NOVEL WEB Chapter 3
Chapter 3: After Class
[Side Quest Complete: University Lecture]
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Restroom. Restroom, restroom. Where’s the restroom? Serena desperately needed to use the restroom...
The psychological pressure accumulated without her realizing it had twisted her stomach into knots.
Gurgle.
This discreet physiological reaction tormented Serena, yet she still had to maintain the dignity befitting a noble.
Serena’s steps remained graceful and composed, as if she were merely taking a leisurely walk across campus. Only Serena herself knew what kind of urgent biological need she was enduring at that moment.
Just as she was desperately but gracefully searching for the restroom, an unexpected figure appeared at the end of the corridor.
At the far end of the marble-paved hallway stood a woman, motionless like a statue. Her long silver-white hair gleamed with a cold sheen under the sunlight.
“······”
Serena maintained her steady pace, while the other did not move at all.
As the distance between them shrank, Serena finally stopped first when they were within arm’s reach.
“Long time no see.”
She nodded slightly, her voice as crisp as the clash of ice crystals.
She was breathtakingly beautiful—snow-white hair and icy blue eyes like glacial waters. Serena instantly recalled those bloodstained scenes.
──Of the sixteen confirmed deaths Serena had experienced, eight were related to her.
“······Long time no see.”
Elvira Galvin, my fiancée.
And also a future legend destined to reach the pinnacle of knighthood.
“Have you been well?”
Elvira’s question left Serena speechless. Serena stared at her with a blank expression. A mere servant would’ve backed off under that gaze, but Elvira simply waited silently.
In the end, Serena could only offer the most concise reply.
“Mm.”
To Serena, that was the best answer, yet Elvira’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She took a deep breath, her voice laced with restrained anger:
“Do you remember the promise we made a week ago?”
Serena remained silent. In those deep, icy eyes, the flame of hostility was clearly burning.
“You broke that promise.”
“······”
Serena had no idea what promise she was talking about.
Serena gave a slight nod, attempting to step past her. At this moment, the restroom had far greater allure than any noble decorum.
Elvira stepped sideways, blocking her path again.
“Trying to run away?”
Serena indeed wanted to run. Her bladder was protesting at its limit.
In this situation where she had no understanding of what was going on, any attempt to explain would only make things worse.
“Again?”
Her voice was as cold as polar wind, and her ice-blue eyes locked onto me.
Faced with this, Serena could only choose the worst response.
“...Did we make a promise?”
Though she knew this question would infuriate Elvira, goosebumps still rose on the back of her neck. Elvira’s rage made Serena’s skin tingle painfully.
It itched unbearably. Her back felt like it was on fire. Serena desperately wanted to scratch, but this noble body wouldn’t allow such vulgar gestures.
So Serena continued saying things she didn’t mean:
“Just checking. I’ve had a fever lately, might’ve forgotten.”
“Heh.”
A look deeper than anger appeared on her face—one of scorn mixed with sorrow and despair.
“...I knew it. That’s just the kind of person you are.”
What she said to Serena was chilling.
“Go on.”
She stepped aside, and Serena brushed past her shoulder. Even then, the itching on her back continued to torment her.
Finally finding the nobles-only restroom and confirming no one was around, Serena was at last able to relieve herself.
“So itchy, almost couldn’t hold it in...”
Serena released her tension while scratching her waist and the back of her neck.
Even scratching had to be done with proper posture and timing—this damned noble act was maddening.
If this kept up, Serena was bound to go insane.
Elvira watched Serena walk away, standing still for a long time. The fire of anger and resentment inside her burned like wildfire, showing no signs of calming.
After barely suppressing her emotions, she ran into another troublesome figure.
The university’s board director.
“Aiya~”
A young female mage with round glasses, already of “Aether” rank, just a step away from “Eternal.” One of the top candidates to become a grand mage, yet the most headache-inducing person Elvira knew.
The moment she saw Elvira, she exaggeratedly covered her mouth.
“Oh my! Isn’t this the fiancée of Professor Serena?!”
“······”
Elvira had long given up correcting phrases like “we’re not married yet,” and simply nodded coldly.
“The visiting professor’s lecture was so wonderful~ As expected of the chief professor—explained everything so clearly! I wish I could teach like that~”
“I know. I listened too.”
The director latched onto her response:
“What?! You listened too? Were you helping her? Could it be that your relationship has finally improved?”
“······”
Help? That romantic assumption couldn’t be further from her intent.
Today, Elvira had come only to confirm whether Serena would keep their promise—to witness the final outcome.
Elvira had clearly told her:
If you can stay true to your convictions, confess your lies and deceit to everyone, and seek forgiveness, then even if the sky falls, I will stand with you.
This wasn’t to protect family honor, nor was it for appearances.
It transcended all worldly things. As a knight, it was simply about staying true to one’s beliefs...
You should understand.
“Why, though~? Wasn’t today’s lecture amazing?”
Creak. Facing this undisguised mockery, Elvira clenched her teeth.
In the end, Serena still broke the promise.
She didn’t rely on her own ability, but stole someone else’s work to gain recognition. She never showed remorse or apologized for her wickedness and corruption.
She lacked even the courage to repent. Now, she could only be given up on.
She would live forever within her web of lies and deception. How pathetic...
“...Hmph. What a boring day. Well then, goodbye!”
After the director left with a curled lip, Elvira remained standing like a statue on the marble floor.
It felt as though countless vines had sprouted beneath her feet, binding her tightly.
Her Serena.
Her Galvin.
In her ears echoed someone’s words:
──The mage prodigy Serena and the knight-talented Elvira. If the bloodlines of these two prestigious families were united, it would be a win-win both genetically and politically.
However, both families eventually realized that Serena’s magical talent was subpar.
She called herself a “rune interpretation genius,” became a professor through lies, and after a certain incident, her once-brilliant theoretical achievements came to an abrupt halt.
If not for both families being powerhouses in central politics, things would’ve already turned hostile.
But they were far too proud—so they chose silence.
As long as neither side called off the engagement, it would remain intact. Even if broken, Serena’s lies wouldn’t be exposed.
Thus, Elvira had hoped Serena would correct herself.
But today, Serena had rejected her again in the most decisive way—breaking their promise.
Since that’s the case, it was her turn to speak.
To end this despicable engagement.
...It had finally reached the end.
“Are you alright?”
A soft question came from behind—her ever-present adjutant.
The black-haired, heavy-set man: Beron.
Elvira didn’t look back. She simply shook her head.
“I’m fine. The lecture is starting soon. Let’s go.”
She stepped forward. Numerous knights followed that slender yet upright back.
As a direct descendant of the knightly House of Galvin, Elvira was not only a model for young knights—she also had a swordsmanship demonstration scheduled today.
Unlike Serena, who only talked, her lectures were true live demonstrations...
...Among the knights following her, one suddenly halted. From within his black hair, scarlet eyes gleamed coldly.
His gaze slowly turned behind him, locking onto Serena’s distant figure.
A chilling killing intent spread like a venomous snake.
...Elvira’s knight, Beron, thought to himself.
Today, he had finally found the answer that had haunted him countless times.
This was a judgment for the sake of his lord.
A task only he could carry out.
...Kill her.
That despicable, filthy woman.
Slit her throat, dismember her.
Let my lord obtain happiness...
Campus cafeteria. Flora poked the inedible omelet with boredom and sighed heavily.
“...Sigh.”
Truthfully, she had planned to humiliate Serena during the lecture.
Serena’s so-called “rune interpretation ability” was pure theft—her father’s skill. If Serena were forced to interpret a new rune without cheating, she’d surely be embarrassed.
Of course, this carried the risk of Serena holding a grudge... But the result was the opposite.
Unexpectedly, just for not stating her name, she was branded as rude. That opponent wasn’t easy to deal with.
“Almost died of shame...”
Though the sting of mockery still echoed, at least she gained something.
“Hah. Illusion magic, really.”
Flora curled her lips.
Was that answer just a bluff?
Out of all the magic categories, she just so happened to say “illusion”?
Illusion was one of the hardest categories to master. Altering perception and cognition required tremendous mana and was horribly inefficient. Most illusion spells required a medium—that was the very reason.
No medium illusion?
“Delusional.”
Just as she was feeling smug.
“Flora! Flora!”
Noisy shouts and running footsteps approached. Looking up, she saw a peer she’d met during last week’s freshman mage orientation.
“Thanks to you, we figured it out!”
“...Huh? Figured out what?”
Flora blinked in confusion. The peer excitedly patted her on the shoulder:
“That rune on the dorm door yesterday!”
Last night, a mysterious rune written in red slime appeared on the mage dorm entrance.
It had never been recorded in academia and was initially thought to be demonic in origin. Now, freshmen scrambled to interpret it, eager to claim the discovery. Departments were even competing over it.
“...What? I didn’t do anything?”
“Oh, don’t be modest. You asked Professor Serena, didn’t you?”
“...Huh?”
Flora was completely dumbfounded.
She had only tried to make Serena look bad, not genuinely ask for help. What was going on?
“That’s amazing. We didn’t dare ask her directly—you were so brave.”
“Wait. That magic... was it really a barrier?”
Flora couldn’t believe it.
Could Serena have been right?
“Yep! Assuming it was a barrier, reconstructing the incantation fit perfectly. Whoa~ Professor Serena is incredible! Without a medium, how did she guess it was illusion magic?”
Flora’s mouth hung open, nearly wide enough to fit the whole tray. She froze, gasping “Ha... Ha...”
“Thanks, Flora. We’ll compile the report and submit it—with your name on it too.”
“Uh? That’s not really necessary... but... okay.”
“We promise!”
They left cheerfully.
Flora blankly stared at their backs.
Such kind people. Clearly they could’ve claimed credit themselves, yet they offered to share...
Though this situation itself wasn’t kind.
Serena’s reputation had gotten an undeserved boost.
“Just lucky. She guessed?”
In the end, Flora pulled out a sheet of paper from her bag.
It was the course schedule of a professor from the Mage Tower University for the upcoming semester.
[Essentials of Elemental Magic]
[Level: Advanced (5 Credits)]
[Instructor: Serena Leonhart]
“······”
Serena’s class.
Although Flora didn’t major in elemental magic, she had no reason to miss it. After all, elements were the foundation of all magic, and—“Know your enemy, win every battle.”
“Just you wait...”
Flora stared at the course schedule, fire of determination burning in her eyes.