Some time had passed since the curtain fell, and a few days had quietly slipped away.
Following the life-and-death struggle between Sefina and Feliel, Oselenka Magic Academy had regained its superficial peace and order.
Sefina and Feliel continued to play their respective roles within the academy, living their lives step by step as they always had.
However, Feliel’s attitude toward Sefina had softened considerably. She was no longer in a hurry to leave whenever they met; instead, she would offer a gentle greeting.
Nevertheless, in the eyes of the vast majority of teachers and students, they remained an ordinary pair with no special connection.
One was the petite yet powerful teacher of the elemental magic class, and the other was the somewhat stiff and quiet assistant to Teacher Shalina of the summoning department.
Feliel continued to wear her meticulously crafted “disguise,” often sporting her signature black braids and large glasses. She still looked somewhat childish and bookish.
Sefina remained unchanged as well. When she stood on the podium, her burgundy eyes were as calm as still water, and her tone remained steady as she explained complex elemental theories and spell constructions.
After class, she would return to her office or her villa to grade assignments, organize notes, and occasionally guide her three student assistants, who each had very different personalities.
Everything on the surface seemed no different from usual.
Campbell was still in a deep sleep.
Every day, Nona worked busily in her workshop, carefully concocting a complex potion to neutralize the **[Slumber Elegy]** while simultaneously treating Campbell’s old physical ailments.
For the time being, Campbell had been placed in the Underground Base belonging to Liseska and the others. It was relatively safe there, and it made it easy for Nona to monitor her condition at any time.
As for **[Black Utopia]**, no new messages had arrived from the Deputy since the instruction to “stay put” was issued during the last Consciousness Space meeting.
Sefina and Feliel were happy to enjoy the peace. They strictly followed the orders, blending into the daily rhythm of the academy like the most ordinary teacher and student, without revealing a single flaw.
Meanwhile, Headmaster Rofilia also seemed to have fallen into a state of silence, as if everything had been put on pause.
Perhaps the clues had run dry, or perhaps her attention had shifted elsewhere. At least from Sefina’s observations, there were no signs of new investigations within the academy.
This was also within Sefina’s expectations. After all, she had already dealt with the obvious clues that might point toward Feliel.
It would be difficult for Rofilia to cast her suspicious gaze toward Feliel—a “student” whose presence in the academy was quite low-profile.
Now, within Oselenka, the known cadres of **[Black Utopia]**—aside from Sefina herself—had been successfully “recruited” by her.
With the potential internal threats temporarily cleared, the pressure on Sefina’s shoulders had lightened significantly. The quiet days also gave her more room to think.
‘For now, there shouldn’t be any major trouble on this side.’
Sefina sat at her desk, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the surface. Her burgundy eyes gazed out the window, but her thoughts drifted far away.
There were still some unfinished matters on the western continent, some lingering clues and… grudges.
The Deputy was currently active on the western continent as well. Perhaps it was time to consider making a trip back.
That thought quietly rose in the depths of Sefina’s heart.
At the same time, Sefina’s students had their own little schemes.
“Kefi, Kefi!” Just after class, Mia scurried over like an over-energetic small animal to join Kefi, who was currently organizing her notes. Her voice carried a hint of uncontrollable excitement.
“What is it?” Kefi put down her quill and stretched with a bit of helplessness, turning her head to look at the mysterious-looking Mia.
To her surprise, Mia’s next words made Kefi blink in astonishment.
“It’s Teacher Sefina’s birthday in just a few days! How about we prepare some gifts together and bake her a cake? Let’s give Teacher a surprise!”
Celebrating Teacher Sefina’s birthday?
Imagining the expression Teacher Sefina might make upon receiving a gift and a cake, Kefi couldn’t help but show a look of interest.
‘That… actually sounds pretty good. Celebrating Teacher Sefina’s birthday.’
However…
“Mia,” Kefi tilted her head and asked curiously, “how do you know Teacher Sefina’s birthday?”
Mia chuckled, a look of slight pride on her face as she explained, “It’s actually quite simple! Last time we went to Teacher’s office to help organize documents, her teacher’s license happened to fall onto the desk.”
“When I picked it up, I accidentally caught a glimpse of the birth date registered on it, and I made sure to remember it!”
“Oh, so that’s how it was.” Kefi nodded in understanding, her tone carrying a hint of teasing. “I didn’t expect you to be so observant.”
Mia’s smile grew even more brilliant, appearing a bit lightheaded from the praise.
“Of course! So, when should we go pick out the gifts? It seems like a few interesting new shops have opened in the Royal Capital Commercial District!”
Kefi thought seriously for a moment and suggested, “Let’s do it this weekend. We’ll both be free then, so we can go explore the royal capital city together. We’ll see if we can find a gift that suits Teacher Sefina.”
“Okay, okay! It’s a deal!” Mia nodded vigorously, very satisfied with the arrangement.
The two discussed their preliminary ideas for the gift and the cake in low voices for a few more moments. Then, Kefi stood up and spoke.
“Let’s leave it at that for now. I have to go help Princess Ellaria.”
“Got it. Go on then, you dutiful little maid~”
Mia waved her hand and began packing her own things.
“I have to go to my part-time job, too. My pocket money is never enough…”
Kefi smiled and said goodbye to Mia before heading straight toward the academy dormitory district, toward the independent Single Dormitory belonging to Princess Ellaria.
Today was the day they had agreed she would help clean the room.
Speaking of which, Princess Ellaria was an extremely clean and tidy person. Her dormitory was almost always spotless, with items arranged in perfect order.
Every time Kefi went, there wasn’t actually much cleaning that needed to be done.
But there was one very strange thing…
For some reason, Princess Ellaria always placed special emphasis on telling her not to touch the things inside her bedroom, and especially not to go inside to clean.
(Because the white pantyhose Teacher Sefina had changed out of during that dinner were hidden there, along with her… er… cough, cough, cough.)
Although Kefi felt a bit curious, she never thought too much about it.
‘Forget it, it’s better not to pry. Perhaps the Princess is just very protective of her privacy.’
With those thoughts, Kefi arrived at the door of Princess Ellaria’s dormitory. She raised her hand and lightly knocked on the door.
“Princess, I’ve arrived.”
It was quiet inside, with no response.
‘Is she not back yet?’ Kefi wondered.
She likely was at the library, considering how studious she was. In any case, Princess Ellaria had given her a spare key to make it easier for her to come and clean regularly.
Kefi didn’t think much of it and took the key from her small pouch, preparing to insert it into the lock—
“Wait! Don’t come in!”
Ellaria’s voice suddenly rang out from behind the door, carrying a hint of unusual urgency and even… a bit of panic.
Kefi’s hand holding the key froze in mid-air, and a look of confusion appeared on her face.
The Princess was in the room? Then why hadn’t she said anything just now?