“Professor Pulan!”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Ah, thank you, Professor Gran.”

“You’re welcome. You’re quite the rare visitor to my office.”

“This coffee is really good.”

“Heh, of course. These coffee beans are cultivated by me personally. You can’t buy these in the marketplace.”

“Really? Then may I have the honor of visiting—ah, wait, that’s not why I came!”

Moen, nearly led astray by Professor Gran, snapped back to attention. He looked across the desk at the elderly man, who was leisurely sipping his coffee, and slapped the table in frustration.

“Professor Pulan! Why did you suddenly create such a strange rule? Weren’t you the one who invited me to the Holy City?”

“Of course, I invited you. I told you before that this decision was the result of thorough consideration.”

Professor Pulan sipped his coffee slowly and replied without urgency, “But I also said that the academy’s rules are the rules. They don’t conflict with my invitation for you to go to Holy City. And besides, I haven’t singled you out—I made this rule applicable to everyone.”

“But… but you can’t say things like that!”

Moen sighed and said, “You claimed there wouldn’t be any intervention of identity or status and no risk of reprisal afterward. This obviously seems targeted at someone like me, a duke’s son who, in their eyes, has nothing else to rely on but my status.”

“What? Are you lacking confidence?” Professor Pulan shot Moen a quick glance.

“Confidence? Of course not.” Moen shrugged. “On the contrary, what I don’t like about it is… that I think it’s a waste of time.”

“A waste of time?” Professor Pulan raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.

“That’s right, a waste of time.” Moen repeated, very seriously.

“Is that so?”

Gazing into Moen’s earnest, joke-free eyes, Professor Pulan paused. He set down his coffee cup with a soft sigh and said, “It seems I went overboard. But I’ve already said the words, so you’ll just have to bear with it.”

“Professor Pulan, you...” Moen smacked his lips, then suddenly his sharp gaze shifted.

“Speaking of which, there’s another reason I came to see you.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“This time, for the academy’s accompanying personnel—who will they be?”

“Oh?”

Professor Pulan drummed his fingers lightly on the desk, his expression showing a hint of surprise. “You’re actually interested in this?”

“Of course. This concerns my life and safety.” Moen replied seriously. “Nothing can be overlooked.”

“Heh, just earlier you spoke of confidence, yet now you seem so timid.” Professor Pulan’s lips curled slightly, his expression mirroring a smile laced with deeper meaning.

“Don’t worry, though. The academy will certainly do its utmost to protect you all. For this trip, in addition to the necessary teachers, there will also be a special expert accompanying you.”

“A special expert?” Moen asked, “Who? Do I know them? How strong are they?”

“You definitely know them, but as for who it is, you’ll find out then.”

Professor Pulan stroked his chin thoughtfully. “As for how strong they are... let me just say this—they’re not weaker than The Crowned.”

“Not weaker than The Crowned?” Moen’s mind boggled.

The Crowned was The Crowned. What was this supposed to mean, “not weaker than”? Could there really be someone out there who wasn’t one of The Crowned but could rival them?

Did he even know anyone who fit that description?

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I told you, you’ll find out when the time comes.”

“Fine.”

Seeing Professor Pulan’s unwillingness to elaborate, Moen lost interest in pressing further. However, he soon began pondering something to himself.

Perhaps, to play it safe, he should prepare more for his own sake, too?

…

After Moen left.

Professor Gran moved to sit where Moen had been moments ago, curiosity sparkling in his eyes as he asked, “This move to incite trouble against someone, it doesn’t seem like your usual approach. Don’t tell me you’re taking a personal dislike to that kid again, like before?”

“Heh, I’m far from the one disliking him most right now.” Professor Pulan picked up his coffee cup again and took a calm sip, adding, “I’m just carrying out someone else’s orders.”

“Oh?”

Professor Gran raised an eyebrow in mild confusion, then realization dawned on him. He let out a gleeful whistle and said, “Ah, I see. That’s a family matter, then.”

“No.” Professor Pulan corrected sharply, his tone grave. “This is a state matter.”

…

“Hmph! Looks like Moen Campbell won’t be able to go with us to Holy City now. Good!”

On her way back from the main hall, Ariel wandered among the scouting crowds that searching for someone with her hands on her hips and a satisfied nod.

Justice still exists in this world, doesn’t it?

So what if you have some money or a fancy title? In the end, this world depends on one’s personal strength!

Moen Campbell, in the end, you’ll reap the bitter fruits of your arrogance!

“B-but, I don’t think that’s necessarily true,” Lea suddenly said hesitantly from beside her.

“Huh? Why?” Ariel turned to her, puzzled.

“Because Moen Campbell is working hard too. This time, his end-of-term exam scores were all above ninety.”

“Really? He was?” Ariel frowned, trying to recall. She had no memory of that.

True, aside from a few select individuals, she rarely paid attention to anyone’s grades—let alone that Moen Campbell.

“But still, if all his time went to cramming for exams, doesn’t that just prove his abilities are lacking? He was lagging behind in all things last semester, and to pull up both his combat abilities and academic scores across the board in one semester—how could anyone achieve that?

You agree with me, don’t you, Lea?”

“…Yeah.” Lea nodded gently, though her face betrayed a conflict. She wanted to speak further but hesitated.

Because, in fact, it was entirely possible for someone to catch up in all areas within a single semester.

That person was none other than Ariel herself.

She, too, had entered the academy as the illegitimate child of an earl, subjected to endless ridicule and prejudice. Yet, as if her very feet were imbued with explosive magic, she had soared to the top in just one semester, slapping those mockers across the face.

“Oh, right!” Ariel suddenly turned to Lea, eyeing her with suspicion.

“Why do you even know about this? Don’t tell me… you’ve started paying attention to that guy like the others?”

“No, no, no! Absolutely not!” Lea’s cheeks tinged with a lovely red as she shook her head emphatically.

“It’s just… I accidentally noticed. When the scores were posted, Moen Campbell’s name was near mine.”

“Really?”

“Y-yeah. Besides, Moen Campbell is a well-known troublemaker. There’s no way I’d pay him any attention.” Lea clenched her small fists and spoke earnestly.

“I see.” Staring into Lea’s pure eyes, Ariel felt her suspicions melt away.

Shamefully, she berated herself inwardly.

Damn it, how could I ever doubt Lea?

Lea has no connection to Moen Campbell whatsoever. Where did this inexplicable unease in me come from?

Am I just too tense?

I need to reflect. Clinging too tightly to Lea might only make her feel suffocated.

“Essential Seduction Strategy #3,” Ariel reminded herself. “Give your partner some space, along with sufficient trust. That’s the real recipe for nurturing affection!”

“Aah, let’s not talk about that annoying Moen Campbell anymore. I’m headed to train now. What about you, Lea?”

“…I’ll be at the library.”

“See you tonight?”

“Yeah. See you tonight.”