Capítulo 18: He Agrees

"This.... " seeing Ace's behaviour, Mr White was speechless about what he was going to do. Yet after thinking of it for a while, he decided to go by the child's decision. After all, just waiting for a few seconds won't create any problems, right?

Just as he was about to answer Ace, Mr White heard a cold voice coming behind.

"What do you mean by this Ace? Don't you know that this isn't the way to speak to the elderly? Especially Mr White! How can you just walk up here and then start talking to Mr White without even addressing him as a teacher!"

Turning their heads in the direction of the voice, Mr White and Ace saw a group of students walking towards them. The group leader was a tall teenager with a handsome face and blond hair. This person was none other than Vex.

At this moment he was leading a group of students with furious faces to Ace. Just from his expression alone, one could quickly tell he came to pick up a fight.

"What do you mean by that, Vex?" Ace asked. he couldn't help but frown when he saw Vex heading towards them. Even he could tell that Vex was here to just cause trouble.

"Hmph! Are you going to act like you have no idea about what I am talking about?" Vex snorted, "Mr White is the principal of this school and you are supposed to treat him like that. You must at least address him as a teacher. Yet, what did you do? You just ran up to him asking him to wait! How can you be so rude?"

"Ah~~"

Thinking that Vex was going to say something about Aiden's disappearance, Ace was caught off guard. After hearing his words, he realized that he was right and he was supposed to greet Mr White.

However, he was so focused on how he could find Aiden that he didn't realize that he didn't greet Mr White when he first met him.

With an apologetic look on his face, Ace turned to Mr White planning to apologize for his rude behaviour earlier. However, even before he could apologize, he heard the latter's voice sound behind him.

"It's okay. You were in a hurry to find your friend; I understand!"

Hearing those words, Ace couldn't help but be shocked. From his experience, most people in highly esteemed positions got offended easily and they always found a way to punish those who go against them.

Never in his dreams did he think that someone like Mr White, who was also the principal of his school would treat him in such a way even after he showed him so much disrespect. He was clearly impressed with how amiable Mr White was.

Just as he was about to nod his head in appreciation, he heard the voice of Mr White sound again yet this time, he wasn't the one being addressed.

"And, who are you again?" Mr White asked with his brows up curiously.

This boy was able to easily walk up to a student he was talking to and lecture him on manners. Even though the boy wasn't that good with manners as suggested by his oppressive aura and violent face, Mr white was still curious to know more about him.

"Sir, my name is Vex. Vex Hodge!" Vex said standing in an attentive position. Clearly nervous about Mr White's sudden question. Seeing this Ace couldn't help but chuckle attracting a glare from Vex.

As for Mr White though, he seemed to have thought about something all of a sudden. Turning to Vex, he asked in a deep questioning tone,

"Hodge? You are a member of the Hodge family?" Mr White asked.

"Yes, Mr Hodge is my father!" Vex answered nervously.

"Oh, I see," Hearing this Mr White beckoned to someone on his right, "Mr Hodge, can I have you here for a second?"

A middle-aged man clearly in his late middle age walked and joined them from the group of principals following Mr White. Slowly stroking his beard with his hand, the man answered, "Yes, he is. Vex-lad, what are you doing here?"

"Em... I came to remind Ace to greet Mr White!" Vex said pointing at Ace.

"Oh, I see," Casting a glance at Ace Mr Hodge nodded in commendation of his son.

*******

"What was that?" Ace couldn't help but stare at the man in front of him again. A moment ago, when Mr Hodge looked at him, he suddenly felt a shiver down his spine. The man looked at him as if he was prey that he had just found.

Even though he didn't know why the man looked at him, he had a feeling that he was very dangerous and he should stay as far away from him as much as possible.

Just as Ace was looking around in confusion, Mr White's voice sounded again. This time, he told both Ace and Vex's group to exit the stage and join their friends below the stage. He also assured Ace that he would wait for a while, making Ace sigh in relief.

.......

"Hey, I was able to awaken the metal elemental power!"

"Hmph! Only that? I awakened the Fire elemental power!"

"Oh, so you guys awakened... I couldn't awaken..."

"What?!"

"....."

As they joined the students below the stage, Ace could hear exciting whispers all around. Most of these students were talking about the powers they awakened. Although he heard a lot of happy whispers and squeaks going around, there were still a few who weren't able to awaken.

At this moment, these people were the most pathetic and sad to look at since their dreams were shattered the moment they stepped out of the Gate of Magic. These people had lost the ability to ever become mages just because of one exam.

Looking at the Gate of Life which still emanated a fierce and Lifelike aura, Ace sighed as he muttered under his breath,

"I hope you return soon...."