Women, beautiful or plain, all look the same in the dark—it’s the body that matters.

Cole had indeed approached Tilisha with ulterior motives. But it wasn’t his own agenda. He’d been instructed to persuade her to leave Dilin’s team.

At first, Cole focused solely on that goal. Yet after witnessing Tilisha’s… *assets* up close, he added a personal objective.

*This wild Divine Maiden without even a surname must be naive. So young, with that ugly scar on her face… She’s bound to be insecure. Craving validation.*

*Maybe I can trick her into bed?*

So Cole began his scheme. He positioned himself as a mentor offering guidance—a perfect excuse to stay close. Then he’d just wait for the rice to cook.

Unbeknownst to him, Tilisha had seen through his scheming from the very start.

*Scum…*

Disgust churned in Tilisha’s heart.

*Preying on a girl this young? Beast. Do you even know you’re breaking the law??*

Elven intuition was razor-sharp. The moment Cole approached with ill intent, a chill slithered down her spine.

"I’m done. Excuse me." Tilisha popped the last fruit slice into her mouth. The breakfast with this leering man made her skin crawl. She stood to leave.

"Ah, wait—" Cole blinked, panic flashing as he instinctively grabbed her elbow.

"Let go." Tilisha’s voice turned glacial. No "sir" this time. All courtesy vanished.

"You—" A shiver shot down Cole’s back. Shock warred with confusion.

*Just an unawakened Divine Maiden. Can’t even manifest her Divine Maiden Realm. How can she radiate a presence that makes my heart skip?*

"No, you misunderstand, junior— I—"

"*Let go.*" Her gaze turned arctic. To her, Cole was less than an insect. Wasting a second on him was pointless.

"You ungrateful wild Divine Maiden—" That look ignited Cole’s fury.

Being glared at like trash by a defective Divine Maiden who couldn’t even summon her realm? Humiliation burned his cheeks.

Tilisha frowned. Her pathetically weak strength couldn’t break a true Divine Maiden’s grip. And the cafeteria was nearly empty…

"What are you doing?" She tensed as Cole yanked her closer.

"*Doing?*" His fist flew toward her face. "Teaching a disrespectful brat like you to honor your seniors!"

Tilisha closed her eyes.

"Initiating physical contact with a girl you’ve just met—without consent—is deeply impolite, Cole."

"Bullying younger girls is no act of a gentleman. Per Coleman Academy Rule 467, unilateral harassment warrants expulsion." A voice, cool as moonlight, cut through the air. Each word landed like a chime.

Tilisha recognized that crystalline tone instantly.

"A-Astrid?!" Cole froze. Moon-silver hair. An elf’s ethereal beauty. He released Tilisha’s elbow and straightened up, all aggression gone.

"Cole. This child deserves an explanation." Astrid’s face was unreadable. Her violet eyes, deep as a winter night, held him pinned.

"My apologies, Tilisha. I got carried away. But please understand—I meant no harm—" With Astrid watching, Cole’s sincerity flipped faster than a page.

Tilisha rubbed her bruised elbow. She didn’t spare Cole a glance. He wasn’t worth the breath.

*This girl…*

Astrid’s gaze snagged on Tilisha’s radiant platinum hair. A flicker of sharp light flashed in her eyes.

*That color… I’ve seen it before…*

Unconsciously, Astrid lifted a strand of her own pure silver hair.

Sun-gold and moon-silver—the emblems of Elves.

Her eyes drifted to the girl’s ears. Perfectly human.

Yet… a strange, comforting warmth bloomed in Astrid’s chest. Was it just her imagination?

"I have class. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave." Tilisha turned only to Astrid, giving a slight nod.

"My deepest gratitude for not standing idle, unknown Elf miss." Tilisha bowed slightly. Just thanks. Nothing more.

"You’re welcome. Stepping in was only right." Something twisted in Astrid’s chest at the words "*unknown Elf miss*."

Relief washed over Cole as Tilisha made no move to report him.

"Classmate… Tilisha, was it?" The silver-haired elf called out just as Tilisha gathered her tray to leave the dining hall.

"Hm? More instructions?"

"You’re… his new Divine Maiden, aren’t you?" *Him* needed no name.

"Your concern is noted, Elf miss." Tilisha’s reply was measured, layered.

"Don’t misunderstand. I haven’t been tracking his teams…" Astrid’s voice stayed calm, but beneath it churned something complex, tightly leashed. "You carry his scent. Strongly."

"Yes. I am his Divine Maiden." Tilisha still didn’t turn.

"So it is…" Astrid lowered her head. Her expression vanished.

"Does the Elf miss have further business?"

"…He’s fiercely curious. Often stirs trouble because of it. And his habits…" A pause. Bitterness edged her words. "He’s careless to a fault. Slovenly. Please… look after him well."

"I will." After a silent beat, Tilisha walked toward the exit.