Charlie sat in the dimly lit office, nervously tapping the linoleum tile floor with his feet. He knew exactly why he was there, and dreaded it. It'd been a few days since his final exam at Signal: a one-on-one duel with a random opponent. He made himself look like a fool in front of so many important people, and was very confident that none of the Huntsmen Academies would take him because of it. He felt his face heat up with shame as he silently prayed for this whole ordeal to finally end.
"Charlemagne Trèfle?" A voice called out from behind him, although Charlie dare not turn back to see the man who was likely about to chew him out.
'Y-Yes, sir. But I prefer Charlie. It's a lot easier to say." He stammered out.
The source of the voice closed the door behind him and made his way to the chair on the other side of the desk Charlie was sitting in front of. The man was tall and broad, and walked like a Goliath in human form. Loose looking garbs covered most of his skin, but what Charlie could see was a bronze color, like the girls he'd pass everyday between combat training and academics. His eyes were a brilliant gold, and his smile seemed to light the room like an explosion.
"If you say so. Mister Trèfle, I trust you know who I am. After all, I was there during the final exams." He boasted, posing a bit to try and jog the boy's memory.
"You're Headmaster Theodore, from The Shade Academy in Vacuo. You train people to become Huntsmen."
"And here I thought I'd be talking to someone less astute. Your transcript told me that much. So painfully average in your studies that you didn't even bother applying to any of the Academies. But I think I saw something when I watched you fight. I don't know what happened between you and that boy, but I've never seen such ferocity and control in one's Semblance at your age."
Charlie stood up and bowed before Theodore, just as his father taught him. He sniffled, honestly flustered and worked up over everything.
"I'm terribly sorry for what I did at the final exams. I shouldn't have lost control like that, no matter what."
"Oh calm down, boy! I'd have yelled at you already if I was here for that. I'm not here to chew you out for the tournament. I'm here to offer you a spot on the next airship to Shade. You proved that you're strong, so I wanted to extend my invitation. I won't pressure you to accept my invitation, but I do hope to see you with the other first years Monday morning." He assured before taking his leave.
Before stepping out, Theodore left a slip of paper on the desk for Charlie. One ticket to Shade Academy, complete with a Student Visa stamp.