"Hello everyone, my name is Liang Di."

Liang Di remained gentle, even appearing slightly meek—a trait Liang Lin, standing behind her, utterly despised. Why would someone strong and intelligent pretend to be a helpless little thing?

Noble students in the seats murmured, then quickly fell to hushed whispers as Liang Lin swept a sharp, threatening glare over the speakers.

"Tell me—who will ultimately inherit House Langwendi: Liang Di or Liang Lin?"

"Probably Liang Lin. I mean… Liang Di’s likely Duke Austen’s child with some lowborn woman outside. How could a bastard…"

"Ahem! Don’t forget—they have a younger son. What’s his name… Edwin? He’s House Langwendi’s only male heir. Inheritance still favors sons."

"But Edwin was a bastard before. Not fit for high society."

"That was *before*. His cunning mother’s climbed her way up now."

"True…"

Some even started placing bets.

"Silence."

Liang Lin lifted her chin. "House Langwendi’s affairs are none of your business, you worthless lot. Want to discuss *me*? Pierce me through in swordsmanship class first."

*Oops—forgot Liang Di. Smooth it over.*

"And Liang Di—she’s my sister. I won’t tolerate a single bad word about her."

The classroom fell dead silent.

Oh~

No wonder she was the infamous villainess.

A barely perceptible smile curved at the corner of Liang Di’s lips. *How intriguing.* Months ago, Liang Lin was just an ordinary noble girl with mild charm. What changed? Still… she actually defended her? Novel.

Liang Lin wheeled Liang Di to her desk. Liang Di noticed: only Liang Lin occupied a two-person desk—all the way in the back row.

Whoa. Serious status.

"I won’t join you next class. You have astronomy."

Liang Di asked softly, "Don’t the boys attend astronomy too?"

"Uh…" Liang Lin faltered, cheeks flushing. "It’s not that. I just… didn’t want to sit through that boring class. So I told the dean I wouldn’t go."

Liang Di was puzzled.

Then she understood.

"Sleeping so soundly…" Liang Di propped her chin, watching the villainess beside her drool slightly, sway forward then back—zero noble elegance, like a blade of grass trembling in the wind. She smiled wryly.

*Ding-ding-ding—*

Class ended.

Liang Lin shot upright, startling Liang Di.

"Whoa, your notes are *dense*."

Bleary-eyed, Liang Lin gaped at the crammed notebook. A half-formed yawn stuck in her throat; the script looked utterly foreign.

"Stop writing. I’ll take you to astronomy—it’s on the fifth floor."

Under everyone’s eyes, Liang Lin hoisted Liang Di’s wheelchair and carried her up.

*Finally.* Free of that weird, fake-sweet girl. Liang Lin clapped her hands, crossed her arms, and hopped down the stairs humming a light tune—like a little black rabbit. Fingers brushed the longsword at her hip. Hands trembled with excitement. *Fight. At last.* She hadn’t dueled in ages—itching for it, craving today’s class.

Pity the swordsmanship students were all weaklings. Zero challenge. Just targets. Hit too hard? They’d cry. Hit harder? Whine about calling Daddy.

Not an ounce of grit! Liang Lin muttered in frustration. *With this, how can Sotran Empire claim to be the strongest of the Ten?*

She’d heard: after her death in battle, the damned Valance Empire seized a third of her territory. *Heh. Soon. I’ll take it back. Soon.*

The training grounds were vast, even with spectator stands. Returning, Liang Lin found students huddled in a circle.

*What?*

Had the academy added some new attraction in her one-week absence?

She hurried behind them, tiptoed, craned her neck—but only saw fuzzy heads. All boys, half a head taller. For a petite girl like her? Seeing inside was impossible.

"Hey."

She nudged the student ahead, fists clenched. "Make way."

"Who’s so rude—? Oh! Miss Liang Lin!"

The name struck like thunder. Heads swiveled. Faces screamed: *Why hasn’t she been expelled yet?*

They parted silently. Liang Lin pushed through to the center.

Hmm…?

A carriage?

Since when were carriages allowed inside? Weren’t they banned?

*This person’s status… extraordinary.*

The door creaked open. Exaggerated cheers erupted.

*What is…?*

Liang Lin squinted.

Then she saw the face. Took half a step back. Her expression twisted as if she’d glimpsed something utterly repulsive.

"His Highness, Prince Gar!"

"Welcome, Your Highness!"

"I’ve long admired your swordsmanship! Did Prince Gar come to demonstrate today?"

Liang Lin rolled her eyes hard, turned to slip to the back—

"Miss Liang Lin. I knew I’d find you here."

"…"

*AAAAH! FLIES! FLIES ATTACKING MY EARDRUMS! MY MIND! MY STOMACH!*

*But… he’s a prince.*

*Why’s he here? No… is he… interested in me?! A MAN?! EW! SO DISGUSTING!!*

She nearly snapped.

Pale-faced, she turned, bowed to Gar, then stilled. Calm returned. Sharp mind reengaged.

*Gar wouldn’t lust after me. Too many prettier nobles. But… Duke Austen and his wife conspired with Queen Doris. Gar is Doris’s son. He’s here for a reason. Likely… Liang Di.*

Gar gave a polite nod, left her be, and approached the instructor. After a quiet exchange, the teacher clapped his hands.