The academy was still bathed in orderly daily routine.
Students were busy, and the teachers were also preparing for the end-of-semester tasks. Classes continued as usual, assignments were the same, and students buried themselves in their studies under the pressure of approaching finals.
A few days after that absurd accident, life at Oselenka Magic Academy seemed to have returned to normal.
Sefina still appeared in the classroom on time, explaining complex magical theory in her clear, steady voice. She still graded assignments in her office and handled the documents the assistants brought in.
Only…
Beneath this calm surface flowed a subtle undercurrent that only the parties involved could sense.
The most obvious manifestation was when she was alone with Mia.
Whether it was an accidental glance during class or brushing past each other in the hallway, an indescribable awkwardness always permeated the air.
Sefina would unconsciously look away, take a sip of water, or focus excessively on the papers in her hand.
And Mia, who usually had a thicker skin than a city wall and used to act coy or wheedle Sefina for extra lessons or favors, had been unusually “well-behaved” these past few days.
She always kept her head down, asked questions concisely, never said a single unnecessary word, and no longer dared to secretly stare at Sefina’s neck or legs like before.
Those blue eyes had lost their usual cunning and cheekiness, replaced by more evasion and obvious embarrassment.
Both tacitly avoided mentioning that matter.
As if, as long as they didn’t touch it, they could continue maintaining a superficially normal teacher-student relationship.
But how long this thin ice would last, no one knew.
One weekend morning, in a café in the academy’s commercial district.
Inside the innermost private booth, Versie was leisurely lounging on a soft sofa chair.
She was wearing a cream-colored casual dress, her ice-blue hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, making her skin look even fairer.
Versie sat with her legs elegantly crossed, one hand holding a warm coffee cup while the fingers of her other hand lightly tapped the cup’s rim. She hummed a light, slightly familiar tune.
At that moment, her ice-blue eyes gazed at the street scene outside the window, a pleasant curve on her lips, looking quite happy.
She seemed to be waiting for someone.
***
After about a few minutes, the booth door gently opened.
A figure slipped in and quickly closed the door behind them.
The newcomer was tall, with pure silver hair as white as snow, and deep, calm blue eyes.
It was Sefina, disguised as “Holmes” using the mana ring.
Seeing the arrival, Versie’s smile deepened a little, her eyes slightly curving as she greeted in her sweet, pleasant voice.
“Good morning, Teacher Holmes~~”
Sefina gave a slight nod and replied calmly.
“Good morning, Versie.”
She naturally walked to the empty seat across from Versie and sat down, placing a small cloth bag beside her.
Versie rested her chin on her clasped hands, her eyes sparkling. She tilted her head and spoke with a smile, her tone carrying a teasing, coaxing edge.
“How rare that Teacher took the initiative to invite me out~~
“I thought that after you returned to the East Continent, you’d forgotten all about me.”
However, Sefina cut straight to the chase.
“Actually, the reason I called you here today is because I have a favor to ask.”
Hearing this, Versie’s bright smile visibly faded a little.
She lightly pursed her pink lips, and her ice-blue eyes instantly misted over with a faint layer of watery vapor, looking a bit aggrieved.
“Eh—? So Teacher invited me out because you need a favor?”
Versie dragged out her words, a small complaint in her tone.
“I thought… Teacher Holmes finally remembered me and just wanted to see me, to talk…
“After all, I came to this unfamiliar Oselenka Magic Academy all alone for you.”
Versie let out a soft sigh, looking like a kitten neglected by its owner.
“And yet, the only time Teacher actively invites me is for help…
“I’m here all alone, not knowing anyone—it’s actually pretty lonely, you know…”
Hearing this, Sefina’s mouth twitched slightly beneath her calm exterior.
Although…
She did feel a tiny bit of guilt.
But just a tiny bit.
And why only a tiny bit?
Didn’t she know the reason herself?!
Sefina mentally ranted.
Every time they met, she first put on a gentle, obedient good-girl act, then played the emotional card, talking about “missing” and “feeling wronged.”
Once Sefina let her guard down a little, this girl would immediately drop the act, reveal her mischievous little witch nature, and start testing, teasing, or even getting handsy and forcibly kissing her like last time at the cafe!
If Versie were really an ordinary well-behaved student, wouldn’t Sefina, as her teacher, naturally take the initiative to ask how she was doing and if she was adapting to the new environment?
But was she?!
And besides, where was she “alone”? Where was the “loneliness”?
Sefina knew very well that she had come as an exchange student with that Imperial Princess Yiseqian, and the two were inseparable.
Not to mention, this girl had “specially” chosen to audit the beginner element theory class that Sefina was in charge of!
Almost every other day, using all sorts of bizarre “study questions,” she came to Sefina’s office to “consult.”
Please!
A full-fledged sixth-tier mage, a genius from Legdolo, coming to ask her about basic fourth- and fifth-rank element theory? Could she come up with a more flimsy excuse?!
Every time, Sefina had to force herself not to roll her eyes and go along with the act.
If this continued, Sefina felt she wouldn’t have the patience to play that childish “pretend I don’t know” game anymore.
She might as well just find an opportunity to reveal her identity and chase her off!
But…
Sefina took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the inner turmoil.
A trace of helplessness flickered in her ice-blue eyes.
After all, today she was the one who had initiated the meeting, and she really did need a favor.
At this critical juncture, she had to “play along” a little, pretending to respect Versie’s “lonely and wronged” performance.
So, under Versie’s “plaintive” gaze, Sefina slowly stood up, walked around the small table, and came to Versie’s side.
She reached out, her movements slightly stiff but as gentle as possible, and stroked Versie’s smooth, silky ice-blue hair.
Then, in a tone mixed with “apology” and “soothing,” she spoke.
“I’m sorry, Versie.
“I’ve been… negligent this time. I overlooked your feelings. It’s not easy coming to a new environment alone.”
Sefina’s voice was softer than usual, but if you listened closely, you could detect a hint of insincerity.
Versie felt the gentle touch on her head, and her ice-blue eyes narrowed slightly, like a cat being petted.
But her cheeks were still slightly puffed, and she was still holding a grudge.
Did Teacher think a simple apology would be enough?
Not so easy…
On the surface, though, Versie pretended to accept the apology.
“Alright~~ Since Teacher has apologized so ‘sincerely’…
“Then, Teacher, first tell me what kind of favor you need my help with.”
Sefina withdrew her hand, sat back down in her seat, and resumed her usual calm tone.
“I’d like you to help me investigate someone…”
Versie listened intently, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table, a glint of interest flickering in her ice-blue eyes.
“Investigate, huh…
“Sounds a bit interesting, and also a bit troublesome.”
Versie paused, leaning forward slightly, her smile still looking “harmless.”
“Of course, I can help Teacher~~
“After all, I am Teacher’s most ‘obedient’ student.
“But…
“Teacher also knows that investigating things takes a lot of time and effort, and there might be a little risk.
“So… as a trade-off, shouldn’t Teacher pay a little ‘price’?”
Hearing this, Sefina’s blue eyes moved slightly, and an alarm instantly sounded in her heart.
Here we go!
This girl never agrees to anything easily!
She wondered what she…