The next morning, the sunlight poured through the tall windows of Alina's little living quarters. She slipped into black dress with delicate white stripes—modest, soft, but somehow it hugged her figure just right. Her long chestnut hair was brushed neatly, her eyes brighter than usual, and her lips looked naturally pink.
Today felt… better.
After a quick breakfast of toast and warm milk, she picked up the papers she needed and bag with that she walked down the quiet hallway toward the principal's office. The click of her shoes echoed softly against the floor as butterflies fluttered inside her stomach.
She reached the dark wooden door and hesitated.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," said a deep voice…low, rich, and husky like velvet dipped in thunder.
Alina's spine straightened.
She opened the door and walked in carefully. Her eyes immediately landed on him…leaning back casually against his massive desk, one hand resting on a stack of files, the other flipping through pages like he wasn't aware how sinful he looked.
Dante Nightshade was dressed in all black again. Of course he was. But it wasn't just his clothes—it was the way they fit. The way the fabric hugged his broad shoulders, the slight looseness at his sleeves, the leather belt cinching his narrow waist. His dark horns curved perfectly back from his hair, his jawline could cut diamonds, and his eyes cold and sharp like volcanic glass barely glanced up at her.
Stop. Looking. At. Him.
Alina clenched the papers in her hand like a lifeline and cleared her throat.
He didn't offer a smile.
He didn't even say good morning.
Instead, in that usual commanding tone, he said without looking at her,
"Class D uniforms are ready. Distribute them today. Make sure each student receives one. Mark down their names. If anyone is missing theirs, report directly to me."
Alina blinked.
That was it?
No hello? No small talk?
Just work.
She nodded slowly, walking toward the chair he gestured to earlier, but her heart still thudded inside her chest. Not from nerves…well, yes, a bit from nerves but mostly because…
Why does he have to look like some forbidden fairytale villain that haunts you in dreams? Why does his voice sound like black coffee and sin?
She tried to focus, forcing herself not to stare at the vein on his hand or the way his fingers moved so elegantly through files.
"Understood," she finally said, in her best professional voice.
He looked up at her once, just briefly.
And somehow… that one glance made her sit a little straighter.
She stood up, brushing the back of her dress and clutching the paper tighter.
"Anything else, sir?" she asked, trying to sound calm and capable even though her heart was doing tiny backflips.
For a moment, Dante looked up from his file. His eyes—deep, unreadable, like something ancient wrapped in shadows—met hers. He didn't blink. He didn't smirk. He just stared for two seconds too long before giving the slightest shake of his head.
"No. Dismissed."
Dismissed? Not even a "thank you for your work" or "have a good day"?
Ugh.
She forced a smile anyway, gave a tiny nod, and turned to walk out before her heart could betray her by beating any louder.
As she closed the door behind her, she let out a slow breath and mumbled to herself, "That man could order coffee and still sound like he's plotting world domination…"
She made her way to the staffroom, her footsteps echoing lightly in the hallway. The moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere dipped a few degrees.
Miss Kelly was already seated by the window, sipping her tea like it personally hated her. She didn't even bother glancing up. Mr. Hobb was at the far table, flipping through a stack of papers and wearing a permanent frown as if the world existed just to irritate him.
Alina offered a polite "Good morning."
No one replied.
Wow. What a cheerful team.
But thankfully, Gabriel looked up from his seat and smiled at her with his soft blue eyes that practically glowed kindness.
"Uniforms day?" he asked gently, nodding at the list in her hand.
Alina returned his smile, walking over to her desk. "Yep. Principal's orders. Check names, distribute.."
Alina placed her bag down on her desk and sat with a sigh.
Gabriel leaned over from his seat, his elbow on the table, his blonde hair slightly messy like he'd brushed it once and then gave up. His blue eyes twinkled with gentle humor as he sipped his coffee.
"So?" he asked casually. "How's the famous Class D treating you? Any fireballs aimed at your head yet?"
Alina laughed softly and set the list down. "Just one so far—from Drake, but it was an accident."
Gabriel chuckled, setting down his mug. "That's better than my first week. I had slime sneezed onto my entire shirt. Twice."
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Slime? From who?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Let's just say, never trust a giggling baby naga when they say 'Watch this, Teacher.'"
She laughed again, the kind of laugh that came out light and real, the one she hadn't used in months. Gabriel smiled as if he was proud to earn it.
"So…" he said, looking at her over his mug, "how far are you liking it? Be honest."
Alina leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen between her fingers. "Mmm… hard to say."
She smiled wryly. "It's only my second day."
Gabriel laughed and nodded. "Fair. But if you're still standing after day two, you're doing great."
She tilted her head. "You mean if I'm not running through the forest screaming?"
"That too."