"The Director" and "The Professor"

# Chapter 5: "Director" and "Professor"

Walking toward Luo Zhen from inside the Central Command Room was a girl a few years older than him, yet she radiated nothing but agitation.

Her snow-white hair reached down to her waist, carrying no sense of pallor but instead an air of nobility. She wore somewhat ornate aristocratic attire, and her eyes shimmered with an orange glow like starlight—yet they blazed with immense Fire Qi, causing the girl to exude an intimidating fury that made others keep their distance.

This person was the heiress of the prestigious Animusphere Family of magi, and also the current director of Chaldea—Olga Marie Animusphere.

In the world of mages, bloodline was paramount.

And the Animusphere Family was, even within that world, a name worthy of being called foremost among the foremost houses.

As the heiress of the Animusphere Family, Olga Marie had taken over her father's duties at a young age, becoming Chaldea's director three years ago.

To an ordinary mage, such a person was undoubtedly someone to be looked up to.

Yet at this moment, Luo Zhen wore an expression of undisguised disgust toward Olga Marie, not bothering to hide it in the slightest.

Under these circumstances, Olga Marie stormed up to Luo Zhen, her face full of rage.

"A notice was sent to all Chaldea personnel yesterday that a simulated battle would be held today. All Adaptable Ones currently in the facility—except technical staff—were required to attend. You'd better give me a reasonable explanation!"

With that, Olga Marie lashed out at Luo Zhen without preamble.

Her anger was so intense that even Mashu, standing nearby, seemed intimidated and quietly stepped back, though one small hand still tugged at Luo Zhen's sleeve, repeatedly signaling him to apologize.

Unfortunately, Luo Zhen had no intention of apologizing.

"So? I'm here now, aren't I?"

Facing Olga Marie's scolding, Luo Zhen replied with an impatient shrug.

Naturally, this only made Olga Marie's Fire Qi flare higher.

"You're two hours late! Two hours!" Olga Marie pointed emphatically behind her and shouted at Luo Zhen. "Look over there. Everyone has been waiting for you—for two whole hours!"

Hearing this, Luo Zhen followed Olga Marie's finger and looked into the Central Command Room.

There, rows of devices resembling life-support pods stood lined up.

And beside those devices stood a group of people in skintight combat suits.

There were seven of them.

They were all around Luo Zhen's age.

These people, like Luo Zhen, were Adaptable Ones for Spiritron Transfer.

Individuals with Spiritron Transfer adaptability were extremely rare even when searching the entire world. Even Chaldea, a facility gathering talent from across the globe, had only confirmed fewer than forty such individuals. Those already summoned to the facility numbered less than ten, with the rest still being recruited in an effort to gather all Adaptable Ones worldwide.

These seven people were the first group of Adaptable Ones currently assembled at Chaldea.

Luo Zhen was included among them.

The difference was that Luo Zhen had arrived at Chaldea three years ago and had lived here for three full years.

Mashu had come to Chaldea two years ago, so her friendship with Luo Zhen had also lasted two years.

In other words, among all the Adaptable Ones, no one understood Chaldea better than Luo Zhen.

Among all the Adaptable Ones, Luo Zhen was also the undisputed number one—the first Adaptable One recorded in Chaldea's records.

Now, these seven Adaptable Ones cast appraising glances at Luo Zhen.

No doubt they were also annoyed at having waited two hours for him.

Beyond them, in the Command Room of the Central Control Room, a group of technicians operated various instruments while shooting Luo Zhen reproachful looks.

This made Luo Zhen fully aware just how many people his lateness had infuriated.

But...

"If it's such an important matter, then just don't count latecomers. Exclude me and proceed with the simulated battle directly—wouldn't that work?"

Luo Zhen said this to Olga Marie in a half-hearted tone.

"You—!?"

The veins on Olga Marie's forehead bulged.

"Senpai..."

Mashu tugged anxiously at Luo Zhen's sleeve, but to no effect.

Just as Olga Marie was about to explode, a frank laugh interrupted.

"Don't say that, Luo Zhen. You have the most outstanding adaptability among all the Adaptable Ones currently on record. The Director has high expectations for you and doesn't want to see such rare talent go to waste."

As these words rang out, a man walked toward them.

He wore a gentlemanly green coat, a top hat on his head, and carried a cane in his hand—a very intellectual-looking man.

"Professor Leff."

Mashu immediately bowed to him.

"Leff."

Olga Marie, as if her anger had been soothed, visibly calmed down the moment he appeared, her aggressive demeanor receding considerably.

"Good work, Mashu. Thanks to you, Luo Zhen made it just in time." The man called Leff smiled at Mashu first, then turned to Olga Marie. "Don't be too angry, Marie. Luo Zhen surely didn't mean it. Forgive him."

"But..." Olga Marie seemed about to argue, but ultimately gave up, snorting coldly and turning her head away.

The only person in all of Chaldea who could make the director—and the notoriously bad-tempered Olga Marie at that—obey so readily was this man named Leff.

"Professor..."

Luo Zhen looked at the man with his frank smile, the impatience fading from his own face as well.

Leff? Leonel.

He was a highly skilled Magus who served as a technician in Chaldea, providing extensive technical support and making many contributions. Even before the current director took office, he had already earned the trust of the previous director and was entrusted with managing important work in Chaldea.

The Near-Future Observation Lens 'Sheba' was created by this man.

He was also deeply trusted by Olga Marie, effectively the Number Two figure in Chaldea after the director.

His personality was quite straightforward, his manner smooth and diplomatic. Even Olga Marie often followed his advice and never dismissed his counsel.

As for Luo Zhen...

(Still the same as always... gives me chills...)

Watching Leff with his cheerful smile, Luo Zhen buried his deep wariness deep inside.

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