Chapter 87 : Sometimes, the butterfly doesn’t land on the flower

People tend to be extremely lenient with their own actions.

If you ask someone who vapes, they always make excuses, saying it’s fine because it’s not a regular cigarette.

I used to think they were being foolish when I saw that, but now that I think about it, I might be the same as them.

What I’m using now is called “magi,” which is said to be even more addictive and harmful than drugs, but since it’s somewhat refined, isn’t it

okay?

My body isn’t falling apart from being consumed by magi, and unlike normal magi, it’s hard for others to notice any changes in me.

The magi that reshapes the body to the user’s desires has molded me into a much more ideal version of myself. A more elegant figure came as

a bonus.

‘I should have done this from the start.’

Even the splitting headaches are gone now. I feel pleasantly hazy, like I’m buried in clouds. Magic? No problem. Just like last time, with the

help of magi, I can freely manipulate diverse and advanced powers that I could only use in my mental world.

I could even conjure elemental fire that I couldn’t produce no matter how hard I tried before—it came out so easily it felt almost empty.

If this isn’t a cure-all, what is? …Though it does make my nose bleed a bit more than usual.

I feel like a fool for having followed the rules so diligently before. Even though I always said “be careful with fire,” fire exists to be used in the

end.

Look, everything is going well. Isn’t that why I can’t stop smiling like this?

“Hehe.”

Maybe the reason the world is spinning is because I’m happy right now.

‘Trea is dead?’

Even while waiting for her turn, Teferi’s thoughts spiraled endlessly. Dead? Was that a rough way of saying she was just angry?

She wished for a little more clarity, but unfortunately, the girl hadn’t said anything else after that statement.

Afraid that speaking unnecessarily might provoke her again like last time, Teferi was left stewing in her own confusion, unable to do

anything.

What finally broke her train of thought was Professor Aram calling her name.

“It’s Miss Teferi’s turn next. Would you come forward, please?”

[Ah, yes.]

The practical exam was simple: subdue or eliminate a monster matching your class’s difficulty level. Every combat student took part.

The monster assigned to Teferi was a Red Troll, said to be too much even for regular academy students—but for her, it posed no issue.

“Then, shall we begin?”

Professor Aram clicked his tongue as he opened the cage gate containing the monster. Soon, the deep growl of the Red Troll echoed as it

charged at Teferi with great speed.

Teferi took a breath, then used her thumbs and index fingers to form a diamond-shaped magic circle. Chains of magic shot out of thin air.

Despite the gasps around her, she calmly and skillfully began to subdue the troll.

Groooowl!

The Red Troll, known as the Nightmare of the Mud Forest, was helplessly bound by Teferi’s spell, its notorious reputation rendered

meaningless.

Having never experienced such humiliation in its life, the troll thrashed in confusion but couldn’t escape the bindings.

‘This magic wasn’t meant for something this trivial…’

She sighed in frustration, remembering when she used to apply her sleep magic precisely. If only she could return to that time.

But such thoughts were futile now. She had become dependent—emotionally and physically.

“Great job, Teferi!”

Even the compliments didn’t hit her like they used to. Compared to what she’d be capable of in a few years, this was nothing.

She offered a faint smile and returned to her seat. Trea’s turn was next.

“Miss Trea, would you step forward?”

“Of course, professor.”

Trea walked between the students, her silver hair swaying to her shoulders. As she moved, whispers stirred among the crowd.

That’s her, right? The duke’s daughter.

She was top of the last exam—what about this one?

Who knows. The results are already out. It’s obvious, isn’t it?

Unlike her past life, she hadn’t shown any notable achievements in this one, so public opinion hadn’t changed much since before she entered

the academy.

Only a few who knew her true power remained silent. Still, Trea paid no attention to the chatter and simply walked forward.

“As you can see, please subdue or eliminate the monster that comes out of the cage. Are you ready?”

Professor Aram asked with a kind tone despite his rough appearance.

Trea, casually glancing around the training ground, asked,

“Is there a score difference between subduing and eliminating?”

“Not much, but we recommend subduing. These monsters are academy property, after all.”

“Then I’ll try to keep it alive.”

Despite the combat setting, she showed no tension, mumbling to herself while strolling as if on a leisurely walk.

To Teferi, it looked like carelessness in the face of her enemy.

“There are a lot of flowers here. Back home, only lavender bloomed.”

“We’ll open the cage now. Good luck!”

Mooooargh!

As the door opened, a massive bull-headed monster charged at Trea.

“Oh no, a Minotaur?”

“Professor, is this a mistake? Even upperclassmen struggle with that!”

Trea’s opponent was a Minotaur—an advanced-level monster stronger than the Red Troll. A beast rarely seen except in high-level dungeons.

Its charge shook the ground, a challenge far too great for lower-level students. But Trea only stared at it blankly, showing no interest.

Only when it reached striking distance did she speak softly.

“Flare.”

Fwoosh. Jet-black flames burst forth—the same ones seen when she faced the Gold Dragon, Orquiel. A black flower bloomed.

Normally, she couldn’t have produced even a flicker of fire, but magi made the impossible possible. Truly a dutiful helper.

The flames spread only over the Minotaur’s body, not touching anything else, etching black patterns like embroidery on its flesh.

Mooaaaaargh!

The Minotaur, feeling pain for the first time in its life, screamed. The crawling agony stopped its charge and rooted it in place.

Only a monster of its caliber could withstand this. A weaker one would have collapsed long ago.

Her magic was so potent that not even a single butterfly would come near her deadly bloom.

“Oh, right. I was supposed to subdue it.”

With a snap of her fingers, the flames vanished without a trace.

But when she snapped again, the Minotaur’s limbs were sliced cleanly off, like cooked meat. Dust rose where they hit the ground.

Though drenched in blood and unconscious, it was technically alive. You could call that subduing—if you stretched the definition.

“Shall I continue?”

No one spoke to her as she calmly looked toward the other students.

‘That was the best.’

Everything that had only ever been a dream until now moved according to my will. The magical growth I had longed for. The reverence and

admiration of others.

Was this what I had been working for all this time? …Who cares.

‘In the end, it’s all still my ability. Even if I used magi.’

It’s all great when using magi—except for one side effect: mood swings, like someone with bipolar disorder.

That mix of satisfaction and emptiness caused my emotions to plummet rapidly. Even without much anxiety, my fingers kept drifting to my

lips.

‘…I don’t regret it. This is the result of all my struggles…’

“May I have a word?”

Startled by the voice, I looked up to see Amither standing there, arms crossed, the first time I’d seen her in a month.

“We need to talk.”

Her yellow eyes gleamed.