A Woman's Transformation is Innocent (1)
Regardless of whether they were human or elf, there was one universal truth that bridged all racial divides. As exam day approached, students' tempers inevitably frayed. The academy cadets seemed to hit puberty all at once, sparking brawls over the pettiest reasons right there on campus.
"You just glared at me, didn't you? Duel me!"
"Bring it! You've been cocky as hell lately anyway!"
Classmates who once banded together in cliques now amounted to little more than rivals on the eve of graduation exams. Only twenty students would pass. It was only natural that friendships shattered before such a brutal trial.
High elf cadets, true to their parents' nature, were ruthlessly cunning and selfish. They knew better than anyone that the more failures, the higher their own odds of success. They studied diligently under the instructors hired by Trident Company, all while silently praying their peers would flop.
"It's brutal out there."
"What's Master got to be scared of?"
"Takes me back to my school days. Stuff like this always blew up at the start of terms. Transfer kids from other schools sorting out the pecking order—fights every damn day."
"Whoa, scary."
"Right?"
The two nerds whispered as they slipped through the tense corridor thick with menace. A shout echoed from ahead.
"No fighting in the academy!"
It was Liana's voice. The sword instructor who'd transferred in just yesterday. It always fell to the teachers to break up these scraps. If they cared that much about protecting students, they could've shielded our Alonne from the bullying before it started. But the faculty had their own headaches, so Yushin let it slide.
"Beat 'em half to death, instructor!"
A high elf boy barked the order—not at a servant, but at his Trident Company instructor. The elf he'd picked a fight with had one too. Naturally, no fists flew. Not because Liana intervened; high elf kids ignored elf-born teachers' nagging anyway. The instructors simply refused to engage.
"We're here to teach."
"You must be mistaken. We're high elves, disciples of Lord Bariteon Trident himself. We have zero interest in play-fighting with greenhorns like you."
The instructors backed off. Humiliated in front of a crowd, the two high elf boys flushed crimson. Used to bullying servants, they'd grown arrogant—ordering around a high elf instructor no less. They thought they were the big shots, but that only worked on lower castes.
"They could just duel it out themselves."
"Master knows they're bigger cowards than they let on."
"All talk about duels, but no spine to back it up. Pathetic."
Brawls erupted multiple times a day—in classrooms, hallways, even outdoors. The air crackled with savagery, like something out of a movie.
Of course, nothing touched Alonne. Yushin stuck to her like glue. Even the Trident instructors steered clear of him, yanking back any student who tried picking on her by the scruff.
"Things are getting weird. Kinda worried about Leticia too."
"Why her?"
"She doesn't bring a servant. What if some kid starts shit? They all look half-crazed."
"Do whatever."
Hmph. Alonne turned away, clearly miffed at Yushin's concern for Leticia. But she didn't argue. Deep down, she worried too. They snarled at each other on sight, but some reluctant fondness had built up. Especially since jealous girls already targeted Leticia, Santander heiress or not.
"Where's Leticia?"
"Library time. Girl's never lost top spot—studies like a maniac."
"You know her schedule?"
"I-I just happened to hear!"
Alonne stammered. Yushin chuckled. Her flustered pout only made her cheeks burn hotter. She acted prickly, but Leticia was the one classmate who might actually become a friend—the only one who listened despite their spats.
"Hey, temp."
Yushin called out to Liana. Having confirmed the feuding high elf boys storm off, she scowled at his mocking tone.
"Insolent human!"
"Why bust your ass so hard? Temps don't get overtime or late-night pay anyway. Blame your incompetence for not going full-time."
"Shut your mouth!"
Heavy facts hit like punches. Liana, bearing the temp worker's plight, stomped toward him fuming. Alonne unwittingly clapped at their effortless banter. They seemed like oil and water, yet synced perfectly. Put 'em in an opera, and they'd pack houses.
* * *
Back from the academy, Yushin dragged a bored Allen from Valencia Castle straight to Santander Castle via warp gate. There, they met his subordinates now working for the family—officers in the private guard, decked out in sharp uniforms, thriving.
"Ah, Lady Allen...!"
"Guh! How'd you get here?!"
Isana. Heina and Tucker. Yushin's men froze at Allen's face, bracing for a scolding over their sloppy capture by elves. With her temper, words wouldn't cut it.
They edged away, eyes on Yushin. Sure enough, the blue-haired woman twisted her face in fury.
"You worthless maggots—because of you, my man's...!!"
It was their fault. They got Yushin captured. Forced her to let him go, endure heart-wrenching separation. The pain was unimaginable—even battle-hardened Allen trembled at the memory, like her chest was ripped apart. And these idiots were culprits one and all.
"Behave."
Yushin raised a hand, then thunked Allen's head.
"Ow!"
"Why not listen? You rabid dog or what?"
"B-but...!"
"Hands off my men. Or you wanna see me pissed?"
"Fine... sorry."
Allen pouted. Hard to believe this was the murder machine from seconds ago. Only her handler could leash the beast. The men gaped at Yushin's masterful control—without him, they'd be minced.
Thank god for the boss...
Lady Allen's the kingdom's top beauty, but terrifying... Rumors say she split an ogre's skull barehanded.
They gulped. Allen was stunning—a Valua standout. No wonder Prince Alphonse fell at first sight. But Allen Rocksfield's savagery ruined it. Witnesses to her merciless slaughters stayed stone-cold to her looks. Ruthless, excessive—even in war, critics called her out.
"S-so, what brings you here..."
Isana stepped up bravely. Allen's glare nearly made him piss himself, but he held it—legs still quaking. Playboy who'd charmed elf maids galore feared her. No way to flirt with that.
"Hand it over."
"...Pardon?"
"Money."
"....."
Allen's palm opened. His men emptied pockets into it. Law's distant; fist's close. Elf laws ignored slaves anyway—whine, and you'd get whipped at court.
"No biggie. Checking on you guys, plus business with Lady Leticia."
"Got it."
Isana grinned. Classic boss. Eyeing Santander's prize? He'd overheard Leticia gushing about Yushin to her dad and staff, starry-eyed like a smitten girl. Connoisseur Isana predicted her fall soon.
"Grinning?"
Allen closed in. Isana dropped his gaze from her scowl.
"N-no, ma'am..."
Kingdom's Seven Swords, seat two. Allen Rocksfield outranked a mere adjutant like him. Military life's brutal that way—class crushed all. Even as foreign slaves, drilled discipline cowed him.
"Hello. You're early."
Leticia glided in elegantly amid the chatter. High elf lady—poise radiated nobility. Red curls to her waist, pale blue-gray eyes: a knockout. Santander's genius topped the academy for years.
"How many elves you know, anyway?"
Allen pinched Yushin's side. Elf gender imbalance meant plenty of beauties, sure—but not swarming her fiancé.
"Got the magic tool you asked for, sir."
Leticia produced it: a necklace. Unlike their choke collars, this was jeweled finery. Official name: Mischief Maker's Disguise Tool. Altered the wearer's appearance.
Yushin needed it to hide Allen's identity.
"Human from Valua?"
"Acquaintance."
Allen cut in.
"Fiancée."
"Quiet."
"It is, though?"
"Nope."
Allen stressed it like hiding meant nothing. Yushin scowled at her bullheadedness. Fiancée. Leticia's brow twitched.