Chapter 1: I heard that the new teacher likes to tease pretty female students!

Oserenka Magic Academy, A101 Classroom.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the massive arched windows, casting mottled beams across the air thick with the faint scent of old books and magical dust.

Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was like boiling water—bustling and noisy.

“Hey! Hello there!!

A lively voice sounded beside her, breaking Sefina’s gaze out the window.

Sefina turned her head slightly to see a girl with short gray hair cut to her ears and eyes shining like glass beads, smiling warmly at her.

This was Mia, the typical outgoing type who could instantly get along with anyone.

“I’m Mia! You’re taking the Elementalist elective too, right?” Mia spoke casually, completely unfazed by Sefina’s slightly cold response.

Sefina just gave a small nod in reply.

But Mia’s enthusiasm was undiminished; she leaned in closer, lowering her voice, her face filled with inexplicable excitement:

“Hey, did you hear? We’re getting a new teacher for Elementalist today!

Without waiting for Sefina’s response, she continued spilling the gossip, her words tumbling out nonstop:

“I heard this new teacher is super weird! The Office of Academic Affairs is keeping her info under wraps, all mysterious.”

“And guess what!” Mia’s expression turned a bit mischievous.

“There’s a rumor that the new teacher might be… a lesbian! And she especially likes to tease pretty female students!”

Sefina repeated softly, looking a bit surprised:

“Really? Playing that loose?”

“Yeah, yeah! I heard the nobles these days are into yuri, making quite a fuss!” Mia, seeing that Sefina seemed somewhat interested, kept talking.

“Oh, look! Kyle and the others are pranking the new teacher again!” Mia pointed toward a few students near the blackboard.

“Pranking the new teacher? Hmm… they’re a bit bold, aren’t they?” Sefina repeated quietly, her brow slightly furrowed.

“Right! Super bold! But it’s a good show for us to watch.”

Mia leaned in again, barely able to contain her gossipy excitement:

“The last old-fashioned Elementalist teacher totally ‘enjoyed’ their welcome ritual. You probably know—he didn’t even last two days before the Imperial Princess challenged him to a magic duel.

“And well, everyone knows how that went—he got utterly crushed. Haha, his face turned green on the spot, and within a few days, he ran off tail between his legs! Pathetic!”

Sefina gave a light “oh,” her gaze sweeping over the noisy classroom, her tone laced with a hint of amusement:

“Is that so… Maybe this new teacher will quit today too.”

“Totally possible!” Mia nodded vigorously, her smile even brighter.

As if to confirm her words, the blackboard at the front was already covered in colorful chalk graffiti, with several crooked pig heads and turtles standing out vividly.

At the heavy oak door by the classroom entrance, a wooden bucket was cleverly tilted, filled with slightly sloshing cold water.

Whenever someone pushed the door open from outside, the bucket would tip over without hesitation, giving the newcomer a “refreshing” welcome gift.

Almost all the students in the classroom whispered to each other, their conversations revolving around the soon-to-arrive new teacher.

Rumors were somewhat different; apparently, this new teacher was quite powerful?

But no one really cared—they were more interested in guessing how long she’d last dealing with this group of privileged prodigies.

Sefina chatted idly with Mia, a faint smile playing on her lips.

However, at the very back of the tiered classroom, in the central seat, the atmosphere was completely different.

A girl with dazzling golden hair sat upright, her emerald green eyes like the finest jade, beautiful but radiating unhidden arrogance and haughtiness.

She was the Imperial Princess—Ellaria.

At this moment, her slender fingers absently twirled the hem of her clothes, her expression not as relaxed or excited as the others, but rather tinged with seriousness.

She knew a bit more than those giggling classmates.

The new teacher… according to what she had secretly learned, was apparently a Seventh Tier Mage!

Seventh Tier!

The last Elementalist teacher they drove away was only Fourth Tier.

What did Seventh Tier mean? A mage of this caliber would be a headmaster-level figure in any magic academy in the kingdom.

Even in Oserenka, a top-tier academy gathering the nation’s best resources and talents, a Seventh Tier mage was just one rank below the current headmaster.

Trouble… this time they might really be facing an immovable force.

Ellaria furrowed her delicate brows, a hint of worry flashing through her, but more than that was excitement and anticipation. She was very curious to see just what this new teacher was truly capable of.

The classroom’s noise continued to swell, like a balloon being steadily inflated.

Until—

Ding-ling-ling ~~

The crisp, prolonged bell pierced through all the clamor, reaching every student’s ear clearly.

In an instant, the noise in the classroom fell, and all eyes instinctively turned toward the classroom door, poised and “ready.”

Here she comes! The teacher is arriving!

Almost at the exact moment the bell finished ringing—

Creak—

The oak door was pushed open just a crack from outside.

All the students’ eyes widened instantly, gleaming with excitement and anticipation, ready to witness the destined “soaked” moment.

However…

The door was opened wider, and the bucket toppled with a crash, spilling cold water all over the floor.

But…

Outside the door stood no one?!

Huh?

The expected figure hadn’t appeared, only the empty hallway breeze gently drifting in.

The students froze, exchanging glances, whispers rising again.

What’s going on? Is the teacher late? Or did she discover…

Amid this confusion and slight commotion—

Sefina, the blue-haired, red-eyed girl sitting next to Mia, slowly stood up.

She ignored the questioning looks from the boy beside her and the gradually gathering stares of the entire class, stepping down the stairs with steady footsteps and mounting the podium.

Her petite figure seemed almost out of place behind the tall lectern, but when she turned around to face the classroom, the lazy amusement in her wine-red eyes was gone, replaced only by cold authority and solemnity.

Her clear voice, laced with magical pressure, rang through the suddenly silent classroom:

“Class, begin!”

Mia, sitting in the front row, froze instantly, the color draining from her face to a ghastly pale.