The scorching summer heat coincided with the start of a new semester. Students in this world followed the exact same academic calendar as those in the Middle Kingdom—long holidays and all. The new term had barely begun when Rebecca’s enrollment at Hobi Academy was pushed through by both the Norna Faith and the Ruta Family. Even the notoriously strict academy had to make an exception, accepting this rumored half-wit girl who could barely string a sentence together.
After the disappearance incident, Rebecca stayed home obediently for a day. The next morning, she boarded a carriage with Kami, Carina, and Anna—who had recovered enough from her illness to return to classes.
Upon arrival, Kami took Rebecca’s hand as they parted ways with Anna and Carina. The two needed to rush to their own classrooms. Though Carina longed to escort her beloved little sister, tardiness loomed. She could only watch wistfully as Rebecca walked away with Kami.
“Come on, Carina. Kami will take good care of Rebecca. We’ll be late!” Anna tugged Carina’s sleeve.
“Mmm… I just worry someone might bully sweet Rebecca…” Carina fretted.
*After surviving among the Demon Race,* Anna thought inwardly, *Rebecca’s far less likely to get into trouble than you, silly.*
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“Rebecca, your reading in Hobi Script seems solid—you can handle textbooks just fine. But your spoken fluency needs work. Practice conversations with teachers during free time, alright? Stop hiding in corners reading alone! Carina told me you buried yourself in books all day yesterday, ignoring her completely.”
*Ignoring her?* Rebecca nearly scoffed. *She’s like an annoying fly buzzing around!* One sentence from you, and she’d chirp back a dozen. Besides, Rebecca wasn’t some starry-eyed girl to gossip about “handsome guys in the Empire.” And Charles had sent her several rare copies of the *Alchemy Codex* she’d never seen before—why waste time on idle chatter?
Rebecca patted her little crossbody bag, feeling the precious weight of those tomes inside. *Yes,* she decided. *Class time is perfect reading time.*
Hobi Academy boasted a long history. Though named after the dominant Hobi ethnicity, it hadn’t existed since the Kasmo Empire’s founding. Built 180 years ago, this grand institution had shaped the empire for nearly two centuries. Countless nation-shaping talents had graduated here—even emperors. Its influence was undeniable.
Rebecca only half-listened to Kami’s advice. Her attention was captured instead by the academy’s elegant architecture and serene courtyards. Not the student life—just the scenery. *Truly beautiful,* she mused.
After a long walk through the sprawling campus, Kami led Rebecca to the classroom office. Most teachers had already left for lessons; only one remained.
“Ah, Professor Monise! This is Rebecca, Duke Ruta’s long-lost granddaughter.”
“Oh, Honored Envoy Kami! A pleasure.” As Saint Monica’s disciple and a Sacred Envoy of the Norna Faith, Kami commanded deep respect.
“Rebecca, this is Professor Monise.” Kami gently squeezed Rebecca’s hand.
“H-hello… P-Professor… M-Monise…” Rebecca’s halting speech confirmed the rumors. *So the duke’s granddaughter really is tongue-tied…* Monise thought—until Rebecca lowered her nun’s hood. The professor froze, stunned by the girl’s delicate features. “Such beauty…” she breathed.
Rebecca studied Monise in return. Early thirties, youthful and vibrant—though nowhere near Saint Monica’s ageless grace (the Holy Maiden *was* over forty, after all). Still, Monise carried herself with poised elegance. Her attire balanced teacherly authority with understated charm. *Quite pleasant to look at,* Rebecca noted.
After discussing logistics, Kami checked the hour. “Professor Monise, I’ll leave Rebecca in your care.”
“Of course.” Monise smiled, drawing Rebecca close.
“Be good, Rebecca. No more wandering off.”
Rebecca gave a perfunctory nod. *What’s there to learn here anyway?*
The moment Kami vanished, Monise’s smile faded. She cast Rebecca a cool glance. “Follow me.” Her tone turned clipped, a stark shift from her warm chatter with Kami.
“This is your classroom. Go in.” Monise strode inside first.
Rebecca hesitated before the door. Even from afar, raucous noise spilled out. Wild graffiti covered the hallway walls—abstract, chaotic strokes. *A problem class?* she guessed.
Inside, the ruckus swelled as Monise dragged Rebecca to the podium. “Your new classmate: Rebecca.” Without silencing the chaos, she gestured vaguely. “Find a seat.” Then she turned and left—abandoning Rebecca entirely.
*Hmph!* Monise shot a look of disgust at the noisiest classroom in Hobi Academy. *I despise arrogant nobles who buy their way in. “Care for them”? Ridiculous! Parasites like you don’t belong here. It’s an insult to students who earned their place!* She hurried away, as if the room’s very air might stain her robes.
Professor Monise clearly had her own demons. Defying Kami’s trust, she’d dumped Rebecca into the academy’s most notorious class—a place where “backdoor entrants” were left to sink or swim.
And now? How would Rebecca handle it?
