An Icy Interruption

Buzz, buzz—

The bell signaling the start of class echoed through their ears. Unbeknownst to them, the classroom had filled with students. Among the unfamiliar faces, a few chatted animatedly, but most maintained a polite distance.

The classroom’s layout resembled a lecture hall, with seats tiered from highest to lowest, descending towards the blackboard and podium. Both front and back doors offered entry and exit, though typically the teacher reserved the front door for their own use.

Following the bell, Raphael swept into the classroom. She wore a light pink fluffy coat over a long white skirt. Clutching a stack of rosters and several magical teaching aids, she gently placed them on the podium.

“Students, please quiet down… quiet down.”

Raphael’s few words immediately quelled the classroom’s din. She nodded with satisfaction, her gaze sweeping over the array of new faces until it landed on two familiar ones seated in the middle row. A faint smile touched her lips.

“Sister… I think the teacher is looking at us,” Stella whispered, covering her mouth.

“Yes, and she’s smiling too.” Mylian nodded in agreement, unsure of Raphael’s intentions.

“You two students in the matching pink clothes, please come forward for the first round of testing.”

Raphael’s sudden request for a test, delivered in a feigned unfamiliar tone, startled Mylian and Stella. However, they quickly realized this was likely part of Raphael’s teaching plan.

Thus, to cooperate with their teacher, the two sisters tacitly stepped forward. Envious and curious gazes followed their every movement until they stood beside Raphael.

“Students, before the class meeting begins, I will first clarify the testing procedures. I have randomly selected two of you to start the test…”

Raphael explained the main purpose of the class meeting, while Stella listened, her brow furrowing slightly.

Raphael is clearly using my sister and me as examples. She might even assign us class duties to help manage the others, given how excellent we are.

Stella wasn’t being arrogant; she was simply deducing based on the plot’s facts. Even if the previous floor leader position hadn’t fallen to her sister, the class monitor role would most likely be Mylian’s this time.

“…I’ve made the rules clear. Now, the two of you, please place your hands on this magic orb. It will assess your talents and determine the most suitable profession and magic for you.”

Raphael finished her explanation, then looked at Stella and Mylian, nodding to signal them to extend their hands.

Oh, I can imagine my own results, but what about Sister? Will hers be different?

Stella wasn’t concerned about her own outcome. Her main worry was Mylian’s path: would she become a Paladin? Or a corrupted demon? These outcomes were closely tied to the magical attributes detected.

“Sister, are you ready?” Mylian prompted.

“Yes, Sister, let’s do it together.”

Stella synchronized with Mylian. Their palms touched the surface of the magic orb, a subtle chill drawing away their warmth.

Beyond the cold sensation in her palm, Mylian felt nothing else. She looked at Stella, who was now subtly frowning.

“Sister, are you uncomfortable?”

“Sister, this orb seems to be absorbing my magic.”

Stella’s constitution was sensitive to magic. She disliked the feeling of being adhered to by a suction cup, her magic slowly draining from her.

“Don’t be nervous, both of you. This is a normal part of the test. The small amount of magic you’re losing isn’t even half the consumption of a Grade I spell.”

Raphael explained, her arms crossed. Then, she bent down to observe the orb’s surface, noticing something that didn’t quite align with her experience.

The magic orb’s surface and interior remained transparent. Ordinarily, the magic drawn by now would have been sufficient for an image to manifest, but currently, it seemed insufficient to reflect their magic and potential professions.

“That’s strange? Where are the images?” Raphael stroked her chin in confusion, but Stella suddenly cried out.

“Ugh! My magic is being—” Stella clenched her hand. A huge surge of her magic was instantly drained by the magic orb! And it was a particularly forceful extraction!

The incident was so sudden that Raphael abruptly grabbed Stella and Mylian by their shoulders, pushing them back several meters!

“Ugh.” Stella floated away like a kite with a snapped string. Her legs turned to jelly, unable to support her, and she could only watch helplessly as the ground rushed towards her face.

“Look out!” Mylian swiftly reached out, wrapping her arm around Stella and pulling her into a protective embrace.

Thump!

Mylian winced as her backside hit the floor, Stella clutched tightly in her arms.

A refreshing, floral fragrance filled Stella’s senses, along with the soft, dough-like touch. She had plunged squarely into Mylian’s chest.

I didn’t fall? Sister caught me with her magnificent chest. It smells so good.

“Are you alright?”

Mylian didn’t immediately react to her sister’s ‘taking advantage’ of her, not until Stella rubbed her face against her chest and nodded.

“I’m fine.”

That little rub instantly brought Mylian back to her senses. She immediately released Stella, leaving two round, red imprints on Stella’s face.

“Teacher Raphael, what exactly happened!”

Mylian angrily glared at Raphael, but then saw Raphael frozen in place, and the surrounding students wearing expressions of utter shock.

“Teacher, why did you push me just now! I almost—”

Stella turned to look at Raphael, but as she followed Raphael’s gaze, she gradually understood the reason.

Ice crystals spread from the podium outwards, with icy dust falling everywhere. The podium, where the teaching aids had been, was now frozen with an irregular layer of ice, small icebergs forming pillars that propped up the floor.

This… did I cause trouble again?

Stella couldn’t help but suspect her magical treasures were acting up. She regretted wearing her necklace out today!

But it was too late for regrets. Now, only Raphael could decide how to handle this.

“Stella, what exactly is going on with your ice magic?”

Raphael finally posed the awkward question. Stella could only scratch her earlobe, glancing around, hoping for answers on her classmates’ faces.

“Teacher, I… I don’t know either.”

“You don’t know? Don’t look at them; you’re the one who knows best. Now Mylian’s results have been overwritten by yours. What do you suggest we do?”

Raphael pointed to the ‘evidence’ on the podium. Stella’s predicament grew even more embarrassing; even her attempts at a reassuring smile felt painfully awkward!

I can’t exactly say I’m carrying an armory of magical treasures, can I? How am I supposed to pinpoint the problem one by one?

As Stella found herself in a difficult spot, Mylian stepped forward, shielding her.

“Teacher Raphael! This isn’t her fault.”

“Mylian, we need to understand a principle: the source of the magic is your sister, not my magic orb. Her magic altered the orb’s function.”

“But my sister herself was almost in danger!”

Mylian’s stance was unexpectedly stubborn, as she firmly stood in front of Stella.

Is this what it feels like to have a sister who protects you?

Stella covered her mouth. In that moment, she had never felt that everything she had done was so completely worth it.