I gave a slight bow, considering my words before replying.
"I’m not too sure about that to be honest. I did hear I hit my head pretty hard, so that might be the reason, Miss Seer."
Her soft voice came from all directions.
"There is no need for such formality, child. You may look at me."
I felt the weight of the gaze on me reduce as I raised my head to face her.
The eye had become noticeably less... real. If before it looked like an eye, now it looked like a sketch of one, the edges and contours shifting in a gentle pattern.
It was also only now that my brain registered the heavy scent of vanilla in the air. Her voice continued.
"Much better, no? Regardless, I am well aware of the circumstances surrounding this ’second Awakening’ of yours. It provides little explanation for the strangeness I feel from you, or the fact that your fate remains unreadable to me."
That didn’t make any sense at all. The Seer was a semi-divine being, and a novice like me was less than an ant in comparison. She should be able to read me like an open book.
My mind scrambled, fumbling in an attempt to find a way out of this mess.
’She will probably find it much weirder if I had an explanation on why she can’t read my fate.’
If the Seer noticed my distress, she chose to ignore it. The eye had a curious look as she continued.
"It is fine. As far as I can tell you are no skinwalker. I feel no maliciousness from whatever hides some of your memories and thoughts from me either. It feels strangely familiar."
Her voice took on a warm tone.
"I feel no danger from you, or your fate. Mayhaps such ambiguity is for the best."
I forced my mind to calm down, trying to process what was going on.
Apparently, my fate was unreadable to an Angel. Fortunately as well, something was preventing her from reading my thoughts and memories.
’I didn’t even know she could do that.’
In the novel, I’d focused much more on the other Angels. The only reason I’d created her was to have someone head the academy, as well as an easy cop out for when the downright impossible situations I placed the MC in came back to bite me in the ass.
I know, I know. I might not have exactly been the greatest writer of my time.
Still, she said whatever blocked her felt familiar.
’Could she have some connection to my transmigration?’
She didn’t seem to hold any suspicion toward me being one though. Sadly, regardless of her possible connection, there was nothing I could do at the moment. I was hardly in any position to attempt negotiating for such info.
Her gentleness so far wouldn’t distract me from the fact she was an Angel.
’At least she isn’t antagonistic toward me.’
I bent my head in acknowledgment.
"Thank you for your understanding, Headmistress."
Attempting to deceive her wouldn’t work any more. The best I could do was remain vague and keep as many cards as I could close to my chest.
"You may keep your secrets. So long as you prove not to be a nuisance, you shall receive no harm from my end. I shall keep an eye on you, strange child."
She paused at that, waiting for me to nod before continuing.
"Now, on to the topic of your potential."
Her voice returned to its soft cadence, though I could hear the slightest tinge of weariness behind it.
"A fifth Cadet with Archon-level potential, in a single year. The first five Archon-level cadets in all of human history appear in merely a single year. I fear we find ourselves in interesting times."
Much worse than just interesting times, but I suppose she knew that already. She was a Seer after all.
It was the reason she wasn’t in the academy. She had left the domain of Bastion, into the wastelands in search of a way to advance past Angel. With a potential of Demigod, it would be extremely hard for her to succeed in ascending. But with the limited knowledge she could gain from visions, it was her best chance at changing humanity’s damned future.
’All for nothing, at all.’
She continued, oblivious to my thoughts.
"The academy will be in uproar if I am to announce your potential. All great clans possess a potential Archon now. That greedy Magnus already has his hands on the commoner boy. No doubt Aurelius will come for you to even the score. There is no chance Solaris will just stand by and let that happen either."
’So Song isn’t among the potential Archons.’
The eye squinted irritably.
"What a headache." It turned its focus to me. "A penny for your thoughts, child?"
My eyes widened at the question. This was the chance I’d been waiting for. I cleared my throat before starting.
"If I may suggest, Miss Seer, it might be wise to announce that my potential stops at Demigod. It is in line with what the other reawakened cadet has, so there should be minimal uproar."
The eye twisted, as though the invisible face carrying it was considering my words.
"It is an interesting idea, Cadet, but it will eventually come to light, no?"
"By then, I should be able to handle myself, Headmistress. Besides, all the other Angels control at least one potential Archon. It should be possible to claim me as yours by then. It doesn’t have to be performative either. I can serve you, Miss Seer."
Silence fell as she chewed on my words. Taking her time was understandable. She was completely disinterested in politics. It was for that reason she had no problem signing the binding oath with the other Angels. It was also the reason I was willing to serve her. That, and the fact she wasn’t remotely anywhere near Bastion for most of the novel.
But staking your claim on a potential Archon was anything but apolitical.
She needed a push, so I pressed on.
"I am aware that the academy staff are much more capable than I am now. But they are already at their limits, and they can only go so far. I can be of much more use to your plans in the long run, Miss Seer."
She stayed silent for a little while before sighing.
"It is a rather tempting deal you offer me, child. Very well. The clan heads will just have to deal with me staking my claim this once. I agree to the terms you put forward."
"Thank you, Headmistress."
"I already told you to stop with such formality, child. You may call me Evanka."
"Understood, Miss Evanka."
"I sai— you know what, just forget about it."
She let out a tired sigh before continuing.
"You seem like a smart one, child. I believe you understand what will happen if you tell anyone about this deal."
I felt a distant gaze land on the back of my right hand. Looking down, I saw the black and gold tattoo of an eye flash once before disappearing into my skin.
"Alice will inform you later on how to contact me using that."
I nodded, taking it all in stride. She continued. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel•fire.net
"Very well, I believe our time has come to an end. From now on you will be known to have the gift of Error, with Demigod potential in the school’s database. With a burden as bad as yours, Alice will have to work something out. Make sure you don’t die before you are of use to me, child."
I let out a wry smile at that.
"Thank you, Miss Evanka."
The eye began unraveling.
"Don’t go thanking me. I have yet to collect my favor."
"Goodbye, for now, child."
Just like that, I found myself back in the testing room, hand still touching the cold surface of the crystal ball.
I tried and failed to stop a grin from growing on my face.
’Mission Accomplished.’