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James quietly walked into the office, completely ignoring the astonished gazes and hushed whispers of the surrounding professors. His steps were easy and confident, as if no one could disturb his world. He approached the coffee machine, skillfully retrieved a cup, and began brewing coffee. The sound of hot water pouring over the coffee grounds seemed to be the only noise in the room, gradually drowning out the murmurs of the other professors, all of whom held their breath in anticipation of what would happen next.
Throughout this, James did not lift his eyes. His fingers gently held the coffee pot, steady and unhurried, as if savoring this moment of tranquility. The evil power brought by the crimson moon seemed to spread through the air with every movement he made, making the entire office feel oppressive and tense.
At that moment, William broke the silence first. He slowly walked up to James, his expression revealing unabashed skepticism and mockery. Standing beside James with his arms crossed and a smirk on his lips, he spoke in a tone filled with exaggerated provocation, "Who do you think you are?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an instant silence enveloped the room. The other professors dared not utter a word, stealing glances at the two men as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
James did not respond immediately; he merely smiled faintly before turning his head to glance at William. His eyes carried a heavy dose of sarcasm and indifferent disdain. His smile exuded a cold confidence, as if William before him was utterly insignificant.
"I am James," he said slowly and deeply, his voice carrying an irresistible weight. There was a hint of mockery and clear sarcasm in his tone, as if ridiculing William's lack of wit while also hinting at his own newfound strength and untouchability. His words struck William like a slap in the face, effortlessly shattering any doubts or provocations that lingered in his mind.
William's expression shifted slightly; his previously indifferent demeanor suddenly stiffened, shock flashing in his eyes. He found it hard to believe that this James before him was not only younger but also exuded an even greater sense of pressure than before. William had never seen this version of James—a confident figure radiating danger.
The atmosphere in the room became more bizarre and heavy; everyone held their breath, sensing an underlying threat. Meanwhile, James continued brewing his coffee as if nothing had happened, maintaining a calm and cold smile on his face, as if he had everything under control.
Standing beside James, William's unease gradually morphed into irritation. He could not accept the reality before him—James, whom he had always regarded as an academic rival, now emanated an unprecedented aura of power and confidence that made William feel as though his previous advantages had been completely dismantled. James was no longer that old man trapped in past achievements; he felt like a completely new entity. This transformation was impossible for William to ignore; he needed to regain his sense of control.
To mask his inner turmoil, William decided to take the offensive. With a sneer on his face and a feigned casual tone laced with sarcasm, he asked, "What have you been taking, James? A secret potion for youth? Or did you secretly get a facelift during this time?"
After saying this, William couldn't help but laugh at himself, his voice high-pitched and grating as if he had just told a joke that would make everyone burst into laughter. His laughter echoed through the spacious office as he attempted to show others that he still held sway over the situation. He scanned the faces of several professors around him, hoping to see someone join in on his joke to re-establish his authority.
However, James's reaction was so calm that it made William's laughter seem particularly jarring. James showed no signs of anger or emotional fluctuation; he simply looked up at William with indifference and disdain in his eyes, as if William's words were utterly irrelevant to him.
James continued to operate the coffee machine with steady hands, his movements slow and precise, completely ignoring William's provocation. For a brief moment, his gaze flicked across William's face before refocusing on the coffee cup. His fingers gently brushed over the packaging of the drip coffee, his demeanor calm and unhurried, devoid of any tension.
"I just dyed my hair," James finally spoke, his tone casual as if discussing something trivial. He then carelessly tossed the coffee packaging into a nearby trash can.
The words fell like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing William's smugness. The indifference in James's voice made William feel as though his attacks were hitting an impenetrable wall, unable to shake his opponent in the slightest. That unassailable calm and confidence left him feeling a mix of embarrassment and defeat. He had thought he could regain control through sarcasm and mockery, but James's dismissive response rendered his provocation insignificant, as if he were not worth mentioning at all.
William's laughter abruptly ceased, and the smile on his face gradually froze. He instinctively glanced around, noticing that the other professors' eyes were also fixed on James, seemingly captivated by his transformation. The lighthearted atmosphere he had hoped for was entirely absent; instead, an invisible pressure spread through the air, making the office feel increasingly heavy.
James remained focused on brewing coffee, paying no mind to William's presence. His actions were precise and smooth, exuding an undeniable elegance as if he were savoring this moment of tranquility. His composure deepened the silence in the room, mingling with an oppressive sense that could not be ignored.
Watching James's back, William felt his anxiety and unease intensifying. He suddenly realized that he had lost the upper hand in this invisible confrontation. James, once a faded old professor in his eyes, had returned to this room with a renewed presence and announced his comeback in an exceptionally cold manner.
James held the freshly brewed cup of coffee with a calm demeanor that radiated an unmistakable elegance and confidence. He took a gentle sip before slowly walking toward his seat, as if everything around him was irrelevant. Despite appearing indifferent, everyone in the office continued to watch him intently, their gazes filled with confusion, doubt, and even a hint of fear.
The professors' stares felt like countless invisible arrows piercing him, as if searching for some explanation or evidence to resolve their bewilderment. James naturally sensed these gazes but maintained a composed smile tinged with disdain, as if he had complete control over the situation. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a glimmer of self-satisfaction flashing in his eyes before lifting his coffee cup.
"Everyone should get back to work," James said with a smile, his tone light and laced with playful sarcasm. He looked at the professors still staring at him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as if the shocking transformation was merely an inconsequential interlude. "I just dyed my hair; there's no need to make such a fuss about it."
His tone sounded casual and calm, as if expressing friendliness and understanding to everyone present; yet each word carried an air of feigned modesty that hinted at deeper mysteries. On the surface, he seemed uninterested in drawing attention; however, this nonchalant response only sparked more curiosity among them. His lighthearted tone and carefree demeanor made him the focal point of everyone's attention.
The professors found it difficult to tear their eyes away from him. They looked at this new James and began to question whether they had truly misjudged him. The former James was an aging professor who had seen better days, with a body gradually declining and a face lined with wrinkles. But now standing before them was a rejuvenated James brimming with youthful vitality—his complexion smooth and eyes sparkling with undeniable confidence and strength. This transformation felt strange yet impossible to ignore.
"Dyeing your hair..." someone murmured softly, repeating James's words with a tone full of confusion and disbelief.
James gently shook the coffee cup in his hand, the black liquid swirling like a vortex within the cup.
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