Professor Grimwald's office was exactly as Leo had described it in his original story: a cluttered space filled with towering bookshelves, bubbling alchemical apparatus, and the kind of organized chaos that suggested a brilliant mind at work.
The professor himself was seated behind a desk that was covered with papers, magical instruments, and what appeared to be a small dragon that was being used as a paperweight.
"Ah, Mr. Vance," Professor Grimwald said, looking up from a manuscript he had been reviewing. "Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."
Leo settled into the chair across from the professor's desk, trying to project an aura of confused innocence while Sir Reginald took up a concealed position in his breast pocket.
"I wanted to discuss your recent examination," Professor Grimwald began, pulling out Leo's test paper with the kind of reverent care usually reserved for ancient artifacts. "Your answers demonstrate a level of theoretical sophistication that is... unusual for a first-year student."
"Unusual?" Leo asked, trying to sound surprised rather than panicked. "I thought they were pretty basic. Just... you know... common sense applied to magical principles."
Professor Grimwald's eyebrows rose slightly. "Common sense? Mr. Vance, you've developed a theoretical framework that could fundamentally change how we understand the relationship between emotional states and magical energy. That's not common sense—that's groundbreaking research."
"Is it?" Leo asked weakly. "I mean... isn't it obvious that magic would be influenced by the caster's emotional state? It seems like the kind of thing that anyone would notice if they thought about it for a few minutes."
"Anyone would notice it," Professor Grimwald agreed, "but very few people would be able to articulate the theoretical mechanisms involved with such precision. Your analysis of sympathetic resonance patterns is particularly impressive."
Leo felt sweat beginning to form on his forehead. "I just... made some educated guesses based on... general principles of... magical... things."
"Educated guesses," Professor Grimwald repeated thoughtfully. "Based on what educational background? Your academy records indicate that you're a first-year student with no prior formal magical training."
This was the moment Leo had been dreading. He needed to come up with an explanation for his knowledge that would satisfy Professor Grimwald's curiosity without revealing the truth about his origins.
"Well," he said slowly, buying time while his mind raced, "I've always been interested in... theoretical frameworks. You know, the underlying principles that govern... systems. Any systems. Not just magical systems, but... all kinds of systems."
Professor Grimwald leaned forward with interest. "What kind of systems?"
Leo's mind went blank. "Um... organizational systems? Like... filing systems. And... inventory management systems. And... the theoretical principles that govern... systematic... system-ness."
From his pocket, Sir Reginald provided unhelpful commentary in a voice so quiet that only Leo could hear it. "System-ness? Really? That's your explanation for advanced magical theory?"
Professor Grimwald stared at Leo for a moment, and Leo got the uncomfortable feeling that his explanation was not having the desired effect.
"Organizational systems," the professor said slowly. "And you believe that the principles governing filing systems are applicable to magical theory?"
"Everything is connected," Leo said desperately, grasping at philosophical concepts that might sound profound enough to explain his knowledge. "The universe is... interconnected. Systems within systems. Patterns within patterns. The same theoretical frameworks that govern... organizational efficiency... also govern... magical... efficiency."
"Fascinating," Professor Grimwald murmured, making notes on a piece of parchment. "A holistic approach to theoretical analysis. You're suggesting that magical principles are manifestations of universal organizational patterns?"
Leo blinked. "I... am?"
"It's quite brilliant, actually," Professor Grimwald continued, warming to the subject. "The idea that magic follows the same fundamental rules as other complex systems could explain why your intuitive understanding is so advanced. You're not just learning magical theory—you're recognizing patterns that you've already internalized through your study of organizational principles."
"That's... exactly what I was thinking," Leo said weakly, though he had no idea how his desperate improvisation had turned into what sounded like a coherent academic theory.
"I'd like to explore this further," Professor Grimwald said with the kind of enthusiasm that made Leo want to flee the office immediately. "Would you be interested in participating in some advanced research? I'm working on a project that could benefit from your unique perspective."
"Advanced research?" Leo's voice cracked slightly. "I'm not sure I'm qualified for advanced research. I'm just a first-year student with... organizational interests."
"Nonsense," Professor Grimwald said dismissively. "Your examination answers demonstrate that you're more than qualified. In fact, I think you might be exactly what this project needs."
----
[New Achievement Unlocked: Accidental Academic]
• Description: You've convinced a professor that your desperate improvisation is groundbreaking research. This is either impressive or deeply concerning.
• Reward: Invitation to participate in advanced magical research and increased academic reputation.
• Side Effect: You are now expected to have opinions about theoretical frameworks and universal organizational patterns.
----
"What kind of project?" Leo asked, though he suspected he didn't want to know the answer.
"I'm investigating the theoretical foundations of magical consciousness," Professor Grimwald explained. "The question of whether magical energy itself possesses some form of awareness or intentionality. Your work on emotional thaumaturgy suggests that you might have insights into this area."
Leo felt his blood turn to ice water. Professor Grimwald was describing exactly the kind of research that would inevitably lead to discoveries about the nature of their fictional reality. If the professor started investigating magical consciousness too deeply, he might begin to realize that their entire world was governed by narrative principles rather than natural laws.
"That sounds... very advanced," Leo said carefully. "Maybe too advanced for someone with my... limited... organizational background."
"On the contrary," Professor Grimwald said, "I think your interdisciplinary approach could be exactly what we need to make a breakthrough. When can you start?"
Leo looked around the office, taking in the sight of bubbling alchemical equipment, ancient tomes, and research materials that could potentially unravel the fundamental nature of reality if applied incorrectly.
"I'll... need to think about it," he said finally. "It's a big decision. A very big decision. The kind of decision that requires... extensive consideration of... organizational implications."
"Of course," Professor Grimwald said understandingly. "Take all the time you need. But I do hope you'll consider it seriously. I have a feeling that your contributions could be quite significant."
As Leo left the professor's office, he felt the familiar weight of unwanted attention settling on his shoulders like a heavy cloak.
"Well," said Sir Reginald from his pocket, "that went about as well as could be expected for someone who just accidentally convinced a professor that filing systems are the key to understanding magical consciousness."
"This is getting out of hand," Leo muttered as they walked through the academy's corridors. "I'm supposed to be a background character, not a research collaborator investigating the theoretical foundations of reality."
"Perhaps," Sir Reginald suggested, "you should consider the possibility that reality has other plans for you."
Leo sighed. "I'm beginning to suspect that reality and I have very different ideas about what my life should look like."
---
[Warning: Academic Attention Increasing]
• System Note: Your attempts to blend in are failing spectacularly. Consider embracing your role as a mysterious genius, or prepare for increasingly awkward explanations about your "organizational background."
---
As Leo made his way back to his dormitory, he couldn't help but notice that students were pointing at him and whispering about his "revolutionary approaches to theoretical analysis" and his "groundbreaking work in interdisciplinary magical studies."
His plan for academic mediocrity was not just failing—it was failing so completely that he was becoming more famous with each attempt to be forgettable.
"I think," he said to Sir Reginald, "I need to find a completely different approach to this whole situation."
"What kind of approach?" the pixie asked.
Leo considered this for a moment, then sighed. "I have absolutely no idea. But whatever it is, it has to be better than accidentally becoming the academy's most celebrated theoretical researcher while trying to get average grades."
"Given your track record," Sir Reginald observed, "I'm not sure that's possible. You seem to have a remarkable talent for achieving the opposite of what you intend."
Leo had to admit that was probably true. Unfortunately, he was beginning to suspect that his problems were just getting started.