Chapter 36: Fake Freshman, Part 1

The academy, instead of covering up the attack, publicized it.

While their security had been breached, tarnishing their reputation somewhat, the overall outcome was positive.

The damage to the academy was mostly structural, the student casualties minimal, mostly minor injuries treatable with potions.

And it was the academy students who’d defeated the notorious Rahat.

Among the general public, unaware of the students’ inherent abilities, the incident fostered a belief that attending the academy would equip them with the skills to protect themselves.

Conversely, the Knights’ reputation plummeted.

Public opinion turned against them, questioning their competence if mere students could handle a cult attack.

While public outcry wouldn’t drastically change the Knights, the current king was particularly sensitive to public opinion, so the Knight Commander, who oversaw the Knights’ operations, was reprimanded.

However, due to his unwavering loyalty and his successful retrieval of Rahat without further incident, he wasn’t dismissed.

“Lucia, are you free today?”

“Ah, no… I have… um…”

The true victim of this incident wasn’t the Knight Commander or the academy, but Lucia.

While the incident had helped her overcome some of her anxieties and connect with others, she was still inherently introverted.

And the academy, eager to capitalize on the incident, had praised the three students involved, showering them with attention. For Lucia, it was overwhelming.

Carmel, already popular due to her royal status and outgoing personality, wasn’t significantly affected by the increased attention.

Ciella, the unusual transfer student from the Magic Tower, also garnered attention, but her aloof nature kept most people at bay.

The Magic Tower was detached from worldly affairs, and associating with Ciella offered little beyond arcane knowledge, further diminishing interest.

While the Magic Tower’s knowledge was highly valued by nations, it was of little interest to most students.

And the notoriously secretive Magic Tower rarely shared their knowledge with outsiders.

But Lucia was different.

She was the kingdom’s designated hero candidate, practically treated as a hero by the royal family, paraded around at various events. Every noble in the academy knew her.

And despite her quiet nature, she’d often offered assistance during combat practice, her small stature and gentle demeanor further endearing her to others.

She resembled a small, harmless animal, making it difficult to dislike her, except perhaps for the other hero candidates she’d overshadowed.

Most academy students had been eager to gain her favor.

And now, after the incident, her combat prowess had been officially recognized, and she’d become more receptive to their advances.

The young noblewomen, unable to resist the urge to “adopt” and pamper the small, seemingly vulnerable girl, swarmed her.

“Lucia, would you like to try this?”

“Lucia, we’re having a tea party later. Would you like to join us?”

“Ah… um… well…”

If Carmel were present, she would have intervened, shielding Lucia from the overwhelming attention. But Carmel had returned to the palace due to the Third Princess’s disappearance.

And Ciella, still awkward after Lucia’s “companion” declaration, couldn’t bring herself to approach.

So, Lucia, unable to refuse, reluctantly agreed to numerous invitations, her previously empty schedule now overflowing with social engagements.

While she knew they meant well, it was still exhausting.

Finally free, Lucia sighed and retreated to a secluded corner near the window.

Her legs ached from standing for so long at the classroom entrance, though a hero’s body shouldn’t tire so easily. It was likely psychosomatic.

Creak.

As the students settled down and the noise subsided, the instructor entered.

Long blue hair that reached her waist, a barely-there outfit that strained against her ample bosom, yet covered by a long cloak that minimized exposure, except for her chest. A rather… unusual attire for a mage.

Lily Dermosia, the recently appointed instructor of Dark Magic Defense.

“Now, now… before we begin… we have a new student… joining us today…”

Lily gestured towards the door, her voice languid, almost soporific.

“A new student…? Didn’t we just have a transfer student…?”

“So close to exams… a new student…?”

The students, already restless, buzzed with confusion. Ciella, the unusual transfer student from the Magic Tower, had only arrived a month ago.

Ignoring the commotion, Lily maintained a serene expression as a girl with short white hair entered the classroom.

The girl glanced at Lily, her expression unreadable, then stood beside her.

“You should introduce yourself…”

“…Levi— No. Call me Levi.”

She was about Lucia’s size, or perhaps slightly taller.

But since Lucia was unusually small for her age, Levi, too, appeared younger than her actual age.

Her indifferent gaze swept across the classroom, further igniting the noble ladies’ interest.

A seemingly aloof girl, once warmed up, would become incredibly affectionate and demanding, a stark contrast to her initial demeanor.

And despite her attempts to appear indifferent, her cuteness was undeniable. The young noblewomen eagerly awaited the end of the class.

“Then… we won’t have class today… You should all… get to know… our new student…”

“Wait—”

Lily’s unexpected announcement delighted the students, who were far more interested in Levi than in Dark Magic Defense. As soon as Lily left, they swarmed Levi.

“W-wait…! She’s…!”

Ciella, sensing something amiss, stood up, but they ignored her.

“W-wait…! D-don’t touch me…! What are you…!”

“Levi, do you have a favorite dessert?”

“Levi, we’re having a tea party later. Would you like to…!”

It was pure chaos.

Relieved that the attention had shifted away from her, Lucia quietly slipped out of the classroom.

She had plenty of time before her next class.

Cling.

“You’re here again?”

“Ah… yes. Hehe… am I disturbing you?”

“No, not at all.”

Lucia’s expression softened as she entered Kayleen’s shop, tucked away in a corner of the academy.

Kayleen and Lucia shared a significant, unspoken connection.

While Ciella and Carmel had offered to share her burdens, becoming sources of comfort, a shared secret created a different kind of bond.

Kayleen had never explicitly revealed her own experiences, but her unwavering acceptance of Lucia’s words created a safe space, a place where Lucia could be herself.

“So, anything you need today?”

“No… not really… is that… alright?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank you… hehe…”

The same response as before, the same tone, the same cadence. A slight sense of unease lingered, but Lucia dismissed it and sat down in a corner.

“Today… well… after I defeated the cult leader… I’ve become… quite popular…”

“I see.”

Kayleen simply nodded as Lucia spoke, her voice soft, almost a whisper.

“Honestly… it’s not… unpleasant. It’s nice to be recognized… But… it’s a bit… overwhelming…”

“I see.”

Kayleen nodded again, her demeanor unchanged.

“But thankfully… the new student… she’s been getting most of the attention… so I’ve had some time to breathe…”

“I see.”

“But she… she seems familiar… Do you know her? She has… short white hair…”

“I’m not sure.”

Caw! Caw!

The sound of crows echoed from outside.

“Ah…! That reminds me…! The girl who was with you… before…!”

Kayleen’s expression finally shifted, a flicker of something in her eyes.

Creak.

“Welco—”

“Well, well.”

A girl with short white hair entered the shop. Levi, the girl Lucia had just mentioned.

Kayleen’s expression changed again, something hardening in her gaze.

“I thought you were my contractor… but you’re not…”

“…An error. The error… is here…?”

“What?”

Lucia, confused by their cryptic exchange, stood up, trying to mediate.

“I… I don’t know what’s going on, but—”

“Eliminating.”

Snap.

Kayleen snapped her fingers, and a dark shape emerged from thin air, enveloping Levi before vanishing.

The white-haired girl was gone, the only evidence of her presence the open door, swaying gently in the breeze.

“Now, where were we?”

Kayleen smiled at Lucia, her expression serene, as if nothing had happened.

But something… something felt… wrong.

It was no longer just a vague sense of unease.

But Lucia chose to trust her.

The woman who shared her burden couldn’t be… fake.

She had to believe that.

Lucia forced a smile and spoke.