Chapter 22: I Want to Compete with You in Magic

Held back by the veteran teacher’s authority, the students did not cause a commotion.

They simply cast strange or curious glances before returning their attention to the lecture.

Yuriko felt a sense of dread. She could already guess what would happen once class was over; she would undoubtedly be surrounded by these classmates and forced to explain how she knew such things.

The classmates were one thing—they did not know her well, so she could easily fool them—but there was a troublemaker here!

She had noticed the meaningful look Yuri had sent her way earlier.

“This 「Elemental Creature Summoning Magic」 is considered one of the easier types to master among Advanced Magic, and its danger level is not high. There is still some time before class ends, so you may all try your hand at it.”

After the veteran teacher finished speaking, he sat down on a wooden chair by the podium, clearly intending to leave the remaining time to the students.

The room immediately became lively. The knowledge learned in this lesson was extremely valuable, and these adolescents were at a hot-blooded age.

They were all very interested in the 「Elemental Creature Summoning Magic」 the teacher had left them with.

The boys fantasized about summoning powerful and cool elemental beasts, while the girls hoped to summon beautiful and cute elemental spirits.

Each with their own ideas, they began their attempts at summoning magic.

A few girls did not head to the open areas to practice like the others. Instead, they approached Yuriko with curiosity.

“Ruri, are you the daughter of some prestigious mage family!”

“Or perhaps a princess from some kingdom?”

The students speculated one after another, showing just how extraordinary they found her.

That was knowledge from Forbidden Books.

Only Archmages who were powerful, held high status, and had received widespread recognition were qualified to read Forbidden Books.

And since Yuriko was able to understand knowledge from Forbidden Books and receive the teacher’s recognition, how could they not be excited and curious?

“No, nothing like that. I just had good luck and met a mysterious old grandfather. He took a liking to me and taught me a lot of knowledge related to magic.”

“Wow, isn’t that just like in a novel? Did that old grandfather teach Ruri any secret, powerful techniques that no one else knows!”

“Uh, that didn’t happen.”

Yuriko dealt with the classmates around her. After spending a good deal of effort fooling them, the students finally left with envious expressions.

“That’s so nice. I want to meet a mysterious grandfather like 그hat, too.”

“It would be even better if I met a handsome and powerful prince!”

They walked away chatting, finally leaving Yuriko with a bit of peace.

“Your luck is quite good, Ruri. To be able to meet such a learned teacher while wandering outside… I’m ‘so’ envious~”

Hearing Yuri’s voice, Yuriko felt that things truly couldn’t be explained away anymore.

Yuri was already suspicious of her, and now another point of doubt had been added.

If this continued, her identity would be exposed sooner or later.

Should she use some means to keep Yuri quiet before she discovered her secret?

Of course, Yuriko did not mean killing her to keep her silent. Setting aside the fact that Yuri was a student of Shengxiu Academy, she was also a member of the Astrology Tower.

Although Yuriko wasn’t clear on her specific status within the tower, her position could not be low based solely on the fact that her Astrology was second only to the Tower Master.

Such an existence was not someone a small member of The Mafia like herself could afford to provoke, and her sister would never agree to her doing such a thing anyway.

Yuriko’s idea was to use some special method to make Yuri unable to speak her secret.

That way, even if Yuri saw through her disguise, she wouldn’t have to worry about her identity leaking.

As long as she wasn’t exposed before the selection for the Star of the Academy, it would be fine.

“Maybe my luck really is that good. That gentleman saved me when I was in a crisis and taught me magic. He was a very kind old gentleman,” Yuriko said, putting on a nostalgic expression.

Seeing her like this, Yuri also began to doubt her own judgment.

Was Yuriko really just lucky?

‘I am not old, and why do you act as if I have passed away?’

‘This is just a story to increase credibility. If I said I met a black-haired catgirl, who would believe me?’

‘I know that, of course. I am just reminding you that I have no concept of aging.’

‘Yes, yes, yes. Our Phantom is forever an eighteen-year-old catgirl!’

‘…’

Yuriko intended to practice magic with Carmilla, but just as she was about to speak, she saw a white figure walking toward her.

Nomily stood in front of Yuriko.

Just like she had behaved yesterday, she stood with one hand on her hip and pointed at Yuriko, shouting, “Ruri, I want to compete with you to see who can summon an elemental creature first!”

It seemed she had remembered yesterday’s promise well and was calling Yuriko by her name correctly.

This child was unexpectedly someone who kept her promises.

This was already the third time Nomily had challenged Yuriko.

The students in the class were no longer surprised.

Some, seeing Nomily walking toward Yuriko, were already prepared to watch the drama unfold.

“Miss Kipling, I don’t think we need to engage in such competitive behavior. As classmates, wouldn’t it be better to discuss how to use magic together?”

Yuriko was just saying polite words to maintain her persona. She didn’t think Nomily would refuse just because of a single sentence.

“I haven’t acknowledged you yet! If you can beat me in this competition as well, I’ll tentatively recognize your strength.”

What Nomily said was unexpectedly different from what Yuriko had anticipated.

She thought Nomily would say something much more hostile, but looking at Nomily’s appearance, she seemed to truly be testing her?

‘So you weren’t just looking for trouble?’

“In that case, can I become friends with Miss Kipling?”

“Wh-what?”

Nomily took two steps back in shock. She hadn’t expected that after she had caused so much trouble these past few days, this person would still want to be friends with her.

‘Does this person have some kind of masochistic tendency?’

“I’ve been looking for trouble with you! Aren’t you angry at all!”

Facing Nomily’s question, Yuriko showed the smile she had practiced for a long time and said:

“Miss Kipling is doing this for her sister, right? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, I find it quite cute.”

“You! Hmph, win against me first before you say such things!”

Nomily turned her head away, but her face was slightly red, making her look a bit cute.

“Can I take that as Miss Kipling agreeing? If that’s the case, I’d be happy to accept your challenge~”

“Shut up! Less talk, more action!”

The magnanimity Yuriko intentionally displayed won over the students.

Just what kind of character did she have to want to be friends with someone who had offended her several times?

Although some felt that Yuriko was intentionally showing off, it didn’t stop a seed called “generosity” from being planted in the hearts of her classmates.