"I can say the same to you, Headmaster Newman," Xavier said, approaching the headmaster fearlessly. f reewebnovel.com
Eulene followed. She sensed no danger whatsoever from the man's existence, although she could detect his superior strength.
The 'young' man had no change in his expressions. "Please have a seat, Mr. Godwin, and…"
"Eulene," Eulene answered. She was relieved that she wasn't called Mrs. Godwin. She had a good impression of the headmaster already.
Xavier and Eulene took their respective seats opposite the headmaster.
"Strange," the young looking man's blue eyes were as discerning as ever, "I can't gauge your age. This is definitely a first time for me."
"Rest assured," Xavier said. "We are not as old as you."
For the first time, laughter escaped the headmaster's mouth. "Indeed. After all, not everyone has witnessed three wars and one plague."
Curiosity suddenly sparked in Eulene's mind. [How many have you witnessed?] she asked Xavier.
[Seven wars and three plagues]
Seven? Eulene inwardly frowned. Wasn't it supposed to be five in the last two centuries? She learned something else in her history lessons. But she did not ask anything else for the time being, focusing on conversation on hand.
"We received a notice from the ministry," the headmaster continued, thwarting his laughter. "They 'urged' us to take you two in."
"That should be the case," Xavier said. "After all, it was something, they too, recommended to us."
"But unfortunately, making you two professors of this college is something that cannot be easily done, even if I—the headmaster—want it to happen." Headmaster Newman was honest.
Xavier did not flinch. "Let me guess. Protocols?"
"Exactly." The blue eyed 'youth' nodded. "No matter how strong the ministry is, or the fact that we are under its jurisdiction, the fact that we are an autonomous institution cannot be take lightly. We have our own sets of rules and laws to follow."
Xavier nodded. "It's better that way. It makes the College more worth serving."
The young man laughed again. In any other case, such a laughter would have sounded awkward from a youth's mouth. But the vast wisdom those blue eyes contained somewhat made the scene look normal.
"The more words you speak," the man controlled his laughter, "the more I want to hire you."
The duo remained silent, urging the man the continue.
"But unfortunately, it is not easy to join us a professor. After all, we are one of the most prestigious institutes of Magic in the entire continent. Especially-"
"Since we are not alumni of the college?"
"Precisely so, Mr. Godwin," said the headmaster. "We don't get a lot of students every year. After all, every one in hundred or so children has the ability to use kinetic powers. And it is extremely difficult to scout them out from the tens of thousands of children out there. Not to mention, there are remote areas that has gone unnoticed for many of decades. Nevertheless, the children we gather here are the cream of the crops of this entire country. In simpler terms—the best of the best.
"Even if they don't join the ministry, or any other state allowed secret societies, they could become extremely capable scientists, politicians, mechanists, or teachers. It is without question, that to nurture these minds, we need the best teachers this country could offer. Even when we 'normally' take in teachers, we only consider applications from the ones who at least passed Cum Laude
"Due to this extremely capable pipeline of professors from our own alumni, we rarely consider taking in teachers from outside."
Xavier leaned a bit forward, putting his forearms on the desk. "Rarely… it means we still have a chance."
"Of course," the blue eyed 'youth' smiled. "As an alumni myself, I find it a bit embarrassing to say so, but some of the best professors this college ever had were 'outsiders'. In fact, it should come as no surprise. Since, being on par with alumni without the education meant they had something special in themselves. Moreover, they had to pass a special test, that no alumni have to attend."
"I reckon we have to participate too," Xavier said.
Headmaster Newman nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. Let me warn you beforehand, the test remains somewhat the same all the time, but passing it is extremely difficult—almost in the realm of impossibility."
"As long as it's not impossible—no, as long as it is a test, I will pass," Xavier said without an ounce of anxiety.
"Same here," Eulene said.
The headmaster laughed yet again. "It's nice to be confident. Let me warn you again, it's extremely difficult. First of all, we had quite a few applicants in the last few decades, but not a single one passed in the last 52 years. And if you are thinking you are strong enough, I regret to inform you that the test has nothing to do with your levels, nor your knowledge."
Eulene raised a brow. She was confident, but these new information was tingling her nerves. Her strength didn't matter? Not even knowledge? What could the test be?
However, she decided to remain patient. She would learn of it soon anyway.
Xavier, on the other hand, knew what the exam exactly was. And hence…
He was nervous.
"But that doesn't mean your level and knowledge are not unnecessary," the man continued. "In fact, I will test your knowledge right now. Don't worry, it's nothing difficult. Can you two please state your areas of expertise?"
"Potioneering," Xavier replied.
"Close quarter combat," Eulene followed. She knew what she had to say. Courtesy—Xavier.
"Perfect!" Headmaster Newman exclaimed. "I happen to be a certified potioneer myself. And back in the days, I had to serve in the army. Looks like I can interview two at once. Would you mind if I start right now?"
The interview continued for half an hour. Xavier answered all of the headmaster's questions in a jiffy. Acknowledging his expertise, the blue eyed 'youth' asked some 'unanswerable' questions, which garnered some thought provoking answers from Xavier.
As for Eulene, most of the questions she received were related to anatomy—weak points, pressure points etc. And Eulene answered all those questions easily. She was a martial artist after all.
The headmaster sighed. "It is hard to find one prodigy, and I met two in a single day. I have the urge to take you in without 'the test', but you know…"
"Protocols," Xavier replied.
The man nodded. "After we make the preparations, we will send you a letter ordaining the venue, time and procedure of the test. All the best."
The duo, after bidding the headmaster farewell, left. freewebnove(l)
In the empty room, the headmaster sat alone, his blue eyes fixed on the exit. After a sigh, he whispered out two words.
"Please, pass."
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