159 Cross Academy (1/2)

The delicate, traditional koto [1] music playing in the background evoked an image of a relaxing stroll in a bamboo forest. Iris sat inside a private room at the best Japanese restaurant in the city, sipping a hot tea blend of Gyokuro and dried sakura blossoms. The ambience was a combination of modern and traditional aesthetics.

Jiang Ying Yue stood stone-faced by the door, while Iris waited at the plush leather seats amidst the traditional décor. The two of them were currently the only ones in the room.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door. Jiang Ying Yue opened it and three people entered. A server led two foreign people into the room.

The foreign man was advanced in age but he still looked tall and imposing. His back was straight, not stooped at all unlike other men his age. He had a full head of white hair connected to his equally white beard and mustache. The wrinkles on his face didn't diminish the stern and sharp look in his eyes. Walking beside him was a middle aged petite blonde woman who looked like she had a perpetual smile on her face.

Iris stood up and gave them a welcoming smile. She glanced at Jiang Ying Yue and nodded. Jiang Ying Yue bowed her head before exiting the room.

The blonde woman stepped forward and extended a hand to Iris. She spoke in German. ”Hello. My name is Giulia Moretti. You must be Miss Xiulan Long. We have spoken on the phone before. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

”Hello, Madame Moretti. It's a pleasure to meet you too,” Iris replied in fluent German.

Then they turned to the older man. Giulia Moretti introduced him.

”This is Professor Erwan Dupont, Headmaster of Cross Academy.”

”Professor Dupont, it is my great honour to meet you, sir,” Iris respectfully greeted the Headmaster. ”Thank you very much for taking the time to fly here all the way from Switzerland to meet me despite your busy schedule.”

Professor Dupont nodded and shook hands with Iris. ”I've been looking forward to meeting you, Miss Long.”

They seated themselves. The server poured tea to the two new arrivals and then took their orders. The food arrived a few minutes later. They chatted good-naturedly about each other's countries while eating. Though it was mostly the women doing most of the talking.

After eating, they finally talked about the purpose of this meeting.

”Miss Long, the Headmaster and I, with my capacity as the admissions counselor, have come here today to officially invite you to become a student of Cross Academy.” Giulia Moretti handed Iris a thick envelope.

”Thank you.” Iris received it with a smile and opened it, reading the official offer from the academy, an enrollment form, and other documents.

Giulia Moretti: ”As you may already know, Cross Academy is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind institution. Nothing like it exists anywhere else in the entire world. Following the original purpose of our great founder 250 years ago, we continue to gather only the most talented and skilled individuals in various fields across the world. Successful enrollment is only available through direct offer from us and never by application. Miss Long, do you know why we extended an offer to you?”

”Yes,” Iris answered.

Professor Dupont finally spoke. ”Your recent hacking exploits have left a trail of chaos all over the world. As an individual, I say your actions were utterly irresponsible and cruel. However, as the Headmaster of Cross Academy, I daresay that your superior skills undoubtedly make you deserving to become a student of our academy. We only care about skills, not motivation or reputation. We nurture but it's up to the individual to grow.”

Iris bowed her head, acknowledging his words.

Professor Dupont: ”You say that you know the reason why we extended an offer to you. Pray tell.”

Iris: ”Because my style and skills in hacking remind you of someone.”