Chapter 807: Annoying Possible Complications
Chapter 807: Annoying Possible Complications
" ...choose Edith Roswell."Sheila blinked once, caught off guard by the specific name.
"Edith?"
"Yes."
"Why her?"
"In my eyes, she is second only to you when it comes to leadership among the second-years," Liam said. "She is reliable, composed, and less polarizing than me. Students are more likely to accept her beside you without turning it into a statement."
Sheila looked down thoughtfully.
Edith Roswell was not the loudest student in their year, nor the strongest, nor the kind of person who drew attention by force. But Liam’s suggestion was not careless. Edith had a steady presence, a sense of responsibility, and a way of giving instructions that did not feel like domination. She had helped organize students after Nalim, quietly but effectively, and Sheila had noticed more than once that others listened to her without much resistance.
’He is right,’ Sheila thought, though the admission came reluctantly. ’She would be easier for others to accept.’
It was not the answer she wanted.
But it was a good answer.
Liam went on, "And if you need someone to consult with, speak to Ariana."
Sheila looked at him again.
"Ariana?"
"Yes. She may be emotional at times, and she doubts herself more than she should, but her mind cannot be ignored. If you need someone to think through the exam structure, possible group dynamics, or magical theory, she is the best brain to speak to."
The compliment was blunt, practical, and slightly rude in the way only Liam could manage. He did not say Ariana was brilliant with warmth or admiration. He said her mind could not be ignored as if that were the simplest fact in the room. Still, the respect in it was clear.
Sheila’s expression softened faintly. "You really do trust her intelligence."
"I’d be lying if I say otherwise."
"That is your version of a high compliment, isn’t it?"
"If that’show you see it."
A small smile touched Sheila’s face despite the seriousness of the conversation. "Of course."
For a moment, the room settled into quiet again. Outside the window, the wind pushed against the glass with a faint, steady pressure. The lamp on Sheila’s desk glowed warmly over the organized books and papers, casting soft light across her face.