Chapter 79 : Suspicion

Precious people die. To the demons, distinctions like gender or age are meaningless.

Places filled with memories collapse. Fields that farmers have worked so hard to cultivate are trampled, and bustling streets are set ablaze.

Idols are erected, and innocent people suffer while apostates who accepted demonic power thrive in the future.

To prevent the terrible things that will happen, Teferi decided to use a bit of knowledge from the future.

Normally, she tried to restrain herself so that the future she knew wouldn’t be disrupted, but this situation was far too grave to call ordinary.

There was no guilt. If anything, she felt a strange sense of pride. If there was a reason she returned through time, it must have been to save

people and prepare for such a situation.

It’s a power used not for personal greed but for everyone. Who could possibly complain about that?

Even Teferi herself thought what she did earlier was flawless. She firmly believed in that.

It should have been perfect.

“Today is a day when many of my common beliefs are overturned. Even though you’re from the same upper class, I heard you came from the

countryside…”

[Oh, it’s nothing.]

“So humble, too. It would’ve been wonderful if someone like you existed in my nation.”

Quick in action, decisive in judgment. Without any formalities, the conference between humans and elves regarding demons began on the

very first day and ended in great success.

The biggest contributor was Teferi, walking beside me. No one had expected much from her, but once the conference began, she became the

star of the show.

Sharing only essential and strategically useful information about demon traits, habits, and countermeasures, she seemed like someone who

had prepared tirelessly for this day.

I had thought she was just another ordinary student, but her active participation quickly won Lurue’s favor. It made sense — until now, she

hadn’t done anything particularly notable.

Because of that, Teferi found herself being pestered by Lurue as they walked apart from me.

“You don’t look well.”

The only one who noticed the change in my expression was Amither. It wasn’t because she was especially perceptive — my face was just that

visibly grim.

Normally, she’d throw in a sarcastic comment and tell me to mind my own business, but today she silently walked with me to our assigned

lodgings.

“You were amazing today. Don’t tell me you’re upset about that?”

“…What do you take me for?”

The path to the dorm was filled with the scent of wildflowers. Evening primroses bloomed here and there, but sadly, I couldn’t smile like

them.

“You said you read it in a book?”

That was Teferi’s answer when someone asked where she got that knowledge. She claimed to have found it by chance in an old text and had

been analyzing it since.

A lie. No such content exists in any book on the continent. I can say that with confidence, as I’ve read every single book about demons.

Rather, the knowledge she spoke of resembled situations from the latter half of the original story. Things like ambush strategies and

encirclement appear only around that point.

“But how?”

The Teferi I know is an ordinary student who belongs among the main characters. No mysterious birth or secret past — at least up to the part

I read.

It’s currently the summer of first year, which is still the early stages of the original. Meaning, she should have no way of knowing such things.

And yet, she knew. I couldn’t explain how she possessed such knowledge of demons so naturally.

Could my actions have changed the future? The butterfly effect happens frequently — I’ve experienced it many times.

But even that doesn’t provide a clear answer.

“Your presence here is a blessing to the continent. Truly, Lizda’s favor shines upon us.”

[P-Please, that’s embarrassing…]

She’s hiding something. Something very big.

If I could just figure out that one thing at the center, everything else would likely unravel.

I always knew she was a sly one underneath…

“If that’s true, must I now doubt my friend?”

My slow steps gradually became shorter. At some point, I realized I was biting my nail — a habit I thought I’d kicked.

I don’t know anymore. My mind is a mess.

Teferi, whom I’ve observed for the past few months, has always been kind and gentle, just like in the original.

Even if she’s truly deceiving us, I can’t bring myself to think it was with ill intent.

In fact, I’m beginning to feel disgusted with myself for doubting her with such flimsy evidence.

There’s a saying that a scholar counting the stars fails to see the well before him.

Thud.

While walking lost in thought, I tripped over a rock. My light body was easily thrown off balance.

“I told you to be careful.”

Had Amither not caught my arm, I would’ve face-planted in the dirt.

Right at the doorstep of the dorm, I nearly embarrassed myself.

She let go of my arm and stared at me without asking any questions. That gaze made me instinctively blurt out an excuse.

“I-I must be tired. Don’t worry about it.”

“…Really, I’m fine. See you tomorrow.”

This misunderstanding will pass one day. Everything will be okay.

I escaped into the room assigned to me, almost as if running from her.

Come to think of it, I slept fine in the carriage — that whole “tired” excuse was total nonsense.

Knock knock knock.

Someone was at the door.

“Lurue?”

“May I come in for a moment? It’s nothing serious.”

“Um, sure…”

My head ached from constant worrying, and I had planned to sleep, but it was still early in the evening.

The princess, wearing a pale pink robe, held several papers in hand.

She pointed to a few spots and handed them to me.

“You were the top scorer on the last exam, weren’t you? I’m having trouble with some of these questions.”

“That’s… not much of a reason.”

Since she’s also taking succession lessons, academics inevitably got pushed to the back burner.

Apparently, this was the first time she had a chance to properly study since midterms ended weeks ago.

Being a princess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Not that I’m one to talk — her life sounds exhausting.

“You have Teferi, too. You two seemed to get along well earlier…”

“…Don’t tell me you’re jealous? The princess has quite a cute side after all.”

“Cute?!”

The word “cute” was something I’d only ever heard from my older brother back at home. Never since.

Objectively, I’ve always been told my appearance is intimidating.

If anything, people say I’m beautiful — but cute? That’s…

Lurue seemed amused by my reaction and giggled as she sat gently beside me.

“Teferi may be the top student, but she’s surprisingly poor at teaching others.

She tries to explain, but you can tell something’s missing. I figured she wasn’t cut out to be a teacher.”

They say geniuses often struggle to teach. Is that the reason? Or is it something else…?

More importantly, it’s clear now — I was her second choice.

“…So you really did ask Teferi first?”

“You really are cute.”

“enough nonsense. Just bring the questions over.”

The worksheets she brought were from the academy exams — specifically, the magic theory section.

Despite her limited study time, she had answered quite a few questions, though the farther back, the fewer the correct answers.

The question she asked was the final one — the so-called “anti-perfect-score” question.

“This one… ordinary students wouldn’t be able to solve it.”

“I’m no ordinary student, am I? Even if I don’t know now, it’s worth learning for the future.”

“Alright, then.”

I remembered when I first learned magic. It took me a whole week just to open a mana circuit. I thought I was the worst kind of talentless

fool.

But before I knew it, I was in a position to teach others.

“You know how a single incorrect rune in a spell can drastically reduce its effect, right?”

“If that’s confusing, let’s move on for now. You make a cube with chains and…”

Though she grumbled about not understanding, Lurue grasped the concept quickly.

She marked a triangle on the last question and smiled brightly.

“Hmm… When it comes to magic, you’re a better teacher than Teferi. Honestly, you’re amazing.”

“No, that’s only because Your Highness understood it well.”

“If you’re going to be modest, you should at least fix that twitching mouth first. Poker face — remember what I told you last time?”

After she left, night had fallen. I lay in bed, recalling our conversation.

I was better than Teferi.

Maybe to her, it was just a passing compliment.

But to me, it was unforgettable.