Determination
"…How dare you."
Duchess Rayzel Lapellacia’s low, cold voice froze the air inside the principal’s office solid.
The overwhelming pressure radiating from her made Senior Bella and Professor Emilla, and even the principal and vice-principal, hold their breath.
Yet the two of them did not back down.
"I understand Your Grace’s feelings, but,"
Professor Emilla spoke first.
Undeterred by Duchess Rayzel’s murderous gaze, she kept her voice as calm as she could manage, yet unyielding.
"We cannot casually hand an Academy student over to any outside force, for any reason. That is the most important principle the Grand Elder established for this Academy."
Duchess Rayzel’s brow twitched at those words.
She looked at Emilla as though she could not comprehend her—or found her pathetic—and said,
"Principles? You’re going to shield that piece of trash because of those damn principles? Do you truly not know what harm that bitch has done to the Academy? Or are you simply turning a blind eye even though you know?"
Her gaze shifted to me. Contempt filled it, along with a strange light that seemed desperately to want something.
"Whatever mistakes Student Yeon Bennet may have committed in the past, she is currently a student of the Academy."
Professor Emilla answered without the slightest waver.
"I am simply trying to protect the students. There are no exceptions for any of them."
I was a little surprised by Professor Emilla’s firm stance.
Wasn’t she the same person who, until only a short while ago, had grabbed me by the hair, slapped my face, and poured every kind of insult over me?
The image of her glaring as if she meant to kill me, calling me a “bitch in heat” and “trash,” was still vivid.
But Professor Emilla’s true feelings were not what mattered right now.
I had to get out of this situation somehow.
Duchess Rayzel looked ready to drag me away this instant by any means necessary.
No… If I’m taken away now…!
The midterms.
In the original game, a major incident that would shake the entire Academy was scheduled to erupt then.
Many students would be thrown into danger, and the Academy would descend into chaos…
To stop that incident—or at least reduce the damage—I had to stay at the Academy for now.
Yet looking at Duchess Rayzel’s hardline attitude, she did not seem the type to withdraw quietly.
Even if Professor Emilla or Senior Bella stood in her way, it was uncertain how long they could hold out against the power of a ducal house.
Isn’t there some way?
I desperately began turning over every possibility in my head.
A way to escape this crisis while remaining at the Academy.
A clever move that could convince Duchess Rayzel, or secure help from someone else.
There was no time. I had to think of something—fast.
"Haa…"
Duchess Rayzel Lapellacia let out a deep sigh.
And in the next instant, she moved.
There was no special warning, no telltale presence.
She merely gestured lightly toward the floor—and the solid marble of the principal’s office began to writhe as though it were a living creature!
"…Kugh!"
Professor Emilla sensed the danger and hastily raised a defensive barrier.
She was a Level 7 witch specialized in healing and defense. The translucent shield she deployed looked wide and sturdy enough to envelop the entire office.
But Duchess Rayzel’s attack never aimed at the barrier itself.
At her gesture, the marble floor beneath Professor Emilla’s feet melted like liquid, and something rose from it.
Tentacles?
White, smooth marble tentacles writhed like snakes, slipped past the barrier, and lunged straight for her body.
Slash!
In a heartbeat the tentacles bound Professor Emilla’s arms, legs, and torso.
It was no mere physical restraint. Wherever the tentacles touched, her mana was sucked away as though the marble itself were drinking it, and her movements slowed drastically.
"Guh…!"
At last Professor Emilla sank to her knees, strength gone.
The marble tentacles binding her seemed to grow even harder as they absorbed her power.
Level 8 versus Level 7.
Only a single rank separated them, yet the gap was overwhelming.
As if she no longer had any interest in Emilla, Duchess Rayzel turned her gaze back to me and began to approach at a leisurely pace.
This time she clearly intended to subdue me and drag me off before I could even resist.
That was the moment.
Shing—
With a sharp ring of steel, Senior Bella drew her sword and stepped between Duchess Rayzel and me.
She said nothing.
Yet her tightly sealed lips, unwavering eyes, and the resolute way she held her blade made her will unmistakable.
Even after watching Professor Emilla fall helplessly moments earlier, she showed not the slightest intention of yielding.
But… that courage bordered on recklessness.
"Foolish."
Duchess Rayzel gestured toward Senior Bella as though the girl were an annoyance.
It was no special spell, no flashy attack.
She simply waved her hand lightly through the air—and Senior Bella’s body was flung backward like a leaf caught in a gale.
"Ugh…!"
She slammed into the wall, let out a short groan, and crumpled to the floor.
The sword she had been holding clattered loudly as it fell.
Professor Emilla had at least bought a moment with her defensive magic, but Senior Bella—a pure swordsman—had been sent flying by a single casual gesture from the Duchess.
The power of a Level 8 Alchemist was beyond imagination.
"Senior!"
Damn… Is there really no other way?
Further resistance was meaningless.
If I struggled here, I would only make everything worse.
Duchess Rayzel had already decided, and there was no one left in this Academy who could stop her.
When is the Guardian coming down? Is it still far off?
If Sera’s condition was truly serious enough for the Duchess herself to move, then that side was urgent too.
To save everyone… what should I do?
Should I just let myself be taken and settle the Lapellacia family’s business first?
If I finished it as quickly as possible, could I still make the timing work?
Would the Lapellacia family even let me leave afterward?
In the moment my thoughts tangled and I hesitated, Duchess Rayzel raised her hand once more toward the fallen Senior Bella.
She looked ready to knock her completely unconscious—or take even harsher measures.
"…!"
I stepped in front of Senior Bella on pure reflex.
Then I offered Duchess Rayzel a light smile.
"I’ll go with you. There’s no need to cause a scene, is there?"
At my words, the Duchess’s hand stopped in midair.
She looked down at me with an expression of mild surprise.
Apparently she had not expected me to surrender so quietly.
Her eyes seemed to flicker for an instant, then settled back into their original cold, emotionless mask.
"…A wise choice."
Duchess Rayzel answered shortly, as though satisfied, and turned away.
"I’ll wait outside. Don’t take too long."
With that she left the principal’s office without a backward glance.
Once she was gone the frozen air loosened a little, yet a heavy silence still hung over the room.
Without a word I set off toward the dormitory to pack my things.
"Yeon! Wait a minute!"
Senior Bella and Emilla followed right behind me. The entire walk down the corridor they kept trying to persuade me, worry written all over their faces.
"Yeon, are you out of your mind? Do you even know what kind of place that is, and you’re just going to follow them?"
Senior Bella finally snapped, grabbing my arm and raising her voice.
Urgency and anger tangled in her tone.
"The Lapellacia family won’t treat you kindly! The reason they want you is—!"
"I know."
I cut her off.
"I know exactly how they see me and what they want from me."
"And you’re still going? Have you lost it?"
"It’s fine."
I shook off her hand and kept walking.
"I can’t send you there alone! I’m going with you!"
Senior Bella blocked my path again, voice firm.
Her eyes were completely sincere.
But I could only shake my head.
Whatever was going to happen in the Lapellasia Duchy was almost certainly beyond what Senior Bella could handle.
I could not drag her into danger for nothing.
I looked straight at her and spoke as coldly as I could manage.
"I’m sorry, but Senior is too weak."
"……What?"
At those icy words Senior Bella’s expression froze solid.
Her pupils shook violently, as though she could not believe what she had heard.
Shock, bewilderment, and the raw look of someone who had just been hurt.
I tried to ignore the complicated emotions that crossed her face, yet seeing those wavering eyes made my heart falter.
Was that too harsh?
But…
It was necessary.
Then Emilla, standing beside us, cut in with a sharp voice.
"But… right now the Lapellasia Duchy is extremely dangerous for you!"
To my surprise, genuine worry colored her tone.
I turned to Professor Emilla with a puzzled look.
Until mere moments ago she had been calling me “trash” and “bitch,” making no effort to hide her disgust.
Why was she suddenly fretting over me like this?
"…Why is the professor suddenly concerned about me?"
I asked honestly.
"You hated me quite a lot, didn’t you?"
At the question Professor Emilla’s face flushed faintly.
She hesitated a moment, then seemed to steel herself, meeting my eyes directly.
Reverence and a trace of guilt mixed in her voice.
"You are… the Grand Elder’s disciple, are you not!"
"…!"
Ah… so that’s why.
I had no idea how she had learned it, but she had realized I was Master’s disciple.
No wonder her attitude had shifted subtly ever since we stood outside the principal’s office.
From the way she addressed me, all the way to this worried concern now.
The reason she had suddenly started using honorifics finally made sense.
"Then… how much do you actually know about me?"
When I asked quietly, Emilla’s words caught in her throat.
She hesitated again, then mumbled,
"Other than the fact that you are the Grand Elder’s disciple…"
"I see."
I gave a faint smile.
"Are you trying to protect me simply because I am Master’s disciple—out of that sense of responsibility?"
"Th-that’s…!"
"If that’s the case, there’s no need."
I cut her off cleanly.
"I am exactly the villainess the professor—and the rest of the world—know me to be. Someone who hurts people, summons Contamination, and does whatever she pleases. A person unworthy of the name of Master’s disciple."
"But…! The Grand Elder’s disciple could never be like that!"
Emilla shook her head as though she could not believe it—or did not want to.
"So…"
I looked her straight in the eye.
"If you are only trying to protect me because I am ‘Master’s disciple,’ then I am not worth it. Use that power instead to protect this Academy and its students while Master is away. That is what Master would want far more."
At my firm words, Emilla could no longer speak.