Leader = Scholar

The gray drafting pen spun between her middle fingers, the slender, snowy-white pen body swaying and weaving between her fingers like a small twisted snake coiling through the gaps.

Just like how Collins had a habit of jittering his leg when nervous, this upperclassman—who was actually a girl despite being called “senior”—loved playing with her pen.

And she did it in such an aesthetically pleasing way that simply watching her was a kind of enjoyment.

However, since the guest had already arrived, Aikefisi naturally didn’t continue indulging in her little hobby.

She set the pen down and called over the waiter to order.

Two cups of coffee were placed in front of them.

“You don’t look very happy.”

Aikefisi held her favorite black coffee.

The silver spoon swirled inside the cup, producing crisp clinks as it tapped the porcelain.

The sound spread to both of their ears with the movement of her fingers.

She didn’t look at Collins’ face.

But someone like her didn’t need to.

Just from the rhythm of his breathing, she could tell what mood Collins was in.

Aikefisi, one of the legendary students of this year at Royatis Academy, was born into a poor family.

When she was two years old, a terrorist attack destroyed her home and family.

After being passed around by reluctant relatives for years, she eventually ended up in an orphanage.

A student with no foundation, no wealth, and dependent entirely on subsidies for survival—

She relied solely on effort and talent to study at Royatis Academy.

And before Collins arrived, she had always held the top spot in the Rune Department.

Her strength and grace were so far beyond Collins that he could only look up to her.

So when Aikefisi asked Collins for a small favor, he didn’t even hesitate to lend a hand.

“Yeah, well, I got beat up. My chest still hurts.”

Aikefisi thought of that woman, Elena, and a trace of sarcasm appeared on her face.

“Elena went too far, beating you like that.”

“But I’ve met her. She strikes me as a woman with depth, not someone who loses control easily.”

“Yet she still hit you. You must’ve said something to make her snap.”

Aikefisi glanced sideways at Collins as if something had occurred to her.

“But you’re not the kind of person who crosses the line.”

“You don’t seem like someone who would humiliate others or make them angry.”

“Logically speaking, you wouldn’t go out of your way to offend someone.”

“So, there’s definitely more to this.”

“Let me guess: Elena probably said something difficult, and you couldn’t—or didn’t want to—go along with her wishes.”

“So, you provoked her into hitting you, and by doing that, you not only dodged the request but also came out looking like the victim.”

“Even if Elena regrets it afterward, she wouldn’t be able to retaliate.”

Collins had a mouthful of water that he couldn’t seem to swallow.

Aikefisi rested her cheek on her palm and smiled at Collins.

Aikefisi’s looks were those of a classic beauty.

Though not as stunning as Elena, she had her own charm.

Being stared at by such a woman made Collins visibly awkward.

“Judging by your face, I must’ve guessed right.”

Collins finally managed to swallow the water.

“Ah, Senior Aikefisi really is sharp. This junior can’t hide his little schemes from you.”

“Well, what can I say? This school is full of prestigious descendants with deep bloodlines.”

“If I didn’t have at least this much wit, how could I compete with them?”

Once a mage reaches the Legendary tier, their abilities increase to a frightening level.

Given enough time, these abilities can be passed down through bloodlines.

Just like how the child of two PhDs is unlikely to be of low intelligence—

A Legendary bloodline generally outclasses ordinary magic-talented individuals.

To put it simply—

If a typical magic user has slightly higher elemental affinity and mental power than an average person,

Then someone with Legendary bloodline could have several times the elemental affinity,

Exceptionally strong mental power,

And even passively carry multiple innate abilities.

Take Collins, for example.

The fusion of two bloodlines in his body made his spiritual strength and elemental affinity equivalent to a low-tier first-level mage from birth.

With a bit of training, by the time he was in middle school, he was already comparable to an average mid-tier mage.

Although Collins didn’t like to admit it—

Most of his power came from the talent he was born with.

If he had only a regular magic aptitude, he probably wouldn’t even be able to pass as a third-tier mage now.

“Sometimes, I really envy your kind of talent.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve sacrificed, how many tears I’ve shed, just to study magic.”

“And yet, after all that effort, I still can’t compare to someone who simply had a good ancestor.”

Aikefisi gave a bitter smile.

“My teachers always talked about fairness, fairness…”

“But if it’s so fair, why are there mages and ordinary people?”

“Why are there Legendary mages and average mages?”

“This world has never been fair.”

Collins didn’t dare meet Aikefisi’s eyes anymore.

“Alright, Senior. Let’s cut the chatter.”

“You didn’t invite me here just to have coffee, did you?”

“Of course not.”

“A cup of coffee at this place costs me a week’s worth of part-time wages.”

“I’m not rich enough to treat you just for the sake of it.”