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“Why, why are you doing this?”

Stella involuntarily shrank back from Rockpelikan’s fierce reprimand.

She was astonished to see a side of her teacher she had never witnessed before.

“Did you really… do that?”

‘That…? What do you mean by that?’

Stella had nothing particular in mind regarding Rockpelikan’s words.

It seemed he wanted to say something but

he turned away, his expression deep in thought.

“Oh, forget it… You must have had a hard time, good work.”

“Yes…”

As Stella was left feeling somewhat despondent, Shia rushed towards her.

“Stella!!”

“Kek..”

“Sniff… Huh… Waaaah!!”

“W-Wait a moment, hold on…”

At the sudden sight of Shia hugging her while wailing uncontrollably,

Stella couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

“Waaah! … Stella! I thought you would never get up again…!”

“I can’t get up? What do you mean by that?”

“Sniff… Hic.. The demons attacked you… and you would never get up again…”

“Demons?”

*

“Is that a Tier 7 spell?”

Nuer could hardly believe what had just unfolded before his eyes.

He could reach up to Tier 6. However, most mages and knight mages usually settle at Tier 3 or 4.

Some remarkably talented individuals reach Tier 5.

For them, reaching Tier 6 after decades of effort is already notable.

Tier 7 is considered the territory of those who have reached the pinnacle of humanity.

And the technique she had just cast was clearly not Tier 7.

To wipe out a city with a single blow from a massive magical sphere?

It must at least be Tier 8, if not beyond.

“The star of the Magic Tower… truly deserving of that reputation.”

In the midst of all this, a woman approached Stella.

When her gaze met Stella’s, she greeted her warmly.

“Hello! Nice to meet you! This is our first encounter, right?”

“Uh… Duke Ragenpender?”

One of the three great clans, the ruler of the southern region,

the Lord of Flames, Sharonia Ra Ragenpender.

She appeared very interested in Stella.

“Oh? I’m so glad you recognize me~ Wow… your cheeks look so soft, can I touch them?”

“Hmph, that fox-like girl.”

It was clear she was trying to pull her into her faction.

It wasn’t hard to understand; her value had been confirmed by everyone present.

In terms of reputation and power, Nuer himself also regarded her as a talent he wanted to possess.

“By the way, that boy… didn’t they both come from the north?”

From what Siel said, they were childhood friends from Haren Village, in his territory.

As a ruler of the north, he couldn’t let a gem discovered right before his eyes be taken away.

He called for one of his attendants.

“Did you call for me?”

“Investigate a commoner named Nova among the academy students.

And make sure to provide a generous reward…let him know politely that we’ll meet later, got it?”

“Understood.”

From what he heard from his daughter Siel, that girl was already extremely dependent on him.

Every time he approached, she would hiss like a ferocious cat.

Then, there was another target he needed to sway.

“Capture the King, and you’ll capture the Queen as well.”

With that, Nuer quietly exited the academy.

Meanwhile, Sharonia continued to converse with Stella.

“Wouldn’t you like to sign an exclusive contract with our family?”

“Uh… well, that is… um…”

“The Ragenpender family can provide full support to the Golden Magic Tower anytime, you know?”

Then she glanced at the others, as if to say, ‘Listen to this.’

“And I heard that there are those who have been insulting you with rumors recently…”

At those words, some first-year students particularly flinched.

“Our Ragenpender family will promise to eliminate any suspicions cast upon you and support you.”

At that declaration, most of the students began to whisper among themselves.

“Wait, even the Ragenpender family is stepping in like that?”

“Is it really true then?”

“Hey! Is that even important right now? All three great clans are supporting her!”

In such a scenario, there was no one with such low intelligence as to continue slandering her.

Someone stood up suddenly, clapping their hands and shouting.

“Stella! The hero who saved the academy! You’re amazing!”

“Y-Yeah! Thank you for saving us all!!”

“Truly, the star of the Magic Tower, our savior!”

“Stella! Stella! Stella!”

As they all stood and cheered her on,

Shia quietly whispered to Serena.

“Serena, can I blow them all away?”

“… That’s just how noble society is, bear with it, Shia.”

Seeing the crowd with disgusted eyes,

Lucid called out to stop her from doing something reckless.

“This incident spread among some first-year students.

The upper years mostly didn’t know since the staff silenced it, so

not all of them are being fake.”

“So they really are thankful for her?”

“Well, it seems that way.”

“Ugh… I still can’t forgive them.”

“Well, if she wants, she can sue them and take them to court…”

As Lucid spoke and tried to leave, Shia called out to him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Academy’s in shambles, and you want me to go to class now?”

In the direction Lucid pointed, the academy building was completely in ruins.

“Indeed… you’re not wrong.”

“From now on, I’ll be looking for evidence to prove her innocence.

If you want to come along, do so.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

At the appearance of a man before them, Shia frowned.

It was the vice principal, Daborres, appearing with a magical tool in hand.

“Everyone, please take a look at this.”

The magical tool displayed a video from when Stella had supposedly visited the Red-Light District.

In the video, a girl with distinct pink hair, completely unrelated to Stella,

was wearing academy clothes and acting in the footage.

Upon seeing that, Serena frowned.

“That female student… was on my team during the midterms…”

“As you can see, the one in the video isn’t her.”

Lucid looked at the vice principal with a confused expression.

“Why are you revealing this? Does it mean you’re admitting to manipulation?”

The vice principal smiled faintly.

“Me? What are you talking about… I’m a victim too.”

“That makes no sense!”

“Didn’t you experience it during the academy invasion? Everyone was

subject to illusions so powerful you couldn’t even distinguish reality.”

“Wait…”

Lucid understood what he was trying to say.

“Correct… everyone was deceived. The one in this video and all the witnesses were

seeing someone else entirely… all to frame her as the culprit.”

At the vice principal’s words, the students began to buzz.

“What? So that incident was part of the invasion?”

“Looks like they were trying to expel her and attack the academy!”

Those who had blamed Stella now hurriedly chimed in with trepidation.

Shia and Serena were left speechless, dumbfounded by their actions.

“Can I shoot them with a magic bolt?”

“Serena told you to endure it…”

Seeing the students clamor amongst themselves, Stella wondered.

“Why are they acting like that?”

“Tsk… such pointless antics…”

Sharonia, who had planned to prove her innocence directly, felt irritated.

“Anyway, think carefully~ The Ragenpender family wants to maintain a good relationship with the Gold Tower, you know.”

With those parting words, Sharonia left the scene.

In the next moment, Shia, Serena, and Erica rushed towards Stella.

“Anyway, I’m so glad! That you’re safe, Stella!”

“Really, please don’t scare us like that again.”

“Why are you all making such a fuss? And why are you here, sis?”

Erica pulled on Stella’s cheeks and said.

“I came as the Magic Tower Lord’s attendant to check on you, and I was shocked to find you passed out!”

“Me? I was passed out?”

“Yes! Your boyfriend was carrying you, and I took care of him!”

“Are you talking about Nova? No way…”

“Speaking of which… oh!”

That’s when Shia suddenly remembered someone she had overlooked.

“Stella! Nova just went into the academy!”

“The academy? You mean that?”

What Stella pointed to was the debris that was completely collapsed without a trace.

Her face went pale.

“Why didn’t you say that earlier?!”

“I’m sorry!!!”

They hurriedly dashed towards the debris.

Before they arrived, something began to stir within the ruins.

Finally, emerging from the wreckage was Anubis and Nova, lying flat.

Having exhausted all his strength, Nova quietly asked Anubis.

“Why did you save me…”

“I thought it looked dangerous, so I was watching.”

“I have no interest in peeking on guys.”

In response to Nova’s hostile attitude,

Anubis merely smiled calmly.

“You don’t need to be so wary; I’m just repaying a favor for saving my friend.”

“Stella is mine; if you touch her, I won’t hold back.”

“Of course, I’m on your side as far as you two are concerned.”

“…Weirdo.”

“Nova!!”

At that moment, Stella dashed in and hugged Nova.

“Ah… wait, Stella, I’m kind of hurt here, can you be gentle…?”

“Why are you here?!”

“Oh, that… I had something to find?”

“Why did you come out without being in the hospital?!”

“What’s wrong… I got released today and fought with you, right?”

“What do you mean? I… fought with you? Who?”

“What?”

At that, Nova sensed the peculiar disconnect from her words.

“Stella… do you know what day it is today?”

Stella answered with a puzzled expression.

“Today is Wednesday.”

At her response, everyone present fell silent.

Shia tried to lighten the atmosphere with an awkward laugh.

“Haha, Stella, today is Thursday, after all.”

“That can’t be true…”

“Anyway, I’m so glad the false accusations were cleared, and everyone is safe!”

“I wanted to ask earlier, but what do you mean rumors and accusations,

and that I got attacked by demons… what are you talking about?”

 

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