few nights awake, cross-checking details and risking her network just to collect this. If he wasn’t satisfied... Azel smiled. "I’m more than satisfied with your work, Charlotte." Her eyes widened slightly. "R-really?" He reached out and patted her head gently. "You did well. I hope you can keep doing more for me later." Her face turned pink almost instantly. "N-no problem, boss..." she mumbled, her voice suddenly small as she looked away. Esther’s eyes twitched beneath her veil, but she stayed quiet. Azel stood, tucking both files under his arm. "Good. Keep me updated on anything new." "Yes, boss!" Charlotte said quickly, standing up and bowing slightly. He nodded once, heading toward the door. Esther followed to unlock it, pulling her veil back down as the shadows around her receded. As the door shut behind them, Charlotte slumped back into her chair, her face burning red. ’He... he patted me,’ she thought, pressing her hands to her cheeks. ’I love my boss! He’s so rich!’ Him being rich meant he would be able to spoil her with more money which was a win-win! She reached for her beer bottle again then remembered she wasn’t supposed to drink and sighed. ... Azel stepped back into the noisy streets. The line outside Madame Estesse’s building was even longer now. People whispered as he passed, a few wondering how he’d skipped the queue. He ignored them and adjusted his shirt. The morning sun was higher now, glinting off the glass rooftops of the entertainment district. He was about to leave when a soft voice called out. "Azel?" He turned and blinked. "Esmeralda?" She froze mid-step, hugging a book to her chest. Her outfit was... different. Gone was her usual confident look. Instead, she wore a pair of round glasses, her long hair tied into a messy bun, and a loose sweater that made her look far smaller than usual. She looked like a shy scholar instead of the noble troublemaker he remembered. "What’s with the disguise?" he asked, half-amused. "Hmph," she muttered, turning her face away. "Don’t mock me. I was trying to blend in." "Blend in? You look like you’re about to tutor someone in mana history." he said with a grin. Her cheeks puffed. "I-I like this look and I hate you." He chuckled quietly. "Fair enough." She glanced back at him, trying to regain her composure. "Where are you headed?" "Nowhere in particular," he said. "Just finished meeting someone." She hugged her book tighter. "I’m going to the library. I have research to do." Azel tilted his head. "Library, huh? What are you researching?" "None of your business," she said quickly, then hesitated. "It’s about a new elixir. What about you?" "I’ll join you," he said easily. "I need to read something, too." Her expression softened a little, though she still tried to act indifferent. "Do what you want," she muttered, walking ahead.