Chapter 7.5

“My student, today’s class was really great. I’ll see you to the school gate…”

“Headmistress! Where are you trying to run off to again! I’ve told you how important today’s meeting is so many times! Oh, Eloe. Hi. Good to see you again this morning.”

“Hahaha… Yes. Hello, Professor Vanessa.”

“The meeting isn’t important. My student’s safety is what’s more important…”

“If you don’t go to the meeting, countless people, including myself, might lose their jobs. Is that okay with you? Aren’t we your students too?”

“You’ve already graduated, so what student? My only student right now is Lady Eloe. I can’t leave my student to go out alone into this rough world…”

Nia grabbed my arm. Not to be outdone, Vanessa grabbed Nia’s other arm and gave me a meaningful look. It seemed to mean, “Do something about this, fast.”

‘What am I supposed to do! Anyone watching would think I’m Nia’s teacher, not her student! Haah, what a fate.’

I tried my best to give Nia the most reassuring look possible.

“I may look young, but I’m an adult, you know… And I came in a carriage. You don’t have to worry, teacher.”

“What if someone uses magic to target the carriage…? What if the carriage overturns and while the coachman is unconscious, the guys who are after my student kidnap her…?”

What is this, this strangely specific and plausible scenario?

Missing my chance to answer, I just stared blankly at Nia, who muttered under her breath, “I’d rather kidnap her first and take her to a safe, secret place…”

“Wow! She says she wants to go to the meeting right away to make the Academy’s future bright and hopeful. As expected of a teacher! I’m so touched!”

“Oh my, oh my, she must have gained a sense of responsibility now that she has a student. How wonderful. It’s true that people become stronger when they have something to protect. Let’s go to the meeting room, Headmistress!”

Vanessa and I worked together seamlessly. Nia, with a very wronged and crestfallen look in her eyes, was dragged away by Vanessa.

Phew, that was close. That was dangerous. I might get kidnapped by an overzealous teacher and have to spend the rest of my life training in light magic. I need to be careful not to get kidnapped.

On my way to the school gate, I ran into several students whose faces I recognized from class. They didn’t greet me warmly or strike up a conversation; a simple nod was all they gave. It was moments like these that I realized just how much chatter there was about me among the students.

If I were just a young lady from a mediocre count’s family, I would have been bullied long ago. Of course, I wouldn’t have just taken it.

I wanted to make friends and even try dating at the Academy. But that’s all ruined now.

‘How can rumors not spread when the Headmistress waits outside the classroom to do a lesson?’

Even I would be whispering, “What’s up with her?”

Shaking my head, I headed towards the carriage stop when a familiar voice, one that made me tense up, came from behind me.

“Are you leaving now, Lady?”

As expected, Kieryk was standing behind me. When our eyes met, Kieryk smiled and approached me with an elegant gait.

I carefully scanned the area around Kieryk, especially the shadowy parts under his feet. The black energy wasn’t visible today. The intense smell I had noticed when I first met Kieryk at the Academy was also gone.

This must mean he’s getting better… Did Jeras do something?

“Lady, are you all right? You don’t look well.”

“Oh… I’m fine. I think it’s because I used a bit of mana during the practical class.”

“The Headmistress becomes a different person once she starts teaching. She speaks faster too. I know it well, as I was once a student of the Headmistress.”

Kieryk’s eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, as if he was reminiscing about the past. Then they returned to normal, and he smiled at me.

Even though his smile had a hint of warmth, I couldn’t let my guard down. I didn’t know exactly what his condition was.

Part of me wanted to run away, but I decided to have a simple conversation with him to observe his state.

“The artifact you submitted for your assignment was very interesting, Lady. The bracelet that sends a warning when a pre-registered person approaches within a certain radius.”

“Ah… Yes. I was worried because I was in a rush and didn’t finish it properly. Thank you for the kind words.”

“There were some flaws, but if you improve upon them, it could be used for many different things. How did you get the idea?”

How did I get the idea? I got it by watching your brother.

The bracelet, which I had secretly named the “Jeras Alarm,” was a manifestation of my stress. I wanted to avoid him if possible, but he kept appearing out of nowhere without warning, which was killing me. Especially after I helped Siliya at the temple, he had been barging into my house every single day for a few days. At least today, it’s quiet, so I feel like I’m finally living.

But I couldn’t say that, so I just smiled.

“It just… came to me suddenly.”

“Do you have any other ideas? Anything you’d like to make, even if the principle is too difficult to realize. I can help you with it.”

“Well, I’m more focused on increasing my mana capacity these days, so I haven’t been thinking about anything in particular…”

“What are you two talking about so happily, brother? Let me join in.”

“Oh my gosh, you scared me!”

I screamed without realizing it. When I came to my senses, I was hiding behind Kieryk, using him as a shield. Jeras, who had appeared silently like a ghost, was glaring at me with a pointed expression.

See? This is why I need the Jeras Alarm!

Besides, why is he here again? Did he come to see Kieryk?

I pointed at Kieryk with my finger. Jeras narrowed his eyes, then ignored me and spoke to Kieryk with a fond tone. His sparkling, bright eyes made him seem like a completely different person.

“Are you done with all your lectures today? I saw you leave early this morning.”

“Yes. I came out early because I had some materials to look over. What about you, Jeras? Do you have business at the Academy?”

“No. I came to pick up the Lady. She’s so busy that it’s difficult to see her even when we have a prior arrangement.”

Jeras’s tone was full of thorns for some reason. Was he mad because I was talking to his brother? And what “prior arrangement”? There was no such thing. If there had been, would I have been so surprised?

Kieryk subtly moved his body to block me as I silently complained to Jeras with my mouth.

Huh?

“For someone with a prior arrangement, the Lady seems quite surprised to see you. You’re not going to be rude again, are you, Jeras?”

“Of course not. Brother, you should trust your own brother. Why are you defending the Lady?”

“I’m saying this because you have a history of treating the Lady like that.”

A cold air lingered around them.

What’s wrong with these brothers? If you’re going to fight, fight with each other. Let me, a person with no relation to this, go.

I was fidgeting and slowly backing away when my eyes met Jeras’s. Jeras held out his hand to me.

“Lady, come here.”

“That’s difficult. The Lady was in the middle of a conversation with me.”

While Jeras’s behavior was a bit unexpected, Kieryk’s actions went far beyond my expectations. This time, he clearly blocked my path and said that before I could even say a word.

Jeras’s face crumpled in annoyance. His ugly, distorted expression looked like a lump of clay that a child had just messed with.

“I have somewhere to go with the Lady. I’ll take her with me and bring her back safely so you don’t have to worry, brother. Lady? Why don’t you say something?”

I could feel a murderous aura from his smiling face. He looked like he would tie me up with a rope and drag me away if I didn’t follow him.

Kieryk turned to me. It was so overwhelming to have two pairs of red eyes, similar yet different, fixed on me.

“Is what Jeras says true?”

I quickly assessed the situation. I wanted to choose the side that would be less uncomfortable for me. But when I thought about it, Kieryk was uncomfortable and so was Jeras.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have just asked Nia to take me home. What a mess.’

Students passing by glanced at us. Two men surrounding one woman. From the outside, it would look like we were in a lovers’ quarrel over me.

Wow. That’s awful. Just the thought of it made me shiver.

I shuddered. Now, no matter what, I just wanted this situation to end quickly. It would only add to the rumors.

“I…”

“Professor Kieryk, you’re here! I’ve been looking for you. I’ve been counting the days until you would come today. Did you happen to see the paper I sent you?”

“Ah, Professor Rodri. Hello. I’m sorry, but right now…”

“Wasn’t the title, ‘On the Possibility of Creating Life with Artifacts,’ a bit too provocative? Then what do you think of, ‘The Future of Artifacts, How Far Can They Evolve?’ Or should we go with, ‘Evolving Artifacts, Gaining Life’? Please give me your valuable opinion!”

A man with messy brown hair clung to Kieryk and poured out a stream of questions. In the meantime, Jeras took me to the carriage stop and put me in the carriage. He said to the surprised coachman, “To the Devania Temple.”

“What? Why the temple all of a sudden? Don’t tell me Siliya’s condition has worsened?”

“Squirrel.”

The look in his eyes as he stared at me was completely devoid of playfulness. Why is he getting all serious again? It’s ominous.

Jeras, who had been staring at me with an expressionless face that was difficult to read, suddenly turned his head.

“Never mind. Just start.”

 

***

 

“You’ve arrived. I was waiting for you.”

Jeras, who had been in a bad mood the entire ride, still made it clear he was unhappy. He strode ahead without even greeting Grandpa Mason and went straight into the room where Siliya was.

Grandpa Mason looked at me and tilted his head.

“Did you two have a fight?”

“Not at all. I was just the one getting picked on. For no reason, too.”

“What happened?”

“I’d like to ask you the same thing. What’s wrong with him?”

“Are you coming in or not?”

A sharp voice echoed from inside the wide-open room. Does he think that’s going to scare me?

I entered the room with Grandpa. For a brief moment, I froze. Siliya, who I had expected to be lying in bed, was sitting up.

She’s conscious.

Her head was slightly bowed, her eyes fixed on the white blanket. Her profile, backlit by the sun, was pale and ashen. Still, the dark blue veins that had covered her neck were all gone. It was thanks to Grandpa Mason. And maybe a little, just a little bit, thanks to me.

“I’ll be outside. Let me know if you need anything.”

Grandpa Mason closed the door and left. Jeras, who was leaning against the wall in a slanted posture, motioned to an empty chair with his chin.

I knew he wanted me to sit, but why did he call for me? Did he want me to get a thank-you from Siliya? Then he should have sat Grandpa Mason down.

I couldn’t think of a single reason, so I said it outright.

“I’m going to go. This doesn’t seem like the place for me to be.”

“I called you here to listen with me. Sit down.”

“No, but why would I…?”

“Is there anyone more involved with the ball incident than you, Lady?”

When he put it that way, I had nothing to say. He was right. He was right, but still.

Jeras forced me, who was hesitating and shuffling my feet, into the chair.

“Let’s begin, Siliya Rioest.”

“Yes, Your Highness. But, the person next to you is…”

“I’m Eloered Shu Le Kilmaria. Please call me Eloe.”

“Eloe…?”

Siliya was shaken. It seemed she remembered me. That makes sense. In the original story, I’m a character who should have died a long, long time ago.

She put her hand to her cheek and was silent for a moment. This was a habit the heroine had when she was collecting her thoughts.

So, she’s a transmigrator after all.

“My apologies. First, I’d like to say again that I was the one who gave the Prince the medicine at the ball. But it wasn’t something I wanted to do.”

“You said the Empress controlled you? By holding your family hostage and implanting a poison in your body so you couldn’t refuse?”

“Yes. She said that the poison in my body was a special kind and that it wouldn’t be cured without the Empress’s antidote. But in the end, I failed to give the Prince the poison. I figured if I was going to die anyway, I shouldn’t cause trouble for my family, so I drank the poison myself.”

‘What is she talking about? Siliya drank the poison… that’s different from the original story. In the original, she was supposed to be transmigrated right after failing, and then meet Jeras and be saved.’

“And when you woke up, your family was a disaster.”

Siliya nodded. The hands clutching the blanket were white. I felt a pang of pity, but at the same time, I was curious.

Given Empress Florese’s personality, she wouldn’t have just left her family alone, so how did Siliya survive?

As if he had read my mind, Jeras cleared up my confusion.

“The Rioest Count’s estate was reportedly attacked by a group of ruffians. The mansion was completely burned down, and there were no survivors. The eldest daughter’s body, who had already passed away, was at the temple, awaiting her funeral.”

“That’s right. I think the poison I drank and the poison in my body reacted and temporarily put me into a state of suspended animation. I can’t describe how shocked I was to wake up in the coffin. I don’t even remember how I came to be in Rivai.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your testimony. I’ve also confirmed that there is a connection to a high-ranking demon. But there is no conclusive evidence that the Empress is at the center of all these events. Isn’t that right?”

“The Empress’s ladies-in-waiting know my face. They can prove that I regularly visited the Empress.”

“Did those ladies-in-waiting see you receive the bottle of poison from the Empress?”

“…No.”

“Did you come to me knowing the evidence was weak? You’re foolish and reckless.”

Jeras scoffed at Siliya in a cold tone. He sure knows how to say pretty words. As I glared at Jeras, he suddenly turned his head and met my eyes.

“What do you think, Lady?”

“…About what?”

“About Lady Rioest’s words. How much you believe them. I’d like to hear your opinion.”

This is why you shouldn’t make eye contact with people without thinking. And what am I supposed to do when the person is right in front of me?

I sighed inwardly and subtly shifted my gaze to Siliya. Siliya was biting her already chapped lips. I could completely understand how she felt.

Besides, she woke up in a coffin.

‘How scary must that have been? I might have fainted.’

In any case, it was right to help Siliya now. I’ll help her as discreetly as possible.

“I think it’s right to investigate first? As you said, there’s no evidence, but she didn’t lie. Most of all, she lost her family and almost her life. If she was plotting something, there should have been some benefit to her, but she only suffered losses.”

I could feel Siliya looking at me. I intentionally ignored her gaze and pretended I didn’t notice.

Jeras stroked his chin and fell into thought. I don’t know if he was pretending to think or if he was genuinely thinking.

After a moment of silence, Jeras opened his mouth.

“Since the Lady has vouched for her to such a degree, I’ll be magnanimous. Lady Rioest will be under surveillance here until the investigation is complete. The moment you show any sign of trying to escape, you will be executed without question. You can rest assured, as the Lady and I will conduct a fair investigation.”

“No! Why me? I’m completely busy. I can’t even get enough sleep these days.”

“If you give your opinion, you have to take responsibility.”

“That’s because you asked me first.”

“We’re both busy, it’s the same. I’m busier than you, Lady.”

“Don’t you have subordinates? Don’t you have friends?”

“I have a good squirrel to take with me.”

I was speechless, and my blood boiled.

Jeras, who smiled annoyingly, said he was going to talk to Grandpa Mason for a moment and left the room.

The room was silent, with just Siliya and me. I was wondering if I should speak first, when thankfully, Siliya opened her mouth.

“Thank you for your help, Lady. Thanks to you, I have a chance.”

“It’s nothing. I wasn’t really trying to help you; I was just stating my opinion. By the way, how’s your body? Are you okay?”

“I’m a little dizzy, but it’s bearable. I also heard that you put a lot of effort into helping me. I want to thank you, but I don’t have anything to offer.”

Siliya bowed her head. I also bowed and greeted her.

An awkward silence fell between us. To be exact… rather than running out of things to say, we were in a frustrating situation where we had a mountain of questions but couldn’t ask them.

‘Should I just tell her that I’m a transmigrator, that I’m actually Korean? Wouldn’t we be able to talk about everything openly then?’

I was torn between the desire to get comfortable quickly and the rationality that told me not to.

I knew in my head that if I said something like that, Siliya wouldn’t believe me, and things could take a strange turn as she would become suspicious of me.

But the thought of being dragged around by Jeras under the pretext of an investigation made me feel hopeless.

Wouldn’t it be better to reveal that I’m a transmigrator, get out of this situation somehow, and then connect Siliya and Jeras?

‘Besides, the story is changing little by little from what I knew. The original story is getting twisted because of my constant interference.’

I had to return things to how they were before they became out of my control.

Yes, I’ve made up my mind.

“Excuse me, by any chance…”

Even after I made up my mind, I hesitated for a moment and swallowed hard.

“Do you handle spicy food well?”

That was the question I chose. I’m such a coward. I was so ashamed of myself and how chicken-hearted I was.

It’s not that I didn’t want to shout, “Do you know kimchi? Do you like kimchi?” I wanted to more than anyone!

But we had just introduced ourselves, and if I suddenly said, “Oh, kimchi is delicious! I’m from Korea!” Siliya might get scared and run away. If I were in her shoes, I would do the same.

“Oh… yes. I like it. Though I can’t eat it very well.”

Siliya answered cautiously. To others, it might sound like a normal question, but I felt a certain flow that only Siliya and I could understand. At the very least, she definitely felt an unknown sense of strangeness.

Maybe it’s okay to ask a more… profound question? For example, “Did you know there’s a dish that uses chicken feet as an ingredient?” Hmm… that’s too random. It’s too painful and hard trying to walk a tightrope when you’re a coward.

“Lady Eloe, this might be a strange question, but…”

It was the moment Siliya, who had been silent for a while, opened her mouth. The door opened, and Jeras returned. Siliya glanced at Jeras and closed her mouth.

No, don’t do that. I gave her an earnest look, but it was in vain. Siliya just clasped her hands together and bowed her head.

Oh, damn it. The mood was so good…

“Do you have something to say to Lady Rioest?”

“No. I don’t! Even if I did, I don’t!”

“Why are you getting angry all of a sudden?”

“Lady Siliya, I’ll stop by again tomorrow or the day after. Do you need anything?”

“The priest is taking good care of me, so I’m doing fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Siliya answered flatly. Her personality, which disliked being indebted to others, was on full display. I’ll have to take care of things myself. Like clothes to change into or books to read. She must be bored just being in the room.

In the end, I left the temple without knowing what question Siliya was going to ask. I was in turmoil the whole way back to the Grand Duke’s mansion, ignoring Jeras, who was trailing behind me, and getting into the carriage alone. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for my anxiety.

Well… I guess it’s because it’s finally sinking in that I’ve truly entered the book I was reading and that the real heroine exists.

‘It’s not like I didn’t know. The main character of my life is me. I need to get my act together. It’s good to be free, right?’

I forcibly pulled my sinking feelings up by the scruff of my neck. If I let myself feel down like this, I’ll be the only one who loses out.

 

***

 

The days were a chaotic blur. Contrary to my worries, I didn’t have a moment to feel down. I attended classes at the Academy, did my assignments, and occasionally accompanied Jeras on his investigations. On the days Jeras didn’t come, I tried to run into Kieryk and talk to him, even for a little while. I was doing this to check the progress of his demonization, and thankfully, the speed was not as fast as I had feared.

Is Jeras doing something? If so, that’s a relief.

‘But he hasn’t said a word about what he’s doing, so it feels unsettling.’

“Alright, my dear students. Please pay attention! I have an important announcement today.”

Vanessa’s voice was always cheerful. It was so full of spirit that it energized everyone who heard it. Why Nia, who is as lethargic as a sloth, has someone like her by her side is a complete mystery to me.

Vanessa stood on the podium, clapping her hands to gather the students in the auditorium. At the same time, the lights went out, and a bright, shining phrase was created by the lights in the darkness: “Night to Connect the Future.”

“It’s here again, as promised! The Academy’s biggest event, the ‘Night to Connect the Future!’ This is a golden opportunity for you all to meet your amazing seniors who are excelling in various fields. So! Who will be gracing us with their presence this year? Are you curious, everyone?”

“Yes!”

“Your voices are too quiet! I guess you’re not curious?”

“We’re curious!”

A shout-like roar erupted. Vanessa cackled in satisfaction and raised her hands high.

“Who do you think this year’s invited speakers will be? Drumroll, please… The list… will be revealed on the day of the event!”

“Aww, what a bummer.”

“I can’t believe we fell for it again.”

“I thought for a second she’d actually tell us in advance.”

A wave of groans and complaints rippled through the hall. This wasn’t the first or second time she had tricked them. The boy who cried wolf would weep in shame.

Vanessa didn’t care and clapped her hands, turning the lights back on.

“Today, we’re going to select six student representatives to perform a magic and swordsmanship demonstration at the ‘Night to Connect the Future’ event.”

Suddenly, a piece of paper and a pen appeared in front of each of us. The paper was divided into magic and swordsmanship sections, just as Vanessa had said.

“As student representatives, it’s an Academy tradition for the students to choose them, as you all know! Write down three names in each section. Don’t forget, the students who receive the most votes must attend as representatives!”

“Professor, I have a question.”

A male student in the front row raised his hand. The student council president… what was his name? I couldn’t remember his name. Anyway, he was scheduled to graduate next year, and everyone was making a fuss about him being a sure bet for graduating at the top of his class, so I knew who he was.

Vanessa nodded.

“Questions are always welcome at the Academy. What is it?”

“I’m curious if any currently enrolled student can become a representative.”

The auditorium was incredibly quiet, and the student council president’s voice was so clear and loud that even I, sitting in the back, could hear it without difficulty. And I also understood the intent behind his question.

There was no way I couldn’t. As soon as he finished his question, about half of the students looked at me.

‘This feels… ominous.’

“Of course. If you are a student and you have the qualities to be a representative, anyone can take the stage at the ‘Night to Connect the Future’ event as a representative. However, once the representatives are decided, they cannot be changed, so please vote carefully. Understood, everyone?”

“Yes!”

“Are there any other questions? If not, we’ll start voting right away. Just fold the paper and throw it up, and it will be collected automatically.”

As if waiting for Vanessa’s explanation to end, the students quickly scribbled with their pens. I also moved my pen around a few times for no reason and then folded the blank paper and tossed it into the air.

I wasn’t close to anyone, so I had no idea who was good at which magic. I didn’t even know the student council president’s name, so I couldn’t even vote for him.

The white papers flying into the air and disappearing were quite a sight.

Watching the scene, I had a premonition. I knew a good number of those papers would have my name on them.

The reason was simple. A malevolent smile was on the lips of every student who had looked at me after hearing the student council president’s words.

“The votes have all been tallied. I’ll announce the results right away. These are the three student representatives who will demonstrate magic for you!”

Once again, the lights went out, and three names appeared in the dark air. Reo Ponstana, Claris Yuvel, and…

Eloered Shu Le Kilmaria.

Even Vanessa couldn’t hide her surprise at the unexpected result.

The student council president turned around and looked at me. It was too dark to see, but I could easily imagine the bitter, nasty smile on his face.

I didn’t avoid his gaze.