Ji Qianluo’s Thoughts

I won?

Just like that… I won?

Every student, every mage, Lance, and even Ji Qianluo herself, stared at me with peculiar expressions.

At that moment, however, I couldn’t care less.

I had won, and that was the undeniable truth. Since Ji Qianluo hadn’t set any rules from the start, who could possibly fault my methods?

‘Though, I must admit, it was a little shameless.’

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself as I gazed down at Mage Aud.

The young mage lay on the ground, coughing a few times, evidently having taken quite a fall.

His coughs seemed to jolt everyone back to reality.

Suddenly, a petite female mage, barely taller than a middle schooler, sprang from the ranks of the mages.

Donning a tall wizard’s hat, she pointed an accusatory finger at me, her voice brimming with indignation.

“Hey! You woman, how could you use such despicable tactics to bully Aud!”

‘Hold on, little sister, your words are a bit off. If I hadn’t done that, I’d be the one lying down there right now. I would be the one getting bullied!’

I offered a wry smile, addressing her, “Little sister…”

“Who are you calling ‘little sister’!”

Before I could finish, the female mage angrily cut me off.

One hand on her hip, the other still pointed accusingly at me, she shouted, “Listen up! I am Chloe Ray Geminis of Magic Class One, and I’m already eighteen years old! Chloe won’t let you get away with bullying Brother Aud today!”

‘Eighteen? You? Wait, you’re actually older than me? And seriously, can you figure out who’s bullying whom here?!’

I opened my mouth, ready to retort, but then I heard a few coughs from below the stage.

Aud had propped himself against the platform and was slowly rising.

He spoke to Chloe with a hint of sternness in his voice.

“Chloe, don’t be rude. This match… I lost.”

Chloe looked at Aud anxiously. “But Brother Aud…”

“Enough.”

Aud, however, clearly had no desire to hear Chloe continue.

He extended a hand.

“There’s no need to say more. I’ve already put it behind me, so why should you care? Help me up.”

“Oh.”

Chloe could only lower her head, obediently descending the stage to help Aud back up.

She stood to the side, and as she passed me, she shot me a fierce, covert glare.

‘Damn it, what good is glaring at me? Can you glare me to death? And that Aud, he says he doesn’t care, but he didn’t even look at me once the whole time. Is he secretly still resentful?’

‘Well, no matter. I’ve won the match now. Soon, I’ll demand Ji Qianluo send me back to my original world. After that, everyone in this world—Lance, Aud, Chloe—will have nothing to do with this great master. I couldn’t care less what any of you think.’

Once Chloe had helped Aud stand steadily to the side, Ji Qianluo turned to him, a smile playing on her lips.

“So, Master Mage, are you convinced now?”

Aud kept his head down, remaining silent.

Chloe glanced anxiously at Aud, then turned her gaze to Ji Qianluo.

“Your Majesty, this time…”

“Chloe!”

Aud sharply rebuked Chloe, who instantly fell silent, refraining from speaking further.

‘There’s definitely something fishy going on between these two.’

Aud remained silent for a moment longer before he finally spoke.

“I concede this time. However, Your Majesty!”

Aud’s tone suddenly shifted.

“However, this is merely my personal outcome. The other mages here have nothing to do with this trial. They’ve all been diligently studying and researching magic!”

Ji Qianluo’s expression remained unchanged, as if she had long anticipated Aud’s reply.

She offered a cold smile.

“Whether others are diligent is not for you to decide.

In other words, do you truly believe that those who are preoccupied with showing off their magic here are genuinely dedicated to learning it?”

“This is my counsel to you, Mr. Aud Horsco, and simultaneously, my counsel to all mages present.”

Aud’s pupils constricted, as though a sudden realization had struck him.

‘Could Her Majesty have specifically come all this way just to deliver these words?’

I, too, looked at Ji Qianluo with surprise.

‘I never expected Ji Qianluo’s words and actions to be far less simple than they appeared. She wasn’t just against Aud’s magic; she was against the entire magic exhibition itself.’

‘Indeed, it was likely that most of the mages participating in this exhibition were driven by a desire to show off. Perhaps this magic exhibition should never have been held?’

The entire assembly instantly fell into a profound silence.

“Ah, I’ve lost interest. Little Leilei, it’s time for us to go.”

Ji Qianluo, however, suddenly stretched lazily, calling out to the maid beside her.

“Your Majesty, please refrain from calling me ‘Little Leilei’ in front of outsiders.”

The maid replied blandly.

“What does it matter?”

Ji Qianluo clicked her tongue as she spoke, already rising to her feet.

With a swift glance, her eyes settled on me.

“Heh heh, my dear little Airi, you certainly didn’t disappoint me. I’m quite fond of you, you know. As per our agreement, come with me.”

‘Oh, I’m certainly happy she’s keeping her word, but is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like there’s a hint of mischievous amusement in her eyes as she looks at me?’

‘And! You damn well know I’m Li Qingchen, yet you still call me “little Airi”! Later, this old man is absolutely going to rip your mouth to shreds!’