Professor El-Melloi II stood there expressionless.
His sharp gaze swept over Loye and Lilith like a surgical scalpel.
At this moment, facing the damage to the classroom’s public property, the hem of his deep blue robe seemed to freeze with a chill.
Lilith still maintained that utterly harmless, wronged look, her golden doe-like eyes moist as they scanned the angry students below, her silent accusation like sparks thrown into boiling oil.
Loye: ???
No, seriously, do you have to channel your inner drama queen right now?
Loye wanted to retort loudly, but time was already too late.
She had sparked a full-blown revolt.
“It’s him! It must be his failed spell that disrupted Miss Lilith’s magic control!”
“I knew it. This guy, relying on connections, doesn’t know his limits at all!”
“Compensate! Make him pay! This is a Victorian-era antique crystal chandelier!”
The noble children, led by Duke’s son Schett, seized the chance like they’d caught a huge scandal, their accusations raining down on Loye like arrows, the air thick with schadenfreude and spiteful satisfaction.
Loye rubbed his forehead, watching Lilith’s perfectly timed expression of terror, grievance, and the faint but still visible “worry over a friend’s mistake” — flawless and unassailable.
His throat felt blocked.
At this moment, any explanation would only sound like feeble excuses to these biased onlookers.
It perfectly exemplified the phrase “biting the bullet in silence, suffering without a word.”
Just as the nobles’ emotions surged, ready to drown Loye in spit and icy contempt,
“Silence!”
A heavy, clear voice rang out, like a cane striking the heart of every person in the room.
The entire classroom fell silent to the point that a pin could be heard dropping, even Lilith’s feigned light breaths vanished instantly.
All eyes turned sharply to Professor El-Melloi II standing in the center of the podium.
The professor leaned on his ever-present redwood cane, his posture as tall and firm as a winter cedar, his sharp gaze piercing through the crowd before fixing on Lilith’s suddenly stiff face.
His expression didn’t waver, his voice low and steady but filled with undeniable authority and a cold all-knowingness:
“The farce ends here.”
His eyes first swept over the aggressive noble children, as if looking through a group of noisy children, tinged with barely perceptible annoyance.
Then, his laser-like gaze locked back onto Lilith.
“Master Kardia, Miss Kannor.”
Professor El-Melloi II addressed Loye and Lilith by their formal titles, his tone calm but each word weighted like an irrefutable fact.
“Who attempted to manipulate a power beyond their control, and who, at the critical moment, used the correct shaping magic to prevent a greater disaster — this old man is not blind.”
“Nor am I confused.”
Lilith’s flawless mask flickered with a trace of panic.
Her golden eyes trembled slightly as she instinctively tried to speak, only to be nailed in place by the professor’s all-seeing gaze.
He gave her no chance for excuses and delivered his final verdict:
“Before the end of classes this afternoon, a 2,000-word written self-criticism is to be submitted, detailing the root cause of the spell’s failure and the possible severe consequences.”
“Especially the damage to public property, the potential fatal harm to classmates, and, as an heir, the necessary reflection and reverence for controlling power.”
“Whoever has to write it knows themselves; I won’t name names.”
“Remember to deliver it to my office.”
Professor El-Melloi II’s tone grew heavier,
Especially emphasizing the words “fatal harm” and “heir.”
Seeing Lilith’s face gradually lose color but then suddenly light up as if discovering a blind spot, her delicate features bursting into a joyful smile, the professor seemed to recall something and slowly added a line.
His voice was quiet but struck Lilith’s heart like an icy hammer:
“Don’t think your maid can write it for you. I will use magic to detect who actually writes the self-criticism.”
“Otherwise, don’t blame me if I leave a ‘Beautiful’ comment on your final magic practice class report, one you’ll never forget.”
He deliberately stressed the word ‘Beautiful.’
“Ugh!”
Lilith’s carefully maintained composure, that stage-worthy mix of calm and pitiful grievance, was replaced by sheer panic and fear at being completely seen through.
She could even imagine what that “Beautiful” comment would really mean —
Most likely a bright red “Fail.”
Failing an exam and having your parents called in is really embarrassing!
Loye quietly breathed a sigh of relief, watching Lilith’s pale face, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction and schadenfreude.
Serves you right for acting! Act until the professor’s iron fist lands on you!
Professor El-Melloi II announced the resumption of training, and only then did everyone relax.
Including Lilith, who felt a great relief.
But then, suddenly remembering the 2,000-word self-criticism and the threat of parental notification, she pouted in grievance again.
Loye raised an eyebrow, deciding to rub salt into this “offender’s” fragile soul.
Of course, mainly to enjoy her miserable expression.
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, laced with a teasing, mischievous tone as if he had narrowly escaped disaster and was about to taunt:
“Hey, Miss Lilith?”
“……”
Lilith’s body visibly tensed, but she said nothing, lowering her head further as if trying to bury it in the floor.
“Was that a shock just now?”
“…Hmph!”
Lilith squeezed out a faint nasal sound thick with resentment.
Loye ignored her resistance and continued, a wicked smirk tugging at his lips: “So? Still planning to ‘huff’ at me?”
He mimicked Lilith’s harmless little “huff” action, his voice low but full of mockery:
“Wanna ‘play’ again? I promise this time I’ll condense the ice even closer to the chandelier, maybe the professor will give you a public praise in the final exam?”
“…Mmph!”
Lilith finally couldn’t hold it anymore and snapped her head up, her beautiful golden eyes instantly filling with tears of humiliation, her cheeks flushed red as she glared fiercely at Loye.
“You! Shut up!”
“Hmm?”
Loye leisurely met her glare, his eyes clearly daring her to say it again.
Lilith instantly recalled the heavy burden of the 2,000-word self-criticism and the ‘Beautiful’ comment threat.
The kitten with her lifeline squeezed was instantly cowed, all her anger and stubbornness burst like a popped balloon.
“N-no… I don’t dare… I’ll… never play around again…”
…
Meanwhile, Anna, hands clutching her goosebump-covered arms, cautiously watched the expressionless Princess Alicia at the very top of the lecture hall, her heart in torment.
Lord Loye, what exactly are you doing to the princess’s best friend?!!