"How outrageous!"

"Seriously! She already has Angela as her junior—what more does she want? Now she’s even targeting Professor Agnes!"

"My pure and flawless Professor Agnes... *sob*... please stay away from that devil who devours girls whole..."

Yesterday’s rumors had spread like wildfire across every department. Coupled with her disrespectful nap during a public lecture, Lenna’s reputation plummeted further—now she was public enemy number one.

Most had heard of Lenna Falmouth’s exploits but had never seen her face. So when whispers identified the girl sleeping in the back row as the infamous "Empress of Hearts," every head swiveled toward the slender figure with hair like flowing gray silk.

"Um..."

After Lenna ignored her, Agnes straightened her willowy frame and faced the chattering students below the podium. "Quiet."

Two words. Her gentle voice carried undeniable magic.

Like a perfectly measured sedative injected straight into their hearts.

A hush fell.

Everyone held their breath—even forgetting to exhale...

"Is Professor Agnes angry?"

"Seems so. Even her anger has no edge. No wonder she’s everyone’s dream girl—so tender."

"It’s a public lecture! Imperial officials and department heads are watching. How could anyone sleep through something this important? I’d be furious too. But Agnes gets mad so... adorably."

Murmurs swelled into open chatter.

Chaos erupted. Department heads shook their heads, snapped shut their scoring tablets, and began gathering their papers.

"Wake up, please!"

Agnes’s voice trembled with urgency, her beautiful eyes clouded with worry.

Public lectures were career-defining—salaries, reputations, promotions hinged on them. And now hers was crumbling, all because of this gray-haired student before her.

Not that she blamed the girl for deliberate sabotage.

Agnes saw every student as her own daughter. *A teacher is a mother for life.* She must guide lost souls patiently...

*Gentle persuasion!*

*Stay soft!*

"Lenna, everyone’s watching. Listen to your big sister—just stop sleeping, okay?"

Her voice dripped honeyed warmth.

Agnes’s cerulean hair brushed Lenna’s wrist, releasing a faint, soul-cleansing fragrance.

Lenna’s spirit shuddered faintly. Her eyes, hidden under her arms, squeezed shut in comfort.

Pity her soul had long been sold to demons. Only a beautiful shell remained after her rebirth.

"Lenna? Are you upset with your big sister?"

Agnes always found the perfect angle. One phrase—"big sister"—had bystanders swooning, making Lenna seem ungrateful.

Though they’d just met, it felt like old friendship.

"How about this? If you wake up now, big sister will tutor you after class. Witch Teacher mentioned your magic theory is weak—you’ve missed so many hours. Failing would mean retaking exams..."

*Flick.*

Invisible ears perked up.

Agnes seized the moment. "Well, Lenna? What do you say?"

Lenna rose with feigned reluctance, unfolding to her full 176cm—towering over Agnes by a full head.

The professor had to tilt her chin up.

Lenna’s spring-water eyes shimmered. Her delicate, classical beauty sparked a primal urge to protect.

"Hmm... Lenna?"

"Professor *sis*," Lenna purred, ruffling Agnes’s hair like she did Lingling’s. "If you give me private lessons, people might think you *like* me..."

She didn’t glance at the professor’s flushed neck. Casually, she sat back down—as if nothing happened.

Three seconds.

The performance left spectators dizzy—from heaven to hell on an emotional rollercoaster.

*Their goddess... even the Academy’s #1 beauty had fallen?*

Yesterday it was idol Angela. Now Agnes...

*Unforgivable!*

Was Lenna Falmouth treating the Academy as her personal harem?!

*Where’s the justice?*

*Where’s the—law?*

"You shouldn’t bother with trash like me," Lenna half-mocked, half-teased. "Cut ties while you can. Continue your lecture."

"You won’t sleep?" Agnes asked.

"With flies buzzing everywhere? Impossible." Lenna crossed her legs, gray eyes sweeping the room. A smirk played on her lips. "But with a beautiful professor’s voice as my side dish? Even bitter lessons taste sweet."

"If anyone storms out now, I’ll call them blind fools. Such an excellent lecture—such a brilliant teacher—losing top marks over one sleeping student? I’d question the Academy’s fairness. Or the Empire’s."

"Falmouths," she added softly, still slouched, "must be stopped."

Her quiet words echoed through the hall.

Several department heads, already at the door, turned back. They shot Lenna venomous glares, faces darkening like storm clouds.

Agnes never bribed them like other teachers. So they’d sabotage her public lectures—skipping them, inventing excuses, slashing scores. At Saint Lorenzo Academy, this corruption was routine:

*No kickbacks? No favors.*

*Pay up? We’re allies.*

Lenna’s words threatened their pockets. But they couldn’t risk angering her powerful family. Teeth gritted, they swallowed their pride and sat back down.

"*Pfft...*"

Seeing the officials flustered, Agnes covered her mouth, giggling. "You’re amazing."

"I can be *more* amazing, Professor sis. Want a peek?" Lenna lifted her skirt hem, revealing the silky curve of her hip and the sharp line of her black-stockinged legs. Her eyes shot a jolt of electricity.

Agnes’s heart hammered. She forced a laugh, changing the subject. "N-no thanks... I’m not that brave, hehe..."

*What’s wrong with you, Lenna?*

*Suddenly so... magnetic.*

*No!*

*She’s your student, Agnes! Don’t get weird ideas just because she’s pretty!*

*You don’t even like girls—it’s just been too long since you dated...*