I Thought It Would Be Necessary to Tease This Arrogant Woman

Seeing Yuris run away, Helen was certain.

There was definitely something in that Fantasy Theater.

Something inside that could bring down the Iron-Blooded Knight.

Was that why?

Today, she couldn’t concentrate on her academy classes.

‘It’s not sinking in.’

How could it?

A clue to defeating the ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’ was right in front of her.

If a member of the Silvesta family could defeat the Iron-Blooded Knight, the family’s status would rise even higher.

She had done her own investigation into the Fantasy Theater, but nothing concrete turned up.

Even using the Silvesta family’s informants.

-We only have information that it’s a mysterious shop run by an illusion mage. No customers other than Yuris have visited, so there’s no information.

-I heard Droken admitted him to the magic department. He was called a young genius, but there’s also a report that he switched his major to illusion magic.

-Should we go in ourselves?

However, if a Silvesta informant went, it would surely arouse suspicion from the Iron-Blooded Knight or the illusion mage.

So, she withdrew the informants.

She heard the shop had been open for almost three weeks.

But Yuris was the only customer.

There’s definitely something there.

‘I was going to investigate for a little longer before going…’

I have to go now.

If the opponent is elusive, there’s only one way left.

Break through directly.

Go inside and figure out what Yuris is actually doing.

After class, Helen jumped up from her seat.

That’s when it happened.

“U-Um, Miss Silvesta.”

A disheveled male student approached her.

He was wearing the uniform that symbolized an academy student like her, but unlike Helen, his clothes were torn in places.

Even with the same uniform, there was a clear hierarchy.

An outcast in the department.

Not only was his family insignificant, but he was also a timid guy who couldn’t get along with anyone in her department.

He was even ugly because he didn’t bother to groom himself.

He was the classmate she hated the most in the department.

Of course, it wasn’t his face that made her dislike him.

An insignificant family.

A torn uniform.

And a face that wasn’t taken care of.

These three things were extremely irritating to her, who strived for perfection.

How could he go around looking like that?

Disgusting.

She covered her nose with a handkerchief and glared at the man.

“What is it?”

“Ah, w-well, you see…”

“Speak quickly. Don’t stutter.”

“U-Um, the assignment you gave us for general studies today. C-Could we work on it together?”

Ugh.

Annoying.

The very fact that such an unsightly man dared to speak to her made her angry.

Did he think that being in the same academy department put them on equal footing?

“Get lost. Don’t bother me.”

“A-Ah, sorry…”

At her sharp words, the department outcast stepped back and lowered his head.

Even that sight was unpleasant to see.

“Seriously unlucky. And today is an important day.”

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief as if she didn’t want to breathe the same air as the outcast who dared to speak to her, then quickly left the classroom.

She could hear other academy students snickering.

It was laughter mocking the outcast who dared to covet Silvesta, the greatest genius of spirit magic.

But such laughter from losers wasn’t important to Helen.

She hurried to the shop.

Looking around to see if Yuris might come.

‘There’s definitely a clue here.’

To catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger’s den.

Helen took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

She cut to the chase with the mage who appeared.

“What did Yuris do here?”

“Excuse me?”

As expected, a troubled expression.

The illusion mage, called Max, was sweating profusely and avoiding her eyes.

He clearly had something to hide.

I knew it.

He probably didn’t expect her to come so suddenly and investigate Yuris.

Is she that scary?

I understand.

The name Iron-Blooded Knight is very intimidating.

Wasn’t she called the knight who never loses?

Even a young talent would be afraid of her.

But you know.

‘Silvesta is greater.’

Than some mere knight.

Yuris’s family, the Belethaon family, was also a prestigious knight family, but it was much smaller than the Silvesta Marquisate.

So.

Our family must win no matter what.

Helen crossed her arms and glared at Max as she spoke.

“I already know everything. I know Yuris came here even on the day she won the mock battle. And that she’s a regular here.”

“You knew that much?”

“Yes. So, I’ll get straight to the point. Show me what she did too.”

It was a request for evidence.

“If you show me, I’ll give you a generous reward. The Silvesta family doesn’t lie.”

“…That’s difficult.”

Ugh.

This is going to be troublesome again.

“If you’re afraid of Yuris’s retaliation, you don’t have to worry.”

“It’s not that. It’s our store’s motto never to disclose our customers’ information to others.”

“Hmph, are you siding with her?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

“I’m just a mage who runs a theater, I’m not on anyone’s side. Who would dare to defy a member of the Silvesta family?”

“You know that well.”

Maybe it’s because he’s a mage.

He knows how to read the room.

Helen twisted her lips and looked at Max.

“Then why won’t you give it to me? Do you need a price? I’ll give you as much money as you want. Mages are always strapped for cash, aren’t they? How expensive are magic materials?”

“…”

The mage was silent.

Not many mages could refuse money.

How expensive were the magic tools and materials used in experiments?

Most mages who graduated from the academy became mages for lords or mages escorting merchants to cover these costs.

This guy will be the same.

They’re all like that.

How could such a pathetic mage dare to refuse her?

“I’m sorry.”

Clench.

Helen gritted her teeth.

Ah, annoying.

I really don’t like people who think they’re something special.

Not from a famous family.

Nor has he learned great magic.

He’s not backed by anyone powerful, so why is he so stiff-necked?

How dare he reject my offer?

He looked just like the outcast who dared to speak to her at the academy just now.

A fool who doesn’t know his place.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll shut down this shop in the name of the Silvesta family. I’ll say you’re deceiving people under the guise of illusion magic within the empire.”

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t make empty threats. You know there are many radical Goddess Church people who think illusion magic is evil sorcery, right? This place is a delicious target for them.”

“…”

“Don’t think it can’t happen? I heard you sell desires. You promoted it in aristocratic society, right? Selling desires with illusion magic. Isn’t that something only a demon would do?”

Thinking she had the upper hand, she smiled and beckoned.

“I don’t want to bury you. My goal is clear. The Iron-Blooded Knight, Yuris. Tell me what she saw. Then I’ll tolerate what you sell in this shop.”

The mage sighed.

Ah, fun.

It was so good to see a human who didn’t know their place realize it and crumble.

“If you put it that way, I have no choice. I can’t show you the video that Yuris saw, but I can show you what desires she enjoyed.”

Ah, now we’re getting somewhere.

“You’ll show me her desires. I like that.”

“Yes.”

“Good. I like it. Then bring the data.”

“I’ll show you with illusion magic.”

“You want me to enter your illusion?”

“That’s the only way I can show you. I’m an illusion mage, after all.”

“…”

Tsk.

Annoying.

I was just going to find Yuris’s weakness and leave.

If there’s no other way, I can’t help it.

“Okay. Show me her desires.”

“Before we go in.”

The mage sat her in a chair and asked.

“Do you have any dislikes?”

“What?”

***

She was an annoying woman.

The way she threatened me to do something about Yuris wasn’t a good look.

Helen de Silvesta.

The Silvesta family’s rising star.

The best spirit mage who will lead the family’s future.

Was it because she had always been loved, cherished, and received attention?

‘She has no manners.’

What’s with this as soon as we meet?

I understand she has bad feelings about Yuris, but it’s not okay to make such threats.

Threatening to report me to the church for practicing demonic sorcery.

Wasn’t that a declaration to bring down an entire school of thought?

Of course, even if she, along with the so-called ‘radical’ believers, reported our shop, it wouldn’t go bankrupt.

She’s just a young lady, no matter how promising she is.

It’s true she has the backing of the Silvesta family, but the Goddess Order wouldn’t be easily swayed by her words.

Those who dismiss illusion magic as heresy are only a minority within the Order.

There were far more who thought that overly radical actions were problematic.

‘Does she think I opened this shop without knowing that?’

Still, I thought she needed to correct her habit of threatening people like this.

She’s probably acting so arrogant because she’s always won and been loved.

Perhaps she needs to experience defeat once.

And wasn’t that what she wanted?

To see Yuris experience ‘defeat.’

I didn’t want to put personal feelings into my magic.

‘But it doesn’t seem like she’ll back down otherwise.’

It seemed like I needed to tease her a little.

I’ll engrave in her bones the experience of losing to what she hates the most.

“Let’s begin.”

Illusion magic was activated, centered around Helen Silvesta.