---

[What’s that noise right now?]

Serena, feeling the malice through the crystal barrier,

trembled yet continued to speak resolutely.

“I… want to continue attending the Academy like this…”

A mocking sound drifted through the crystal barrier,

followed by a condescending voice.

[…Yeah, I even served you the opportunity on a silver platter,

but if you fail, you’ve got to take responsibility.]

‘I have to say it… I have to speak up.’

“Um… Master…”

[What is it?]

The chilly atmosphere that could be felt even beyond the crystal was

terrifying, but Serena pushed through to convey her thoughts.

“I don’t want to… kill her… Stella.”

An awkward silence filled the air, and soon afterward,

an enraged voice reverberated from the crystal.

[What nonsensical thing are you saying!!

Are you scared now? You pathetic thing!]

“… I want to surpass her with my own power.”

Then, a voice, gentler than before, came from the crystal.

[Serena… you are certainly a talented child,

but there are walls in this world that cannot be surpassed, no matter how hard you try.]

“…”

[If you act like those types, not knowing your place,

you’ll just be treated like a bug in this world.]

The conclusion was to obey his words.

Even though she knew it was wrong,

if it had been her in the past, she would have followed that advice,

but now, Serena was different.

[What matters is what you want to do.

You don’t have to follow the path set by others.]

Her voice supported Serena’s will.

‘I am… my path…’

“…Even if I have to follow her from behind,

I will surpass her in my own way.”

At those words, the atmosphere of the crystal shifted.

[Are you really going to disregard your master’s words?]

Grrr…

With a chilling atmosphere, cracks began to form in the crystal.

[This is an order: return to the Magic Tower at once, Serena.]

“I… I refuse! No way!”

For the first time since entering the Magic Tower, Serena resisted,

slightly releasing the pent-up feelings she had harbored.

But the response she received was mercilessly cold.

[…Oh, by the way, you’re also 17, huh…

Serena, you’ve grown up a lot.

You will pay for what you just said.]

*

“Hmph….”

Will she come?

“Hey, Stella.”

“Haah…”

Well, she hung out with me until school was out,

but if she doesn’t show up, I think that would be a bit harsh.

“Stella..?”

By the way, that mustached old man is

really annoying.

Making me take on a disciple without getting my hands dirty

and just doing petty things—should I just get rid of him?

“Hey, Stella!”

Seriously, how is that guy a rank 10?

How is he on the same level as the Master?

His personality is garbage!

“Hey!!”

“Wah! What the?! Why are you shouting?!”

Turning my head, I saw Nova looking at me with an exasperated expression.

“It’s because you didn’t respond, no matter how many times I called your name.”

“So what’s up?”

“Are you okay? You’ve been sighing since earlier—are you not feeling well?”

As he said that, Nova reached out and touched my forehead,

leaning in close.

“Th-That’s not it!… It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it! Just get away from me!”

“What’s with that… I was just worried about you.”

Damn… don’t just come at me like that out of nowhere…

Is it because of what happened recently?

It’s hard to even look at his face…

Why the hell is my face so hot…

At that moment, someone suddenly appeared from the back of the classroom, making a noise.

“Here!”

“Oh? Who—ah, Serena?”

…? Why does Nova know Serena?

Haven’t they ever talked before? Could it be they met secretly

without me knowing… or is that just my imagination running wild?

“What’s your name, student?”

At the professor’s question, Serena answered with a heavy expression.

“I am Serena Archemia.”

“Miss Serena, why didn’t you attend class yesterday?”

“I was a bit unwell yesterday. I’m sorry.”

“If that happens again, please inform the faculty room in advance or talk to the health teacher, okay?”

“Yes.”

After saying that, when she returned to her seat,

her eyes met mine, and she smiled slightly as she passed by.

But why do I feel like she was trembling, in contrast to her relaxed expression from yesterday?

The class started with a theory lesson in full swing.

“To squeeze mana, the generally used method is through a

Mana Circuit transplanted from another…”

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a knock on the classroom door.

A teaching assistant entered unexpectedly.

The professor asked, surprised,

“What’s going on?”

“Is Serena student here right now?”

At those words, Serena’s shoulders flinched.

“Serena is here, but…”

“Serena student, please come to the faculty room immediately.

It’s the principal’s orders.”

“Looks like you have to go, Serena.”

*

Following the teaching assistant out of the classroom, Serena

sweated profusely as she made her way to the principal’s office.

Knock, knock.

“Excuse me.”

Upon entering the principal’s office, the first thing she noticed was

the Master of the Silver Tower glaring at her.

“Oh! You’ve come, Serena student!”

“…Master…”

“Sit down.”

As Serena sat down, drenched in cold sweat,

the principal spoke first.

“So, Master of the Silver Tower, you have something to discuss…”

“Oh, it’s sudden, but it seems our Serena has decided to return to the Magic Tower.”

Hearing that, Serena jumped in surprise and said,

“Th-That’s not true! I’m not!”

The principal, looking troubled, replied,

“Master of the Silver Tower… even so, coming unannounced to take a student who is enrolled in the Academy…”

However, the Master of the Silver Tower cut him off and spoke to the principal.

“There’s a fault in the bracelet we created for the upcoming practice duel in our Magic Tower.”

Then, he put the bracelet on his arm and forcefully controlled Serena’s movements with magic.

“Ugh! Master!”

Whoosh!

Serena’s fingernails, controlled by magic,

lightly grazed the neck of the Master of the Silver Tower.

Blood began to flow from the Master’s neck.

“Master of the Silver Tower, what is going on all of a sudden…!”

“As you and the principal know, the bracelet is designed to activate a shield when life is in danger.

Even a small cut like this should normally trigger it if it’s on a vital spot like the neck.”

Serena realized the Master’s intentions.

No way. I couldn’t believe this.

“However, for some reason, it seems our Serena’s bracelet didn’t activate.”

“…What do you mean..?”

The Master of the Silver Tower smiled wickedly and continued.

“It seems our child tampered with the bracelet beforehand.

A thorough investigation is necessary.”

“…Serena student, is that true?”

Serena vigorously denied those words.

“No! I didn’t tamper with the bracelet!”

“Serena, stop sullying the reputation of the Magic Tower anymore!”

“Master!”

How could he put all the blame on her?

In a situation so absurd and unjust, tears began to well up.

“I’m innocent! What could I possibly gain by doing such a thing!”

“…This matter seems to require careful review.

Serena student, please wait in the dormitory for now.”

“Principal! I…”

“I’m sorry, but principal, this involves the reputation of our Silver Tower.

Please allow me to take Serena with me.”

Faced with the Master’s resolute stance, the principal held his head and let out a groan.

“For now, this matter will be discussed thoroughly in a meeting with the chairman and the faculty members.

Please return for today, Master of the Silver Tower.”

“…Understood.”

After leaving the principal’s office, the Master of the Silver Tower forcibly dragged Serena to an empty classroom, far from anyone’s sight.

“How could… how could you do this…”

“I warned you, Serena. You’ll pay the price.”

“This is too much! How could you do this to me, Master! Ugh!”

As Serena, while shouting in anger, suddenly fell silent.

Then, Serena’s body lifted into the air, held in place.

“Dare you defy my words and act on your own?”

I’ll have to teach you from the very beginning again.’

“…That’s not true!”

“What did you say?”

“I’ve done everything you told me to do!!

Everything as you said!!”

“You… little brat!”

Slap!

Serena, hanging in the air, received a merciless slap from the Master of the Silver Tower.

After a long punishment, the Master spoke in a voice filled with rage.

“When you return to the Magic Tower,

you should know that it won’t end with just this.”

“I… will live my life as I wish…

I will… pursue what I want…”

At that moment, the door of the classroom opened with a creak.

“Hmm? What are you two…”

The purple-haired girl, noticing Serena with swollen cheeks and traces of tears, said.

“F-Fuck, you old bastard…”

“What… what did you say?”

“Put my friend down right now, you old man!”

 

---