Returning to the Temporary Encampment of the Rose Knights, as soon as the carriage came to a stop, Aixi was immediately surrounded by a crowd of young women, their concerned greetings flooding over her like a warm tide, drowning her in their affection.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, she smiled and revealed the “Morning Radiance” in her hand.
Transformed once more into a longsword, it shimmered with a gentle halo under the sunlight, drawing exclamations of wonder from the crowd.
Seeing the unconcealed envy in her companions’ eyes, the weighty sense of happiness in Aixi’s heart deepened even further.
But as two days passed, the initial excitement faded, replaced by calm contemplation.
When she was alone, Aixi always felt there was something unusual about this homecoming, as if somewhere in the shadows, an unseen hand was quietly guiding everything.
Was it Lady Selis?
Was it she who led her to discover the truth that her father had always loved her deeply?
After a long silence, she still couldn’t make sense of it all.
On the other side.
Because Selis had been away from the Temporary Encampment of the Rose Knights for five days, Meilin’s longing for her only grew stronger.
Later, seizing an opportunity when she thought they were alone, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Selis on the cheek.
Soft and fragrant, just like before…
After the kiss, she vanished from the Saintess’s sight with a mischievous, catlike grin.
Selis did not scold her; instead, she touched her cheek and smiled helplessly.
This was the love of the Rose Knights for her.
However, none of them noticed that this scene had been witnessed by Teresa. In her cold eyes, a ripple called desire quietly arose.
……
The next day, word spread that Teresa had fallen ill, and upon hearing the news, Selis hurried to the infirmary.
The room was thick with the scent of medicine.
Looking at the girl’s pale face on the bed, she turned to Leanna, who had come to visit, and asked, “What’s wrong with her?”
Leanna frowned deeply and said:
“I’m not sure, Lady Selis. We had physicians take a look, but none of them could say what illness she has. All we know is that her condition is bad.”
“I suspect it might have something to do with her special constitution?”
A special constitution?
“Perhaps.”
Selis recalled Teresa’s situation—after her Divine Grace was drained, she could still generate Divine Grace.
Such a thing was extremely rare; even Selis herself didn’t know what was happening to Teresa.
To find the answer, she might need to investigate further.
She looked around at the anxious girls and said gently, “All of you, go continue your Magic studies. I’ll stay here and watch over her.”
“And Teresa’s sick leave…” Leanna was still hesitant.
“With me here, you don’t need to worry about that.”
With the Saintess’s assurance, Leanna finally left with the others, reassured.
Sitting at the bedside, Selis gently stroked the burning forehead of the girl, her mind stirring with thoughts.
Aside from her special constitution, could Teresa’s illness also have to do with the job of Tutor Assistant? Had she overworked herself?
After all, being a Tutor Assistant was no easy task.
Just then, the girl on the bed opened her mouth and murmured, “Thirsty…”
Selis got up to fetch water, but Teresa suddenly reached out with her feverish hand, grabbing Selis’s wrist and murmuring unconsciously with her eyes closed:
“Don’t go… Lady Isavel…”
Isavel?
Selis’s gaze softened.
So the person Teresa most wanted to rely on, even in her unconsciousness, was that outwardly strict villainess Saintess?
Thinking about it, it made sense—after all, she was the one who truly kept her by her side.
Selis gently held Teresa’s hand in return, explaining softly, “I’m Selis. I’m not leaving, just going to get you some water.”
After speaking, she released Teresa’s hand and walked out of the infirmary.
She didn’t notice, however, that after she left, Teresa, who had been in a stupor, opened her eyes. Though her gaze was still a bit hazy, there was much more clarity within.
She had actually been awake for some time.
But she had never abandoned her suspicions.
Calling Selis “Isavel” just now had been deliberate, meant to observe her reaction.
If Selis had looked shocked or surprised, it would mean they were the same person.
Unfortunately, the result was disappointing.
In the face of being called the wrong name, Selis had remained especially calm, not even bothering to care.
How watertight you are, Lady Selis.
However… even the wisest make mistakes sometimes.
Thinking of this, the corners of Teresa’s lips curled up slightly.
Selis accompanying Aixi back to Senegal City was common knowledge within the Rose Knights, but the truly interesting thing was that during those five days, Isavel was also absent from the Order of Knights.
Other young Rose Knights might not be sure of this, but as the Tutor Assistant, how could she not know?
She had the right to enter the Saintess’s lounge at any time, after all.
There must be some secret connection between Selis and Isavel!
Click—
The infirmary door opened again, and Selis walked in with a cup of water. Teresa quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be unconscious.
“Water.”
Selis said quietly. Seeing no reaction from Teresa, she could only sit on the bed and carefully help Teresa to sit up, feeding her spoonful by spoonful with great patience.
After half a cup, just as she set down the cup, the “unconscious” Teresa slid down softly.
But instead of slipping back into the bed, she landed precisely in Selis’s arms.
Honestly… even when ill, she’s so restless.
Selis sighed inwardly but didn’t push her away. Instead, she adjusted her position to let Teresa rest more comfortably, letting her sleep in her embrace.
Her eyes were filled with tender affection.
Breathing in the familiar lavender scent, feeling the Saintess’s soft embrace, Teresa, who was only pretending to be unconscious, let a triumphant smile curve her lips.
Tick tock, Tick tock—–
Perhaps it was too comfortable, but only a short while passed before her consciousness faded and she truly fell asleep in the Saintess’s arms.
……
Knock, knock, knock——
Meanwhile, the door to the Vice Dean’s office at Mills Academy was knocked upon.
“Come in.”
With permission granted, a blue-haired man entered. Inside, the Vice Dean adjusted his glasses and said in a deep voice:
“Grem, what brings you here?”
“Vice Dean.”
Grem bowed in greeting, then looked up with a meaningful smile:
“I wonder if you’ve heard about that duel the other day—Kaelan lost to a penniless knight who can’t even use Magic.”
The Vice Dean’s eyes grew sharp.
“So what? That just proves Kaelan lacks skill. She’s been at the Academy for so many years and still hasn’t mastered Second-tier Magic. Losing to that knight was only what she deserved.”
“Deserved?” Grem’s voice echoed through the office like a devil’s whisper.
“Vice Dean, how could the noble art of Magic lose to the lowly force of brute strength?”