One-Eyed Monster

”Ah, what a coincidence!” Perkins also walked over, still as carefree as before, making Igor feel very familiar.

However, Igor didn’t understand where the coincidence came from.

”Uh, I don’t get it.” Igor scratched his head.

”What don’t you understand?” Dean Hoffman came to the door and said, he carefully looked Igor up and down, then glanced at Stim beside him, and then started laughing.

”I don’t get where the coincidence is...” Igor’s voice was small; in fact, he knew Perkins was just saying that casually because the scene earlier was a bit awkward, with Stan Sol’s sudden arrival making him somewhat embarrassed, not knowing how to respond to Stan Sol.

At that moment, Igor really wanted to hide.

Unfortunately, right in front of him was Stan Sol, who was extremely familiar with all the skills of the Hunter. Using the Concealment Spell in front of this guy, haha, was simply futile. No matter how advanced your skills are, they are not worth mentioning in front of him.

”Let me tell you where the coincidence is!” Dean Hoffman smiled heartily. In fact, he had actually arranged for Stim to be here with intentions beyond what was apparent.

”Hmm?” At that instant, Igor felt even more peculiar, he had simply expressed a casual thought, unexpectedly someone could continue it.

Dean Hoffman truly understood Igor; he knew that once Igor’s curiosity was stirred, Igor would become comfortable, wouldn’t feel awkward or embarrassed facing so many people willing to help him.

”The coincidence lies in the fact that I wanted to go to the office, and they came along together, only to come to the office to find you. And before reaching the office, we encountered you. Isn’t that a coincidence?”

”This...” Igor felt this was simply a forced explanation, an invented coincidence that was not connected at all but was somehow turned into an ’event’ by Dean Hoffman.

”Ask your own heart, you actually want to find us too, don’t you?” Dean Hoffman said with a smile, having already guessed what Igor’s heart wanted to say.

”Uh...” It was undeniable; Igor indeed wanted to find them, because he had many unresolved mysteries in the Border Realm, and he needed to seek answers.

”Of course, this coincidence is merely a superficial coincidence.” Dean Hoffman hadn’t finished speaking, he rubbed his beard, ”A real coincidence is that I didn’t expect Stim to reappear here, and even talk with you.”

”Why are you so...” Igor felt very strange; how could Dean Hoffman know about matters between him and Senior Stim?

”Don’t forget, I, the old guy, am a Scholar, who can understand the past and foresee the future.”

Igor thought about it carefully, it seemed that Dean Hoffman’s words made some sense.

Actually, these were all deliberately arranged by Dean Hoffman.

Dean Hoffman’s apprentice, Stim, was a full-fledged bookworm, yet timid and humble, always lacking self-confidence. Dean Hoffman hopes that Igor’s element of uncertainty can open Stim’s mind knot, making Stim truly become a Scholar, rather than always feeling unqualified.

As for Igor, he always felt embarrassed facing others’ help, a display of psychological avoidance. This time Dean Hoffman also wanted Igor to overcome this psychological flaw.

But Dean Hoffman wouldn’t let Igor feel as though all was purposely arranged, because if he did, both these young fellows would collectively choose to continue avoiding.

Now, everything was within Dean Hoffman’s expectations, and these two youngsters were walking along the path he had planned.

”Then why did you come here?” Igor no longer dwelled on it, opened that window in his heart, everything became clear, and he no longer avoided the people helping him, especially when he saw Tobin, instinctively recalling all that happened in the Border Realm.

”This is my office; I’ll come whenever I want.” Having said that, Dean Hoffman proceeded inside, ”It’s you two who are sitting on this threshold discussing, is it comfortable?”

It was then Igor realized that he and Stim had been sitting on the threshold the entire time, without entering Dean Hoffman’s office.

Thus, the group of them entered Dean Hoffman’s office in grand procession; under Dean Hoffman’s leadership, their actions seemed like a gathering, rather than discussing any special matter.

Including the ever-cautious Governor Rostov, he didn’t bring the League Guard along this time.

”Alright, everyone’s here; now that everyone is present, let’s cut the chit-chat.” Dean Hoffman said, having planned all this early on, hence showing effective organization.

”Principal, well, should I leave?” Stim said nervously, standing alongside Governor Rostov for the first time, feeling somewhat fearful.

”What are you going to avoid? Have you finished reading that Spirit Book?” Dean Hoffman asked.

”Not yet, but aren’t you here for a meeting? How can someone like me be present?”

”Let me tell you, little brother, we’re not having a meeting; it’s simply chatting, just like you just did with Igor.” Perkins said and immediately slung his arm over Stim’s shoulder.

”But...”

”Senior Stim, please don’t leave; I have many things I need to consult you about.” Igor suddenly spoke up.

Dean Hoffman watched all this with a grin.

”But you’re asking too many questions; I need to sort them out...”

”Then you can take your time here; that Spirit Book may help you.” Igor said.

”But I’m afraid...”

”That’s decided then, right, Principal? There’s no need for Senior Stim to leave.” Igor said.

”Well, you guys decide for yourselves; the old man won’t interfere.” Dean Hoffman said and then began dozing.

”Senior Stim, just stay here; maybe later I will have more questions for you!”

”Uh...” Stim touched the Spirit Book in his hand, ”As long as you promise me to let me finish reading this Spirit Book!”

”No problem!” Igor smiled broadly.

”Thank you!” Stim said joyfully and immediately went back to reading even more intently.

Dean Hoffman’s orchestrated coincidence proceeded systematically; meanwhile, moonlight rose, and the sky gradually began to darken.

Perkins lit the dean’s office lights, simultaneously placed a few fireworks outside the door, instantly changing the atmosphere into a lively one, as if they were really hosting a party here.

In the dark night, fireworks emitted colorful lights, making the empty land surrounding the dean’s office bright and vivid.

Inside the dean’s office, however, all was silent, no one wanted to break the silence with words, except for Dean Hoffman’s snoring, rising and falling...