Stepping out of the room and closing the door, Dorothy heard Celia’s voice from behind her.
“Dorothy-senpai, how did it go?”
The adorable blonde girl stood with her hands clasped behind her back, one toe tapping the ground. Her delicate frame shifted slightly, betraying her deep unease.
Aurora also approached, her pale golden eyes calm and serene. It was as if, from the very beginning, she had known Dorothy wouldn’t abandon them.
Of course, the least concerned of all was Isha.
At that moment, she was still sound asleep on the sofa.
Raising a hand, Dorothy gently ruffled Celia’s hair. With a smile, she announced, “I’ll continue to be your instructor, and Orl has also permitted you to become a Hero.”
Noticing Celia take a deep breath, about to burst with excitement, Dorothy quickly added, “But don’t get too happy just yet. All of this comes with conditions.”
She paused, then held up four fingers.
“In the Hero assessment six months from now, you’ll need to defeat a Tier 4 demonic beast. Otherwise, Orl will still take you back.”
“Cough, cough, cough!!”
A gasp caught in Celia’s throat, and her lips trembled. She stammered in disbelief, “A T-Tier 4 demonic beast?!”
They had only recently encountered a genuine Tier 4 demonic beast. Its colossal form blotted out the sky, and its destructive power was terrifying; standing before it had sent shivers down her spine!
It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen Tier 3 demonic beasts before, but she felt that no matter how many came, they wouldn’t stand a chance against that scorpion!
Even Roland, a Tier 4 Hero, along with a group of Tier 3 Heroes, couldn’t easily defeat it. How could three mere Tier 2 Heroes possibly contend with such a monster?
By then, they probably wouldn’t even be enough to fill the demonic beast’s teeth!
A pale shade crept across her pretty face. Celia felt certain she wouldn’t escape the fate of returning to the Fiona family.
“What, are you scared?”
“Isn’t it a bit too difficult? Can we really do it?”
Swallowing hard, she was overcome by serious self-doubt.
Knowing the scorpion had dealt them too many blows, Dorothy crossed her arms, presenting a reassuring figure to Celia.
“With me here, what is there to fear? It’s just a Tier 4 demonic beast, nothing truly formidable.”
“Plus, you have half a year to grow. Your talents are exceptional; by then, a Tier 4 demonic beast will likely only be met with the fate of fleeing from you.”
She wasn’t merely saying these words to comfort Celia.
Celia possessed both her bloodline and that of the Demon King, meaning her magical talent was undeniably extraordinary. It was highly probable that her future strength would surpass even Dorothy’s as a Hero.
With half a year of growth, Dorothy was confident she could lead the team to defeat a Tier 4 demonic beast.
After some reassurance, Celia’s anxieties gradually subsided, replaced by a rekindled fighting spirit.
Regardless, Orl’s willingness to compromise had already exceeded her expectations.
If she could defeat a Tier 4 demonic beast during the Hero assessment, she would truly become a Hero.
The path ahead was now clear, and there was no reason for her to remain disheartened.
“Come on, let’s continue our lesson.”
Seeing her fighting spirit reignited, Dorothy withdrew the hand that had been ruffling Celia’s hair. Just as she was about to return to the classroom, Aurora, standing nearby, blinked and called out to her.
“There’s one more thing, Instructor.”
“Hmm?”
“Celia wants to know your title, Instructor.”
At this, both Dorothy and Celia froze.
The former hadn’t expected them to finally succumb to their curiosity and ask about her title. As for the latter…
“Huh? What do you mean *I* want to know? Aurora, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever say such a thing?”
Celia’s pretty face instantly flushed crimson. She did indeed want to know the instructor’s title, but not for it to be revealed in such a manner!
It made it sound as if she was the *only* one curious about the instructor’s title. In the instructor’s eyes, wouldn’t that imply she was the most eager to know her?
“What a joke! Everyone clearly wanted to know!”
And for some reason, she now felt a distinct awkwardness, as if her secret crush had been exposed right in front of everyone.
‘That hateful Aurora!’
“A title? Those are things from a long time ago, hardly worth mentioning.”
“But if Celia doesn’t find out, she probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Aurora playfully tilted her head, making Celia even more indignant and embarrassed.
“Aurora! If you say another word, I’ll shut your mouth myself!”
Her fair, delicate hands spread out like claws. If Aurora uttered even one more word, Celia would not hesitate to clamp her mouth shut.
If she could, she would have tied Aurora’s tongue in a knot right then and there!
Dorothy watched their playful bickering, finding Celia increasingly adorable. Suddenly, a mischievous thought bubbled up in her mind.
She leaned closer to Celia, whispering into her ear, “So, does Celia want to know?”
A light breeze brushed against her delicate earlobe, making Celia’s body tremble. She stammered, “K-know what?”
“Oh? Does Celia *not* want to know my title?”
“Who, who wants to?”
“Really?”
“Hmph, Senpai, say it or don’t. I don’t care.”
Turning her head, Celia put her hands on her hips, feigning complete indifference.
“Celia’s attitude makes me so sad. I was just about to tell you, but since Celia doesn’t want to know…”
Her voice trailed off, growing softer and softer. Dorothy feigned disappointment as she brushed past Celia, appearing ready to return to the classroom and resume teaching.
However, after only a few steps, she was forced to stop.
Looking back, she saw Celia shyly clutching the corner of her clothes, preventing her from leaving.
The corners of Dorothy’s lips involuntarily curved upwards. Feigning ignorance, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Who said, who said I don’t want to know?”
As Celia spoke, she dared not look at Dorothy. Even when their eyes occasionally met, she would quickly avert her gaze, like a startled rabbit.
“Since Senpai *insists* on telling me, then I, I suppose I can listen.”
Dorothy found Celia’s current demeanor utterly adorable, sparking an irresistible urge to tease her.
Ultimately, however, she decided not to torment her any further.
Taking the young girl’s hand that was clutching her sleeve, Dorothy smiled gently. She then spoke in a voice barely audible to the three of them:
“Then I’ll tell you. Long ago, people called me—the Silverbloom Sword Princess.”
The moment they heard that title, Aurora gasped, covering her mouth in surprise, while Celia simply froze.
But Dorothy paid no mind to their reactions. She released Celia’s small hand, then placed her index finger to her lips, shushing them.
“Since I’ve told you, you must help me keep it a secret, okay?”
With a sly glance at the stunned Celia, Dorothy turned and walked towards the classroom. After slowly regaining her senses, Celia’s mouth fell open in shock.
“Eh?!!”
“S-S-S-Silverbloom Senpai?!”