Ellaria stood there in a daze, watching her brother, who had been aggressive just a moment ago, now hanging in the air like a ridiculous puppet.
His arm was suspended in midair, his entire body shackled by an invisible force, with shock, fury, and disbelief written all over his face.
She seemed to realize something immediately and snapped her head around.
At the other end of the corridor, Teacher Sefina stood there, though no one knew when she had arrived.
Her posture was straight, and the ice-blue Wand in her hand pointed steadily at Eric, its tip glowing with a faint mana.
The magic that had forcibly halted Eric’s violence was one of Sefina’s specialties—the **[High-level Levitation Spell]**.
She had created a localized high-gravity field, locking Eric down completely.
In the next second, Sefina gave her wrist a slight flick and continued to apply mana.
Eric felt the force restraining him suddenly shift. From a shackle, it became a throw, and his entire body flew backward uncontrollably.
With a dull *thud*, Eric fell clumsily onto the ground several steps away, his expensive uniform covered in dust.
“What do you think you are doing to my student?”
Sefina’s voice rang out, carrying a chilling frost even more intense than her usual coldness, like a strong wind blowing across the tundras of the western continent.
“Teacher Sefina…”
Ellaria murmured to herself, her heart beating violently as she stared at the petite figure standing in front of her.
A mixture of relief, grievance, and an indescribable heart-fluttering emotion surged in her chest, leaving her momentarily speechless.
At that moment, Eric struggled to scramble up from the ground, his face flushed with shame and indignation.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh, glaring viciously at Sefina and Ellaria.
However, he knew he was no match for this teacher and could only try to use the rules to reclaim some of his dignity.
“Teacher!” Eric hissed through gritted teeth, suppressing his rage. “Attacking a student—that doesn’t comply with the school rules, does it?”
Just then, Teacher Shalina, who had been observing from a distance, walked over with light steps. Her face wore its usual gentleness, but her eyes held a hint of understanding. She spoke calmly, her voice reaching everyone’s ears clearly.
“When students have a dispute, teachers have the right and the responsibility to intervene and prevent the situation from escalating. That is a rule written in the teachers’ code of conduct, Eric.”
Eric gnawed at his teeth, the fire in his eyes growing even brighter. But he knew he was in the wrong today.
Since both teachers had caught him in the act of trying to use force, lingering would only lead to further embarrassment.
He could only swallow his humiliation and resentment, letting out a heavy, cold snort.
“Hmph! We’ll see about this!”
Leaving behind those blustering words, Eric brushed the dust off his clothes with force and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor, his entire aura radiating hostility.
Seeing him leave, Sefina finally turned around to look at Ellaria, who was still somewhat shaken.
She put away her wand, reached out, and very gently stroked Ellaria’s soft blond hair. Her tone was much softer than before, carrying a trace of subtle concern.
“Are you alright?”
Ellaria shook her head. Feeling the touch and warmth on the top of her head, her heart settled. Her voice still carried a slight tremble.
“I—I’m fine… Thank you, Teacher.”
Sefina looked at her slightly reddened eyes and her attempt to appear calm, remaining silent for a moment.
She had vaguely heard Eric’s malicious “low-born” earlier.
Combined with Ellaria’s reaction and her “brother’s” attitude, Sefina had guessed most of the situation.
She keenly sensed that Ellaria’s relationship with her so-called family was far from harmonious—it might even be much worse.
“Do you mind telling me about it?” Sefina’s voice became even softer. “About your… family.”
Ellaria’s body stiffened imperceptibly at those words.
She looked up and met Sefina’s calm eyes, which seemed capable of embracing everything. Then, she subconsciously glanced at the smiling Teacher Shalina. Her eyes showed obvious hesitation and a hint of pleading.
She did not want to reveal the shame and humiliation of her birth in front of others.
Sefina understood her meaning immediately and turned to look at Shalina.
Teacher Shalina returned an understanding smile and said considerately, “It seems your student needs you more. I’ll head to lunch first and won’t disturb you two.”
After saying that, she turned and left gracefully.
“Mhm,” Sefina replied before looking back at Ellaria. “Shall we talk while we eat?”
Ellaria looked at Teacher Sefina, and the warmth surged in her heart once more, dispelling some of the gloom. She nodded gently.
“Okay.”
The two of them arrived at the student dining hall and chose a quiet corner by the window. The afternoon sun shone through the glass, gently spilling over the table.
In that relatively private space, facing Sefina’s calm and focused gaze, Ellaria took a deep breath. She began to recount, haltingly and with difficulty, the past she rarely mentioned to anyone.
She spoke of the omnipresent coldness and disdain in the Imperial Palace, of the title “low-born” that followed her like a shadow, of her humble mother, and of that unwanted birth…
Confiding like this made her feel incredibly light. Though there was still a trace of shyness in her heart, she laid out her deepest insecurities.
Sefina listened to the story with a calm expression. Her burgundy eyes held no judgment, only understanding and sympathy.
She understood now why this high-ranking imperial princess was more hardworking than anyone else, pouring almost all her energy into studying magic.
She was merely a child starved of love, struggling desperately to prove her worth and longing for a shred of recognition and attention.
However, Sefina also knew that human prejudice was often deep-rooted. Especially the arrogance involving birth and bloodline—it was not something that could be easily broken by simple hard work.
She didn’t offer any empty comforts, as that was not something she was good at.
She simply listened quietly. When Ellaria’s voice choked and she lowered her head, Sefina reached out again, stroking the top of her head gently and somewhat clumsily, over and over.
The gesture might have been a bit stiff, but it gave Ellaria an immense sense of security.
Feeling the warm touch on her hair and listening to her teacher’s steady breathing, the grievance and bitterness surging in her heart were gradually soothed.
A warmth of being accepted wrapped around her, making her instinctively want to draw closer to this coveted tenderness.
‘Only in front of Teacher Sefina would my efforts be recognized.’
‘Only with Teacher Sefina is my existence needed.’
‘Only by Teacher Sefina’s side am I favored…’
Perhaps, this was the reason she was so attached to, so fond of Teacher Sefina.
Looking at that gentle face, which was so different from its usual appearance, the emotions in Ellaria’s heart almost overflowed.
“Teacher, I… I…”