After absorbing the memories of her predecessor Velis, although she had not yet completely mastered them, whenever she encountered a person or event she could quickly recall what connection her predecessor had with them.
But the kind and amiable old man before her, who spoke as though giving advice from an elder to a younger generation, truly left Velis completely baffled.
‘Old man, who are you?’
Velis continuously searched through her mind for any memories of having interacted with this Dean, but the answer she got was clear: none!
Unless someone had erased her memories.
Or perhaps Velis had not completely inherited her predecessor’s memories. Otherwise, how could she have absolutely no impression of this old man who cared so much about her?
But when she looked at Xi’eryou’s reaction beside her, Velis dismissed this possibility.
If her predecessor had been familiar with him, Xi’eryou should have known about it too, and she should not have such a surprised expression.
Seeing this, Velis asked curiously, “Dean, you… know me?”
“No.” Unexpectedly, the other party’s answer was completely honest.
Velis had originally thought that the reason he cared so much about her was to obtain some benefit from her, so she suddenly became somewhat uncertain.
“No need to guess. I did not know you before… but that doesn’t prevent me from helping you.”
A mischievous smile appeared on Silvester’s withered face, and for a moment Velis thought she had seen it wrong.
“Besides, we didn’t know each other before, but don’t we know each other now?”
‘Why does this shameless line about flirting with girls and asking for their contact information sound so out of place coming from him?’
‘Sorry, old man, you’re not my type.’
‘I like women, beautiful women, quality women.’
‘You don’t fit any of those. Not only are you a man, you’re also an old man past his prime!’
Just as Velis’s thoughts were running wild, the Dean sighed and continued speaking to himself.
“Sigh… Velis, you shouldn’t have come to the Academy. This will push you into the eye of the storm. If you had followed your previous method of staying in the palace and slowly cultivating your influence, that would have been the safest approach.”
After hearing this, Velis was certain that this old man must have some kind of connection with her.
Either he wanted to obtain some benefit from her, or he had some secret connection with her.
And Velis herself knew nothing about this secret.
Aside from someone who genuinely cared about her, who would dare speak so frankly in front of an Imperial Princess?
And even use a critical tone?
If it were the former Velis, she probably would have grabbed this old man’s beard, punched him twice in the face, and asked: 【Who the hell are you? How dare you speak to this Imperial Princess like this? Do you believe I’ll kill you?】
Although Velis had still been influenced by her predecessor and had the urge to do exactly that, she managed to suppress it.
“Furthermore, your actions to win over Commoners will anger some of the Nobles and attract even more covetous attention…”
After pausing, the Dean let out a long sigh and ended the topic.
“Enough, that’s all for now. For the time being, you can rest easy and take up your position at the Academy. If anything happens, just come to me…”
Xi’eryou had been holding herself back from speaking for quite some time, but at last she asked, “Dean, why do you care so much about my Imperial Sister?”
“It’s all ancient history. It’s normal that you two don’t know…” The old man turned around.
That pretentious air of mystery almost made Velis unable to resist kicking him.
Suddenly, Velis thought of a possibility.
“Uh, could it be that you had some relationship with my late mother?”
Thinking of this possibility, Velis suddenly understood.
‘Could my mother have had some strange relationship with this old man? Is that why he takes such good care of me?’
‘That would also explain why Emperor Lubas dislikes me so much. It’s not merely because I was suspected of killing the Princes…’
‘Could it be because my mother might have cheated on her husband?’
‘But their ages don’t match either!’
At that moment, Velis suddenly thought of something.
Silvester also saw through Velis’s thoughts at that instant and shouted angrily with the authority of an elder, “Velis!!”
That scolding manner typical of an elder made Velis understand a little.
Afterward, the old Dean helplessly waved his hand. “Enough, enough. That’s all for today. You should go get some rest too.”
After saying this, he left, and neither Velis nor Xi’eryou stopped him.
After leaving Moon Hall, Xi’eryou asked curiously, “Velis, what is your relationship with the Dean?”
Hearing this, Velis rolled her eyes. “How would I know?”
As she spoke, she relaxed and stretched her back. “But it’s finally over.”
Exhaustion was the only feeling Velis had right now.
At the same time, a silver and sacred figure hurriedly pushed through the crowd. Under Velis’s surprised gaze, she knelt on one knee before Velis.
“Guardian Knight Victoria arrived too late to protect Your Highness. I have violated the oath of a Guardian Knight. I humbly ask Your Highness to punish me!”
Victoria Mecrai!
Looking at the young woman in silver armor, with her graceful body and beautiful curves, yet her face flushed and covered in sweat as she panted heavily, Velis narrowed her eyes.
She reached out and lifted the silver-haired girl’s chin, making her look up at her.
Her delicate face was filled with determination. This girl possessed a bold and heroic bearing, as well as the sacred aura of a divine guardian knight.
It made one unable to resist wanting to thoroughly defile her.
Velis licked her lips and asked with a smile, “Didn’t you return home to take care of something?”
Hearing this, an angry expression appeared on Victoria’s face.
“Please forgive me, Your Highness. That family letter was forged by someone else. I was careless and fell into their trap. Only after returning to my family’s territory and meeting my parents did I learn that nothing had happened within the clan, and that my family had never written that letter!”
“Only then did I realize it was a villain’s scheme, but on my way back, I still heard that Your Highness had been attacked!”
“Guardian Knight Victoria Mecrai has failed in her duty. I humbly ask Your Highness to punish me!”
The silver-haired girl’s voice rang out loudly, attracting the attention of the teachers and students who had not yet dispersed.
‘This woman did it on purpose!’
Velis clicked her tongue, suddenly losing interest.
“Get up. This isn’t your fault.”
“But…”
“All right, Victoria. If there is anyone to blame, it’s me as your older sister for failing to protect my younger sister…”
Xi’eryou pulled Victoria to her feet.
“You already obtained permission before leaving, so you don’t need to blame yourself like this. Besides, Velis is fine now, isn’t she?”
“In that case, thank you, Grand Princess.” Victoria bowed to Velis again. “Thank you, Your Highness, for choosing not to punish me.”
Velis was vaguely thinking about how to properly repay the people who had made things difficult for her today. At the same time, she really wanted to go back and rest and get some sleep.
But before she could take two steps, someone stopped her again.
For a moment, anger rose from the pit of her stomach.
“What is it?” Velis looked coldly at the professor in front of her.
She remembered that this was the professor in the hall who had highly praised the Flame Armor Spell she had improved.
Strictly speaking, this professor had actually helped her a little.
After all, in a situation like that, it would have been rather awkward if no one had stepped forward to praise the formation Velis had improved.
“Your Highness the Princess.” The professor cupped his hands and did not mind Velis’s cold attitude.
Instead, he smiled and said, “Just now in the hall, I helped Your Highness with a small matter. I wonder if Your Highness remembers.”
Xi’eryou and Victoria both frowned behind her.
‘Is this man openly here to demand a reward?’
As a teacher at the Academy, Xi’eryou naturally knew the man before her, but they had never interacted normally. At this moment, she had no idea why he had come.
Velis calmed herself and asked, “Naturally. May I ask how I should address this professor, and how exactly you would like this Imperial Princess to remember you?”
“Not at all, not at all!” Although he claimed it was nothing, the professor confidently introduced himself.
“I am Elliot Laval, fourth in the Laval family. Your Highness can simply call me Little Four.”
“So you’re Little Four.” Velis did not bother being polite and immediately called him that, leaving the other party visibly caught off guard.
‘That was just a polite expression. You actually dared to call him that?!’
Xi’eryou and Victoria both complained inwardly at the same time.
“I never expected the Imperial Royal Academy to be filled with hidden talents. I had only recently improved the formation, yet Little Four saw through its intricacies at a glance and gave such a thorough evaluation. It seems you truly have genuine talent. No wonder you’re a professor.”
Faced with Velis’s sarcastic praise, Elliot Laval pretended not to notice and happily accepted it.
“Your Highness flatters me. Your Highness flatters me.”
“In my opinion, Your Highness being able to improve a formation at such a young age is what truly demonstrates extraordinary talent and the bearing of a sage!”
Xi’eryou could no longer endure watching the two of them flatter each other and hurriedly asked, “Elliot, what exactly do you want with my Imperial Sister?”
“It’s like this…” Elliot handed Velis an invitation.
“Two days from now, I will be hosting a banquet at Mirror Flower Elegant Court. I respectfully invite Your Highness the Imperial Princess to attend.”