I Made Up Forbidden Spells, and They Actually Worked?

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: The Assessment Location Is Yours to Decide

"What's going on?" Dean Bruce was taken aback by Mordo Chakol's sudden change in attitude.

Mordo Chakol rubbed his hands together, a broad smile plastered across his face. "Dean, no need to worry about the assessment. You go ahead with your work."

Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow. The abrupt shift was too suspicious to ignore. "Director, what's the matter? Weren't you being all serious just a moment ago?"

Mordo Chakol chuckled nervously, waving his hand. "Nothing, nothing. You go ahead. We'll handle the assessment arrangements just fine."

At that moment, a ripple of magical energy spread through the office. The principal's voice rang out clearly, "Mordo, this time, the assessment location can be decided by Dean Bruce."

Hearing this, Dean Bruce froze. This didn't sit right with him. He quickly shook his head. "No, no, no. I can't decide the assessment location."

Mordo Chakol immediately jumped in to persuade him. "Dean, this is the principal's directive. What a great opportunity!"

But Dean Bruce remained firm. "I'm really not the one for this. It doesn't seem appropriate." With that, he turned to leave the school.

Just as he reached the gate, a figure blocked his path. It was none other than the principal. Without a word, the principal grabbed Dean Bruce by the arm and dragged him back to the office.

Once inside, the principal repeated his proposal. Dean Bruce couldn't help but wonder why the principal was being so insistent. Trying to deflect, he began stalling.

"Principal, this is too sudden. I can't just decide something like this on the spot," Dean Bruce said cautiously.

The principal smiled faintly. "Dean, there's no need to feel pressured. This is a sign of trust in you."

"Well, Principal, this trust came out of nowhere, and now I'm feeling a bit panicked," Dean Bruce replied with a wry smile.

The principal's gaze remained steady. "Don't overthink it. Just give it some thought."

Dean Bruce scratched his head awkwardly. "Principal, I'm really not up for this. I don't even have any ideas about the assessment location."

The principal didn't seem rushed. He simply stared at Dean Bruce, who was left pondering what the principal's true intentions might be. Before he could figure it out, the principal spoke again.

"Dean, think of it this way—it will benefit the students as well," the principal encouraged.

Dean Bruce shrugged. "Principal, I really don't have any ideas. Why don't you ask someone else?" He turned to leave again.

The principal grabbed his arm once more. "Don't be so quick to leave. Take some more time to consider." Resigned, Dean Bruce sat back down.

The two sat in silence, neither saying a word. After a while, Dean Bruce finally broke the tension.

"Principal, you've got to give me a reason for this. Why are you asking me to decide the assessment location?"

The principal gave a cryptic smile. "You'll understand in due time." Dean Bruce rolled his eyes. "That's not much of a reason."

"Principal, this won't work. If you don't say anything, how am I supposed to make a decision?" Dean Bruce said.

"Dean, I can't explain right now. Just think of this as doing me a favor," the principal replied, still refusing to elaborate.

Dean Bruce looked at the principal. "Principal, this is a tough favor to ask of me. I don't think I can help."

The principal frowned slightly. "Dean, stop trying to wriggle out of it. This will benefit you too."

"What kind of benefit? You've got to give me more than that," Dean Bruce pressed.

But the principal didn't answer. He simply stared at Dean Bruce with a mysterious expression. That irritated Dean to no end—why was the principal being so cryptic?

"Principal, if you don't explain what the benefit is, there's no way I can just decide on a whim," Dean Bruce argued.

The principal sighed. "Dean, some things can't be explained right now. You'll understand in due time."

Dean Bruce pursed his lips. "With all due respect, Principal, that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence."

The principal was quiet for a moment before saying, "Dean, think of this as a challenge. How about that?"

"A challenge? What kind of challenge?" Dean Bruce asked, his confusion evident.

The principal smiled faintly. "Choosing the assessment location is the challenge. It's a test of your judgment and capabilities."

Dean Bruce wasn't buying it. "Principal, I'm not so sure I can accept this challenge. What if I mess it up?"

The principal waved his hand dismissively. "Relax. You won't mess it up. I trust you." Dean Bruce couldn't help but feel skeptical. What exactly was the principal thinking?

"Principal, don't put me in this position. I really don't think I'm the right person for this," Dean Bruce insisted.

The principal, however, was firm. "Dean, you are the right person. Just take your time and think it over." Reluctantly, Dean Bruce stayed put, locked in a stalemate with the principal.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door. "Come in," the principal called out.

A teacher stepped in and paused momentarily upon seeing Dean Bruce there. The principal asked, "What's the matter?"

"There's an urgent situation," the teacher replied. The principal frowned. "What kind of situation?"

The teacher hesitated, glancing at Dean Bruce as if unsure whether to speak. The principal reassured him, "It's fine. Go ahead." Only then did the teacher explain, "A student got injured during training."

The principal stood up immediately. "Let's go take a look." Without another word, he headed for the door. Dean Bruce also stood, ready to follow.

The principal turned back to him. "Dean, you stay here and think about the assessment location. I'll handle this." Then, he left with the teacher.

Dean Bruce watched them leave, then sighed and sat back down. This whole business of deciding the assessment location was giving him a headache.

Left alone in the office, he idly glanced around. The question of why the principal was so insistent on him making the decision still gnawed at him. The whole situation felt too strange.

As he mulled it over, his eyes fell on a book on the principal's desk. Its cover was old and weathered, exuding an air of mystery. Curious, Dean Bruce picked it up and began flipping through it.

The book was filled with ancient magical records and strange, intricate symbols. The more Dean read, the more engrossed he became.

Just as he was losing himself in the text, the office door opened again. Startled, Dean Bruce quickly put the book down.

The principal stepped back in and glanced at him. "So? Have you come up with any ideas?"

Dean Bruce shook his head. "Principal, I still don't have a clue."

The principal walked over to the desk and noticed the open book. He paused briefly, a hint of surprise on his face. Dean Bruce, feeling a little awkward, scratched the back of his neck. "Principal, I was just curious and took a quick look."

The principal smiled. "It's fine. This book has been around for quite a while, and its contents are quite fascinating."

Dean Bruce asked, "Principal, what's this book about?"

The principal picked it up and flipped through a few pages. "It's an old book about ancient magic. It contains records of many mysterious spells and legends."

Dean Bruce's interest was piqued. "Principal, does it have anything related to the assessment location?"

The principal shook his head. "Not directly, but perhaps this book might inspire you." He handed the book back to Dean Bruce, who began flipping through it again.

The principal observed him. "Dean, think carefully. The assessment location needs to be both safe and challenging enough to test the students' abilities."

Dean Bruce nodded while skimming the book. "Got it, Principal." But deep down, he still had no idea.

After a while, Dean Bruce closed the book and sighed. "Principal, I still can't think of anything."

The principal let out a sigh of his own. "Alright, keep pondering over it. I have other matters to attend to." With that, he left the office.

Dean Bruce stared at the book, lost in thought. Where on earth should he pick for the assessment location? He was completely stumped.

He started pacing the office, his mind a jumbled mess. No matter how hard he tried, no suitable location came to mind.

Suddenly, an idea struck him: the forest they had visited with the students last time. The area was teeming with magical creatures, making it an ideal place to test the students' combat and survival skills.

Determined to check it out, Dean Bruce decided to visit the forest. If it seemed appropriate, he could propose it as the assessment location. Rising to his feet, he left the office.

As he walked down the corridor, he ran into Mordo Chakol. "Dean," Mordo Chakol called out. "Have you decided yet?"

Dean Bruce shook his head. "Not yet. I'm heading to a place to check it out."

Curious, Mordo Chakol asked, "Where are you going?"

Dean Bruce replied, "The forest we visited last time." Mordo Chakol thought for a moment before nodding. "That's not a bad choice, but make sure to be cautious. It can be dangerous out there."

Dean Bruce nodded. "I understand. I'm just going to check if it's suitable for the assessment location." With that, he headed toward the forest.

Upon reaching the forest, Dean Bruce began surveying the area. The magical creatures here were abundant, and the terrain was complex enough to test the students' adaptability.

Dean Bruce thought it seemed like a good choice, but he still had concerns about safety. He decided to observe a little longer.

Suddenly, a magical creature leapt out of the bushes, lunging straight at him. Dean Bruce quickly cast a spell, repelling the creature.

This unexpected encounter made Dean Bruce even more cautious. The magical creatures here were indeed a bit dangerous. He started to reconsider whether this location was truly appropriate.

He stood there, watching the defeated magical creature as doubt crept into his mind. While this forest offered a challenging environment for the students, the safety issues couldn't be ignored.

After a moment of contemplation, Dean Bruce decided to explore other options. He left the forest and headed toward the hill behind the school.

The hill was secluded and rarely visited. When Dean Bruce arrived, he found the area to be tranquil and serene, with no signs of magical creatures.

He wandered around the hill, but quickly concluded that it wasn't a suitable location either. It was far too quiet and lacked any real challenges, which would fail to test the students' abilities effectively.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Dean Bruce realized he was running out of ideas for a good assessment location. He decided to return to the school and think things through again.

Back at the school, Dean Bruce went to find Mordo Chakol. Seeing him, Mordo Chakol asked, "So? Did you find a suitable place?"