Chapter 31 : That’s Enough!

“Miss Selina?”

A balding old man knocked on the classroom door, then looked straight toward the most authoritative figure in the room.

But from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone standing beside Selina—Lorin!

“It’s you!”

“It’s you!”

The two exclaimed in unison.

Lorin froze, then quickly turned her gaze to the back door—only to see that the two Five-Star Generals were already waiting there like tigers crouched in ambush.

“Miss Selina, is this your student?”

The balding old man asked suspiciously.

If she was, then Selina’s class was simply too full of monsters.

He’d have to call in the dean to intervene.

After all, first there was Ina, and now here came another adorable little stranger.

These few days without Ina around, he’d felt like even his hair had stopped falling out for a change.

“No,”

Selina shook her head and turned to the balding old man to explain, “I ran into her on the road. She said she’s a friend of Ina and came looking for her.”

“Oh~ Kid, state your class!”

The old man glared at Lorin.

No one had ever escaped punishment under his watch.

Today, he had to teach this rule-breaking little girl a lesson.

Lorin made a silly face at him, scrunching her nose and playfully sticking out her tongue, even letting out a string of mischievous sounds, “Bleh bleh bleh~!”

Enraged, the balding old man signaled to a Five-Star General beside him.

In an instant, the general unleashed a fierce Dragon Claw strike, hurtling straight toward Lorin.

But Lorin moved like a sprite.

With a light tap of her toes and a swift pivot, she slipped past the attack with ease.

Her sharp eyes locked onto a nearby window.

Taking a deep breath, she leapt—soaring straight toward it.

Thankfully, it was the first floor.

“What?!”

The old man’s heart seized.

He rushed to the window, only to catch a glimpse of Lorin’s tiny figure disappearing into the distance.

A breeze brushed past his rosy cheeks, lifting the few strands of hair left on his head.

As those sparse locks floated through the air, the old man’s face flushed an even deeper red.

“Huff… infuriating! She’s even worse than Ina!”

“At least Ina is a duke’s granddaughter—she can get away with this kind of thing. But you? Let’s see what kind of background you have!”

Since taking this post, Ina was the only one he hadn’t been able to discipline.

Selina, watching her furious superior’s retreating back, couldn’t help growing even more curious about Lorin.

Quick and decisive, meticulous in action… and already close to becoming a Tier 4 mage at such a young age… She’s exactly the kind of talent they needed.

…

“Haa… haa…”

Outside the academy, Lorin let out a long sigh of relief.

It had been a while since she experienced this kind of high-stakes chase—it was kind of exhilarating.

The last time was when those northern princesses caught wind of her and dispatched an army to capture and “deal with” her.

“Did you hear? The duke’s daughter has gone missing.”

Just then, the idle chatter from two diners in a nearby eatery caught her attention.

Lorin perked up her ears to eavesdrop.

“Oh please, who hasn’t heard? Word is it might be—”

“Shut it! I’m not listening to your guesses! Last time I believed you, I nearly ended up with a free meal and free lodging—behind bars!”

Lorin gazed thoughtfully at the two figures.

Seems there’s more to this disappearance than meets the eye.

Still, it wasn’t her problem.

She just needed to provide the location.

The Defense Bureau could handle the rest.

With that thought, she could practically see ten thousand gold coins waving at her.

Humming, she skipped her way back toward the palace.

Only to bump into someone completely unexpected—Phyllis!

And of all times, it had to happen when she was still in her Lin Luo disguise!

“Crap! What now?!”

Lorin’s eyes widened in panic, her pupils contracting sharply as dread filled her heart.

She dared not hesitate.

Whipping around, she hurried toward the corner, muttering under her breath, “Please don’t notice me, please don’t notice me…”

“Hello?”

A crisp voice rang right beside her ear.

Lorin’s scalp tingled.

Slowly, she lifted her head to find Phyllis standing before her, head tilted in curiosity.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” Phyllis said, giving Lorin a suspicious once-over.

“Her Majesty is busy running the country. It’s normal you wouldn’t recognize someone like me,” Lorin replied nervously.

Realizing time was tight, she gave a rushed bow and spoke so fast it sounded like a drumroll, “Your Majesty, I’m terribly sorry! I have a batch of urgent alchemy materials that must be delivered to the workshop immediately… so I can’t stay to chat. Please forgive me!”

“Oh~ is that so?”

Phyllis nodded, playing along, though inwardly thinking: Let’s see how long you can keep this up.

“Perfect timing—I also need to visit the alchemy workshop. Let’s go together.”

“Eh?!”

“What? Is that a problem?”

Phyllis raised an eyebrow.

At that moment, Lorin felt the air around her suddenly grow heavy.

A crushing pressure descended without warning.

“O-of course not! Traveling with Your Majesty is my greatest honor.”

Lorin responded with a pale face, forcing a smile.

“You okay?”

Phyllis narrowed her eyes on her.

Hmph, that magic disguise of yours isn’t going to hold out much longer, huh?

“I’m fine… just an old illness.”

Lorin quickly shook her head and tried to distance herself, but before she could get far, Phyllis appeared in front of her again.

“Are you sure you don’t need to see a doctor? And hey, weren’t you taller a moment ago?”

If Lorin still didn’t get the implication, she might as well dig her own grave.

“That’s enough, Phyllis!”

The silver-haired little girl finally exploded.

Her crimson eyes glared fiercely at Phyllis, as if she were ready to devour her whole.

“Hehehe~”