Under the dark royal-blue shadows of embroidered walls and the amber tints from the wall lamp, the six of us gathered.
Night had fallen now, and a half-crescent moon shone through the window of my room, amidst a scattering of stars.
In the distance, multicolored lights flickered from the direction of the plaza.
Around the coffee table at the room's center, Valerie sat on a three-seater sofa to my left. Beyond her, my workspace was visible, along with a door leading to the bathroom, an open kitchen, and several bookshelves.
Ducas stood behind her, just a step closer to me.
To my right, Felicity sat on a similar sofa, beyond which my bed was placed farther away.
Griff stood behind her, also a step towards me, mirroring Ducas's stance.
I sat with my back to the window, positioned like an observer of this formal arrangement.
Persephone, ever graceful, occupied the sofa across the table, directly in front of me
It hadn't been easy, but Griff's persistent pleas had ultimately worked. And here we are—on the verge of an impromptu conference.
"So, Griff kept saying you saved him. What is he talking about?" the voice asked, direct and sharp.
Felicity turned her head toward me, her tone arrogant, fitting for a Malika.
I relaxed into my seat, my mood soured slightly—tonight's rest had already been stolen. Resting both arms on the embroidered handrest, I let my weight sink into the back. It helped ease some of the tension.
Tired of the tension, I moved only my eyes and focused on her.
Despite her hostility, she seemed unnervingly calm. Must be the lioness's pride, I thought.
Her almond-shaped eyes, which always seemed to look down on everyone, stared directly at me. Her tight cheeks made her frustration evident on her sharp, diamond-cut face.
Her tawny-yellow hair was tied into a ponytail that cascaded down her back, contrasting with her crimson shirt, black buttons, and dark jeans tucked into high boots.
Taking her in once more—though I didn't need to—I activated Prescient Description of her.
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[The Active Skill 'Prescient Description' has been activated.]
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[Profile has been found.]
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[Name: Felicity Hanson
Age: 36 years
Blessing: None
Active Attribute: Malika (Hero)
Active Skills: Combat in Jungle Lvl.3, Sense of Sight Lvl.3, Roar Lvl.2.
Passive Skills: Caution Lvl.5, ReadRoom Lvl.4, Hunter's Pride Lvl.4.
Overall Stats: Strength Lvl 78, Stamina Lvl 79, Agility Lvl 79, Magic Power Lvl 68
Description: A prideful existence. The pride she's held since childhood has earned her the attribute Malika, Queen of the Jungle. Despite this, she struggles with authority on a personal level.
Currently, this existence is showing hostility toward you.]
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So, it really is like that, I mused, reading through her profile. Malika. Her status was impressive, and her hostility made sense.
Felicity was a student known by everyone in Trivia, much like Valerie.
But both of them were hiding their real identities here.
In truth, Valerie hailed from the Duke House of the Atlas Kingdom, while Felicity belonged to the Marquis House. The Duke House held a higher rank.
Valerie is known to be friendly and approachable.
Felicity, however, carried a cold, distant demeanor. People found her unapproachable, and she preferred it that way.
But that is simply her nature.
Felicity also had repeatedly applied to become Lisa's assistant.
Unlike Valerie, who sought to excel in magic, Felicity wanted to learn Lisa's mindset.
Lisa was a formidable leader who had left her title for her vision. Felicity admired that unwavering resolve—the courage to leave everything behind.
She wanted to learn from Lisa's strength of will, and she had the courage to abandon everything for that purpose.
That very attitude would one day lead Felicity to become the future queen of the Lion Tribe, once dark matter engulfed this world and a new script began.
Hence, her attribute: Malika, the Queen Lioness.
Still, I argued internally, I am the assistant professor. I hold higher authority than them—not in this world, but at least within this school.
I didn't want to get involved in their personal affairs, but I couldn't help feeling like I was being pulled into their tide.
Even though on one note, they are all much older than I, and on the other, I had seen their stories unfold in my dreams for so long.
Excluding Ducas and Persephone—one a fraud, the other a goddess—I turned my thoughts toward the others.
If these three could learn to get along, especially with Ducas, they might become a formidable force. They certainly have potential, I thought.
They were royal heirs—future heads of their noble families.
Their authority was absolute… for now.
But I knew that kind of power would only last until...
Hmm… I drifted deeper into thought.
Their growth would be impressive, no doubt. But it still wouldn't be enough to alter the grander path.
When I had written about this world in my dream journal, I never labeled anyone as a protagonist or antagonist. But these people? They were undeniably side characters.
The true performers of this script were still out there.
Maybe things could change. No—they definitely could. But maybe it wasn't my place to get too involved.
The pitter-patter of rain outside and the soft ringing of a distant bell filled the quiet room.
Ding… ding… ding…
A random thought crossed my mind: I wonder how my existence must appear to them right now.
:: FELICITY HANSON
"So, Griff kept saying you saved him. What is he talking about?" I demanded.
It was sudden and jarring—this uncontrollable surge of emotion inside me.
When it happened, I'd assumed Griff's condition must have been dire. The pain I sensed before wasn't mine—it was foreign, and it shook me. I dropped everything, even important tasks, to find him. This mattered more.
I had exhausted too much of my magic trying to locate him. His dorm was empty. None of his friends—those he had made to blend in—had any idea where he was.
I searched everywhere.
The strange feeling only faded when I reached the faculty dorm, fifth floor.
But even after it vanished, I couldn't rest. My unease didn't fade. I sharpened my senses, picking up a faint trace of blood. The scent alarmed me, horror coiled in my gut as I rushed forward, dreading what I might find.
And what did I discover?
Him—in his room— with blood on his hands. And then Griff had the audacity to plead with me to let it go?
Laughable.
Instead of answering, he just stared at me with those calm, faintly annoyed eyes.
His posture was infuriatingly relaxed, laid-back in that ridiculous throne of his—arms draped on the handrests, palms limp, spine straight, head tilted back like he had all the time in the world.
Such audacity. Was it because of Valerie's backing?
My gaze snapped toward her. Her family's influence ran deep—and the thought of that stirred rage inside me.
The soft pitter-patter of rain and the distant tolling of a bell slipped into the room.
Ding... ding... ding...
He still watched in my direction, but wasn't even looking at me anymore—just staring blankly, lost in thought.
"Well?" I pressed, though I kept my posture rigid and unwavering, but my eyes briefly flickered to Griff.
I was still worried. The blood on his lips was gone. His hands were clean now, too. But I was certain it had been Griff's blood.
How had he gotten hurt?
Griff avoided my gaze. He looked at him as he spoke.
"Ah… I was poisoned. And... Sir Arthur used his Elixir to save me."
My attention snapped back to Arthur. He was already watching Griff, a Confusion prickled at me. I studied him warily, narrowing my eyes.
An Elixir?
How did he get one? A tonic like that was rare—even among the nobles.
Could the rumors be true? Is he really connected to the Queen's family?
A man of mystery, to say the least.
Arthur had arrived barely three weeks ago, and already, whispers swirled around him—that he'd become the Archduchess's assistant, which I thought absurd, until it turned out to be true.
After the opening ceremony, new rumors sprouted: that the Headmaster had chosen him.. No one knew what or why.
Outside the classroom, people described him as confident, approachable—yet aloof, uninterested. Contradictory traits.
Inside class, especially around the Archduchess, he came across as precise, composed, and surprisingly dependable.
That contrast only deepened the mystery around him.
His looks certainly didn't help. Rumors claimed he was only twenty, with an effeminate face and sharp features that somehow radiated maturity; always looking as though they viewed the world from above.
Naturally, he'd become popular.
But not with me.
"You really expect me to believe that?" I sneered.
It wasn't that I didn't believe Griff—I did. I just didn't believe anyone else in this room.
"You should. Your brother would've died without it," Valerie said calmly, her voice was infuriatingly matter-of-fact. As if stating an irrefutable truth.
That only made me angrier.
But if it came from her mouth, it couldn't be trusted.
"Ridiculous. It's a lie."
"Big sis—"
"This was all orchestrated. You're being deceived, Griff," I snapped, cutting him off before he could finish. No excuses. No pleas.
Sigh.
A sigh cut through the tension.
The man on the throne sighed. A long, tired sigh. Like we were wasting his time.
He thinks he can get away with this because of a little school recognition? The Archduchess wouldn't bat an eye if I made you disappear right now.. I roared inwardly.
This all pointed back to her—the red-haired bitch.
I shot Valerie a sidelong glance, but her guard's expression caught my eye instead. He looked furious.
The silver-haired one—Ducas, that was his name—was clearly scowling, bitterness etched into his features.
Valerie also sighed. No sound, but her expression said enough. Just that infuriating look of weary disappointment—no, resignation.
It made my blood boil.
Still, I didn't let it show. I held my posture—prideful, composed.
She had changed. No royal etiquette, no grace left. I was about to speak when something unexpected happened.
As Arthur raised his hand, palm facing up. A silver light shimmered from one of his rings.
No, not just any ring, a storage ring. He had a silver storage ring?
The glow dimmed, revealing a beautiful, hexagonal glass bottle in his palm. Inside, a shimmering green liquid swirled, pulsing with energy.
Without a word, he tossed it to me casually.
I caught it instinctively. My fingers curled around the bottle as I rubbed its surface with my thumb, probing the energy within.
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[Item: Healing Elixir - Grade 4]
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It was real.
"I thought you were trying to stay hidden. But I guess a princess can't live without her riches," I sneered again, eyes on Valerie.
I'd been told she left her duchy to escape political chains, to follow her own interests. I had believed it.
But I had been a fool to believe that.
She is clearly still in touch with her family. How else could she have access to something like this?
Valerie sighed again.
"You just saw it, Felicity. It was Sir Arthur's. I had nothing to do with it."
As if I'd ever believe that.
"And it was your brother who attacked us first," Ducas added calmly. "We just defended ourselves, and Sir Arthur saved him."
I looked at Griff. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and then inhaled deeply.
"…It's true," he said.
So what? I wasn't apologizing. I didn't even blame him.
After everything, we'd suffered too. This was still her family's fault.
"Then what about Griff's blood—"
"Ah. It wasn't Griff's," came the reply. Valerie cut me off, which pissed me off even more—but her words confused me.
It wasn't his?
"It was Sir Arthur's. He used his own blood to enhance the Elixir's effect to cure him faster."
My frown deepened. Elixirs can be enhanced with blood? Since when did elixirs require blood augmentation? I'd never heard of such a method.
Then again, it's not like we have spare Elixirs for experimentation.
The new information made Griff's body tense up behind me. He looked just as confused—it seemed like this was news to him too.
Was the blood really not Griff's? I sharpened my senses, scanning Griff's energy… He seemed fine.
And when I thought about it again, it was only a little blood on his lips, while Arthur's entire palm had been drenched in it.
"Do you have anything to say, Professor?"
Already annoyed by everything—and too proud to bend—My tone dripped with deliberate rudeness, which he appeared to ignore.. He didn't seem to mind.
I turned to the only person who seemed worth speaking to, but he continued observing everything.
Every eye in the room now waited for his response to my challenge. The silver-haired boy glared daggers at me, but I refused to acknowledge him.
"I am not part of this conversation," finally he said lazily, still leaning back against his cathedral-style chair.
My fingers twitched. Not part of this conversation? In his own room? After providing the elixir, sacrificing his blood, saving Griff? If their story held, he was ironically the only trustworthy one here.
"Let me understand," I began, each question a sharpened blade. "They brought Griff to you?"
"Yes?"
"You used your personal grade-three elixir to neutralize the poison?"
"Grade three, but yes?"
He gave me a grade four elixer, but whatever. Elixier nonetheless.
"...You even injured yourself to infuse him with your blood for faster healing?"
A pause. "...Correct."
"And you're still claiming that you're not part of the conversation?"
His lips parted slightly - genuine surprise flashing across his features before comprehension dawned. He finally raised his head, amusement glinting in his eyes. The unspoken challenge hung between us: You've made your point. Now hear mine.
"Miss Felicity."
My spine straightened, and I instinctively put my guard up.
"Your brother was poisoned, yes?"
"Obviously."
"Before that, he attacked these two individuals?" A lazy finger flick toward Valerie and Ducas.
"...Allegedly." The admission tasted bitter.
"Then am I truly the central figure here?"
This time, I hesitated. My lips parted, then froze. Damn him. He was right. The elixir's provenance mattered less than the poisoning itself.
This wasn't really the time or place to talk about Elixir sources or Royal connections?
"Regardless, I don't accept your narrative." I countered, "But it seems my brother is unharmed."
At that, the tension eased a bit. Everyone's shoulders dropped. Except Arthur's.
He still looked slightly annoyed, eyes focused on the air in front of him like he was reading words only visible to him, like reading divine words of the gods.
An absurd notion. Even Father only sees those on special occasions, I thought.
He probably already knew I wouldn't relent. And I wouldn't.
"But this matter isn't concluded." My gaze locked onto Valerie. Recognition flashed in her eyes - that old competitive fire I remembered so well. The air crackled with tension, our silent battle of wills sparking visible energy between us. Valerie's jaw clenched, cheeks flushing with restrained fury.
Arthur interrupted our standoff. "What do you mean?"
"Obviously, you all are working for her. I don't trust her."My finger jabbed toward Valerie. I turned back to him.
"Even if you provided the elixir, she could have supplied it beforehand. You could be her family's agent without her knowledge."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. He bit his lower lip slightly, unable to immediately deny it.
But he was listening—intently.
"You just happen to have a Grade Three Elixir?" I challenged. "People don't have many of those to spare."
Everyone's expression shifted slightly—curious.
Arthur must have powerful connections. Not just any connections—high ones, yet his energy signature felt weak.
He must be hiding something... or had immense control over his soul.
There was uncertainty, but suspicion lingered.
"This could all be an orchestrated act. To lure my brother and make him out to be a murderer. He's easy to manipulate, you see."
A flash of realization hit Valerie's face. She understood exactly where I was leading with this.
"I'm concerned for his safety now."
It didn't matter what had actually happened. Griff is safe, but was harmed. That gave me leverage.
Swords, skills, and stats are useful for survival.
But in rooms like this, around tables like these—words are what shift the battlefield.
This is what it means to live like a Royal.
"I'm sure if I told the Acting Headmaster, he'd launch a full investigation."
I paused for emphasis.
"So I want Valerie expelled from this school by sunrise."
No more subtleties.
By the time I finished, both Valerie and Ducas looked stunned—their faces were almost comical.
And honestly, I found it amusing.
I'd keep taking everything from her until she understood our despair-until she felt the weight that crushed my father's spirit daily.
Just when I thought I took the reins, a sigh shattered the silence.
Sigh.
"Davison and Hanson feud over the power. I forgot how frustrating it was."
Arthur's voice cut through the tension, laced with exasperation.
Then, with deliberate precision: "Felicity Hanson."
Every muscle in my body locked as my name escaped his mouth, my actual name.
"Daughter of Kieta Hanson, Marquis of the Atlas Queendom."
His words struck like a blade between my ribs. My mask slipped for a heartbeat before I regained composure.
He knew. Not just suspected - knew.
The realization chilled me. His casual demeanor during our exchange suddenly made sense. I'd assumed he'd merely deduced our noble status. But my specific lineage? That information was guarded, known only to titled royalty.
"Since we're unacquainted," he continued, seizing my momentary silence, "allow me to explain my three fundamentals." His voice carried the weight of finality.
Caught off guard, I couldn't say anything.
"A: I don't respond to threats."
The air thickened with unspoken power. He was intimidating.
"And B: People don't demand things from me. That's my thing."
Griff stiffened beside me. Valerie's reaction was more measured, familiar, as if she'd witnessed this before.
"You've only listed two," I countered, curiosity burning beneath my pride. "Where's C?"I asked, suppressing the urge to grab him and demand more answers.
"C is for people who show me they understand A and B."
Hahaha...A laugh threatened to escape. The audacity. The precision. This was no ordinary academic. What a dialogue.
"Griff," he pivoted smoothly, " I'm guessing you attacked Valerie because of your family feud, right?"
He turned to Griff with that question, to which he couldn't give any reply in disagreement.
My brother's gaze darted to me, then dropped. His silence spoke volumes. He had nothing to say.
"I'll prove that Valerie's account is true," Arthur declared.
A suspicious expression briefly crossed my face, but it vanished just as quickly. I spoke in my usual tone.
"Then I'd have no choice but to believe you," I conceded.
A smile appeared on his face—one that said obviously.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Let's add a condition."
"Condition?" My fingers twitched.
"Naturally. Your pride guarantees you'll accept." The insult stung precisely because it was true - my pride defined me as surely as my lineage.
"Since you've already demanded something, I'll do the same. If I prove my claim, you'll fulfill one request. Within reason, of course - nothing beyond your means or dignity."
"Why should I agree?"
His counter came like a gambler revealing a royal flush: "If I can't prove it, I'll resign as Professor Lisa's assistant, and I'll personally make sure you get my place."
I was speechless again.
At first, when he proposed the condition—intimidating as he may be—I had no reason to accept it.
Now he'd presented an offer I couldn't refuse, playing not just to my pride but my ambitions. Valerie's shocked expression mirrored my internal turmoil.
"Deal." The word left my lips before I could reconsider.
"Sis?" Griff's worried whisper went unanswered.
Whatever the situation was, how could I give up an opportunity like this?
****
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[ Several Nubeculas are watching in your direction. ]
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[ Majority of watching Nubeculas find the situation immensely entertaining ]
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