The implication could not have been clearer. The Tower of Erudition had sent an envoy without even informing The Earl. Who exactly were they looking down on?
Moreover, those present were neither the Tower of Erudition's Vice Dean nor its Dean, much less the envoy himself. There were only two instructors.
The Earl did not say it outright, but when he glanced at Calvin and the female instructor, his meaning was already clear enough.
Klaus raised an eyebrow and looked toward the Tower of Erudition.
He neither chimed in nor tried to smooth things over.
Just then, there came two knocks on the door.
A young Night Watcher from the Logistics Department entered, carrying a copper tray.
Several cups of hot black tea sat on the tray, steaming with white mist.
Without saying a word, the Night Watcher bent at the waist and delivered the tea to everyone seated there one by one.
As he passed the man from the Ascension Society, the man did not even glance at him. The woman, however, gave a slight nod.
When he passed The Earl, the Night Watcher's hand visibly paused. Perhaps he had been briefly intimidated by the aura of those magnificent clothes, but he quickly steadied himself, set down the cup, and withdrew.
Calvin did not speak until all the tea had been served.
"Lord Earl."
His tone was neither servile nor overbearing, and his monocle glinted beneath the lamplight.
"The Tower of Erudition is merely carrying out orders as well. The Empire's Center has sent an envoy down to us, and as local instructors, all we can do is cooperate according to the instructions from above."
He paused and lowered his voice slightly.
"Of course, the moment news of your return arrived, Selina and I came at once."
Selina.
Lu