Magic above all else—this was not only Anderi’s obsession, but a creed etched deep into the very bones of the Capadovia Empire.
Anyone with magical talent carried this sense of superiority.
The Vice Dean of Mills Academy was no exception, though he kept it better hidden than Anderi, restraining his arrogance rather than displaying it so openly.
Grem’s cold laugh sounded especially clear in the quiet office.
“Vice Dean, this matter is having a huge impact. Right now, rumors are spreading everywhere in the Empire that our academy lost to the knights simply because our skills were inferior. Some people are even using this as an opportunity to challenge the supremacy of magic.”
“And on top of that, two months from now, it was supposed to be Mills Academy challenging Galwin Magic Academy. Now, with our spot handed over to those Rose Knights, many are starting to think our academy is inferior to that bunch of knights!”
The Vice Dean was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.
“So, what are you suggesting?”
“If the Rose Knights want to take our place, they’ll have to prove themselves better than us. In a month, we have the Academy Tournament, don’t we? We could issue a formal challenge and have them participate as well.”
A calculating smile curled on Grem’s lips.
“When they lose, they’ll have to return the qualification to us. That way, we’ll reclaim our academy’s standing and demonstrate our magnanimity—killing two birds with one stone.”
There was one more thing he didn’t say aloud.
As the Magic Star of Mills Academy, if he could defeat the Rose Knights in the Academy Tournament and step over them to rise, the future would be bright indeed.
From then on, even the new Magic Stars of Galwin Magic Academy would pale in fame and prestige before him.
The Vice Dean was a shrewd man, and saw through Grem’s motives at a glance.
He didn’t respond immediately, instead pondering for a long time, the look behind his glasses growing ever sharper.
“And what if they win?”
“They won’t. And they can’t.”
Grem chuckled, saying nothing more, but in that moment, he and the Vice Dean met each other’s gaze, each understanding what the other was thinking.
The Rose Knights must not win.
How could they ensure the Rose Knights lost the Academy Tournament?
There was always a way.
The Vice Dean pushed up his glasses lightly, the cold glint reflected in the lenses making him look like a cunning old fox lying in wait.
He didn’t press further on this dangerous topic, instead changing the subject with a tone of earnest advice.
“Grem, you are Mills Academy’s brightest Magic Star. For now, you’d best keep your focus on magic.”
“Yes, Vice Dean.” Grem bowed obediently. “It’s just that this proposal…”
“Approved.”
“Thank you, Vice Dean. I’ll take my leave.”
Grem bowed deeply again and turned to leave.
As he pushed open the office door, sunlight poured in, illuminating a dazzling path ahead for him.
The Magic Star of Mills Academy.
He was determined to make that title resound throughout the Human World!
……
The news that Mills Academy had challenged the Rose Knights spread like wildfire throughout the city, adding another layer of restless excitement to the already bustling Mills City.
On every street and in every alley, people discussed the coming showdown.
Meanwhile, in the Saintess’s lounge, Nora downed a huge mouthful of tea, then slammed her cup heavily onto the table.
“I just can’t figure out what those people are thinking. They actually want to challenge the Rose Knights? I’m not belittling them, but how could students from an academy possibly compare to warriors from the Battlefield?”
She admitted that anyone admitted to Mills Academy was a magic prodigy.
But they had never set foot on the Battlefield.
No matter how well they understood magical theory, how could they possibly match real warriors of the same rank?
Sometimes, she truly felt that the Capadovia Empire was sick, and so were the students in those academies—immersed in their titles as magical prodigies, far too arrogant.
Of course, that wasn’t the main thing.
The most important issue was that she had promised, after losing a bet to Selis, to help the Rose Knights find a magic instructor.
Who would have thought that such a simple matter would lead to so much trouble?
How would Selis see her now?
A faithless, unreliable Honorary Duke who couldn’t even handle a trivial task?
Just as self-doubt was about to overwhelm her, Selis’s gentle voice sounded.
“If they want to compete, let them compete. And for things to develop to this extent, someone must be fanning the flames behind the scenes.”
“But I can understand it. After all, the Rose Knights have taken the benefits that originally belonged to Mills Academy. It’s natural for them to object.”
She paused, a faint, indistinct trace of worry coloring her tone.
“I just hope that even if there are objections, they won’t take things too far. Wouldn’t it be better if everyone could get along peacefully?”
Those generous words only made Nora angrier.
To her ears, it was obvious that Selis was still thinking of the other side’s feelings even after being bullied!
“I’m so mad!” Nora suddenly stood up. “The ones pulling strings behind the scenes are either people from my own family or those old fossils from the academy! Everything was agreed upon before, but now they dare to go back on their word!”
She clenched her fists tightly.
“I’m going to confront them right now!”
“Nora!”
Selis caught her by the wrist just in time, gently shaking her head.
“Don’t go.”
“Why not?”
Nora was puzzled, but Selis said,
“Even within your own family, the power struggles are complicated. Even with the Duke’s protection, many are waiting for you to make a mistake.”
She walked to the window, the breeze stirring the wisps of hair on her forehead.
“And the more you ask of your family, the deeper your ties to them will grow. Nora, I don’t want the growth of the Rose Knights to make it impossible for you to leave your family.”
She turned back, her gentle eyes shining like crystal, her smile serene.
“You should be like those free butterflies. All you need to do is flutter your wings, and you can break free and fly toward your own sky. That’s the Nora I know.”
“So, no matter who issues the challenge, no matter how difficult it may be—”
Her voice was firm. “We, the Rose Knights, will accept it.”
In that moment, Nora felt as if her heart had been struck hard, swept away in a whirlpool of happiness, the sound of her own quickened breath clear in her ears.
Her legs nearly gave out, and she almost collapsed onto the sofa.
Selis… How could she be like this? So gentle it made one’s heart ache, so beautiful it left one breathless, so endlessly understanding…
There was no one in the world who could compare to her.
Nora pressed a hand tightly to her chest, biting her lip.
Damn it!
She really was… more and more determined to marry her and take her home!