Dante gave him a tiny nod—the only respectful gesture Alina had seen all meeting as if the demon king himself knew this angel never wasted a word.
Gabriel returned the nod and spoke, his voice smooth and light, like a gentle hymn.
"Principal Nightshade," he began, "my class continues to do well in their studies. They've improved by twenty percent this term alone. Their control over basic magic and discipline is developing nicely."
Alina peeked at him over her notebook, her eyes wide. Twenty percent? She could practically hear Miss Kelly's teeth grinding beside her.
Gabriel paused, the corner of his mouth lifting in the tiniest good-natured grin. "However…" he added lightly, "they do have moments of… mischief. A few illusions in the halls, some prank illusions in my wings — harmless, mostly."
Dante just raised an eyebrow, his expression giving nothing away but the room felt less cold somehow when Gabriel spoke.
