At that moment, Shea, who was in the Magic Academy, suddenly felt a chilling shiver run through her entire body.

It felt like something had defiled her.

She glanced around but saw no one staring. Most students were focused on Nelly at the podium, teaching her lesson.

This class still covered the essentials of invisibility spells—but Shea had already mastered them. The lecture felt utterly dull and tedious.

Her male classmates, however, disagreed. For one, they hadn’t learned it yet. For another, Nelly—standing on tiptoe to write on the chalkboard—was simply too eye-catching.

"So many people come just to listen when Nelly teaches," Nina murmured, gazing at the packed classroom. She couldn’t help but marvel at Nelly’s popularity. It seemed the tiny teacher was nearly the academy’s mascot.

Even upperclassmen dropped in as auditors, their intentions far from pure.

"A snow-haired, crimson-eyed little demon? If I were a guy, I’d come watch too," Shea replied boredly, twirling the fake ring she’d made that day.

"Petite teachers really are adorable. But Shea, you’re not exactly unpopular here either."

True—Shea received plenty of love letters at school. Without exception, she rejected them all. After all, compared to boys, she preferred sweet, soft girls.

"Popularity brings me no benefits—only envious noble kids gunning for me."

"Exactly. As the saying goes, 'Humans fear fame, pigs fear getting fat.'"

Nina nodded thoughtfully. She was just an ordinary girl—pretty enough, but no match for Shea.

"Planning to dress up with that ring, Xiao Ya? I can help! You’re always barefaced, but a little makeup would suit you."

"This ring? No, I’m not dressing up. Just playing around. Though… I wish it were a Spatial Ring."

Abel’s ring held spatial magic. Hers was a useless fake. If possible, Shea longed for her own Spatial Ring.

After all, Abel might reclaim his ring someday. Without it, she’d be helpless.

"A Spatial Ring? Hmm… Xiao Ya, why not ask Nelly? I think she knows spatial magic."

"Huh?" Shea froze. Spatial magic was incredibly rare. Many such spells had been lost to time due to their difficulty. She never expected someone nearby to master it.

"I’ll talk to Nelly after class."

---

After school, Shea entered Nelly’s office. The white-haired "little demon" lounged in her chair, resting leisurely.

"Good afternoon, Xiao Ya."

"Good afternoon, Nelly. This might be bold, but… could you help me?" Shea asked awkwardly. She rarely sought help, but a Spatial Ring was essential—both against Abel and for daily life.

Since she already had a ring, enchanting it now was the best choice.

"You’re asking *me* for help? How rare. Go on."

Nelly seemed surprised but didn’t refuse. After hearing Shea out, she replied, "Sure. But may I see the ring first?"

"Of course."

Shea handed it over. Nelly examined it with magic for a long while.

"Pure gold? Cost a fortune, didn’t it? The material can hold spatial magic. Wait here."

Nelly gathered mana in her palm. As it seeped into the ring, a clear, minuscule magic array surfaced—no larger than a mung bean.

The smaller the array, the finer the control required. Such precision was terrifying.

"Done." In under five minutes, Nelly finished the array and returned the newly enchanted Spatial Ring. "But why do you need it?"

"For personal use…"

"Ho~ Really?"

Nelly eyed Shea skeptically. After a pause, she waved a hand. "Never mind. This old lady won’t pry into young folks’ business. But Shea…"

*Here it comes.* Nelly’s signature pre-lecture phrase.

"Lately, Cultists lurk in Vag City at night. Several young girls have vanished—all evidence points to them. I advise against night shifts. Though… (rambling on)…"

Bound by gratitude, Shea couldn’t leave. She endured Nelly’s endless lecture with a "painful mask." This teacher, barely taller than her, never paused for breath.

By the time Nelly finished, dusk had fallen.

"It’s getting late—I’ll stop nagging. Head home safely. That Hunter boy should escort you."

"No need. I’m not *that* unlucky."

After bidding farewell, Shea exited the school gates. Few students remained; most had gone home. She began her journey back.

The Magic Academy was a two-hour walk from her rental via main roads—but cutting through alleys took only thirty minutes.

*That’s how Abel stole my money last time.*

Remembering Nelly’s warning, Shea scanned the alley cautiously.

She stepped in shallowly, confirming no one lurked inside before proceeding.

The deeper she went, the quieter the surroundings grew.

The air turned oppressive. Shadows thickened.

Shea’s instincts screamed: *Something bad is coming.*

Yet no figures appeared—only her own footsteps echoed.

*Where would the attack come from?*

Shea retreated calmly. Three minutes would get her back to the bustling main road—no Cultist would dare strike there.

Then—a briny sea breeze slapped her face. A foul stench filled her nose.

*They’re here.*

**CLANG!**

The alley’s manhole cover flew open. Tentacles erupted from every direction, leaving almost no room to dodge in the narrow passage.

"*From below?!*"

Shea never expected the assault to come from underfoot.

In this split-second crisis—

**"Aurora Ice Blade."**

Shea summoned a sharp blade of white light, slicing through the tentacles. It barely held back the first wave.