Lia's face flushed instantly, a deep shade of red spreading across her cheeks as the reality of what had just happened settled in, her usual confident composure cracking under the sheer embarrassment of the situation.
"Maren… I'm extremely sorry about him," she said, pressing her fingers lightly against her temple as if trying to contain a headache, her tone strained but still controlled.
"Sometimes he acts like that and ends up causing me trouble."
Maren remained composed, though the faint narrowing of her eyes suggested she wasn't entirely unaffected.
"…Will it return?" she asked calmly.
Lia let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders dropping ever so slightly as her irritation gave way to resignation.
"Haa… I don't know," she admitted, her voice softer now, almost tired. "He tends to cause a scene and then disappear on his own. He'll probably wander around the academy for a few days and then come back like nothing happened."
She paused briefly, then added with a faint, helpless shrug,
"There are fruit trees here anyway. He won't starve."
Then, as if suddenly remembering Ashan's presence, she turned toward him, her earlier frustration shifting into visible guilt, her expression softening as her brows drew together slightly.
"I'm really sorry about that," she said, her voice gentler this time. "That parrot is… difficult. He can be rude, and sometimes he completely loses control."
Ashan responded with an awkward but polite smile, raising a hand slightly in reassurance.
"No, it's alright," he said, his tone calm, though a trace of lingering surprise still lingered beneath it. "I was just… caught off guard."
He let out a small breath.
"But I have to admit… that parrot's fluency is impressive."
Lia blinked; then suddenly laughed, the tension easing from her expression as her lips curved upward.
"Ah, I know exactly how you feel," she said, waving her hand lightly as if brushing the matter aside. "Everyone who sees him for the first time reacts the same way."
Her eyes softened slightly, though a hint of exasperation remained.
"You see, Nori isn't normal. He's an awakened animal; his intelligence surpasses most expectations."
A brief pause.
"…Unfortunately, so does his personality."
There was a faint dryness in her tone that made the statement land with quiet humor.
Then suddenly,
She straightened.
"Oh my… where are my manners?" she said, taking a small step back as if resetting herself entirely, her posture shifting back into something elegant and composed.
She extended her hand toward Ashan, her smile returning; this time controlled, but still warm.
"Let me introduce myself properly."
Her gaze met his.
"I'm Lia Frost, an S-rank assassin, one of the founders of this academy, and a retired professor."
A slight tilt of her head.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ashan didn't hesitate.
Despite the storm of thoughts moving beneath the surface, his outward composure remained flawless as he reached out and shook her hand firmly.
"I'm Ashan Ashvale, a first-year student," he replied smoothly, his tone respectful but steady. "The honor is mine… to meet the Silent Gale."
Lia froze.
Just for a moment,
Her eyes widened, the title striking something deep and unexpected, before a faint blush crept across her face once more.
"…It's been years since anyone called me that," she said softly, her voice carrying a trace of nostalgia as her gaze lingered on him with renewed interest. "So you recognized me immediately?"
Ashan gave a small nod, his expression unwavering.
"Of course," he said. "If I fail to recognize someone of your stature, one of the great figures of this country, then I can hardly call myself a proper citizen."
That did it.
Lia's composure faltered again, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson as she let out a soft, slightly flustered laugh.
"My… you're making me embarrassed," she said, raising a hand lightly as if to shield her face. "It's true I might be known, but I've lived quite a secluded life. I haven't done as much as people think."
Ashan's gaze softened slightly; not losing respect, but reinforcing it.
"Please don't say that," he replied, his tone sincere, grounded. "What you've done means a great deal to people like us… those who are still striving to protect peace."
A brief pause.
"Undeniably, you are someone I deeply respect."
Lia's reaction was immediate.
Her eyes half-lidded, her lips curving slowly as her expression melted into something far more pleased than before, her cheeks still flushed.
"…What a sweet man," she murmured, her voice lowering slightly, almost teasing now. "You're very good at sweet talking."
She leaned in just a little,
"And please… don't call me professor."
A small smile.
"If you'd like, you can call me sister."
Ashan's lips twitched faintly.
'Sister…?'
His smile didn't falter outwardly, but inwardly.
—---------------------------------
Name - Lia Frost
Age - 48
Gender - Female
[Power rank - S]
[Specialty - Assassin]
[Strength - 220]
[Stamina - 230]
[Endurance - 300]
[Agility - 350]
[Other powers and skills]
<> Flying Mode — S
Grants high-speed aerial mobility through advanced air manipulation, allowing rapid repositioning and mid-air combat dominance.
<> Flash Spear — S
Condenses physical power into explosive bursts of speed, enabling the user to strike multiple targets in rapid succession before they can react.
<> Beast Healing — S
A powerful regenerative ability capable of restoring fatal wounds and even lost limbs. However, severe damage requires time to fully recover.
<> Predator Instinct — A
Enhances all five senses to extreme levels, allowing near-perfect awareness of surroundings, enemy intent, and hidden presence.
<> Velvet Command — A
A voice-based manipulation skill infused with mana. Commands feel natural and compelling to the target, often creating subtle emotional attachment.
Acquired through the consumption of a high-grade succubus core. Effectiveness increases against mentally weaker individuals.
Additional Information
> Exposure to radiation from a dragon core explosion has altered her body, causing abnormally slow aging.
> Her right leg was severed by a cursed beast.
The lingering curse prevents regeneration through any mana-based healing. If the curse is removed, full restoration becomes possible.
—---------------------------------
'That's going to be difficult.'
'Your appearance might say otherwise… but you're nearly fifty.'
Before that thought could linger further, Maren's voice cut in, steady and deliberate, grounding the moment.
"Student Ashan," she said, folding her hands lightly, "this is the person I mentioned earlier; the one who can assist you."
Her gaze shifted briefly toward Lia.
"She may be a former assassin, but she is also widely known for her expertise in the medical field."
Ashan's expression remained calm.
But inside,
'That's exactly the problem, you troublesome woman.'
His thoughts sharpened instantly.
'If Lia examines me closely and discovers anything unusual about my core…'
A flicker of tension passed through his mind.
'If she realizes my body contains cursed energy or chakra instead of mana…'
'That won't just be suspicious.'
'It'll be a disaster.'
"Is there a problem?"
Lia's voice cut through his thoughts, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him.
Ashan snapped back instantly, shaking his head.
"No," he said smoothly. "I was just wondering… how exactly are you planning to test me?"
Lia's expression brightened immediately, her earlier curiosity returning in full force as she clapped her hands lightly together.
"Oh, that's simple," she said, a hint of excitement slipping into her tone. "I have my own methods."
A spark of pride flickered in her eyes.
"I used to have a personal research lab here. Everything inside is top-tier; reliable, precise, and perfectly suited for this kind of evaluation."
She turned toward Maren.
"I assume it's still being maintained properly?"
Maren nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. Your lab is given special priority. It's in excellent condition, you can use it anytime."
Lia's eyes lit up.
"Perfect," she said, almost eagerly. "Then I'll head there right away. I've missed that place."
She stepped closer to Ashan, her presence suddenly more direct, more engaging.
"If everything is in order, we can conduct your test today itself," she said, tilting her head slightly. "What do you think?"
A brief pause.
"Are you free this evening?"
Ashan nodded.
"Yes. I can come."
Lia smiled.
Then, just before turning away, she gave him a quick wink.
"Good," she said lightly. "Then I'll be waiting. Just ask the staff, they'll guide you to my lab."
She moved toward the sofa, picking up her black coat in one smooth motion before approaching Maren and taking a set of keys from her.
As she turned to leave, Maren spoke again,
"Lia, if you have time, at least meet Aren and Sisiliya before heading to the lab. It's been years since you last saw them."
Lia paused briefly, then nodded with a bright smile.
"Of course. I'll meet them."
A small pause.
"…But first, I need to find that troublesome parrot."
Her expression shifted slightly, a mix of irritation and affection.
"No matter how much trouble he causes… I still care about him."
Then, just before stepping out,
She glanced back at Ashan.
"Don't take too long," she said with a playful smile. "Or I'll get bored."
And with that, she left.
…
The door closed softly behind her.
A brief silence settled in the room.
Then,
"Student Ashan."
Maren's voice called him back to attention.
"I hope you will cooperate fully," she said, her tone calm but firm. "She is a capable individual, and a good person."
A slight pause.
"So treat her with respect."
Ashan gave a small bow.
"Understood. Thank you for your time."
He turned, and left the room.
Once he was gone, the atmosphere shifted again.
Maren leaned back slightly in her chair, slowly interlocking her fingers as her gaze drifted toward the still-open window, the faint movement of the curtains catching her attention.
Her expression grew thoughtful.
'Lia is the best option.'
'If anyone can determine whether he is hiding something… it's her.'
Her eyes narrowed just slightly.
'If she confirms that he isn't manipulating his rank…'
A quiet exhale.
'Then we will have no choice but to accept it.'
'That Ashan… is truly a B-ranker.'