The Legendary Programming Mage

"Did you just say shit?"

Sylvia looked away. "Humph! And what if I did?"

What's wrong with her?

What did I even do?

'Wait, why am I mad that she's mad?'

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

She rose from her chair and slammed her hand on the table. "Fuck you, Allen!"

"Shhh... we're in the library."

She panted. "Fuck you, and fuck you again."

"Hmm..." My eyes narrowed. "Fuck you too."

She looked away again. "Yeah, fuck me."

Her eyes snapped back at me. "No, no, that's not what I meant... I—"

"Pfft."

A soft laugh escaped my lips. "You're as silly as ever."

Sylvia's ears reddened as she muttered under her breath, though I could hear her. "Why are you even talking to me?"

Wait — did she feel inferior because of what I did during the test?

I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Sylvia, if you have an inferiority complex toward me you will end up dead."

I smirked. "I will always be better than you."

I let out a laugh. "Hahahahahaha..."

"Ugh... That's cringe ahh!"

"Hey, I'm not cring—"

Bang!

Both Sylvia's and my eyes turned to the librarian, who was practically steaming with fury.

She pointed at the seats without saying a word, her face twisted.

For the first time in a while I felt fear.

"Psst... Want me to teach you something cool?" she whispered as we sat opposite each other.

"No, I want to read."

She pouted. "Psst..."

Raising my gaze to her again, I saw her impish expression.

"What?"

"Al~" her tone was soft, a little seductive. "Look at me."

Huh?

For a moment I felt my face burn.

'Am I blushing?'

Sylvia let out a satisfied smile. "Good, good."

I sighed, covering my face with my palm before standing and moving toward the shelves.

As I scanned the history section I felt a certain pair of eyes on me.

Thud!

Turning back, I saw Sylvia smiling at me; then she lowered her head toward the boot that was by the side of my leg.

"Al~ can you help me?"

I continued searching the books. "Come take it yourself."

"Grrr!" She growled softly. "Come on, it's just a boot, not like..." She paused. "...you're going to stare at my underwear or anything."

I turned to her briefly; now her legs were up as she pointed her stocking-covered foot at me. "Are you sure you don't want to help me?"

I turned back to the shelf.

"Here we go, the book I wanted!" I yelled out childishly.

"Hey, bastard!"

When I turned back to her, she wasn't as cheeky as before. "I told you to look at me, not the book — at me."

She averted her eyes, a little flushed, then muttered something under her breath.

I heard the words but didn't understand them.

'Wasn't that Spanish?'

I was sure there was no Spanish in this world.

Well, considering I wasn't a native and only read the novel it might be possible.

I sighed. "You really love attention, don't you?"

She reminded me of someone.

An interesting person, and one of the reasons I plunged the world into chaos.

I couldn't die and let her live freely after all she had put me through.

Though I won't lie that I nearly caught feelings for her.

'What was her name again?'

I bent to pick up her boot, kneeling on one knee, and placed her foot on my leg.

They were really soft, and the socks made them feel even softer.

"Hmm... Allen, never mind about the—"

I pulled her leg forward. "No take backs."

She covered her mouth with her hand as if trying not to make a sound. "Be gentle, okay?"

"Please phrase that properly."

She let out a tender smile as I put on the boot.

Suddenly the name of the girl left my lips before I knew it.

"Kim Jin-ah."

Immediately Sylvia jerked her foot out of my grasp.

I raised my gaze to her, only to see her face go pale as a ghost as she trembled slightly.

What's wrong with her?

She lowered her eyes, her breath stuttering. "What did..."

Her stammering words couldn't convey everything at once.

"What... did... you... just say?"

***

(Back in the administrative office)

The meeting between the professors had come to a close and only three people now remained.

The dean of the academy, Alicia Frostmoor.

The youngest male professor, Vanitas Caster.

And the man everyone knew as Old Man.

Alicia, who now sat at the center of the seats, spoke first.

"What did you think about him, the Apex I mean?"

Vanitas clicked his tongue. "Rude, arrogant, egotistical, full of himself, crazy, and probably perverted."

Alicia giggled. "You forgot handsome too, ridiculously so."

"I'm not done yet."

She continued after a breath. "He might be all those bad things, but his outlook on life isn't bad — like someone who has been through too many hells, and I mean hells as a criminal."

The old man at the window, who had been staring at something, suddenly laughed. "If you tell me he was a terrorist I will believe it.

Hahahaha, bastard guy almost scammed me with his grin when he didn't get what I was saying."

The man laughed even louder as if recalling the scene.

His laughter suddenly stopped, but his face remained bright. "You made a good decision, Alicia. I hate those overly righteous heroes; a hero should have his bad side too — only then can he be human."

He turned to them, a grin forming. "Do you think Beatrice will agree to share her student? I want to teach him so badly."

Vanitas's face twisted. "Old Man, the kid isn't gay, so refrain yourself."

The man rubbed his nose. "I know restraint too."

Alicia laughed out loud but her expression was clearly strained.

When her awkward laughter died down she answered, "Never."

The old man sighed. "At least I tried."

Alicia placed her elbows on the table and interlaced her fingers. "Very soon the knights school and mage school will have their matchups; I can't wait until then."

Vanitas suddenly stood. "I will take my leave now."

Alicia raised a brow. "Why the hurry?"

Vanitas, now at the door, turned to her. "My next class, next tomorrow, is that of the lunatic; I have to prepare an extra hard one."

He opened the door and left. 'Allen Vanderbilt, let's see how good you are in real magic.'