“What’s wrong?” Veronica asked, noticing Ethelrina’s furrowed brow.
“I sensed a Demonkin presence nearby, and judging by the aura, it’s the very Demonkin who stole my jewel,” Ethelrina explained.
Veronica’s eyes widened in disbelief, her face clearly reading the word unbelievable.
“You’re saying that after that Demonkin escaped, she didn’t hide but actually dared to reveal her presence in broad daylight?”
“Though I don’t know her purpose, the current situation suggests that’s exactly what she’s doing.”
“Do you think this could be a trap?” Veronica asked anxiously.
“Trap or not, I have to go out there. I need to get my item back, and if possible, kill her,” Ethelrina said coldly, as if the Demonkin outside were her mortal enemy.
“I’ll go with you,” Veronica decided firmly.
She couldn’t afford to back down now.
Staying by Ethelrina’s side was the only way to improve her favorability with her.
“No need. For your safety, you should stay inside.”
“No, I want to go with you.”
In the end, Ethelrina didn’t argue and reluctantly agreed to face the Demonkin outside alongside Veronica.
***
Outside Veronica’s villa, chaos reigned.
Where there had once been crowds, everyone was now scattering in all directions.
Above them hovered a Demon Dragon exuding a terrifying demonic aura.
“Run!”
“How did a Demonkin get here? What are the school’s security measures even for? How could they let a Demonkin sneak in?”
“Don’t push! I’m the son of an Earl of the Crovian Kingdom. Let me through first!”
“An Earl, huh? And what about the rest of us? Aren’t we all people of status here?”
Watching the pandemonium below, Iana nodded with satisfaction.
But as a student of Saint Roland Magic Academy, seeing everyone flee at the sight of an unknown Demonkin filled Iana with a pang of regret.
“Forget it, let’s find Lilian first,” Iana muttered, stroking her chin as she carefully scanned the area for her.
“Found her.”
Not far from Iana, a beautiful girl with long golden hair stood quietly.
Since today was the day Lilian was to challenge Ethelrina alongside Veronica, Iana had suggested she forgo her signature twin tails, feeling they didn’t match her elegant gown.
Lilian was staring blankly up at Iana in the sky.
Though she wore a mask, it didn’t prevent her from recognizing who she was.
“Why? Why are you doing this?” Lilian asked, puzzled by Iana’s actions.
This matter was insignificant for Iana—almost trivial.
Lilian had hired Ian to help her, and Iana was just someone Ian had called upon temporarily.
Lilian had paid Ian to assist her in dealing with Ethelrina.
But what had Ian given Iana in return that made Iana work so hard for her?
Surely Ian hadn’t handed over all the money he earned from Lilian to Iana.
Even if he did, it wouldn’t explain why Iana was putting in so much effort for Lilian’s sake.
The wind blowing past Iana’s ears made it hard to catch exactly what Lilian said.
Still, Iana dared not appear too close to Lilian in public.
Doing so would be tantamount to announcing to everyone that they had a connection.
Right now, Iana was fully revealing her demonic aura. Iana could imagine the consequences if she acted too familiar with Lilian.
Lilian would be accused of consorting with Demons, branded a heretic, and dragged to the stake for public execution.
Even Lilian’s Saintess Bloodline wouldn’t save her.
If anything, it would make the situation worse.
The Saintess Family would never allow one of their own to become a heretic without punishment.
“Don’t panic.”
Just as the crowd descended into chaos, Ethelrina and Veronica finally stepped out of the villa.
“It’s the Saintess! The Saintess has come out!”
“Good, with the Saintess here, that Demon Dragon won’t cause much trouble.”
“Not so fast. Although the Saintess’s talent is great, that’s a genuine Demon Dragon in the sky. Who knows how old it is—could be some ancient beast. And the Saintess is only a second-year student.”
“Remember what happened back then? The Demon Dragon King led an invasion with the clan’s sacred artifact and devastated the Silver Dragon Clan.”
“Since then, the Demon Dragon King vanished. I wonder if this is the same one.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’ve already informed Headmaster Isabella. She should be on her way.”
“This isn’t a place for you to cause trouble,” Veronica shouted at Iana.
“Heh, is there anywhere I can’t go?” Iana retorted mockingly.
Since Iana dared to reveal her identity, she had already planned her escape—using a Teleportation Scroll from the System Shop.
But before using it, she wanted to taunt Veronica and Ethelrina a bit first.
Walking away immediately wasn’t in line with Demonkin behavior.
Still, no matter how much she taunted, Iana couldn’t let them realize she was really Iana.
If they found out, she’d be finished.
While Veronica and Iana bickered, Ethelrina didn’t waste any time.
She drew her silver-white sword at her waist and launched a surprise attack on Iana.
“No honor in battle? For a species that prides itself on virtue and righteousness, humans sure are full of empty claims,” Iana sneered as she blocked the strike with her dragon claws.
Fortunately, Ethelrina hadn’t used the Ice Soul Sword she had gained from the Holy Trial.
Otherwise, Iana wouldn’t have been able to block the attack so easily.
“Trying to defeat me with a piece of junk? You should just toss that sword in the trash,” Iana taunted.
At Iana’s words, a flicker of displeasure crossed Ethelrina’s eyes.