"No… Please, no…"
Elena's lips trembled softly, her eyes dimming as she peered through strands of disheveled hair, desperately engraving that retreating figure into her memory. She no longer had any strength left, only able to let herself be slowly dragged away by Hysteria, watching helplessly as Linen grew ever smaller in the distance.
When she turned her head, about to plead with Hysteria to stop, she was stunned to see the usually proud princess biting fiercely on a strand of her scarlet hair, tears stubbornly pooling in her defiant eyes.
Right now, Hysteria's heart overflowed with complex emotions and bitter regret.
Though Linen had confidently claimed he had a way out, both girls knew that it was impossible for a [First-Ring] mage to defeat a [Fifth-Ring] opponent.
Hysteria regretted deeply. If only I hadn't interfered, if only I hadn't slowed him down, maybe he could've gotten Elena to safety before the enemy noticed.
Being a princess herself, she was no stranger to deceit, betrayal, and hypocrisy. She had long grown accustomed to such things.
When all her elder siblings banded together to petition their father to send her abroad as an exchange student, she had quietly packed her belongings, holding her head high with pride, determined to meet whatever fate awaited her.
Because Hysteria always believed she was different—proud and unique. Her fiery temper and blazing red eyes were her defiant answer to palace intrigues and manipulations.
She had always assumed Linen was just like her siblings—perhaps talented in Arcana, but ultimately cut from the same cloth.
But just now, without hesitation, he'd given the chance to survive to her and Elena, choosing instead to face an unbeatable enemy alone.
It was then she realized how wrong she'd been. She was just a child running from reality. A true hero was someone like Linen—like a radiant lotus emerging from mud, yet untainted.
But… it was all for Elena's sake.
Though she knew this wasn't the time, Hysteria still couldn't help but wonder.
Why, just when I finally found my first true friend, when I finally met someone special...
She bit down hard on her lip, making a firm vow.
If anything happens to Linen, even if it means losing my imperial inheritance, I'll tear that bastard from the Zijinghua Empire's hands and rip him to shreds!
She'd scatter his ashes to the winds and burn his soul until nothing remained!
Thunderous booms echoed behind them, blending with the howling wind and crackling flames.
Finally, a limping figure emerged through the smoke.
"Idiot!"
"Linen!"
Both Hysteria and Elena stared in astonishment at the figure approaching.
Yet as the smoke cleared to reveal a sheepish-looking knight scratching his head, both girls immediately deflated.
"Oh! Hello again, miss student! It's you and His Highness again..."
It turned out to be the same Shadow Knight whom Linen had interrogated earlier.
"Move! Stop blocking the way!"
A familiar flying kick from behind sent the knight spiraling away. Linen emerged afterward, clothes disheveled and stained with blood, dragging behind him Tarn's battered, barely-alive body.
Tarn, with hardly any teeth left, mumbled weakly.
"He… He actually awakened…"
"Idiot!"
Confirming it was indeed Linen, Hysteria rushed over, anxiously scanning him head-to-toe, her hands frantically patting his chest to check for wounds.
"No need to feel me up—mine are bigger anyway."
"You want to die?!"
Hysteria started snapping furiously but quickly swallowed her anger, stepping aside to reveal Elena, who still looked weak.
"Linen, I'm so glad you're alright! Are you badly injured? I have some medicinal herbs…"
Elena wiped the tears from her eyes, desperately forcing a smile as she fumbled for the pouch at her waist. But Linen stopped her gently, leaning closer and brushing her hair away from her eyes.
"No need. I'm fine, really. Most of the blood belongs to that guy anyway."
Hearing this, Hysteria couldn't hold back.
"Are you kidding me? A [First-Ring] mage beating a [Fifth-Ring] old monster and barely getting hurt?"
"Him? Me? Fighting for our lives?"
Linen looked as though he'd heard something amusing.
"What makes you think he's worthy enough to fight evenly with me?"
He gestured behind him, where the battle had occurred. Hysteria noticed, startled, numerous Shadow Knights cleaning up the battlefield.
"Where did all these knights come from?!"
Hysteria was utterly bewildered.
Linen casually waved his hand. The knight who'd followed him out chuckled bitterly.
In truth, the Shadow Knights had been waiting nearby, planning to strike only after Tarn's mana was further drained.
Frankly, even Shadow Knights valued their lives. Nobody was eager to confront an enraged [Fifth-Ring] mage for some random girl's sake.
But when they saw Linen charging forward alone, the stakes suddenly changed dramatically.
If an unknown female student died or got injured, they'd likely just be reprimanded.
But if His Highness died—every Shadow Knight present would surely lose their heads.
Those who'd been passively observing suddenly roared frantically, screaming, "Protect His Highness!" and charged. Tarn, already exhausted, couldn't withstand the onslaught and quickly fell under their righteous group beating.
"Protecting the Empire's citizens is your duty anyway. Given your quick repentance, I'll overlook your hesitation," Linen said coolly.
The Shadow Knight bowed gratefully, adding humbly, "Your Highness is too modest. Everyone could see clearly that even without our help, defeating this traitor was only a matter of time for you."
Hysteria couldn't hold back again.
"If you're going to make excuses, at least be believable! A [First-Ring] mage beating a [Fifth-Ring] mage is too absurd! Do you think this is a fantasy novel?"
Yet the Shadow Knight earnestly insisted.
"Trust me, miss, His Highness isn't just any [First-Ring] mage. He's mastered [Attribute Fusion Arcana]! Many of us witnessed it!"
[Fusion Arcana]?!
Hysteria's composure shattered completely at these words.
Unlike regular Arcana, [Fusion Arcana] was among the noblest magic techniques, vastly superior in power and difficulty. It required perfect mastery over two equal-level Arcana of different elements.
Most people would learn a second element only after advancing ranks, thus diminishing its potential. For most, [Fusion Arcana] was essentially impractical.
Even someone naturally talented like Hysteria stuck solely to the [Fire Arcana] at the [First-Ring], planning to learn a second only after reaching [Third-Ring].
Linen was a wind mage, proficient in [Wind Blade], yes—but had he ever even unlocked a second attribute?
Wait… Didn't Tarn mention something about Linen awakening something before passing out...?
Hysteria turned incredulously to Linen. Linen sighed, chastising the Shadow Knight mildly.
"As a Shadow Knight, you should ensure your information's accuracy instead of spreading uncertain rumors."
Just as Hysteria was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Linen calmly held up two fingers.
"I'm not [First-Ring]. I've reached the [Second-Ring]."
Oddly enough, Linen had lingered at the peak of the [First-Ring], stuck without enough "rejections" to level up.
But after expending all his mana to unleash [Attribute Fusion] preparing to flee, a sudden surge of inexplicable mana flowed into him, instantly helping him break through—and fully replenishing his reserves.
Linen had promptly cast [Attribute Fusion] a second time. Tarn, completely unprepared for such a rapid repeat cast from a weakling, was ambushed in the chaos and defeated without understanding how it happened.
Hysteria's reaction was perfectly genuine—her jaw dropped slightly, uttering eloquently.
"Huh?!"
…
Shortly afterward, reinforcements arrived, escorting the captured traitors and injured students away for treatment.
Just as Linen and the others were about to leave, a conspicuous cyan figure flew swiftly from afar, landing elegantly before them.
"Master Gust!"
"Professor Gust."
Even the somewhat dazed Hysteria couldn't help but respectfully greet the Arcana Master. Judging from the faint scent of blood around him, Gust had clearly just emerged from fierce combat.
Yet, Gust seemed oddly rejuvenated, a youthful glint in his eyes.
After nodding briefly at everyone, Gust's gaze finally settled on Linen.
"Excellent work, young man. I've heard everything. Our victory today was thanks to your actions. Are you unhurt?"
Linen was numb. It was useless explaining he hadn't intended any of this. He just forced a smile and nodded.
I only wanted to lower my favorability. What exactly did I do wrong?
Why does it feel like this world itself opposes me? Must a skilled, decisive villain with clear goals always fail so miserably?
As Linen felt his favorability climbing unstoppably once again, he noticed Hysteria's rare, downcast gaze. Inspiration suddenly struck him.
As a top-tier villain, he couldn't give up struggling until the very end!
"You flatter me, Master Gust. I'm hardly hurt. Everything went largely according to my plan—except for certain individuals acting recklessly. It appears they're the ones injured."
His pointed stare made Hysteria flush in embarrassment, Elena also lowering her head slightly in discomfort.
Hysteria bristled, annoyed by Linen's relentless teasing. Her rising goodwill quickly dipped—
But Gust suddenly laughed heartily, startling everyone.
"Haha! Linen is right—I overlooked this."
Reaching into his spatial bracelet, Gust produced two potion vials, floating them toward Elena and Hysteria with gentle currents.
"Will this suffice? These potions were brewed by a dear friend. They quickly heal wounds and greatly aid low-ranking mages in breakthroughs. Satisfied?"
Hysteria stared at Linen in shock.
So he deliberately claimed we were injured… to secure benefits for us?
These potions weren't merely rare—they were practically priceless, even suitable as imperial engagement gifts…
Wait, what am I even thinking?!
Elena reacted more straightforwardly. Thanking Gust, she turned gratefully to Linen, wordlessly gripping the vial tightly and nodding resolutely.
Linen felt completely helpless.
Please stop looking at me like you'd literally die for me—it's stressful!
Amused, Gust smiled warmly at this youthful scene, turning instead to the two girls.
"So, is this compensation sufficient?"
As they began to thank him again, Gust raised his hand casually.
"Don't thank me. Consider your gratitude as Linen's reward since this achievement won't grant you academic credit. Now, Linen, are you satisfied?"
Satisfied? Damn old man, did I ever offend you?!
Linen maintained his smile, inwardly raging.