"Scrying should be able to help with your other classes, though. Math especially."

"The less time I have to spend on school that I could be spending on magic, the better."

She laughs. "Maybe you can make a minion to write essays for you."

"I will have to try that. Essays are boring."

"I like them, but I'm an established weirdo."

"...I guess we can still be friends."

She laughs. "Not an academic overachiever?"

"Not when it comes to things I don't care about."

"Bet you I manage valedictorian."

"I'll be sure to clap for you."

"I'll pepper my speech with many warning signs."

"That's very thoughtful of you. Everyone can get their cut from the journalists after the fact."

"I am the epitome of consideration for others."

"They'll all have so much more time to curse your name after you release the sleep-eating virus."

"Exactly! I'll polarize the world between my fanatics and my haters. It'll be great."

"I'll be glad to sit that one out on the moon."

She giggles. "You can leave robots behind to record the chaos."

She mimes a mechanical voice. "Attention citizen. Please state your name and current attitude toward Doctor Burning Ruby Tiger Decima into the recorder. Failure to comply will be met with termination."

Ruby's still laughing from that when the professor walks in.

Nothing the professor need concern themself with.

The professor, indeed, can be tricked into not noticing Ruby and Ellie talking.

(Ruby hides what she's writing, when the attendance sheet passes around.)

"Killer robots sound rather fun."

"The trick is to not let them get too autonomous or too deadly."

"Or have an exit strategy."

"That fall under 'too deadly'. If you can beat them or get away, you're fine."

"Perfectly reasonable!"