Chapter 802: Bao
With two hours to kill, Adam returned to his room, where he found Quintella conquering more numbers with her shiny quill. Chuckling, he shared with her the good news—he’d replace Grimhilde in training her.
She jumped on her chair, arms raised, but he cut through her delighted triumph with the voice of someone who trusted his sister yet knew children often took risks too lightly.
"I need you to give your all during my training, you understand? It won’t be easy for any of us. Trust me, I don’t want to see you struggling, but you must learn how to defend yourself."
Quintella nodded, her pink eyes sparkling. "If you’re training me, I’m sure to become the strongest!" She clenched her fist in front of the grin broadening across her face. "Count on me, big brother! Grimhilde won’t win this bet—I won’t stain your reputation."
Her fingers wrapped around a black-and-white furball glaring at the parchment, as though trying to make sense of the numbers. Surprised, it showed its teeth, letting out a growl that sounded more cute than threatening to Adam, especially when it barely covered half of Quintella’s small palm.
She pointed at the baby panda with a smile warm enough to melt an icy tundra. "She’ll train with me! But first, help me give her an auspicious name!"
The panda lifted her face at Adam, the dark circles around her eyes making him snort. "It’s just a bear acting cute. Just any name will do."
"No!" Quintella pushed the panda toward Adam, frowning. "Look at her face—she IS cute. And strong, too. Hold her, you’ll understand."
Stumped by her insistence, he rolled his eyes and reached for the panda. The moment his fingers drew close, the baby opened her jaw and snapped her sharp fangs at his thumb.
A deep furrow creased his brow as he raised his hand, glaring at the creature dangling from reinforced skin it couldn’t pierce. "That’s what you call cute?" he let out a snarl that turned into a sigh midway. "Alright. You are cute, and we will give you a proper name."
"Yay!" While Quintella screamed in delight, the panda’s bite loosened.
When Adam caught her in his palm, she tilted her head, then licked his thumb in something that looked like an apology.
"At least she’s smart. I can’t take that from her." The corners of his eyes wrinkled as he studied the panda. For three heartbeats, silence. Then, he nodded. "Since you’re fierce, smart, and my sister’s treasured companion, let’s call you Bao."
Quintella’s blonde hair fluttered as she nodded like a chicken. "Do you like your name, Bao?"
The panda turned toward her, lips curved and let out a cute, satisfied sound while patting Adam’s palm with gentle paws.
"Guess she does," he chuckled, passing Bao back to Quintella. "Anyway, continue your epic conquest of the numbers. Training starts tomorrow morning."
"You’re leaving?" Quintella tucked Bao against her chest, her voice quivering. "But you’ve just returned..."
He ruffled her hair, smiling tenderly. "Something came up with the sleep wrecker. I’ll be back for dinner, and remember, you’re not alone."
Bao nudged her muzzle against Quintella’s cheek, making her giggle. "Hahaha, stop Bao. I’ll see you for dinner then. Don’t be late, big brother, or Mellisa will eat all the lemon pies."
"That’s unacceptable." He waved on his way out. "I’d better hurry or your poor stomach won’t forgive me."
In a great mood, eager to explore the mysterious room, he went down the stairs. When he crossed the lounge, silence engulfed the lively students, who threw him accusatory glares.
He pointed at himself, feigned surprise written over his raised brow and tilted head. Then, he waved his hand with a smirk. "I’d be annoyed too if I lost four thousand points because I trusted the wrong person. But, hey! I wonder if it is my fault for not being guilty, Trevor’s for manipulating you, or your own because you were fools to trust him?"
Seeing their jaws clench and hands grip their wands, he quickened to the door with a mocking chuckle. "On these wise words, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a wonderful evening."
Without waiting for an answer, he crossed the campus gardens and stopped in front of the broad gates of the Reward Hall. Through the doorway, he saw magi sorting through materials, frowning over artifacts that shone on their desks, or folding letters that flew toward their recipients on their own.
By a side door, Teacher Louis walked beside Desmond, his scarred features heavy with weariness. "Are you punished or am I?" His deep sigh reached the door as he shook his head. "Sixteen yet scared of going to a harmless storage on your own. Do you realise I have little to no patience for shenanigans?"
"I know, Teacher!" Desmond stumbled forward, his breath labored and forehead sweaty. He put the heavy box he had been transporting for Louis down and pointed at the door. "I know better than to bother you, but that room really scared me earlier. But don’t worry. I’ve asked a friend to help me. He should show up anytime now."
With a smirk, Adam entered the Hall and waved at Desmond and Louis. "The help has arrived."
Louis sized Adam up for a moment, then shook his head. "Every resource is magically marked. Focus on moving these boxes to my office without overstepping your boundaries."
"Please, teacher. Who do you take me for?" Adam asked, lifting Desmond’s box with casual ease. "College property is not for us to touch. Rest easy. We’ll bring the boxes to your office, then leave."
"Good. I expect you to be done by this evening. You’ll earn ten points for your help and team spirit." Louis left with a nod, disappearing into a corridor of shining tiles.
Meanwhile, Desmond grinned. "Told you I’ll set everything up. Now you can enter the storage with me."
"You call making me toil for a teacher in my free time setting things up?" Adam rolled his eyes. "Feels more like you set me up."
"Vengeance for your sarcasm." Desmond shrugged. "More seriously, that’s the only way."
"I know." Adam nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Let’s drop this box first, then you’ll show me that mysterious room."