Old Wang had planned every part of the opening ceremony.
In his original arrangement,
the warm exchanges between teachers and students were supposed to take place after dinner.
But in the end, he had underestimated the unreliability of certain instructors—and the even greater unreliability of certain instructors' family members.
The new students were still eating.
Thor barged into their midst with a hearty laugh, dragging Loki along with him.
Perhaps in Asgard, this was considered being approachable.
He boldly snatched a glass of orange juice from a teenage freshman, drained it in one gulp, and smashed the cup to the floor with relish.
Then he pointed at the startled student and said it was a fine flavor, though a little effeminate. At a time like this, they should be drinking something stronger.
After saying that, he patted Loki, who was rolling his eyes beside him, on the chest.
Then he loudly introduced him. "My brother, Loki, the greatest mage in the Nine Realms, will teach Shadow and Illusion magic. Trust me, take his class, and he definitely won't disappoint you."
Then he lowered his voice and cupped a hand over his mouth.
In a whisper that everyone could hear, he said, "Actually, I think Loki is good enough to be vice principal."
Old Wang had just arrived at the teachers' table and taken his seat. Hearing that, his face began to redden with anger.
He braced a hand on the table and stood, intending to remind Thor that this was Kamar-Taj, and that as a guest, he ought to behave himself.
But Tony stood up first.
The mustached man, who had pinned the titles "Instructor of Applied Conventional Weapons" and "Nominal Principal" to his chest, vaulted over the long table as though showing off.
Amid the freshmen's startled cries as