Chapter 19

【Shen Li】

I slip into the classroom and quietly take a seat at the edge, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, as quiet as I can be.

In this academy, magical prowess is important, but so is one's status as a noble. And one's race is equally significant.

I was good at magic in the middle school. I wasn't particularly strong in magic power, but I was often praised for my quick learning.

Perhaps that's why, even though I had few friends, I thought I was doing fine in middle school.

But when I advanced to the high school a year early, everything changed dramatically.

I started to be the subject of gossip and began to face harassment. Even though I had good grades in middle school, in high school, I was below average. Being a beast person and the daughter of a nominal viscount, my existence was almost worthless.

If I made a mistake, I was scolded and ridiculed. If I stood out, I was accused of being arrogant and faced more harassment. I was even pushed down the stairs and had my clothes set on fire with fire magic on my way home.

In just a few months, I was worn down to the point where I could no longer do anything. When I tried to use magic in class, the extreme tension made my body tremble, and I often failed to cast spells.

I know it's a vicious cycle, but I can't help it. I secretly practice magic at night, but as soon as I enter the classroom, my body tenses up, and I start to tremble and feel like crying just from the stares.

I even thought about quitting the academy, but that would be a disadvantage to my family. It might be better to die in an accident.

If I could just disappear, if I could stay asleep and never wake up, how happy I would be.

But a change came to my life, a change that brought some light.

It was my encounter with Mr. Aoi, who became a senior teacher at a young age. Most teachers would treat me as if I didn't exist.

But Mr. Aoi talks to me. Just that alone makes me feel so much better.

Unfortunately, we've only had one class together so far, but when I secretly waved at him, he smiled back at me.

I felt a weight lifted from my heart. It felt like I had found a place where I belonged.

Whenever we pass in the hallway or the cafeteria, I always greet him, and he always greets me back. Even my middle school friends, who are afraid of the high school seniors, no longer return my greetings.

So when I saw Senior Rox talking badly about Mr. Aoi, I couldn't hold back.

"That woman must have some ulterior motive. There are rumors that she can use top-tier magic, but she never showed any magic when I asked her to. This means she needs some kind of setup to use magic. She became a senior teacher through such fraudulent means and treats the royal family as if they are nothing, flaunting her status... That woman might be a threat not only to this academy but also to the Six Great Nations."

Hearing those words in the hallway, I felt a crushing sadness, regret, and pain in my chest.

Rox, a prince of the Varted Kingdom, can use advanced magic in all four major elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—and is even called a genius. His influence is unparalleled.

And yet, Senior Rox was mocking Mr. Aoi.

"We have to take her down. Well, a nasty commoner like her, no one will miss her if she's gone."

He laughed happily, and the people around him joined in.

Seeing that, I burst out.

"Mr. Aoi is a wonderful person! It's you, Senior Rox, who is the worst for speaking ill of such a person!"

I shouted, crying, at a royal.

"…Woman, say that again."

Rox's voice, tinged with anger, echoed, and the faces of the senior nobles around him twisted into amusement, and I could hear their laughter.

My knees almost gave out from fear.

But I couldn't hold back, so I shouted through my tears.

"Don't bully Mr. Aoi!"

---

【Cort】

Aoi Konominato. She looks like she's in her twenties, but her magical skills are undoubtedly at the level of a senior teacher or a court magician.

If all the rumors are true, she might be on par with the headmaster.

However, her background is unknown. Not only her origins, but even which country she lived in until recently is a mystery. She might have been hiding in one of the smaller nations.

If she had been born in one of the Six Great Nations, she would have been identified in the birth registry, which records all magicians. The only exceptions are children born in secret by prostitutes or by bandits and outlaws in remote hideouts.

In such cases, the parents would not hide their children if they knew they could be valuable. It's well-known that children with unknown origins and magical talent are often sold into slavery.

So, why did she come to the academy from a small country? If she revealed her origins and served as a magician in one of the Six Great Nations, Aoi could gain both noble status and wealth.

"…The reason she came to the academy as a teacher. If she has been doing independent magical research, she must be the child of a noble. But she claims to be a commoner…"

I want to attend more of Aoi's classes, but unfortunately, I don't know which classes she teaches.

So far, I've only had one class with her, but I hope to have more soon. I wish it would be a class I can take.

As I was thinking this, I heard a girl's scream from the end of the hallway.

Surprised, I hurried down the hallway and turned the corner. There, I saw a girl lying on the floor and Rox Kilbeg.

Around them were the usual high-ranking nobles from the Varted Kingdom, laughing happily.

The girl, who seemed to be in pain, was coughing and trembling. She was quite small, perhaps a middle school student.

"…Is something amusing? Everyone seems to be having a good time."

I spoke softly, but my words disrupted the atmosphere.

They are children of nobles from other countries. Rox, in particular, is royalty. My family, the Butlers, holds one of the highest positions in the Cort Highland Federation, but the federation is a union of small countries that formed to maintain independence as the Five Great Nations grew in power.

The power dynamics are different.

If we were to oppose the Varted Kingdom, our country would undoubtedly be split in two. Some might even offer the Butlers as a sacrifice to make peace.

In other words, completely opposing Rox is risky.

I have been cautious with a few individuals, but I believe I have maintained a good distance from all of them.

I think I can handle this situation well. With that in mind, I glanced at the girl and approached Rox.

"Is everything alright?"

When I asked, Rox opened his mouth with a slightly displeased look.

"Hmph, Cort. Do you know this fool?"

"No, I probably don't know her. I was just curious because you, the future leaders of the Varted Kingdom, were having a good time after class."

Rox snorted and pointed at the girl.

"This fool just contradicted me… Hey, Cort, why don't you join us? I'm planning to take down that woman, Aoi. I'll show her what happens when you insult the royal family."

Rox said this with a hideous smile.

That sounds interesting.

I thought I would respond with an ambiguous smile, but different words came out of my mouth.

"That's a pretty pointless game. It shows the true nature of the Varted Kingdom."

"…What did you say?"

Rox's eyes seemed to flash with anger at my words. For some reason, I couldn't help but laugh at his menacing appearance.

"Because, isn't this the second prince?"

The moment I said that, Rox began to chant a spell, his eyes burning with rage.

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