Vol 6. Chapter 140: A Real Life

Safina was still a bit dazed.

Even when she stood at the door of the Vice Principal’s office in standard interview attire, she remained dazed.

“Don’t be nervous. I’ve already cleared it with the Vice Principal—today’s interview is just a formality,” Leon said beside her.

“You’re telling me that two months ago, I was still fighting with you Samael people over resources, and now I can get... a formal post in one of Samael’s most prestigious racial academies?”

“That’s life for you. Full of surprises.”

Safina took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. After adjusting her mindset, she squared her shoulders like a warrior about to step onto the battlefield and said resolutely,

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

Leon smiled, then knocked on the Vice Principal’s door.

“Come in.”

The two pushed the door open and entered.

They exchanged a few pleasantries outside the office.

The Vice Principal, in a personal aside, kindly asked General Casmod whether he planned to go for a fourth child.

General Casmod smiled and replied, “Focus on your damn interview, old fossil.”

The interview officially began.

“Miss Safina, correct? Your résumé says you can use at least two elements—lightning and fire?”

“Um... yes, that’s right.” Safina answered a bit awkwardly.

Leon noticed it too.

But he also realized it wasn’t nervousness in tone or demeanor—it was physical discomfort.

So he leaned in and whispered softly in her ear,

“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

Safina also lowered her voice.

“This... this skirt is too tight... I don’t feel right in it.”

“Bear with it. Kaiser said that was your size, so I bought it accordingly.”

Leon added, “Unless your little brother still thinks of you as the same size you were in your teenage years.”

“What are you saying! You’re ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) saying I’m not a teenage girl anymore?!”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

“Better not be.”

“I meant—you’ve gained weight.”

“Go die, you bastard!”

“Ahem.”

The Vice Principal cleared his throat and continued,

“So, Miss Safina, are you a dual-element awakener, or did you learn your second element later through practice?”

“Later through practice.”

Safina answered smoothly, “My innate element is lightning. I trained in fire afterward.”

Though the whole interview was just a formality, she and Leon had already prepared everything in advance to reassure the school.

More than the questions about her elements, what Leon really wanted was for Safina to become a teacher who could personally mentor the young dragons.

That meant her primary element had to be lightning—and ideally not mixed with other attributes—so she could focus on that area in her instruction.

Ever since Mevis had resigned, the academy had basically no instructors who met those criteria.

Lightning was already a rare attribute, and most teachers juggled multiple disciplines. That’s why Noa had spent so long being taught by instructors who learned lightning magic later in life.

Safina’s Mirror Abyss Eyes could perfectly copy any technique she’d seen.

She’d also said herself that her own energy was special—highly adaptable. That was the key to her ability to use others’ magic so smoothly.

From Leon’s lightning spells, to bird techniques, insect forms, crossbow and bow stances, hand-to-hand combat styles—even—Safina had copied them all.

That kind of over-the-top mimicry already put her on par with the most elite magic users on the continent.

She was absolutely qualified to be Noa’s instructor.

The interview continued.

Just like Leon had said—it really was just a formality.

The Vice Principal was very satisfied with Safina’s qualifications.

Of course, that was also because Safina herself was excellent.

Back before leaving the Void, she’d already been an incredibly powerful warrior.

“Very well. I understand your general background now, Miss Safina,” said the Vice Principal. “When would you be available to begin work?”

Safina blinked. “Uh... any time?”

“Good. Then start tomorrow. Someone will come shortly to show you to your assigned apartment. You don’t need to bring anything. Of course, if you do have personal belongings, feel free to bring them along.”

Safina thought for a moment, then suddenly blurted out,

“I do!”

The Vice Principal was clearly startled. “Wh-what is it?”

Safina said with a completely serious expression, three words:

“My little brother.”

...

...

In the end, Safina was hired without a hitch.

Kaiser also scored a position—something like “security.”

There was still a bit of a difference between the two.

Safina had a formal, permanent position;

Kaiser was more like a contract worker.

If Principal Olette knew that the guy currently guarding the gates of his academy was once the Void’s strongest warrior... what kind of face would he make?

Leon was very much looking forward to finding out.

“Hey, I didn’t expect it to go this smoothly,” Safina said as they exited the office.

Leon smirked smugly, one hand on his hip, the other giving a thumbs-up.

“I’m unbeatable in this field—”

Safina smiled and rolled her eyes.

“You totally deserved to get your ego inflated. Let’s just hope your precious daughter doesn’t turn out like you.”

Leon thought seriously for a moment.

“She... hmm~~~ hard to say.”

“?! Your daughter isn’t some deadpan cold-joke maniac like you, is she?”

“Ah, no, she’s not really into cold jokes.”

“Good.”

“But in recent years, she has gotten a lot more... eccentric.”

“...I’d honestly prefer she just told cold jokes!”

The two of them chatted idly as they walked toward the apartment building arranged for Safina by the academy.

When they reached the entrance, Leon handed her a cardboard box full of vegetable seeds, various pickled peppers, and fruits.

“Thanks,” Safina said, holding the box with both arms. She gave it a little lift. “Wow, it’s actually kinda heavy.”

Leon looked puzzled. “You’re about to be a teacher—why are you still thinking about farming?”

“Teaching is work. Farming is life.”

Safina replied, “Doing only one thing is too easy. I need to... Do several things at once. That’s the only way it’s challenging.”

Leon thought to himself:

Of course. For people like her and Kaiser, even after leaving the Void, sitting still is impossible.

They’ve spent their entire lives chasing new challenges.

Even when standing at life’s most critical crossroads—they never forget that.

“...Alright. I get what you mean.”

After a pause, Leon said seriously,

“Safina.”

“Hm? What?”

“I’ll personally vouch for both you and Kaiser to the Vice Principal. That you’re capable of handling these roles. So...”

Safina immediately understood what Leon was trying to say. She responded directly,

“We won’t let you down, Leon.”

With that, she bent down, set the box on the ground, straightened up, and held out her hand to Leon.

Looking him in the eye, she dropped her joking tone and said with utmost sincerity,

“Thank you—for giving us this chance.”

Leon looked down at her outstretched hand.

Such a young woman—yet her hand was covered in old scars.

Just like his had been, once.

Leon slowly reached out and shook her hand.

They both applied a bit of strength—not enough to offend, but enough to show they meant it.

“My wife says everyone gets one chance to choose their future over again.”

“I hope this time, you and Kaiser can find the life that truly belongs to you, Safina.”