Chapter 50

Gordon was trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat trickling down his pale cheeks as he tried to suppress his pain and groans.

"As you well know, I detest deceit."

No one likes deceit.

But few people hate deceit as much as Emperor Ujis.

It couldn't be helped.

Emperor Ujis ascended the throne at the age of five.

He was exceptionally intelligent even as a child, but he was still a child, and if the adults blocked his eyes and ears, he could grow up knowing nothing.

The Empress Dowager and the high-ranking nobles manipulated the young emperor and controlled the empire.

They had prepared the most foolish of the late emperor's illegitimate children to replace Ujis when he grew up and it became difficult to continue as regent.

They would change the emperor if necessary.

That was their plan.

Although their plan was foiled when the Willow family discovered it, leading to a bloody purge.

Because of this, the emperor detested deceit.

He showed his cruel side by publicly executing the Empress Dowager and the nobles who dared to play with him.

Gordon immediately knelt and prostrated himself.

His shoulder, which was undoubtedly cracked, shook uncontrollably, but he held on.

"Please forgive my incompetence, Your Majesty."

The emperor was mad, but he was not stupid.

He only killed those for whom he had evidence.

That's why he couldn't eliminate the Squire family, whom he suspected of regency but lacked evidence against.

"Of course, I forgive you. I value you."

It was a lie.

The emperor trusts nothing and values nothing.

"…Your words are too kind. I will do my utmost."

The emperor gestured behind Gordon.

The head butler, who had been standing silently without even breathing, approached and offered Gordon a silver tray.

On the tray lay a luxurious and special letter sealed with the emperor's wax seal.

It was an invitation to the Sun Palace.

For the emperor to meet a mere lady, who wasn't even the heir of her family?

And for an unmarried noble lady to be met by an unmarried emperor?

It would turn the social world upside down.

The reason for sending the invitation and meeting her in person was obvious.

He wanted to see if Tereza would continue to live as a wild child as he wished, or if she would become a troublesome variable.

"Of course, I should meet and encourage a student who has achieved such remarkable accomplishments."

The excuse was plausible, but no one would accept it at face value.

It was even more significant that the emperor chose to send the invitation through Valhalla, rather than the Squire family, to eliminate any chance of Raoul's involvement.

In any case, what was important was that the emperor had both deep regret and curiosity about Tereza.

Gordon's role was to act as a bridge to deliver the emperor's invitation.

And to keep a close eye on Tereza from now on.

'In case I need to eliminate her.'

"I will gladly convey Your Majesty's wishes."

* * *

It was a morning like any other.

Except for the thick, ominous clouds that blanketed the sky.

And the slightly greasy breakfast.

And the minor misfortune of dropping Felix's book on my foot while trying to return it to my bag.

"Ugh, it's cold."

The wind was particularly cold today.

I huddled and hurried to the main building.

The atmosphere was a bit chaotic.

'I can see outsiders.'

They didn't look like professors, and they weren't wearing school uniforms.

Upon closer inspection, they were wearing the badge of the Magic Association.

When they spotted me, their eyes lit up as if they had found the person they were looking for, and they whispered to each other.

Then the principal descended the stairs with a man in drab clothing.

'Oh, it's the Magic Association President, Milo?'

If that mad magician came to Valhalla, which he didn't particularly like, it must mean he wanted something desperately.

'I don't have a good feeling about this.'

The principal noticed me and approached with a very welcoming expression.

"Oh! Tereza, you're just in time."

I wanted to quietly avoid them, but I had no choice but to approach.

"Good morning, Principal. And to the President as well."

President Milo's eyes sparkled the moment he saw me.

"Lady Tereza! It's a pleasure to meet you. Ever since I received an urgent report about your exploits yesterday, my heart has been racing, and I couldn't sleep, so I rushed here this morning."

"Ah, yes…"

"To use magic animals to purify pollution! It's clear that your magic power must have a special force."

"I didn't control the magic animals; they acted on their own."

It seemed my words didn't register with the president, who continued to babble excitedly.

"We need that ability. Purifying polluted land is a natural duty."

After making a forceful statement, the president suddenly put on a rational front.

"But you can't purify all the monsters and polluted land. It's physically impossible."

Does this guy not realize his premise is flawed?

"So, if we investigate the secret of your magic power, other magicians might be able to use similar abilities, right?"

Oh, so you want me to be a test subject for the Magic Association?

Livia's episode with white magic development played out similarly.

I didn't expect it to apply to me.

Accepting here would be a trap.

'It would be game over immediately.'

The president cunningly spoke as if performing a sacred duty.

"Can you cooperate for the sake of humanity, Lady Tereza?"

For the sake of humanity, not just to research new magic.

Ding!

[Throne 'Tereze, Born of the Heart' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[What the hell, you crazy old man?]

Ding!

[Throne 'Detective' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Analysis results: pure nonsense.]

Ding!

[Throne 'Cider Pass' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Go, Tereza! Go and crush them!]

The principal stood back with a smile the whole time.

The surroundings were bustling with students, professors, and association members watching the scene.

They were whispering, eager to hear what I would say.

But as I remained silent, the noise gradually died down, and the lobby fell into silence.

'How strange.'

Until recently, I would have hated being in such a spotlight, but now it was just a bit awkward.

'Am I getting used to interacting with people?'

Well, anyway.

I slowly opened my mouth.

"Before I answer, there are errors in what you said, President. It's true that I'm good at purification magic, but it's not true that I used magic animals to purify the contaminated land."

"That's—"

I continued before the president could interrupt.

"And you said my magic power has a special force, but it was already revealed in Valhalla's internal aptitude test that my magic power has no attributes."

Denying this would mean not trusting Valhalla's system.

"And you said it's for the sake of humanity? I joined the student council, taking on the burden of dangerous missions, even though I'm only B+ level."

I smiled, but my eyes didn't.

"Are you saying I should become a test subject based on the assumption that my magic power is close to the Magic Association's wishes?"

The Magic Association members were the first to react.

"What insolence!"

"Indeed, the rumors about Lady Squire are true!"

"How selfish, not even willing to sacrifice for the empire!"

The extras, who couldn't boldly criticize me, were just spouting off based on numbers.

But they didn't get much support.

"You're right, senior."

"Why should a Valhalla student be a test subject for the Magic Association?"

"If that's the case, all students with special talents should be test subjects. Where are the talentless magicians in Valhalla?"

Just as the atmosphere was turning chaotic,

"Those who just spoke ill of my daughter should confess now."

'Huh? That voice…?'

I turned around in shock.

Not just me, but everyone here, especially the principal, looked at the suddenly appearing person with a strangely twisted expression.

"Father?"

Raoul approached with a look that could crush everything and wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulder.

As I was surprised by the unexpected warmth, Raoul said,

"Confess your sins and kneel, or I'll make sure you can never stand again."

This was the moment when the source of Tereza's wild DNA was revealed.