Class. All day long, I’ve felt hollow inside, unable to muster any enthusiasm for anything. Even the sunlight outside the window seems harsh.
“Teacher Holmes was absent today due to ‘personal reasons’! I heard father spoke with Teacher Holmes, and he seems to have recommended her for a position at the Legdolo Magic Academy.”
“Why? Isn’t being my personal teacher good enough? There are so many students there… Just thinking about many people surrounding the teacher, asking her questions, and possibly discovering how wonderful she is… makes my mood turn very, very sour.”
“Today in the academy hallway, I saw Teacher Holmes instructing a junior female student. The way that junior looked at the teacher was full of admiration. How irritating…!
I angrily reminded that junior it was time for her next class. Seeing her flustered departure, the teacher’s gaze returned to me… Hmm, that’s more like it.”
“I’ve started, intentionally or not, asking the teacher about her past, her preferences, where she lives… But she always skillfully dodges or placates me with lies. Why can’t she tell me? I want to know everything about the teacher…”
“Today, I tentatively asked the teacher if she could be my teacher alone. She refused, citing ‘professional duty.’ Duty? Hah…
Am I not her most important ‘duty’? Or perhaps, in her heart, I’m not that special after all?”
“I find myself increasingly unable to bear the teacher’s gaze lingering on anyone else for more than three seconds. Her smiles and gentleness should belong only to me. Is it… that as long as I find a way to make her see only me, it will be fine?”
“In front of the teacher, occasionally showing a bit of ‘needing to be disciplined’ willfulness, watching her look helpless yet having to indulge me… feels quite nice too.”
“At least, wearing the mask of the good girl for too long is indeed a bit tiring. But in that moment, her attention is completely mine.”
The diary’s content ended there. Sefina did not see any subsequent entries.
But even this much was enough for her to glimpse the swelling possessiveness and desire for control within Versie’s heart.
Her feelings for “Holmes” had long since quietly transformed from the initial teacher-student affection into something far more complex and dangerous…
Sefina rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Meeting a “student” who knew her background so well and whose thoughts were so difficult to gauge was undoubtedly a risk.
But the other party had just done her a great favor. Both sentimentally and logically, there seemed to be no reason to flatly refuse.
Sefina looked out the window at the unfamiliar night sky of the western continent and sighed softly. This meeting probably wouldn’t be simple.
***
The next morning, the early sunlight dispelled the gloom of the previous night, shining down on the temporary lodgings outside the Sarkax Royal Capital.
The students from Oselenka gradually gathered at the entrance. After a night’s rest, most had regained some color in their faces, but upon closer inspection, traces that couldn’t be completely erased remained.
There were faint shadows under the students’ eyes, clearly indicating a restless night. Even as they gathered, they subconsciously huddled closer to their companions, as if needing each other’s support to feel secure.
The chatter was much quieter than usual, with less playful banter and more of the silence and maturity that comes after experiencing a shocking event.
Although their mental state had largely recovered, that sudden attack had undoubtedly carved a mark in their hearts that would take time to heal.
Sefina’s cool gaze swept over everyone, confirming the headcount was correct and that no one had been separated or injured in the chaos, before she spoke in her usual detached tone.
“Everyone’s here. Let’s depart.”
Thus, the group left the lodgings and began walking towards the Legdolo Magic Academy located within the royal capital.
Walking through the streets of the western continent’s royal capital, they were met with an architectural style vastly different from that of Oselenka in the east.
Oselenka’s architecture favored elegant spires, intricate reliefs, and bright colors, exuding a sense of lightness and agility. In contrast, the buildings of the Sarkax Royal Capital appeared more massive and imposing.
They made extensive use of huge stone blocks, with rough-hewn walls, relatively small windows, and many featuring stained glass mosaics.
The vendor stalls along the roadside also exuded an exotic air. Besides common bread and grilled meats, there were many ingredients rarely seen in the east—
A purple fruit with a hard, spirally-patterned shell.
Meat skewers sizzling on iron spits, sprinkled with unknown spices…
The students looked at these unfamiliar foods with curiosity, discussing them in low voices, which temporarily lightened the shadow of yesterday’s events.
After walking a bit further, an exceptionally grand building in the distance caught everyone’s attention.
It was a massive church, constructed entirely from milky-white giant stones. Its towering dome seemed to pierce the sky, flanked by bell towers standing like sentinels.
Countless reliefs were carved on the outer walls, depicting various miracles, angels, and believers. The scene was solemn, imposing, and carried an intangible sense of pressure.
A student couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Teacher Sefina, what is that huge building?”
Sefina glanced at the church and explained in her flat tone, “That is a church, the mainstream faith of the western continent. They believe magic does not originate from the understanding and control of elements, but is a grace bestowed upon the world by the gods.”
“Therefore, they revere the deities, regularly going to church to pray and worship, believing this is how to receive divine favor and better use magic.”
As they were talking, the students could see, far ahead in the broad plaza before the church, a sizable gathering of believers dressed in white or gray robes.
They were arranged in neat formations, led by a clergy member in ornate ceremonial robes, chanting a melodious and ethereal hymn in unison.
As they chanted, the worshippers raised their hands high, as if receiving divine grace, then prostrated themselves in kneeling worship, their postures devout and fervent.
Some students watched, entranced, seemingly drawn in by this solemn and majestic scene.
Finally, the group reached their destination—the Legdolo Magic Academy.
The academy’s gate was similarly imposing, forged from black metal and inlaid with complex Magic Circuit Patterns.
Several Legdolo teachers who had been waiting there stepped forward, wearing perfectly polite smiles.
“Welcome to the Legdolo Magic Academy, everyone from Oselenka.”
The leading middle-aged male teacher spoke up, “We are deeply shocked and sorry about the unfortunate incident you encountered yesterday upon arrival. That bandits would dare commit such an act within Sarkax territory…
The Security Bureau will surely investigate with full force to give you all an explanation. We hope this minor unpleasantness will not affect your enthusiasm for exchange and study here at Legdolo.”
Teacher Shalina responded appropriately, “Thank you for your concern and timely assistance. Accidents are unavoidable; we understand and trust in your nation’s capabilities. We will be troubling you for the time to come.”
Sefina also gave a slight nod in greeting, offering no further words.
With this, the task of Sefina and Teacher Shalina escorting the students to the academy was officially complete.
As they were about to part ways, the students gathered around to bid farewell to the two teachers.
“Teacher Sefina, Teacher Shalina, thank you!”
“You’ve worked hard on the journey!”
“And… yesterday, thank you so very much, Teacher Sefina!”
The students’ words were filled with sincere gratitude and reluctance to part.
Teacher Shalina smiled warmly, responding to each one, urging them to study well and be safe at the new academy.
When it was Sefina’s turn, she looked at these students whose eyes held dependence and respect, and remained silent for a moment.
Then, Sefina swept her wine-red eyes calmly over each person, her voice still cool and detached.
“While here, try not to leave the academy grounds.”
Sefina paused, her gaze seeming to drift almost imperceptibly once more towards the direction of that distant, towering church, before adding one final sentence.
“And also, stay away from the church.”