Beware! Deception!

Sigh

"They were lucky the chancellor was there. If not, I would've burned this academy to the grou-... ah, whatever. At least I got what I wanted. Fuck with the process; the results are all that matter."

I muttered in frustration as I walked through the academy grounds. The hearing had dragged on for hours, and I was only spared from expulsion thanks to the chancellor's intervention.

With the full moon shining above and crickets chirping around me, I reflected on the crucial details of today's incident.

"Hansel Pariorie... from what I've heard, he's the fifth son of Baron Pariorie. Known as the weakest among his siblings, he was treated poorly by his parents. This led him to become obsessed with power, but no one expected him to get his hands on some shady artifacts."

The school has already sent a letter to the Pariorie household regarding his death, but given his strained relationship with his family, I bet they won't care much about their incompetent son's demise.

About the relics though... They involve some serious magic engineering. To be able to genetically imbue a creature with magic—it's hard to imagine a mage in this era possessing such abilities. Unless, they were a survivor of the Great War 100 years ago or somehow got their hands on ancient knowledge.

Chancellor Melissa suspects that the relic might be connected to the rumored extremists who have been causing unrest in the capital for the past years. However, further investigation will be necessary to confirm this.

"Aghhh, damn it. The first day and it's already chaos."

"Now, where did they say the dormitory is again? Am I fucking lost?"

As I roam around the complex trying to find my way to the dormitory, I stumbled across a huge structure made of glass. From the looks of it, it seems like some sort of greenhouse.

"Interesting... and somehow, I can feel the presence of souls inside..."

Curiosity got the better of me, and I walked inside to see who could possibly be in this place at this hour. Maybe I could also ask for directions to the dormitory.

Strolling around, I observed the scenery of various flora around me. The moonlight streaming in through the roof and crickets singing added to the tranquil atmosphere.

"This place isn't half bad."

Arriving at the center of the greenhouse, I noticed two figures standing in the shadows at a distance. Quickly, I concealed myself behind the trees upon recognizing them.

Alice Ancantrea, the sixth princess, and Kabuto Tsuginumi? What are they doing here at this hour?

Both of them were standing facing each other, and as the moonlight shifted towards them, I could see their tense expressions, their eyes burning with focus.

Suddenly, Kabuto broke the silence and charged towards her with astonishing speed. In response, Alice leaped backwards while casting icicles towards him, but Kabuto easily cut through the ice like butter.

As Kabuto effortlessly sliced through the icy projectiles, Alice's expression hardened. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a whirlwind of frost, aiming to engulf Kabuto and slow his advance. But Kabuto, undeterred, skillfully dodged the icy tempest, his movements fluid and precise.

As Alice landed gracefully from her leap, she narrowed her eyes, her mind racing to counter Kabuto's swift movements. Kabuto effortlessly sliced through the icy projectiles, Alice's expression hardened. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a whirlwind of frost, aiming to engulf Kabuto and slow his advance. But Kabuto skillfully dodged the icy tempest.

"Phantom Blade, Second Shadow: Winter Blossom Ghost."

"Ice Magic: Everfrost Glass."

As Kabuto's sword was about to reach her, Alice casted her spell. A semi-circular glacier of glass-like ice formed around her, stopping the sword just as it was about to pierce the ice barrier.

Closing the distance between them, Alice unleashed a flurry of close-range attacks. Despite Kabuto's skill, he struggled to defend against Alice's relentless assault.

Withdrawing his sword from the glacier, Kabuto leaped back to his corner before fixing his gaze on Alice once again.

Minutes of silence passed before Kabuto eventually broke the silence.

"It's been a long time, Alice."

With a hint of nostalgia in her voice, Alice replied, "Yes, it has been 10 years since we last saw each other."

"Things have changed," Alice remarked, her tone tinged with sadness. "We're not the same people we used to be."

Kabuto's gaze softened as he looked at her, a silent acknowledgment of their shared history. "No, we're not," he agreed quietly. "But perhaps... some things remain unchanged."

"I still remember the promise we made ten years ago."

"And I see you've kept it. You've gotten stronger too," she replied, a blush creeping onto her cheek.

Ohoho, what's this? A promise from ten years ago? Childhood love? Interesting...

"I've returned, Alice," Kabuto said, his smile gentle.

"Welcome back," Alice replied, a faint blush coloring her cheek.

I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation further, but their whispers became increasingly incoherent with each passing moment.

In the end, Kabuto said his goodbyes to her, waving before turning around and leaving the place. She didn't take her eyes off him until he was out of sight.

After Kabuto departed from the greenhouse, her expression abruptly hardened, and she spoke with a deep tone.

"I know you were there. Come out, whoever you are!"

With my hands raised above my shoulders, I emerged from behind the trees.

"Hoo, who would've thought you'd notice me," I remarked with a smug.

"What are you doing here? Why were you eavesdropping on us?"

"A princess and a swordsman from afar, what's the relationship between you two?~"

"That's none of your business!" Alice snapped.

"Hohoho, chill, don't be so fierce... You know boys don't like grumpy girls, right?"

"Wha- rrrgh, what is it that you want?! Why are you even here?!"

With a mischievous grin, I leaned in closer, enjoying her frustration. "Oh, just passing through, stumbled upon this little rendezvous of yours. Quite an interesting spectacle, I must say," I replied, my tone teasing.

Alice narrowed her eyes at me, clearly unimpressed by my flippant demeanor. "That's none of your concern. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to," she stated firmly, turning to leave.

But before she could take a step, I stepped in her path, blocking her way with a mischievous grin. "Ah ah ah, not so fast, Your Highness. You can't just dismiss me that easily. Besides, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Kabuto. Care to enlighten me on what brings a princess and a skilled swordsman together under the moonlight?"

Alice's expression hardened, her gaze piercing. "I have no obligation to satisfy your curiosity. Now, if you'll excuse me," she repeated, attempting to sidestep me once more.

"You know... You shouldn't push yourself with those shackles of yours," I remarked casually.

At my words, Alice halted in her step, her face dropping as she turned around to glare at me.

"You— Where did you hear about that?!" she demanded.

***

This person, how could they possibly know about my shackles?! Only Father, Mother, and a few higher-ups are aware of them. Could it be that they're somehow affiliated with the cult?!

"Where did you get that information?! Speak, or else!"

"Or else what? You're going to force me?"

"Tsk.."

Since childhood, I've possessed a sensitivity to mana, enabling me to gauge individuals solely by their mana. For instance, Kabuto's mana has a calm, navyish aura, but this guy's mana... it's giving me every signal to flee as fast as possible. It's black, completely pitch black. Every instinct tells me this guy is dangerous... and after witnessing his magic today, there's no doubt about it.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. In fact, I'll help you."

"Help me? What are you even talking ab—"

Before I knew it, he had already placed his hand on my forehead. I could hear his whisper in my ear.

"Solvo (Release)."

Suddenly, my body felt hot, as if it were burning. My breathing became heavy, as if I were being choked. Yet, not long after, the pain subsided, and a sense of relief washed over me. A surge of mana flowed into my body, a freshness I'd never felt before.

*Gasp*

"Wh-what did you do to me?!"

"Just releasing some of those clogged pipes. You felt better instantly, didn't you?"

He's right. I could feel my body full of energy, as if something old had been replaced by something new.

When I was a child, there was an incident where I was kidnapped by an extremist cult. Fortunately, I was saved before they could take me away, but the kidnapper had already implanted some sort of magic in me. This magic prevents me from using a large amount of mana at once. Whenever I try to cast a spell, it feels as if hundreds of needles are puncturing my chest.

My father has tried various methods to remove this magic, but none have worked so far. Even the royal pharmacists and magicians have deemed it too risky to tamper with, since the magic is engraved on my heart. But this guy, with just a touch...

"I just loosened some clogged pipes,the curse is still there, so don't get your hopes up."

"Who are you actually...?"

"Your classmate, sincerely..." He said with a soft tone.

"Why would you help me?" I asked cynically, still trying to process what had just happened.

He met my gaze with a steady look, his expression serious yet somehow comforting. "Because we're classmates," he replied simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Don't joke with me. No one would believe some nonsense like that, especially if it came from someone like you."

"Oh, such harsh words, Princess. It hurts, you know?

"But yes, I do have a favor to ask..." He leaned in closer, and I could feel his warm breath against me.

"How about this... I'll help you remove those shackles of yours, but you must agree to one request of mine. Seems like a fair deal, wouldn't you say?" His crimson eyes glimmered under the moonlight, and he appeared strangely attractive..

Wait! Alice, focus! What's happening to me? Something feels off... I can't betray Kabuto... Snap out of it, Alice!

"Tsk... What's your request?"

"I'll let you know when the time comes. So, will you accept my offer, Your Highness?" he asked smoothly.

This guy is truly dangerous....

***

"Heh, I didn't expect her to accept so quickly. Good for me, I guess."

I walked out of the greenhouse with a smirk. Who would've thought I could gain the favor of a princess so easily?

"I only tampered with my aura a little bit, and she's already that flustered. My, my, I feel like a villain here. Hahahaha."

"Next time, I'll use something even more potent..."

As my mind filled with evil thoughts, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had forgotten something important...

"Wait... where's the way to the dormitory again?"