Khan stared at the closed exit before heaving a deep sigh. He walked toward the nearest wall and sat on the floor to let the metal chill his thoughts.
The cold was good. The cold had been good for Khan since Nitis, and some tension waned as he closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall.
The meeting didn't lead to any written deal, but that was the norm. The political world worked through mutual respect, fame, face, and the value of one's word. Gentlemen's agreements were more common than actual contracts, and their value wasn't inferior in the least.
The representatives could go back on their word, but their credibility would vanish in that case. That wouldn't be too important when dealing with an inferior political figure, but Khan had already proven to have good connections. He was almost certain he had achieved his goals, meaning he had to stay true to his side of the deal.
'Training Francis,' Khan listed in his mind, 'Develop the relationship with the other descendants, reach an understanding with Madam Solodrey.'
Cold enveloped Khan's bare foot, making him open his eyes and spread his knees to look at it. He had healed faster than anyone could have predicted, but that sight reminded him why he wasn't wearing his right shoe in the first place.
'Wayne,' Khan continued to list, 'Mister Chares, Raymond, Honides.'
The deal with the representatives was only one side of Khan's duties. He still had to work for the Headmistress to keep increasing his value, advance his career, and repay his debt.
'Professor Parver,' Khan recalled, closing his eyes again and lightly bumping his nape on the wall. 'I also need to ask him for a room suitable for the [Blood Vortex].'
Khan's duties couldn't get in the way of his training. His level and prowess were the backbones of all his achievements and current status, so raising them had the priority.
'Studying,' Khan thought about the last item on his list. 'I can't slow down when the semester is so close to ending.'
Less than two months separated Khan from the end of the semester, and two waves of tests were waiting for him. His grades were good, but he needed to be more than that to match Madam Solodrey's expectations and secure a job that could put him closer to finding the Nak.
The situation looked far from good. Khan could avoid sleeping, but his time remained limited, and his tasks were too many for the average soldier. Sacrificing something seemed necessary, but Khan couldn't afford that, and everything would be pointless if he ended up ruining his relationship chasing political success.
'No one can do so many things simultaneously,' Khan thought. 'That's why I need to succeed.'
Being infallible was the most direct path toward Khan's goals. It was hard, impossible even, but Khan could say the same for his aspirations. He had started below everyone else, so he had to put in far more effort than anyone.
Khan wanted a drink, Monica, or anything that could distract him from his thoughts, but wasting time wasn't an option. Even that short break was too much. Still, the entrance opened before he could stand up.
"It seems the Harbor won't fall today," Headmistress Holwen announced, letting the exit close behind her, "And that without dishonorably discharging you."
Khan glanced at the Headmistress before closing his eyes and casually addressing her. "They had already agreed to help me. They wouldn't have come otherwise."
"That's the power of a noble," Headmistress Holwen stated. "It can move mountains and change the most stubborn of minds."
"I just need time," Khan commented, "And they know it. They won't get the chance to treat me like this in a few years."
The comment was arrogant, but the Headmistress couldn't refute it. If Khan kept it up at his current pace, he would truly become untouchable.
"About our private business," The Headmistress mentioned, stopping before Khan.
"I'm sorry, Headmistress," Khan uttered, opening his eyes to look at the woman. "It's better if I keep the details for myself."
"As long as you solve this," Headmistress Holwen exclaimed. She couldn't oppose Khan's decision right now. Their relationship risked shattering if she pushed him.
"I see you are better," Headmistress Holwen continued, eyeing Khan's bare foot. "I take it you are ready to resume working."
"I am," Khan nodded, standing up while sliding his back on the metal wall.
The Headmistress inspected Khan from head to toe. He looked ready to jump on his ship and complete his next mission, but she knew when she had to slow things down.
"Next week," Headmistress Holwen said, shaking her head. "You'll resume working next week. Go home now."
"Thank you, ma'am," Khan stated. "Also, I'll take care of Mister Alstair from now on. I hope my privileges can extend to him."
"The representatives updated me already," Headmistress Holwen revealed. "Consider it done."
"I'll need a flat for him too," Khan added. "I can't have him living in mine."
"I'll take a look at the available habitations in the district once I get back to my office," Headmistress Holwen said.
"Thank you, ma'am," Khan voiced, performing a military salute before heading toward the exit.
The Headmistress hesitated while watching Khan leave. She didn't want things to remain so cold, but her position was difficult, and Khan was at fault anyway.
"Captain," The Headmistress eventually called before Khan could leave. "The Harbor will always be my priority, but if I could choose sides-."
"It's fine," Khan interrupted, facing the Headmistress but lowering his gaze. "I put you in an impossible position, so it's fine."
"You did," Headmistress Holwen commented. "However, it wasn't right for the families to disrespect you so openly. You are still a soldier."
"Right or wrong doesn't matter," Khan lifted his gaze and wore an empty smile. "It's all about power."
"Captain," Headmistress Holwen called again but failed to find the right words. She wanted to reassure Khan, but he was correct, and it would be wrong to lie to him.
"Ma'am, I should probably go," Khan declared. "My girlfriend's mother is still worried about a possible pregnancy. The Harbor will truly fall if I keep her in the dark any longer."
"What?!" Headmistress Holwen gasped. "What did you say to Madam Solodrey?"
"We were just teasing her," Khan chuckled, turning toward the entrance and waving his hand dismissively, "And it was really sexy to see my girlfriend take the lead."
"I don't need to hear these things!" Headmistress Holwen scolded.
"I wasn't talking about that," Khan laughed as the entrance opened. "I didn't expect you to have such a dirty mind."
The Headmistress was ready to shout, but Khan left the hall before she could speak. He had run away after his stupid comment, and the Headmistress couldn't help but feel pissed about it.
"Scoundrel," Headmistress Holwen scoffed, but a smile followed. She was happy that the political world didn't crush Khan's playful side.
Khan hurried outside the embassy and rode the first cab he found to return to the second district. The trip was relatively short, but the news of his meeting had already spread, and his flat showed part of its consequences.
"Are you sure you are not pregnant?!" Madam Solodrey's voice reached Khan's ears as soon as he left the elevator.
"Mother, I'm sure," Monica reassured, looking at the holograms depicting her mother, "But I expect more protection on the family's side now. I won't mind letting him knock me up to achieve that."
"Don't use such crude words," Madam Solodrey sighed. "To think my dear daughter would go against me over a man."
"I'm impossible to resist," Khan claimed, entering the main hall to reach the back of Monica's couch. "Though your daughter is cuter."
"Captain," Madam Solodrey scoffed, and her expression grew colder when Khan stretched his arms past the couch's back to hug Monica. "I heard your meeting went well."
"News run fast," Khan commented.
"They always do," Madam Solodrey stated. "I didn't expect you to be able to involve the Rassec family. That was a smart move."
"Is that a compliment?" Khan gasped. "Are you ready to be my mother-in-law?"
"What?!" Monica and Madam Solodrey cried at the same time.
"Admit it," Khan laughed. "I'm growing on you."
"I don't know where this impudence comes from," Madam Solodrey said, "But I won't accept getting addressed so disrespectfully."
"Come on, ma'am," Khan whined. "We are all one big family. We should be friendlier to each other."
"What family?" Madam Solodrey cursed. "You are an outsider crawling his way into my daughter for political influence!"
"I actually like her butt more," Khan revealed.
"Khan!" Monica scolded, peeking past her shoulder to shoot an admonishing glare.
"Well," Khan continued, focusing only on the holograms. "I'm very busy, so let's do this another time."
Khan let go of Monica to jump on the other side of the couch and close the call. Madam Solodrey and Monica didn't have the chance to stop him, and the former even failed to voice one last complaint.
"What are you saying to my mother?!" Monica shouted, pulling Khan's arm to make him turn toward her.
"The truth," Khan shrugged his shoulders. "She can't do anything to me right now, so I felt like showing my true self."
"But you can't talk with my mother about that!" Monica shouted again, and her anger increased before Khan's amused face. He was having fun teasing her as always.
"You are terrible!" Monica cried, pulling Khan closer. "I almost don't want to give you my gift now."
"Ooh?" Khan asked, kneeling before the couch and crossing his arms on Monica's legs. "Do I get a gift now?"
"Only if you tell me how much you love me," Monica jokingly snorted, "And prove it too."
Khan smirked and crawled his way to Monica's face. She pretended to play hard to get, but her anger melted as soon as their lips touched.
