Out in the hallway outside the classroom—
Beatrice stood with her arms crossed, looking extremely annoyed as she faced off against a blue-haired woman.
Aurora stood at the classroom door, watching the two. If she remembered correctly, that blue-haired woman was the academy’s disciplinary director.
The moment they’d met, the two of them had been locked in a silent confrontation in the corridor.
The director was speaking urgently to Beatrice, but in stark contrast, Beatrice wore an utterly indifferent expression.
Around them shimmered blue magic patterns—a soundproofing spell. No one outside the magic circle could hear their conversation.
Even so, just from the director’s anxious expression, Aurora could tell it wasn’t good news.
She understood Beatrice’s personality well: if something didn’t concern her directly, she wouldn’t care in the slightest.
Even if the demon race was invading the academy tomorrow, Beatrice would probably still look just as nonchalant.
Aurora began to feel uneasy—especially after noticing the academy badge in the director’s hand, stained with dried blood.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the magic circle.
“Hah? Like hell that’s my problem.”
The moment she entered, she caught Beatrice’s crass voice mid-sentence.
The two were locked in a heated argument and hadn’t even noticed Aurora slipping into the spell barrier.
“You’re the academy’s special consultant and instructor. Something like this happens and you don’t feel even a little bit of concern?!”
“Heh. Aren’t you the amazing one, Albert? Can’t even deal with a few cultists?”
“Wouldn’t it go faster with more people searching?! Several students have already been brutally murdered by them. We can’t let any more get hurt!”
…
Just as their argument reached its peak, a timid voice cut in from the side.
“Excuse me…”
Albert’s furious voice fell silent instantly. Both women turned their eyes toward the intruder who clearly didn’t understand the meaning of privacy.
“You just said… cultists?”
As if afraid that Aurora had overheard something she shouldn’t have, Beatrice let go of her crossed arms and stormed over toward her, seething.
“Who told you to come in here? This has nothing to do with you!”
She grabbed Aurora by the collar, clearly intending to throw her out.
But just then, Albert seemed to realize something.
As Aurora was about to be dragged out, she hurriedly interjected, “That’s right. Cultists have infiltrated the academy… and several students have already been killed.”
Zzzzt.
Aurora stomped down hard, abruptly halting her steps with a screech from the floor as her heels scraped against it. She stopped right at the edge of the magic circle.
“You said… students have already been killed?”
Her voice, though still calm, carried a distinct chill now, heavy with barely contained anger.
“Get out!”
A red chain suddenly snapped around her neck and yanked her back violently. She staggered and was pulled clear of the magic circle—straight into Beatrice’s arms.
“This isn’t something you need to get involved in.”
Without giving her a chance to respond, Beatrice hoisted her onto a broomstick like luggage and shot off into the air.
“Put me down! I still have things to ask her!”
“Mind your own damn business. And drop that ridiculous habit of worrying about others all the time!”
Beatrice ignored her protests completely, keeping the red chain around Aurora’s neck as if she was genuinely afraid she’d run off again.
“But those cultists are hurting innocent people!”
“I have to save them!”
“Save them?”
The broom halted mid-air, hovering motionless.
“You? Just you? Did you forget how my legs ended up like this?!”
A sealed-off memory was forcibly reopened. Her thoughts spiraled back to that painful past.
At the time, Aurora had still been traveling the world with Beatrice. They’d arrived in the Kingdom of Esmia, a nation known for its hospitality toward outsiders.
Whether witches passing through or traveling merchants, the kingdom welcomed all with open arms. It was a country beloved by many travelers—and Aurora and Beatrice had been no exception.
The two had come to the capital city, intending to enjoy a few days of leisure.
The city had been thriving. The wide streets were filled with people dressed in a rainbow of garments, clearly visitors from many lands.
Vendors lined both sides of the road, selling everything from delicious local foods to toys and ornaments.
The shops around town were ornately decorated, and every storefront displayed two pots of blue flowers—the Esmia blossom, named after the country itself.
It was a symbol of welcome, a sign that visitors were honored guests.
Merchant fleets docked at the harbor, bringing specialty goods from their home countries to trade with local sellers.
The merchants’ faces beamed with smiles. For every successful transaction, they would present a single Esmia flower to their partner—signifying goodwill and a joyful partnership.
The sky above was dotted with countless flying witches. The kingdom had even built a special aerial passage through its city walls just for them.
Any witch who passed through was gifted a free Esmia flower. There was likely no other place in the world where so many witches could be seen visiting in a single day.
At that moment, Beatrice had already flown into the city with Aurora nestled in her arms, gliding through the air as they looked down on the bustling town below.
“Whoa, that’s a lot of people,” Beatrice muttered.
She glanced down at Aurora, who was curled up in her lap. She knew full well that Aurora disliked crowded places.
If she so much as whispered her discomfort, Beatrice was ready to turn the broom around and fly them off to some quiet, peaceful country.
Sure enough, Aurora looked visibly uncomfortable, her body drawn in tightly, and even trembling a little.
Noticing this, Beatrice wrapped her arms around her more securely and whispered gently into her ear, “Let’s go somewhere else, hmm?”
She was already preparing to soar higher into the sky.
“Wait!”
A slightly urgent voice came from the girl in her arms. Aurora turned her head slightly, meeting her gaze. Then, as if making a monumental decision, she said softly, “Since we’re already here… we might as well take a look.”
Beatrice paused for a moment, then suddenly hugged her even tighter, rubbing her cheek affectionately against Aurora’s silvery hair.
“My little Aurora is growing up, huh~”
“Hehe.”
After letting go, her expression turned serious as she started giving instructions for their descent into the city.
“Hold my hand. Don’t let go, no matter what.”
“Mhm.”
“Don’t talk to strangers.”
“Mhm.”
“Don’t accept gifts from strangers.”
“Mhm… But what about that blue flower they gave us just now?”
“I already burned it.”
“O-okay…”
“And one more thing—the most important thing of all!”
She paused for emphasis, like a teacher highlighting the key point of a lecture, adding a bit of dramatic suspense.
Seeing this, Aurora couldn’t help but grow a little anxious.
“W-what is it?”
She tensed up, her long, pointed ears perked.
“Under absolutely no circumstances—do! not! meddle! in! other! people’s! business!”