Chap 45-Determination

 

“…How dare you.”

Duchess Reizel Rapelasia’s low, cold voice froze the air inside the headmaster’s office.

The overwhelming pressure emanating from her silenced not only Bella and Professor Emilia, but even the headmaster and vice-headmaster.

But the two did not back down.

“I understand Your Grace’s feelings, but,”

Professor Emilia spoke first.

She was not deterred by Duchess Reizel’s murderous gaze, and spoke in a voice that was as calm and firm as possible.

“We cannot hand over a student of the academy to outside forces for any reason. This is the most important principle of the academy established by the Master.”

Duchess Reizel’s brow twitched at her words.

She looked at Emilia as if she couldn’t understand her, or as if she pitied her, and said,

“Principles? You’re going to protect that trash because of some principle? Do you really not know what harm that bitch has done to the academy? Or are you turning a blind eye even though you know?”

Her gaze turned to me. It contained contempt, along with a strange light that seemed to desperately want something.

“Whatever mistakes Yeon Bennet may have made in the past, she is now a student of the academy.”

Professor Emilia replied without wavering.

“I am only trying to protect the students. There are no exceptions for any student.”

I was a little surprised by Professor Emilia’s firm attitude.

Wasn’t she the same person who had grabbed my hair, slapped my cheeks, and hurled all sorts of insults at me until recently?

The way she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, calling me a ‘slut in heat’ and ‘trash,’ was still vivid in my mind.

But what mattered now was not Professor Emilia’s true feelings.

It was to get out of this situation somehow.

Duchess Reizel was determined to take me away right now, no matter what it took.

‘No… if I’m dragged away now…!’

Midterm exams.

In the original game, a major incident that would shake the academy was scheduled to occur at that time.

Many students would be in danger, and the academy would be plunged into great chaos…

To prevent that incident or reduce the damage, I had to stay at the academy for now.

But looking at Duchess Reizel’s firm attitude, it didn’t seem like she would back down easily.

Even if Professor Emilia or Bella tried to stop her, it was uncertain how long they could hold out against the power of the ducal family.

‘Is there any way?’

I desperately started racking my brain.

A way to escape this crisis and stay at the academy at the same time.

A clever plan to convince Duchess Reizel, or to get help from others.

There was no time. I had to come up with something quickly.

“Haa…”

Duchess Reizel let out a deep sigh.

And the next moment, she moved.

There was no special omen or sign.

She simply gestured lightly towards the floor, and the solid marble floor of the headmaster’s office began to writhe like a living creature!

“…Kugh!”

Professor Emilia sensed the danger and quickly cast a defensive spell.

She was a level 7 Witch specializing in healing and defensive magic. The translucent barrier she erected seemed wide and sturdy enough to cover the entire headmaster’s office.

But Duchess Reizel’s attack did not directly target the barrier.

Following her gesture, the marble floor beneath Professor Emilia’s feet melted like liquid, and something rose up.

‘Tentacles?’

The white, smooth marble tentacles writhed like snakes, bypassing Professor Emilia’s barrier and rushing towards her body.

Swish!

The tentacles instantly entangled Professor Emilia’s limbs and torso.

It was not just a simple physical restraint. With each touch of the tentacles, Professor Emilia’s Mana was sucked away as if absorbed into the marble, and her movements were drastically slowed.

“Cough…!”

Eventually, Professor Emilia knelt down powerlessly.

The marble tentacles that bound her seemed to be absorbing her Mana and becoming even stronger.

Level 8 and Level 7.

It was only a one-level difference, but the gap was overwhelming.

Duchess Reizel, as if no longer interested in Emilia, turned her gaze back to me and slowly approached me.

It seemed she was planning to subdue me and drag me away this time without giving me a chance to resist.

It was then.

Clang-

With a sharp sound, Bella drew her sword and blocked the path between Duchess Reizel and me.

She didn’t say anything.

But her firmly closed lips, unwavering eyes, and resolute stance with her sword made her will clear.

Even after seeing Professor Emilia being helpless just a moment ago, she showed no signs of backing down.

But… that courage was close to recklessness.

“Foolish.”

Duchess Reizel gestured dismissively towards Bella, as if she were annoyed.

It wasn’t a special magic or attack.

She simply waved her hand lightly in the air, but Bella’s body was helplessly blown backwards like a leaf swept away by a strong wind.

“Ugh…!”

Bella, who collided with the wall, fell to the floor with a short groan.

The sword she was holding fell to the floor with a loud noise.

Professor Emilia had at least managed to hold out for a while by casting a defensive spell, but Bella had been helplessly blown away by a single gesture from Duchess Reizel.

The power of an Level 8 alchemist was beyond imagination.

“Bella!”

‘Damn it… is there no other choice?’

Further resistance was meaningless.

No matter how much I struggled here, it would only make the situation worse.

Duchess Reizel had already made up her mind, and there was no one in this academy who could stop her.

‘When is the guardian coming down? Is it still far off?’

If Sera’s condition was really so serious that the duchess herself had to move, then they were also in a hurry.

‘To save everyone… what should I do?’

‘Should I rather be dragged away and solve the Rapelasia family’s problem first?’

If I solve it as quickly as possible, can I make it in time?

Will the Rapelasia family let me go?

Just as my mind was becoming complicated and indecisive, Duchess Reizel raised her hand again towards the fallen Bella.

It seemed she was planning to either completely knock her unconscious, or take even more drastic measures.

“…!”

I reflexively blocked Bella.

And I smiled lightly at Duchess Reizel.

“I’ll go with you. There’s no need to cause a commotion, is there?”

Duchess Reizel’s hand stopped in mid-air at my words.

She looked down at me with a surprised expression.

She probably didn’t expect me to come out so willingly.

Her eyes seemed to waver for a moment, but soon returned to their original cold and emotionless expression.

“…A wise choice.”

Duchess Reizel replied briefly, as if satisfied, and turned around.

“I’ll wait outside. Don’t take too long.”

Leaving those words behind, she left the headmaster’s office.

As she disappeared, the frozen air seemed to thaw a little, but a heavy silence still lingered.

I silently headed towards the dormitory to pack my things.

“Yeon! Wait a minute!”

Bella and Emilia followed me. As we walked down the hallway, the two of them tried to persuade me with worried expressions.

“Yeon, are you out of your mind? Do you know what kind of place that is, and you’re willingly going along with it!”

Bella shouted, grabbing my arm, unable to hold back any longer.

Her voice was a mixture of urgency and anger.

“The Rapelasia family won’t treat you kindly! The reason they want you is…!”

“I know.”

I cut her off.

“I know how they think of me, what they want.”

“You know, and you’re still going? Are you crazy?”

“It’s okay.”

I shook off her hand and started walking again.

“I can’t send you there alone! I’ll go with you too!”

Bella blocked my path again, insisting.

Her eyes were sincere.

But I had no choice but to shake my head.

The things that would happen in the Rapelasia territory were likely to be beyond what Bella could handle.

I couldn’t put her in danger as well.

I looked straight at Bella and said as coldly as possible.

“I’m sorry, but you’re too weak.”

“…What?”

Bella’s expression froze at my cold words.

Her eyes shook greatly as if she couldn’t believe it.

Shock, embarrassment, and a hurt expression.

I tried to ignore the complex emotions that flashed across her face, but my heart softened when I saw her wavering eyes.

‘Was I too harsh?’

But…

It was necessary.

At that moment, Emilia, who was next to me, interjected in a sharp voice.

“But… the Rapelasia territory is very dangerous for you right now!”

Her voice surprisingly contained concern.

I turned to Professor Emilia with a puzzled expression.

She was the same person who had called me ‘trash’ and ‘slut’ and couldn’t hide her disgust until just a moment ago.

Why was she suddenly so worried about me?

“…Why are you suddenly concerned about me, Professor?”

I asked honestly.

“Surely… you hated me a lot, didn’t you?”

Professor Emilia’s face flushed slightly at my question.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked straight into my eyes as if she had made up her mind.

Her voice contained reverence and a hint of guilt.

“You are… the Master’s disciple, aren’t you!”

“…!”

‘Ah… so.’

I didn’t know how she found out, but she had realized that I was Master’s disciple.

No wonder her attitude had been subtly different since before the headmaster’s office.

From the way she addressed me to this worried attitude now.

I finally understood why she had suddenly started using honorifics with me.

“Then… how much do you know about me?”

I asked quietly, and Emilia was at a loss for words.

She hesitated for a moment, then,

“Other than that you are the Master’s disciple…”

She mumbled.

“I see.”

I smiled faintly.

“Are you trying to protect me simply because I’m Master’s disciple, because of that responsibility?”

“Th, that’s…!”

“If so, you don’t have to.”

I cut her off.

“I am the villainess that you, and the rest of the world, know me to be. I’m the kind of person who harms people, brings Contamination, and acts as I please. I’m not worthy of the name of Master’s disciple, that kind of person.”

“But…! The Master’s disciple wouldn’t do that!”

Emilia shook her head in denial, as if she couldn’t believe it, or didn’t want to believe it.

“So…”

I looked straight at her and said.

“If you’re trying to protect me just because I’m ‘Master’s disciple,’ then I’m not worth it. Instead, use that power to protect this academy and the students while Master is away. That’s what Master would want more.”

Emilia couldn’t say anything more at my firm words.