I am the great Lilithia. I am the protagonist Lilithia. I am Lilithia who will become the moon. One day, I’ll stand at the world’s peak.

Lilithia wrote this in her diary every day—a ritual to fuel her confidence and keep her spirit from crumbling under harsh reality.

Yet no matter how she repeated it, one huge problem loomed: she had no teammates.

The magic academy had shifted its focus, prioritizing combat skills honed on the battlefield. Beyond individual tests, teamwork was now key.

“Since some students excel in non-combat roles,” the policy stated, “collaboration during assessments is permitted—and counts as part of your capability.”

Of course, solo attempts were allowed for the confident.

Lilithia felt sure about written exams. But actual combat? She’d never faced a real fight. Unease crept in.

The assessment site was a forest outside Tulip City. The academy had placed alchemical golems there, alongside native magical beasts. It was a tamed forest—low risk beyond the golems. No life-threatening dangers.

Finding a teammate became urgent.

Rumor said failure meant expulsion. Her tuition would be wasted.

She believed she could pass alone. Honestly, she saw herself as a well-rounded fighter—competent in all areas.

But what if…?

She pondered, then posted a recruitment notice:

“Teammate wanted. Females only. Apprentice rank. Skilled in forging and potion-making. Need 1-2 allies for assessment. Payment offered after.”

Three days passed. No replies.

Of course. Academy students were all rich or noble. Forging and potions? Money could buy those. Especially for girls—with deeper pockets than boys.

She tore down the notice. No more fantasies. Time to prepare alone.

Then—Lilithia spun around. She’d sensed something familiar near the mission hall entrance. A trick of the mind?

Silently, she approached the door. No one there.

“Fiore, peeping is gross~ Though… I wouldn’t mind if it’s you.”

Silence.

Just her imagination. She rubbed her temples. Pressure was getting to her.

Shaking her head, she turned to leave—

Then whipped back!

Nothing.

Crap! Seriously just a hallucination. Fiore wouldn’t scheme like that. This time, she walked away for real.

…

He’d been seen!

Fiore’s heart swelled with joy. One glance through the door, and she’d felt his presence. Was this… love?

He’d panicked when noticed, vanishing at Sword Saint speed. By the time he returned, Lilithia was gone.

She’d grown taller. But that unique aura—unchanged. Instantly recognizable.

Fiore felt guilty. He’d almost smiled watching her tear down the notice, lonely.

She still struggled to fit in. Though many academy students were younger, peers her age existed.

For Sword Saint Fiore, finding Lilithia wasn’t hard.

He’d almost revealed himself—but remembered her letter. After hesitation, he stayed hidden.

Just watching her was enough.

Still… he’d have a legitimate reason to visit the academy soon. Would she seek him out? He’d hint at his whereabouts. The dean would invite him. Then he could stand before her openly…

—

Crap!

“Rumor says Sword Saint Fiore might attend the oath ceremony!”

“Really? The Sword Saint?!”

“He’s so handsome—especially that dark red hair, like deep-burning flames—”

Lilithia, backpack slung over her shoulder en route to the assessment site, overheard this. Her heart skipped.

So it wasn’t a hallucination days ago?

No—maybe he’d just guessed her path. Her identity wasn’t exactly secret. A Sword Saint tracking her down made sense.

But—Lilithia, don’t flatter yourself.

Why would the Sword Saint visit the academy just for you? If he sought you, he’d have appeared earlier. Among Fiore’s many admirers, she was utterly ordinary. Just background noise for his harem tropes.

His childhood friend and the so-called Holy Maiden were the real heroines.

Still… Fiore was gentle. If he spotted her, he’d surely offer that warm smile.

Lilithia slipped into the crowd, finding an inconspicuous spot. She kept her distance.

Scanning the area—Fiore hadn’t arrived yet.

But—

She spotted several girls. She recognized them from newspapers. The curvy one in a white hat was likely Fiore’s childhood friend. The petite, doll-like girl beside her? Probably his neighbor’s little sister.

So glamorous.

As a craftsman, Lilithia easily identified their fabrics—expensive, noble-grade materials.

Ah, nobles…

“Ahem! Today, students, you are honored. Thanks to the great Tulip Queen. Thanks to the radiant Sword Saint. Inviting Sword Saint Fiore to preside over our oath ceremony is a tremendous privilege. Our academy’s history—”

A long, boastful speech followed.

No one cared. The real moment came:

“Please welcome—Sword Saint Fiore!”

Like a breeze unnoticed, he simply appeared on stage. No one saw him arrive. Sword Saint Fiore stood before them.

Ah! Fiore.

Lilithia felt like a starstruck fan. She’d always admired him—he drew worship from men and adoration from women. Only up close did you grasp his true charm.

He was still—the sun.

Just seeing him today made failure worthwhile. She’d come here chasing that sun, after all.

“Students…” Fiore began. Clearly, he’d memorized a script. This stiff speech wasn’t his true voice. His heartfelt words would make hearts race far more.

Fiore had become a big figure.

Then Lilithia noticed something.

Was he… looking right at her? Must be her imagination. Like childhood days when teachers seemed to stare only at you. He was surveying the whole crowd.

But the angle…

She locked eyes with Fiore.

—He was definitely staring. Had he recognized her?

With a Sword Saint’s vision, spotting her in this crowd was easy. She hadn’t forgotten his “Sword Eye” ability. It must be sharper now.

She stepped back slightly. Fiore’s expression shifted—almost a smirk.

He’d seen her.

Wait—why that sly grin? No! Fiore, you’re supposed to be the pure-hearted youth! Wipe that scheming look off your face. I’m terrified.

If he acknowledged her publicly, jealous students aside, the childhood friend and little sister behind him would murder her.

Had they read that letter?

Lilithia swallowed hard. She tore her gaze away—and met the childhood friend’s smile. A smile radiating pure killing intent.

Aimed straight at her.

Cold sweat beaded on Lilithia’s temple. Why had she written that stupid letter? Could she just kneel and apologize later?

Surely they wouldn’t dare with Fiore present…

But afterward…

That childhood friend screamed “vindictive noblewoman.” She’d probably slip poison into Lilithia’s drink and sell her to a brothel.

Time to bolt.

With her current strength, getting caught in Fiore’s love-triangle chaos meant certain doom.