A Misunderstanding and a Peculiar Challenge

A tremor of awareness ran through Mylian as she tidied her belongings. Her gaze snapped towards the doorway.

“Who’s there? Come out.”

“Uh, Mylian, hello.”

Flushing with embarrassment at being discovered so soon, Eveming stepped forward. From behind the wall, Stella observed, offering a ‘you can do it’ gesture of encouragement.

Let me see if the original supporting character’s capabilities can truly aid my self-preservation plan.

Such was Stella’s scheme, yet before her carefully laid plans could even begin to unfold, Mylian preemptively dismantled her illusions.

“I know who you are, Eveming, Saintess of the Sochi Holy Kingdom. I became acutely aware of your nation’s Saintess’s social graces the moment your guards were allowed to run rampant.”

Mylian still harbored deep resentment over the incident where the Saintess’s carriage had crushed her luggage. She believed Eveming had deliberately ignored her guard’s actions, and if Della hadn’t intervened, a sword’s edge would surely have met her neck.

“Mylian, you’ve misunderstood! I had just woken up and was still groggy. When I heard you arguing with my guard, I only poked my head out to figure out what was happening.”

“Hmph, when his sword was at my throat, why didn’t you tell him to move it?”

“I was a bit dazed, and I didn’t understand the situation at the time either.”

“There’s a limit to being muddled, Eveming. Do you realize that if Della hadn’t personally intervened, your subordinate’s sword would have claimed my life?”

Mylian’s words were definitive, her gaze dismissive. She had no intention of listening to Eveming’s superfluous explanations.

“I… I never imagined something like that would happen.”

“It will be too late by the time you do. Say no more. Please don’t disturb me.”

Mylian turned to gaze out the window, her heart resolute that she would never forge a deep bond with Eveming.

“…”

Eveming found herself at a loss for how to explain such a profound misunderstanding. She looked towards Stella for help, but Stella merely waved her hand, signaling Eveming to close the door.

“I apologize for disturbing you, Mylian.”

Eveming could only gently close the door and depart. Her expression was rather downcast as she approached Stella.

“I won’t make you do this sort of thing again in the future. It truly is better to let things take their natural course.”

Stella felt a pang of disappointment. The ‘official pairing’ from the original story, Eveming, was proving to be a non-starter. Her sister harbored intense antipathy towards her, treating her almost exactly as she once treated Stella during her villainess phase.

“If possible, I would like to earn Mylian’s forgiveness. I didn’t react quickly enough that day, and I believe the contents of that box were very important to her.”

Eveming did not wish for their future roommate relationship to remain so strained. Living under the same roof meant frequent encounters, and she couldn’t simply endure such tension indefinitely.

“My sister’s nature dictates that she repays kindness and exacts revenge. If Eveming is willing to help repair the necklace, while your relationship might not become exceptionally close, it’s possible it could return to normal.”

Stella analyzed the situation, her arms crossed. A light sparked in Eveming’s eyes, and she grasped Stella’s hand.

“Really? How can we fix it? Please, you must let me be involved!”

“Once our cultivation ranks and qualifications are approved, Eveming will be able to help when we gather materials in the dungeon.”

“I will definitely cherish this opportunity!”

“Then, here’s to a pleasant collaboration.”

Stella smiled at Eveming, who nodded gratefully.

“Speaking of which, everything truly is as Stella said. We will meet very soon.”

“The Pope approved your enrollment at Twilight Academy. Quite a coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”

“You guessed it back then?”

“It was merely the Goddess’s will. Will you doubt me again in the future?”

Stella narrowed her eyes, fixing Eveming with a stare. Eveming shook her head vigorously, like a drum.

“I believe you! I’ll believe you until the day I die!”

Their interaction was secretly observed by a pair of violet eyes peeking through the crack in the door. Mylian, squatting behind it, yearned to embed her fingers into the wooden panel.

Eveming, stay away from my sister!

Mylian felt as though something precious to her was being sullied by another, and a surge of jealousy flared within her.

Yet, seeing Stella and Eveming laughing and chatting, a sense of melancholy washed over Mylian. It was as if a ‘friend’ she had painstakingly acquired was suddenly having fun with someone else, leaving her forgotten in some corner.

Indeed, I should keep my sister by my side, never letting her leave.

Mylian’s particular obsession deepened rapidly, and the indentations on the wooden panel grew more pronounced.

Later that afternoon, in the dormitory corridor.

Instructor Raphael sought Stella out privately, handing her a detailed description of a floor leader’s basic responsibilities, along with the class roster and schedule.

Twilight Academy’s curriculum was only half-day. Mornings were dedicated to magic, history, and literacy, while afternoons focused on practical magic and weapon proficiency training.

Though the curriculum seemed extensive, it was anything but light.

“Instructor, may I apply for an exemption?”

After a quick glance at the schedule, Stella posed her question to Raphael, convinced that these courses were entirely unnecessary for her.

“Stella, if you wish to be exempt, then you may challenge the final graduation exam.”

Raphael crossed her arms, intending to use the notoriously difficult Twilight Academy final exam to temper Stella’s youthful arrogance.

“What aspects does the final exam cover? I prefer to complete things in advance; after all, sitting idly in a classroom listening to familiar stories is quite tedious.”

Stella remained utterly unfazed, a hint of disdain even gracing her tone.

“Hmph, Stella, you mustn’t underestimate the difficulty of the final exam. Even if you pass the written portion smoothly, can you guarantee perfect completion of the practical part?”

Raphael issued a warning, subtly advising Stella to study diligently. The practical content, formulated by the academy’s upper echelons, was as tricky as battling a Grade IV magical beast.

“How will I know if I don’t try? Instructor Raphael, please go ahead and register me. If I can’t complete it, the fault is mine.”

Stella patted her chest in assurance. She had nearly single-handedly defeated Raphael during their last encounter, demonstrating a mastery of magical artifacts. She might even hold her own against weaker Grade V adventurers or magical beasts.

“Are you certain you want to participate? The final exam has stumped many, most of whom were arrogant and conceited, and many even lost their lives.”

Raphael earnestly tried to dissuade her, but Stella, having personally constructed a corner of the world, understood better than anyone who truly posed the greatest danger.

“Instructor, you don’t need to persuade me; my mind is made up. And do you know why I want to do this?”

Stella waved her right hand towards herself, signaling Raphael to lean in closer.

“What?”

Upon learning Stella had a reason, Raphael quickly bent down to listen. However, once Stella uttered that name, she was left both shocked and bewildered.

“For that reason, you intend to challenge such a difficult exam?”

“Isn’t wanting to spend more time with family a perfectly good reason? Instructor, please agree to it.”

Stella smiled and turned away, as if her thoughts had already drifted to the location of the final exam.

I never imagined that after a casual mention, she would actually participate in the final exam as a new student.

For some inexplicable reason, Raphael perceived not the arrogance of a genius in Stella, but rather a sense of moving forward under a heavy burden, as if constantly compelled to make decisions.

I should speak with her sister.

Raphael decided to find time to talk with Mylian, as Stella’s stated reason for the exam was simply too peculiar.

To spend as much time as possible with her sister during her academy life? This sister’s intentions aren’t so simple, are they?