"What did you say? ... You found teammates?!" Frand's face flickered with shock and suspicion. After a moment, he straightened up, giving Dilin a forced smile.
"Oh, that truly piques my curiosity. Just which unwise... ah, no—I mean, which uniquely-minded Divine Maiden would take a fancy to you, this utterly worthless, blind Divine Child?" Frand feigned a slip of the tongue, then corrected himself with a warm grin.
"Mr. Frand, you're merely an academy instructor, not my mentor. Don't call yourself 'my teacher' before me, and don't pry into my private affairs. This is my business alone—you have no right to know." Dilin retorted bluntly.
"... Heh. Such rudeness. Isn't it natural for a teacher to worry about a student's progress?"
"Your concern is wasted on me, Instructor Frand. Everything is prepared; no need for your trouble."
"Prepared? Is that so?" Hmph. Keep pretending. I'll see how long you last.
You? Find teammates? Pah! Know your place!
Stubborn as a dead duck's beak—even hollow inside, you cling to pride. Fine. I'll watch how long that facade holds.
Frand naturally doubted Dilin could recruit anyone. He'd bet his life: unless every Divine Child at Coleman Academy died, no Divine Maiden would join this blind Divine Child who couldn't even use Divine Analysis.
Joke? Those Divine Maidens were fiercely proud. They scorned common Divine Children—let alone this cripple? The thought was laughable.
"Instructor, why did you call me here? Something urgent?"
"No. Just marveling at life's wonders." Frand smiled broadly, his words dripping with mockery.
"Dilin, if you can't find teammates, just admit it. I know your condition. Stubbornly faking it only makes you a joke."
"If it amuses you." Dilin shrugged off the sarcasm, replying with a careless smile.
"I see no urgent matter here. It proves the old saying: a dog's mouth yields no ivory."
"You..." Frand felt like punching cotton, seeing Dilin's calm confidence.
"Forgive me—I'm busy. I'll take my leave." Dilin turned and strode away, ignoring Frand's expression.
That kid's mouth was foul and stubborn...
Frand bristled but felt a flicker of doubt.
How could he act so sure with no teammates?
Impossible—but had he tricked some naive Divine Maidens?
No. Divine Maidens raised in luxury had high standards. Sweet words couldn't trap them.
But what if he truly found someone?...
Deeply uneasy, Frand headed to the academy archives. In a twisted way, he 'loved' Dilin—worrying over him till he forgot meals and sleep.
"Excuse me, Teacher Blaise—is now convenient?" At the archives counter, Frand donned his usual pious smile. His handsome half-Elf face could charm young girls, but Miss Blaise wasn't impressed.
Interrupted during lunch, the black-haired human woman in a white robe set down her lunchbox slowly. She stood, eyeing Frand impatiently. "You are disturbing me, Mr. Frand. Why skip lunch for the archives?"
"Well, Teacher Blaise, I wish to check a Divine Child's team roster." Frand kept smiling despite her snap.
"Ah, when did you grow so caring?" Blaise teased.
"Miss Blaise jests. A teacher's duty is to care. What's wrong with that?" His smile never wavered.
"Who?" Blaise sat, lazily propping her head. Team info was public anyway.
"The Divine Child Dilin—this year's freshman."
"Team leader Dilin? What for? It's just a freshman squad, no notable wins..."
"Just the member list."
"The list? Barely worth seeing. Only two people, including him." Blaise replied offhand.
"Two?!" Frand's eyes widened.
"Yes. I just processed a new member's registration—fresh in my mind."
"No, not... where did the second member come from? ... Ah, I meant—didn't his teammates all quit days ago, leaving only him?"
"So? Does that block new blood? Or does Mr. Frand forbid it?"
"No. Is the other member... a Divine Maiden?"
"Yes. But she hasn't undergone Divine Maiden Transformation yet. Such a pity—a large scar on her young face. Who knows what she's endured."
"... That Divine Maiden's name?" Frand's expression shifted stormily.
"Name? Tilisha."
"Tilisha?!" Frand frowned deeply.
