Lin En stood there with his eyes closed and his hands behind his back, looking wistful.
"Dean, you flatter me. I'm only a humble Divine Chosen. Whatever I say is merely a suggestion. Surely I couldn't strip you of your position as dean?"
At those words, Ophiel immediately dropped to one knee beside him. With a calm expression and one hand over her chest, she did not so much as glance at Anthony, who was also kneeling nearby.
"No, Divine Chosen. You do have that authority."
"Although I am an Archbishop of the Church, I also serve as Clockwork City's Grand Administrator. The Arcane Academy is one of the city's administrative institutions. I have never exercised this authority, but if you wish..."
She raised her head, her expression composed.
"What happened today alone gives me ample grounds to dismiss him and strip him of his position as the Arcane Academy's Dual-Campus Dean."
Anthony's face instantly went white.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed face-down on the floor, panic written all over his face. Sweat dripped from his forehead like rain.
"Divine Chosen! Please... give me another chance!"
[Ding! Anthony's despair +50!] [Ding! Anthony's anguish +60!]
Lin En glanced sideways at Ophiel.
"Oh? You have that much authority? You can replace him just like that?"
Ophiel remained on one knee, her posture impeccably formal, and spoke softly.
"Divine Chosen, I am the Goddess's third-generation Divine Attendant. You may not know this, but when I was born, this place was still a wilderness under a Spirit Realm Overlay. It was only after I led the people in conquering this land that Clockwork City came into being."
"I was away for a hundred years, but they must learn to respect me, because I watched their fathers grow up."
Lin En