Chapter 2

Emilia stood in the room assigned to her in the dormitory, by the window. She took a deep breath, her long, wavy hair neatly arranged, and dressed in her beautiful uniform, she basked in the warm morning sun, feeling the start of the day. In her hand, she held a letter containing a secret.

She turned the envelope over, but the sender's name was not written. Only a faint pattern-like watermark was visible in the corner. Emilia traced it slowly with her hand and whispered softly, as if reciting a poem. After finishing, she opened the seal and read the letter.

"Ms. Emilia Sedrash,

I have important news about Mr. Alois.

Please come to the rose garden at noon.

If you don't, you will regret it."

After finishing the letter, Emilia turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window. The trees, bathed in the morning sun, were lush and green, swaying gently in the breeze. The view from the dormitory room where she had spent the past three years would soon be a thing of the past. Now that the fateful moment had passed, all that remained for her was this life and the brief respite until graduation. Or so she thought...

"Stories don't end so easily..."

It was the morning of the third day since Mr. Alois had broken off their engagement.

***

The Royal Nebulia Academy. In the eastern part of the campus lies the rose garden. In the past, a court magician who loved roses donated hundreds of varieties of roses collected from both domestic and foreign sources to the academy upon his retirement. Even now, these roses are carefully tended, blooming with rich fragrance and vibrant, fresh petals.

Emilia slipped through the archway entwined with climbing roses. Beyond the entrance arch, the sky opened up to a place where colorful roses bloomed profusely. The flowers were in full bloom, and a few students could be seen admiring their beauty, drawn by the roses' allure. Emilia narrowed her eyes, searching for the person she was looking for among them.

(There she is...)

She saw a back view. Golden hair flowed softly around her neck. Then, she slowly turned around, and their eyes met.

"You came, Ms. Emilia."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting... Ms. Stella."

Stella smiled at me with a very cute smile.

"What do you need from me?"

"Oh, didn't I write it in the letter?"

"What about Mr. Alois?"

"It's obvious, isn't it, Ms. Emilia? It's about your engagement to Mr. Alois. Ms. Emilia, are you really going to recognize our relationship?"

"There's nothing to recognize; I no longer have that right."

"But you are the fiancée, aren't you?"

"The engagement has already been broken, so I will follow that."

An engagement is a contract between families. The day after the fateful day when Emilia was told that her engagement had been broken by Alois, she was urgently called to the family's mansion in the capital by her father, who had just returned from the estate. She was told again about the broken engagement, accompanied by harsh words. For Emilia, who was disliked by her family, this led to a very sad conclusion, but that is a story for another time. What is clear is that the decision of the head of the family is absolute, and a broken engagement between families cannot be reversed.

Emilia took a breath and looked around. The rose garden is always open to students. Even now, a few other students could be seen besides Emilia and Stella. Young ladies chatting at garden tables placed among the roses, a male student from the knight's course dozing in the shade of a tree, a female student from the magic course diligently writing in a notebook while observing the roses, and a couple smiling as they admired the roses. Everyone was spending their time at a comfortable distance, but the number of people was a concern.

"Ms. Stella, if this is a personal matter, especially one involving the honor of the nobility, we should talk in a quieter place. There are too many people here."

"Oh, that's convenient for me."

"Eh?"

"Because it will cause a commotion, which is exactly what I want."

"Commotion?"

"Because it will cause a commotion, you see."

"Ms. Stella, what do you intend to do...?"

"Just to get back on the right track."

Stella smiled with a twisted grin. Immediately after, Emilia saw Stella grip a dull knife and slash her own left arm with it.

"Ah!"

Stella's shrill scream echoed through the rose garden. Her left arm, cut by the sharp knife, was torn, and the knife was thrown at her feet. In that situation, the person facing her was me.

Emilia instantly understood.

She had called me to finish the incomplete Alois route perfectly. To create a future that Emilia had not chosen, even if it was a staged event.

Even though Stella's uniform was cut by the knife, there was no blood. The uniform, tailored for the young nobles, was made of high-quality fabric, thick enough that her skin was not injured. This was clearly part of her plan.

The students in the rose garden, hearing the scream, looked at Emilia and Stella in surprise. Then, several shadows approached from the entrance of the rose garden. Emilia clenched the edge of her uniform.

"Stella!"

Three men appeared in the rose garden, calling Stella's name and rushing over to her. They surrounded her protectively and glared sharply at Emilia.

"What did you do to Stella?"

"What did you do to my Stella?"

"Emilia, what did you intend to do to Stella?"

The second prince, the magic boy, and my ex-fiancé. Handsome and excellent men, the targets of the dating game, were all present.

"Mr. Alois! And Mr. Virgil! Kris too!"

Ex-fiancé, Alois Warren

Second Prince, Virgil von Nebulia

Genius Mage, Kris Cohen

Emilia noticed that Stella showed a moment of surprise when the three men surrounded her. It was unexpected for her that these three men would be here. "Why are you all here?" she asked, and the second prince answered, "Alois showed me Stella's note. I had a bad feeling, so we came together," and the other men nodded in agreement.

Stella's original plan was for Alois to come and realize Emilia's madness, then kill her to protect Stella. However, not only Alois but also the second prince and the magic boy had gathered, which was unexpected for Stella. She saw this as an opportunity, smiled slyly, and immediately put on a sad expression, hugging the three men.

"Emilia called me... and said to disappear, to die..."

"You did such a cruel thing!"

"You should just disappear."

"Emilia, you're being so mean to Stella just because I don't pay attention to you!"

The three men glared sharply at Emilia with their handsome faces. Emilia, trying not to be intimidated by their intensity, looked straight ahead and spoke.

"I did not say cruel things to Ms. Stella, nor did I lay a hand on her."

"Don't lie!"

"I am not lying."

"Look! Stella's left arm is cut!"

Prince Virgil, about to pounce, accused her. The torn uniform, the small knife on the ground, and the trembling Stella all pointed to Emilia as the attacker.

But I didn't do it.

"May I ask one thing? Mr. Alois, which is my dominant hand?"

"Left! What does that matter?"

"Yes, I am left-handed."

Now, it's time for the counterargument.

"Prince Virgil, please calm down. You should understand immediately."

"I am calm!"

"Your Highness, the arm cut by the knife is the left arm."

"Right! You must have tried to cut Stella!"

"No. I am left-handed. Think about it. If I had attacked Stella head-on with a knife, her right arm would have been cut."

"..."

"As a swordsman, you should understand, right?"

"..."

"That... at that moment, I held the knife in my right hand!"

"Why would you do that? It makes no sense to hold a knife in your non-dominant hand when attacking."

"But...!"

Stella was at a loss for words. Emilia had hit a nerve. The prince, who had been shouting, was also at a loss for words. As a swordsman, the prince was humiliated for not recognizing the technique, or perhaps he had a doubt about the woman he loved. Whatever the reason, he did not speak again.

"But, I was called by Emilia! She wanted to hurt me!"

"Unfortunately, I was also called here."

"Lie! I was called by Emilia!"

"...I have proof."

"Proof!? You don't have any!"

Emilia gently took a letter from her uniform pocket. Stella, seeing the letter, widened her eyes in surprise. Emilia continued.

"Ms. Stella, and Mr. Kris, do you recognize this letter, or rather, this envelope?"

"That... I gave it to Stella..."

"Yes, I understand, Mr. Kris, as a mage."

Emilia turned her gaze to Kris, the genius of the magic department. His neighbors, the ex-fiancé and the second prince, tilted their heads, not immediately understanding her words. It was outside their expertise.

"This letter was enchanted."

"Enchanted? What kind of enchantment?"

"To disappear into dust after reading."

"Disappear? What's the point of that?"

"For example, when you don't want the content to be seen by others."

Emilia held up the letter so the men surrounding Stella could see it.

"Ms. Emilia Sedrash,

I have important news about Mr. Alois.

Please come to the rose garden at noon.

If you don't, you will regret it."

The men stared at the letter intently. They were silent, recognizing the handwriting.

"You have quite distinctive handwriting, Ms. Stella."

"That's not my handwriting! It's a trap! I was framed!"

"Then, how do you explain this envelope? This is a special envelope enchanted by Mr. Kris, and you were the only one he gave it to."

It was probably a special envelope that Kris and Stella used to exchange letters secretly. Secrets can sometimes be a spice that fuels love. In reality, it was a convenient item for Stella to exchange letters without being noticed by other targets, and for Kris to show off his magical prowess to the woman he loved. Kris, a first-year in the magic department, was so talented that he was expected to receive the title of "Mage" immediately after graduation. He had a lot of magical power, and his magical formula deployment was still a bit rough but would be refined through his studies at the academy. Even he was a boy in love, wanting to show his best side to the girl he liked, and gave her the enchanted letter.

A win-win item for both. However, in this situation, the enchanted envelope has become a double-edged sword.

Emilia sighed softly.

It was a futile struggle. The men, including the ex-fiancé, now had a small doubt about Stella. That was enough. The small crack would expose her lies. Stella, realizing this, glared at Emilia with a resentful expression.

"Ms. Stella, please stop."

Emilia looked at Stella calmly.

I want you to give up.

I want you to realize that the route you desire will not happen.

Wishing this, Emilia warned her. But she saw the heat in Stella's eyes, still burning with resentment, and a bad feeling rose in her. Stella, realizing that Emilia was fighting back, showed a nasty smile. Unfortunately, the men surrounding her, protecting her, did not see this expression.

"Ah!" Stella screamed again.

She raised her arm, trembling, and pointed at a dog that had appeared.

Seeing this, Emilia's body froze.

(Stella, are you really going this far...?)

The screams of the students in the rose garden, who had witnessed the commotion, echoed loudly. The students were seen running around in panic at the edges of her vision.

It was not just any dog. Its eyes were bloodshot, and sharp fangs were visible at the corners of its mouth. It growled lowly, taking a step closer, and drool dripped from its mouth as it moved. Its paws, which could easily injure a person, had sharp claws. Most notably, the dog was enveloped in a black miasma. In this world, such a creature is known by a specific name.

"Monster..."

A "Monster." Enveloped in black miasma, it possesses formidable physical abilities and an abnormal level of aggression, attacking people and livestock indiscriminately. Due to its ferocity, it is difficult to subdue, and when discovered, it becomes a target for the knights, who are professionals in combat. While monsters can appear spontaneously, it is almost unheard of for one to be in a populated area, let alone the capital. The capital, as a place of authority where the king resides, and with the headquarters of the knights and mages, ensures the security of the city. Especially in a safe, protected academy where the future's elite, particularly noble young men and women, study, it is impossible for a monster to be present.

In fact, Emilia and the monster have an inseparable relationship.

One of the routes where Emilia, after her engagement was broken, attacks Stella with a monster and is then torn apart by it, exists.

However, Emilia herself never wished for such a thing to happen. As the person involved, she did not bring the monster to the academy, and she was genuinely surprised to see it appear here. If a monster had wandered into the capital, it would be quickly eliminated by the knights and mages, as the capital is well-protected. The idea that a monster would coincidentally appear in the academy is absurd.

Someone must have brought it here. A ferocious monster would not appear in this place and at this time unless someone brought it.

(Stella, are you really going this far...?)

Stella's shrill screams continued as Emilia stood in shock.

"It's you! You brought that monster here!"

"It's not me!"

"You sent that monster to kill me!"

"Why would I...?"

"You may have accepted the broken engagement verbally, but you still love Mr. Alois and hate me, your love rival!"

"That's not true!"

"Lie! You hate me, so you used a monster to kill me!"

The monster in the rose garden growled lowly.

Its appearance, enveloped in black miasma, was terrifying. It glared at Emilia, her ex-fiancé, and Stella, who were in the center of the rose garden. Its sharp fangs, visible intermittently, further fueled the fear. It seemed to be in a threatening stance. However, upon closer inspection, the monster had not moved from its spot since it appeared. It remained in the same position, as if it were obeying a command to "stay." Normally, a monster would rampage and attack people and objects, but this one stood still in front of its prey.

It seemed to be waiting for a command from someone.

"I didn't use a monster... It's not me!"

"Ms. Emilia, you can control a monster!"

"That's not true!"

"No, your family is famous for producing medicinal herbs! You can get Magi leaves!"

Emilia frowned at these words.

Indeed, the Sedrash family, led by a baron, owns a resource-rich forest with many valuable plants. Plants have infinite potential, capable of becoming both medicine and poison. Magi leaves are one such plant, extremely rare. They grow only near cool water sources, in shaded areas that receive good moonlight, and can only be found in a few places in the Sedrash territory, known as a botanical treasure trove. Few people know the name, habitat, medicinal effects, or usage of this plant.

"Ms. Stella, how do you know about Magi leaves?"

"What?"

"Why do you know that Magi leaves are needed to create a special drug to control a monster?"

"Everyone knows that!"

"Monsters are generally thought to appear spontaneously and attack people. Why would you think they can be controlled?"

"What!?"

"Controlling a monster is not common knowledge."

"That's not true!"

"Controlling a monster with a special drug and magic is a top-secret national matter. Only a select few in the upper echelons of the government and the families managing the herbs know about it. Isn't that right, Prince Virgil?"

"That's... right..."

"Did you tell Ms. Stella, Your Highness?"

"I would never reveal such confidential information!"

"Then, Mr. Kris?"

"I don't know how to do that..."

"Of course not. No matter how talented you are in magic, you are still a student."

"..."

"Then, Ms. Stella, how does a mere baron's daughter know about this?"

Emilia stared sharply at Stella.

It was still forgivable that she was trying to frame Emilia. If Emilia could prove her innocence, no one else would be hurt. However, using a monster was unforgivable. It was ferocious and could easily injure or kill people. This was a school with many students. If a dangerous beast were to be released, the students would be defenseless, leading to many casualties and significant damage.

"Ms. Stella, please stop this foolishness."

Emilia spoke in a cold voice.

"Don't say that! It's not me! Don't pin it on me!"

"Right! Don't blame Stella!"

Emilia was exasperated by the men, who still protected Stella. Did they hate her so much? And why were they so blindly devoted to Stella?

Was this the power of love?

Emilia had hoped for a peaceful resolution.

But she didn't want that.

She wanted everything to go according to the script.

The route where Emilia dies, the route of mad love.

Then, let her see reality.

"Ms. Stella, let's end this."

Emilia slowly raised her left hand in front of her chest.

There was no wind, but suddenly a gentle breeze danced around Emilia. Her long hair caressed her cheek, and her uniform skirt fluttered.

She took a deep breath and began to speak softly, as if singing or praying.

A faint light began to glow from her left hand. At the center of the light, a circular diagram composed of special language characters shone beautifully.

The men and Stella, witnessing Emilia's mysterious actions, were speechless. No one failed to understand the meaning. They were students of the highest educational institution and had recognized the unusual occurrence in their surroundings.

At first, the roses blooming in the rose garden swayed slightly. A rustling sound was heard, and the leaves and stems began to move, growing rapidly. Thorns with sharp points extended and moved as if they had a will of their own, heading towards the center of