Vice Principal

Candidate Selina scored 85 points in Mental Strength.

The examiner observed the glowing intensity of the crystal ball, recorded the score, and nodded. Selina released her hands from the orb, slowly opening her eyes.

She wiped her forehead, feigning sweat, as a faint white flame flickered and vanished in her dark pupils.

Using the crystal sword’s power granted by Hestia, she had stabilized her Mental Strength score at an acceptable 85.

It was higher than she’d planned, but far better than overwhelming the testing device.

The method was simple: the sword’s soul-domain ability masked 90% of her soul’s strength, reducing her displayed mental power to less than a tenth of its true capacity. Even so, she inwardly sighed in relief—she’d nearly lost control.

Had she not suppressed it, her score might’ve exposed not just her elven princess identity but possibly her Descendant status, coveted by the gods.

One test remained: Elemental Affinity.

Staring at the crystal ball for the final exam, Selina planned to repeat the trick.

If Hestia’s soul sword could mask Mental Strength, Themis’s elemental sword should similarly conceal her affinity.

As a descendant of the Elemental God, her affinity was bound to be astronomical.

Just as she prepared for the test, the orderly exam venue erupted into chaos.

All eyes turned to the entrance, including those of the usually stoic examiners, who stood with respectful awe. Ylenia, recording scores nearby, gaped in shock. The examiners exchanged glances with her, their brows furrowed, while she returned a bewildered look.

Why was he here?

“Vice Principal!”

“It’s Lord Alastair!”

“Why’s he here?”

The venue buzzed with excited chatter. Despite the proctors’ efforts to maintain order, the name Alastair sparked uncontainable fervor.

Selina turned to see a figure weaving through the crowd.

His flamboyant face was framed by tattered cowboy attire, a hole-riddled hat perched on his head.

The shabby outfit did nothing to dim his charisma. His golden eyes roamed shamelessly over the skirts and legs of female candidates, devoid of the dignity expected of a vice principal. Instead, he exuded a roguish charm.

“Oh, what adorable freshmen~” he drawled. “So many young ladies in the Magic Department—this is fantastic. I love the vibrant energy of youth, especially from beautiful girls. It’s so uplifting.”

His bold words made many female candidates blush.

Shy ones covered their flushed faces, speechless, while bolder girls stared at the unkempt man with starry eyes, as if he were a dashing prince from a fairy tale.

“Lord Alastair, why are you here?” an exam proctor asked, bowing.

The examiner overseeing the affinity test stood, his stern demeanor softening with deference.

To unaware candidates, Alastair might seem a mere eccentric, judged by his appearance or reputation.

But to those privy to Tianqi’s inner workings, like the proctor, this disheveled cowboy was a legend—one of the Seraris Continent’s greatest alchemists.

“Oh, Mentor Pala, just bored in my office. Thought I’d stroll and check out our cute freshmen. Hey, this one’s not bad at all~” Alastair said, his gaze lingering on Selina. Even the reverent Pala winced at his vice principal’s demeanor.

“Lord Alastair, we’re in the middle of exams. You might startle the candidates,” Pala said, forcing a smile. As a test overseer, he respected Alastair but couldn’t let his antics disrupt the process.

“Whoops, my bad. Lost a fortune at the races last night—damn horse kept bolting mid-run. Drank till midnight, so my head’s foggy. Did I scare you, lovely miss?” Alastair asked, turning to Selina.

Her expression unchanged, she shook her head. “It’s an honor for the vice principal to visit the exam site. How could I be scared?”

Her clear, composed words and poised demeanor met his gaze with unshakable calm, tinged with defiance.

Alastair stared for a long moment, making Pala’s lips twitch awkwardly. Just as Pala moved to intervene, Alastair chuckled.

“Pretty eyes. But I think they’d suit green better—emerald green,” he said.

“…Perhaps. But eye color is innate. Even if you prefer green, they won’t change,” Selina replied after a pause, her tone steady.

She wasn’t sure of his intentions, but that comment wasn’t casual. He’d seen something but didn’t fully reveal it.

What was this man after? She maintained her composure, drawing on her vast experience to hold her ground.

“Really? That’s a shame,” Alastair said with a mock sigh. Pala finally spoke up.

“Lord Alastair, the exam is ongoing. Your presence might—”

“Oh, right! There are so many female candidates today, and I’m free. Why don’t I help with the assessments?” Alastair suggested.

Pala froze. The female candidates erupted in excitement—close contact with Tianqi’s famed vice principal was a rare opportunity. But Selina knew better.

Despite addressing the crowd, his golden eyes never left her.

His target was her.