After today’s magic class ended, Professor Inks once again called Hill to his office after class, and the other students immediately cast envious glances at the well-behaved girl.
“This is already the second time, isn’t it? There’s still some time left before the magic evaluation—why does this Hill Hamilton keep getting singled out by the professor?”
“Is her magical talent really that exceptional? I doubt it. Every evaluation there are always a few lucky ones who give answers that please the teacher, but by the next test their true colors are exposed.”
“Could it be that Professor Inks just pities her, and that’s why he…”
“Tch! A true Magus would never be some soft-hearted fool.”
……
Though the whispers were kept very low, it was still inside an enclosed classroom. And for Hill, whose hearing was preternaturally sharp as a member of the Bloodkin, she heard every word about her, not missing a single one.
By her side, Otis gave her a worried look. She too had caught some of the unpleasant comments. As a noble herself, she knew all too well how malicious the pampered, self-important children of noble houses could be when speculating about an innocent girl.
Hill had already lost her parents and become a pariah, forced to live on the outskirts of town, transformed into a being everyone detested. Rumor had it a lich had appeared in that area recently, with several innocent commoners already swallowed up, sending the townsfolk into a panic. The goddess’s favor toward this girl—how could people twist it like this?
There were even those with vile imaginations, saying Professor Inks had some improper intent toward Hill’s youthful body.
When Otis heard these, she immediately turned her head to locate the gossipmonger. Of course, it was to no avail, but she was so angry that her chest heaved, and it took several deep breaths before she managed to calm down.
This group not only slandered Hill but even dared to malign a real Magus, a transcendent of Sequence Rank II!
Yet in the face of her close friend’s concern, Hill seemed perfectly composed—or rather… she didn’t care about those rumors at all.
“Don’t worry.” Hill leaned in closer, the two girls now looking more intimate than ever. “Professor Inks is probably calling me in because of the evaluation.”
“Evaluation?”
“You already know about the manuscript I got from the professor last time, right? If I pass the evaluation, the next time you see me, I might already be his student.”
Now, Professor Inks, standing at the lectern, seemed to be lecturing the students, but in truth he behaved like a student himself, reciting the textbook material mechanically. As for how much the students below actually understood, that was not his concern.
So, being his student, as Hill mentioned, meant far more than anything the rest of the class could hope for. In fact, if Hill passed the evaluation, her status in Professor Inks’ eyes might surpass that of all the students in the entire classroom combined!
This was no joke!
Otis nodded thoughtfully. She was a sharp girl herself and naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Hill’s words. The look of indignation on her face vanished, replaced by an expression of sincere happiness for her friend.
Her thoughts were simple—if Hill could become Professor Inks’ student, she’d have a great chance to advance in Sequence and become a transcendent. Even if Hill failed the kingdom’s examination and couldn’t inherit the Hamilton title, the Montbatten family could become another home for her.
Otis naively thought that even if her father was cold and calculating, surely he wouldn’t refuse a talented and young Magus, right?
From now on, the two of them could live together forever!
Otis’s pretty face flushed a delicate red, and she began to imagine a happy future, the two of them living under one roof. She hypnotized herself into thinking it was for Hill’s own good. In this world, was there any human more willing than her to be a walking blood supply for a Bloodkin? Living together would solve so many problems, and it would be less likely for others to notice.
Yes, it’s all for Hill’s sake!
The more Otis thought about it, the hotter her cheeks burned, her mind in turmoil, replaying what had happened that afternoon in the chapel. Hill’s feeding had been like a greedy, adorable kitten, clearly famished but always mindful of her feelings, never indulging without restraint.
And the sensation of having Bloodkin venom infused into her was unforgettable—numbing, tingling, and with a delicious ache that was strangely pleasant. As if so long as Hill’s fangs remained in her, she could feel a pleasure beyond imagination.
Unconsciously, Otis squeezed her legs together, watching Hill lower her head and scribble furiously, the girl’s image filling her eyes.
No more thinking about this!
Only now did Otis realize they were in class. She quickly straightened up, assuming the posture of a model student.
The period passed just like that. Hill was quite relieved to have escaped the torture of another meal at the dining hall, and on her way to Professor Inks’ office, she couldn’t help but start humming to herself. Heaven have mercy—she’d only just enjoyed a delicious meal yesterday; how could she return to eating the unpalatable fodder of the stables today?
Soon, she found herself once again in that somewhat old-fashioned attic, and, guided by memory, located Professor Inks’ office. She knocked on the door and waited several minutes before receiving a response.
“Hill Hamilton?”
Professor Inks’ voice sounded weary, though he spoke with his usual measured tone.
“It’s me.”
“The magical seal on the door is removed. You may enter.”
Hill carefully turned the doorknob and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of books and ink, and a unique fragrance—a setting that matched Hill’s every imagination of a Magus’ world.
Professor Inks stood by his desk, pondering before a blackboard, sometimes scratching his head, sometimes standing utterly still as if carved from wood, his expression unchanged. Over ten minutes passed before he remembered there was now someone else in the room. He finally tore his gaze from the formulae on the blackboard to look at Hill standing behind him.
He asked, “What do you think is written up here?”
Hill had already studied the formulas on the blackboard for a while, but they were clearly beyond her current level, so she could only answer vaguely, “The formulas are for a magic circle, but there are some differences. There’s an obvious empowerment module, but I can’t see the point of it—your student is too ignorant to understand.”
“…Did you see all that?” Professor Inks narrowed his eyes, seemingly incredulous.
Hill was at a loss—besides the two of them, was there anyone else here? If she hadn’t noticed it, who else could have?
After confirming her answer, Professor Inks’ aged, stiff face finally squeezed out a smile that looked even uglier than if he were crying—at least his lips twitched upward, and his clouded eyes shone with a brightness they’d never shown before.
He moved closer, eyes burning as he looked at the girl before him, his hoarse voice rasping, “Your meditation time has improved?”
Hill was surprised—she had only managed to meditate for three hours last night, and yet Professor Inks had figured it out just by spending a little time with her?
“It seems you have improved.” Professor Inks didn’t wait for her response and continued, “Your talent surpasses all the dullards in this academy. And you’re young, not even of age—you have nearly limitless potential!”
Hill suddenly felt that Professor Inks was a little frightening. His gaze wasn’t that of a teacher eagerly awaiting a promising student, but more like… someone sizing up magical material!
Perhaps her Bloodkin instincts were warning her—Hill just couldn’t help but find Professor Inks a bit scary.
Or maybe all Magi have their quirks?
Professor Inks fixed his burning gaze on her again, “The evaluation I mentioned last time—are you prepared?”
Hill responded with complete confidence, “You can test me right now, Professor!”
“Good.”
Without another word, Professor Inks turned, drew a sheet of parchment from his desk, and handed her a pen. “You’ll complete this in my office—one hour.”
Hill looked at the densely written magical formulas and diagrams on the parchment and swallowed nervously. Still, her future was at stake—she could only bite the bullet.
She placed the parchment on the nearby table and began to work. The mechanical clock on the wall ticked steadily, and with the time limit, its sound seemed to press on her urgency.
Fortunately, with the goddess’s extraordinary gift, and Hill’s own insights from the manuscript, her progress turned out to be better than she expected. When the hour struck, she finished her final line on the parchment.
Professor Inks stood by her side the entire time, his smile growing even more ghastly—er, this must be a happy expression, right?
After such intense writing, Hill’s hand was sore, her head spinning, her steps unsteady. When she turned and saw a face more fearsome than thousand-year-old bark, her heart skipped a beat.
“Professor Inks…?!”
Inks nodded and said, “From now on, you should call me ‘Teacher.’”
Hill froze, then her face broke into rapturous joy. “Really? I’m really your student now?”
“If you couldn’t be my student, then those other mediocrities shouldn’t even dream of it,” Inks snorted.
He then put on what he thought was a kindly smile, walking over to the cabinet as he spoke. “Come, come, now that you’re my student, of course your teacher has a few gifts for you.”
Gifts?
Now that you mention it, I’m wide awake!
Hill followed him eagerly, heart full of anticipation.