The Price of Pride
Celenas poured the tea with such graceful movements that it seemed the liquid flowed straight from her hands.
Steam rose lazily from the cup, carrying a gentle floral scent that tickled the nose.
The afternoon light streaming through the window caught the surface of the tea and turned it into sparkling jewels.
She sat in the quiet, sunlit room, yet Philia’s face remained rigid, unmoved.
Even the fragrant tea and the plush sofa failed to ease the tension in her shoulders.
“It’s chamomile blended with retsha. The kind the Sachsen Kingdom loves to drink.”
Celenas set the cup before Philia with a warm smile.
Philia gave a polite nod and took a sip, but the warmth barely reached her.
She knew exactly what the academy’s protection meant.
Growing up in a political family, she understood the silent price of favor.
Her father was already plotting every possible slight, and the 2nd Prince faction would apply pressure in its own subtle way.
Even the donations they withdrew would force the academy to cut next year’s budget.
Guilt tightened her chest. She could not meet Celenas’s eyes.
“As I mentioned earlier, we rejected Count Serios’s request. Philia can continue attending the academy.”
“Thank you… but…”
Philia tried to speak again, but Celenas raised a hand, stopping her.
“We followed the academy’s regulations exactly.”
Following regulations did not mean Infante Serios had simply accepted it.
Philia’s throat burned; she took another sip of tea to hide her discomfort.
“The real issue is the tuition.”
Celenas frowned slightly.
“Count Serios withdrew the remaining tuition the moment he left. The academy has no right to refuse.”
Tuition at the academy varied by family wealth.
Students from ordinary backgrounds paid little; those from noble houses paid additional “donations” disguised as fees.
Celenas lowered the cup and studied Philia quietly.
“I know your situation, so I’d love to lower it, but the rules are clear. You’re still under Count Serios’s patronage. I’m sorry.”
“No, you’ve already been far too kind.”
Philia knew exactly how to exploit the regulations’ loopholes, yet she chose silence.
Her proud, conscientious nature could not bear to ask for any further favors, especially after all the harm she had already caused the academy.
She nodded steadily, eyes clear and calm.
“That’s right. That’s why 6th Princess Emilia has decided to sponsor Philia’s tuition personally.”
“The 6th Princess?”
Philia blinked in surprise.
Even if Zeroa asked, she would have no hesitation. She had shared a brief moment with Rai at her villa, but that was all.
Belonging to the 2nd Prince faction had kept her and Emilia apart; she had maintained distance even inside the academy.
“The princess felt terrible about this. She originally wanted to hide her name behind a scholarship, but she decided it would be better if Philia knew.”
Celenas lifted her cup again, sipping slowly.
Philia watched her, then lowered her own gaze.
“Your kindness is deeply appreciated, but I must decline. I’ll cover the tuition myself.”
Celenas’s eyes widened in genuine surprise; she set the cup down without realizing it.
“You’re certain?” she asked gently.
“The academy has already caused me enough trouble. Princess Emilia has helped me too much; she might draw unwanted attention from the 2nd Prince. I cannot ask her to shoulder any more.”
“But the amount is quite large…”
Whether the words were a warning or genuine concern, Philia refused to bend.
“That’s exactly why I must handle it. If the princess’s support becomes public, it would burden the academy itself.”
Celenas finally lowered her cup.
“Understood. I’ll explain everything to the 6th Princess.”
“Please only tell her that I accept her kindness with gratitude. Both the princess and the headmistress have been far too kind to this insignificant girl.”
Philia stood and exchanged a few more polite words with Celenas before leaving the headmistress’s office.
Alone, Celenas stared at the empty chair and the half-finished cup.
A soft laugh escaped her.
“Interfering after all…”
She spoke as though someone invisible still sat in the chair, but her eyes seemed to see Rai smirking over a cookie.
“You really know how to make people laugh.”
Annoyed at missing the opportunity, she stood with a small huff.
She didn’t know why he cared about Philia, but there would always be another chance.
“Phili-phili-phili~!!”
Philia had barely stepped out of the building when Cesset came sprinting over and threw herself into her arms.
She rubbed her face against Philia’s chest and looked up with shining eyes.
“What did the headmistress say?”
“Mmm… she just told me not to worry.”
Cesset had detected the hidden meaning behind Philia’s smile.
“Phili, you’ve been avoiding me lately, aren’t you?”
“Eh? Avoiding you? I’ve been the same as always.”
Cesset clutched her head dramatically, eyes wide in feigned shock.
“The same as always? You picked the Raikkang over your ten-year best friend! I know the Philia you used to be—she chose friendship over love!”
“What love?!”
Philia yelped and tried to grab Cesset, but the petite pure mage’s flailing arms were useless against her skilled hands.
Cesset hung limply from her grip, stretching her short arms to pat Philia’s head.
“Now you sound like yourself. Don’t stress so much.”
“…”
“I’m right here beside you. If anything happens, I’ll call my grandfather.”
“That’s a little…”
Philia knew exactly what would happen if Clyde Eliza stepped in.
A simple incident became a small war.
“Are you staying at the Raikkang’s place?”
“I want to, but I can’t right now.”
Understanding Philia’s reluctance to cause trouble, Cesset nodded with a sigh of regret.
Just as she knew Infante well, Cesset knew exactly what kind of man he was.
She would have to wait behind the scenes and support Philia from the shadows.
“What about money? Clothes? Did you bring a toothbrush?”
“Mom? Stop worrying.”
Philia laughed, soothing the anxious girl.
She had nothing, yet the number of people ready to protect her gave her unexpected strength.
Cesset finally relaxed and launched into her usual chatter.
Everyone at the academy already knew about the family conflict.
Even if some mocked her, most had offered encouragement or worried beside her.
“So I beat up that idiot orc and came back.”
Cesset punched the air while naming Gilbard, who had a grudge against Philia.
In truth, they had only exchanged words; she had simply made him back down.
Philia laughed as she listened to the exaggerated tale.
Soon after, she left for her additional lectures—pure mages required far more than combat students.
She grumbled about wanting to flee, but finally headed to class.
Before leaving, Cesset hugged her tightly.
“If Philia drops out, I’ll quit too.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Then don’t ever leave. We have to graduate together.”
Cesset made Philia pinky-promise, then grinned and headed to her lectures.
Philia stood alone, waving until Cesset disappeared, then turned and walked away.
Only after the situation exploded had she realized how many people truly cared.
Friends, upperclassmen, even strangers had come to console her.
Instructors also made sure to check on her.
Realizing she was loved by so many, Philia felt strangely fuller inside.
All she could do was offer silent thanks.
With a faint smile, she walked toward the academy shopping district and the Soltaine’s Cafe.
“Hey—good timing. I already ordered your favorite seasonal juice.”
Rai sat at a corner table, waving at her with a lazy grin.
Only one order before, yet he remembered it perfectly. Philia sat down, slightly stunned.
“Instructor, I rejected the princess’s offer.”
She stared at the juice but had no intention of drinking it.
“…I see.”
Philia’s expression remained tense.
She still wondered if refusing had been the right choice.
There were simple ways to gather the money—she could have borrowed from Selma.
Rai had warned her before she was called to the headmistress’s office.
The offer Celenas made was exactly what he had predicted.
Without hesitation, Philia had declined.
It wouldn’t harm Emilia, but it would hurt her master, Selma.
She felt guilty asking the motherly woman who had taught her so much to accept charity.
Yet she followed Rai’s advice and refused the princess’s help, choosing instead to borrow from Selma.
“Well done. Real students drain their masters’ bones, you know.”
Philia stayed silent; the insult felt strangely appropriate.
“I don’t mind being used by politics. That lizard is filthy rich anyway.”
“…”
“Why would you want someone with nothing?”
Philia could not understand.
She grew up in a political family and believed she understood the game of power and gain.
Yet she had nothing valuable to offer.
“You don’t realize how valuable you are yet.”
“I am?”
She had brought disgrace to her family and was essentially exiled.
Her value was negligible.
“You’ve heard rumors, right? The 2nd Prince faction is obsessed with lineage.”
“Yes. They want to return a hundred years to the past.”
“What do people like that value most?”
Philia thought for a moment.
“Bloodline?”
“No. Honor.”
Philia tilted her head, confused.
“Those obsessed with lineage compete among themselves over who looks the prettiest. They strut about with useless achievements and blood, claiming to be the most noble.
“But one chipped feather and their entire face collapses. Then their honor is gone.”
“So the chip on me is the problem.”
Philia understood immediately.
Her family’s stain would prevent her from ever regaining authority.
It might seem small to outsiders, but inside an organization that worshipped lineage, it was a major crisis.
“Bring me to the front lines and I can chip away at the Serios family’s honor. It’s a weapon the 2nd Prince faction desperately wants.”
Philia frowned at the explanation.
Pyramids would come crawling for her now.
Rai smiled faintly.
“Now you must choose one. One will hurt your pride, but I’ll explain.”
He raised one finger.
“Make a pact with the political faction that wants to use you for revenge against your father.”
“I refuse.”
“Of course you do.”
Rai nodded as he watched her reaction.
The second finger rose.
“Become a commander and build your achievements. But to avoid being used, you must become one the day you graduate.”
“…”
Philia could not answer immediately.
Many students joined the academy hoping to become commanders, yet few actually did.
Even fewer graduated and stepped straight into the role.
Academy history held only a handful of such cases.
“Why? Afraid you can’t?”
“Honestly, I don’t think I can… but I’ll try.”
“Trying isn’t enough. You must do it.”
“Yes! I will!”
Philia answered fiercely, almost defiantly.
She would be protected inside the academy, but after graduation she would face enemies from every side.
She had already seen too much of politics’ ugliness through her father.
Powerful people would come knocking as soon as her value was known.
She refused to be used by any of them.
“I will never become a commander and leave the academy.”