The Price Is Your Everything

Angrad was really angry at that time, but as she went through school life, she realized that she had to endure it. Making enemies was a foolish thing to do.

She needed to be friends with popular kids, smart kids, and wealthy kids. That way, she would gain influence, and then everyone would give in to her.

Angrad Nain would want to receive invitations from her, and she would fawn over her.

But who would have thought that things would turn out like this?

"That's Lianon's favorite. I always wear it, so how can I..."

"You take it off during magic class, don't you?"

Megara explained calmly, as if she had already planned everything out. Her appearance, sitting on a chair made of fragrant wood with red lacquer, was lovely, although the chair was a bit too big for her. Megara noticed Angrad staring at her and puffed out her chest slightly.

However, after a moment, she felt annoyed by the expression on Angrad's face.

She would have looked at Neris Truede with the same expression, even if Neris had sat in that chair.

Angrad couldn't help but think that. Neris Truede didn't look awkward at all when using adult things. Even though she was short, she always looked dignified from every angle. It was as if she knew how to look elegant in every situation.

That was absurd. The Lycanthros Marquis family was a high-ranking noble family, and Megara was raised as a perfect lady from a young age, with countless expensive tutors.

Megara knew that well. She had been trained in every aspect, including her hand movements. There was no such thing as natural refinement that could be acquired without learning. All norms were the result of endless history and consensus in the social circle.

But Neris...

She walked around with a calm face, as if all that glory meant nothing to her.

Moreover, thinking about the humiliation she suffered in Berlen language class, it would have been satisfying to kill Neris on the spot.

However, since Megara was already drawing attention, she couldn't act recklessly. If she did something careless in school and got caught, it would be a shame. Once her reputation was ruined, it couldn't be recovered.

And death was too easy.

"Among the classes we take with Neris, the only one where we don't keep an eye on our bags is magic class. The next magic class just happens to be a practical lesson, so the classroom will be empty. Take out Lini's bracelet and put it in Neris's bag. You know better than anyone what happens when you steal."

Angrad's eyes darkened. Her impression, which used to be innocent and clear, making people easily like her, had been changing lately.

Megara read the hesitation in Angrad's eyes and smiled slyly.

"It's good for you too, Nain. If Lini says her bracelet is missing, the kids will suspect you first."

That was true. Angrad's face turned pale. She hated the gaze of the other kids. She hated it more and more every day. Those cruel, contemptuous, and hateful gazes.

How could they do that? They hadn't even seen it, and yet they accused her of being a thief and insulted her brutally.

Megara smiled slyly, as if she could read Angrad's mind.

"But what if it's revealed that you didn't do it? I'll say a few good words for you. It was a mistake, and it's too much to be suspected of stealing on purpose. If you receive that kind of treatment, can you do it?"

"Really?"

Megara's words were like a law to many kids. Angrad, who knew this well, smiled slightly after a moment. Megara's smile was like a flower.

"Okay."

If she could finally make Neris Truede bow down to her true status, it would be worth it.

***

"If you ever need something desperately, come find me. I'll give you the treatment you deserve."

That day, Kledwin left quickly, but Neris repeated his words in her mind for days, as if she had just heard them.

It was clear that Kledwin Maindlandt had power. Even as Elantria became an independent kingdom and various princes fought each other, the Maindlandts remained strong. If she joined his faction, she might be able to live a life free from the Elantria family or the imperial family.

However, Kledwin didn't know about Neris's eyes yet.

When she turned eighteen and the Elantria family's gemstone appeared to the world, her value would increase exponentially. There was no guarantee that Kledwin wouldn't betray her at that time.

Or, as a cold-blooded person, he might even sell her out. He was someone who had killed his own vassals, whom he had known since childhood.

She had to think carefully. She had to weigh her options carefully. She couldn't make a decision based on her feelings. Neris rested her chin on her hand and looked down, her eyes troubled.

Her naturally curved fingers touched her cheek, and her appearance was both cute and dignified. Several lower-ranking noble girls looked at her with admiring eyes.

In etiquette class, Sheridan had praised Neris's every movement, saying that she had a noble elegance. Even on a day like today, when she wore a rough practical uniform, she stood out.

The class Neris attended with the other freshmen today was basic magic.

Traditionally, nobles considered magic an important part of their education. In the era of the three heroes, it was as natural as air, but in this era, it had almost disappeared and become a rare and valuable skill. As a result, the nobles' longing for rare things made them value magic even more.

In the social circle, to be recognized as a noble with dignity, it was enough to use a few terms from the basic theory of magic. However, some talented individuals would sometimes claim to be distant descendants of the three heroes.

In other words, it meant that a person's magical talent, which seemed objective, could be used politically.

Therefore, the school did not provide opportunities for students to advance in basic magic and only allowed them to study further after carefully measuring their talent over three years.

Even the lower-grade magic classes were simple, teaching students how to use existing magic tools by putting a little magic into them. However, many students couldn't even follow that education.

Neris had a higher-than-average amount of magic and excellent application skills. It seemed to be related to her eyes, but she wasn't sure.

She just hated having to take the same easy classes again for three years with people who didn't even find them challenging.

Luckily, there was something interesting today.

"My bracelet is gone!"

It was when the basic magic practical lesson was over, and everyone was taking off their practical uniforms and putting back on the accessories they had taken off before class. Lianon said, her face pale. Megara frowned.

"Bracelet?"

"My emerald bracelet!"

Lianon's emerald bracelet was a high-quality accessory made with an emerald that seemed to have flames flickering inside. It was an expensive piece of jewelry for a child to wear.

She had treasured the bracelet, which her wealthy aunt had brought as a dowry when she got married, and none of her classmates had not envied the bracelet at least once.

The whole class turned to look at Lianon, who was screaming. Diane, who was taking off her practical uniform with Neris's help, lit up.

"Your bracelet is gone?"

"Look carefully."

Megara advised, looking surprised. Lianon turned pale and carefully searched the surrounding desks and the inside of her practical uniform. Alekto approached to help with the search.

"It's not here!"

Finally, Lianon accepted the situation and covered her mouth with both hands. Alekto looked around fiercely.

Her gaze ended at Angrad, who turned pale and then red.

"What's going on?"

Graham, the basic magic teacher, had returned to the classroom a bit late, as she had been cleaning up the practical room. She felt the strange atmosphere among the students and asked.

Lianon, who was now sniffling, said.

"Teacher, I couldn't find my bracelet..."

Graham was more of a skilled teacher than a great magician. Taking care of lower-grade students was more like childcare than teaching. She asked carefully.

"What does it look like?"

"It's a gold bracelet with a large, oval-shaped emerald, and small... small diamonds, three on each side..."

Lianon gestured with her finger to show the size of the emerald, which was not something that could be ignored as a child's accessory.

Graham's face stiffened, and her voice became kinder than before.

"Are you sure you wore it today? Maybe you didn't wear it today and that's why you can't find it?"

"I saw Lianon take off her bracelet before class started, and I think she put it in her drawer."

Megara said with a sympathetic expression. Suddenly, the classroom became eerily quiet.

"Let's look for it. Kids, search your surroundings. Maybe it fell on the floor."

The children silently searched their surroundings. Lianon's face was covered in tears.

Megara and Alekto comforted Lianon and re-checked every nook and cranny of her desk, clothes, body, and bag. When the bracelet didn't turn up anywhere, the children fell into a cold silence.

"Teacher."

Alekto said quietly.

"It looks like someone took it."

It was unclear who was the first to look at Angrad again, but under the scorching gaze of the whole class, Angrad buried her face in her desk.

"Why are you hiding?"

Alekto asked sharply. Angrad didn't get up. She just shook her back, as if she was about to burst into tears. Alekto approached her, like a powerful animal, and asked again.

"Why are you hiding, Nain?"

"Alekto Islani!"

Graham warned quickly. Alekto's eyes widened.

"What did I say, teacher? I just asked a question. Angrad suddenly hid her face."

"When you talk to a friend like that, anyone would be scared. Go back to your seat."

Alekto had been hostile towards Angrad since the ribbon incident. Diane looked at Angrad's back with a strange expression and whispered to Neris.

"What's going on all of a sudden?"

"I don't know."

Neris replied calmly. Diane raised an eyebrow at Neris's nonchalant tone.

"Aren't you curious about what happened?"

"Not really. It's a valuable item. An emerald of that size would be hard to find."

Neris's voice was slightly louder when she said the last sentence, and all the children heard it. Angrad's back twitched.

"Teacher."

Lianon said quietly.

"When something goes missing at my grandfather's house, we check the pockets of the person who might be the thief."

It was clear that Lianon was furious and anxious about losing her bracelet. Graham sighed, looking flustered.

"A person with dignity never suspects others carelessly, Lianon. But yes, it's possible that someone might have taken the bracelet by mistake. When many people are together, they can make ridiculous mistakes. If someone made such a mistake, let's take some time to check ourselves, and if anyone remembers anything, please tell me?"

It was nonsense. It was impossible to take something from a drawer by mistake.

The children didn't laugh, and Graham realized it immediately. Megara raised her hand.

"Teacher, I don't think we need to check our bags. We all moved together when we went to the practical lesson, and we all came back together. Maybe the person who left their seat during the lesson is the thief?"

"Then it's clear who it is! Angrad Nain left her seat earlier!"

Someone shouted with a cynical tone.

Neris smiled wryly. It was true. Lately, Angrad had been leaving her seat during class, saying she had a headache, because she didn't have anyone to pair up with. It was an obvious lie, but no one pointed it out or worried about it, so she did it more often.

"It's not necessarily true."

Megara said calmly.

"Neris also left her seat. Right, Neris? I'm a bit embarrassed to point this out, but I said it because I don't want anyone to be unfairly accused. Please don't misunderstand me."