ISTV 36

Galph came close to me and whispered softly.

“You’re the girl who devoured her mother. You used that ominous power to curse us. Admit it.”

“……”

When I didn’t respond, the kids grew more brazen.

It was as if they were now completely convinced I had cursed them.

“I don’t get why a mage is pretending to be a swordsman.”

“Exactly.”

Insults flew from all directions.

I listened silently, then pulled a white handkerchief from my chest and threw it at Galph.

The handkerchief hit his face and fell to the ground.

At that moment, people began to murmur.

They clearly hadn’t expected that someone like me, who had barely trained in swordsmanship for less than three years, would challenge Galph to a duel—someone who had been wielding a sword since he could walk.

“You’re challenging me to a duel? Seila is challenging me, Galph?”

Galph burst into loud laughter. Ignoring him, I stated coldly,

“Complete your coming-of-age ceremony first. I’ll be waiting here.”

“You didn’t even get a proper sword for your ceremony, but you’re challenging me—a guy who received a blacksteel sword? That’s beyond ridiculous.”

Just then, Lady Queibek approached me.

She walked toward me with a dignified air, completely unbothered by the commotion.

All eyes turned to her.

‘Wow, that’s amazing.’

As Rachel moved, people parted like the sea before her.

It was almost majestic.

Among the many people who appeared hazy like smoke, only Rachel stood out clearly—proof of how overwhelming her presence was.

‘You’re so cool, unnie.’

Rachel was holding something wrapped in fine cloth.

“Isn’t that Lady Queibek?”

“Yeah, it is. Definitely her.”

Drawing the attention of everyone around, Rachel stood before me.

“Child. Take this.”

She handed me the object she’d been carrying.

It was heavy in my hands.

“Open it. It’s your coming-of-age gift.”

When I unwrapped the cloth, a sword with a clear blue hue was revealed.

The blade was so polished I could see my own reflection.

“This sword was prepared a year ago by the head of House Queibek for you, who walks the true path of the sword. Congratulations on your coming of age, Seila.”

“Thank you.”

I immediately bowed to Rachel. She turned and walked away without another word.

‘She purposely made a show of giving me this sword in front of everyone.’

And she clearly stated that I walk the true path of the sword and that the head of Queibek had prepared it for a year—making it obvious that I was someone Queibek had chosen.

And then she left without saying anything more.

‘She wants me to get through this with my own strength.’

Honestly, it wasn’t just Galph and his gang who were like this.

No matter what anyone said, I was Dvernon’s daughter. And in this region, where prejudice ran deep, I was seen as nothing more than a “worthless mage.”

Unless I proved myself, things like this would continue to happen again and again.

I said to Galph again,

“Finish your coming-of-age ceremony. I’ll be waiting here.”

“……Fine. Just don’t run away.”

Galph and his gang went upstairs to complete their ceremony, and while they were gone, Hamune came running to me.

“Seila. I heard what happened.”

Hamune was biting his lip tightly.

His eyes were slightly red with anger.

“I’ll crush that Galph or Gandalf or whatever his name is.”

“I threw the handkerchief. This is my duel.”

“B-but…!”

“Respect me, Hamune.”

Hamune took a breath and calmed down.

“You’re right. This is your fight, Seila.”

Even so, his eyes were still filled with worry.

Maybe because he was such a kind male lead, just seeing that look in his eyes made my heart feel warm.

“I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m always on your side. No matter what anyone says, I’ll stay firmly by your side.”

Strangely, those words gave me incredible strength.

Someone once said that even if the whole world hates you, if just a few people stand by your side, life is still worth living.

“Your words really give me strength.”

“…Yeah.”

Hamune’s ears turned a little red, maybe from pride at my words.

“Good luck with your own coming-of-age ceremony, Hamune.”

“Yeah.”

Quite a bit of time passed.

The ceremonies proceeded in order, and I sat with Mary, waiting for Galph’s turn to finish.

‘But… why do I feel so lonely?’

Somewhere deep in my heart felt hollow.

It seemed like Seila’s instinctive longing for family was acting up strongly.

‘Where did Garen go?’

Maybe he used my coming-of-age as an excuse to ditch.

Did he think he could relax now that he showed his face?

I had no idea what his promise with the Princess of Secrets was either.

At the moment, the only person I could call my companion was Mary.

I knew the Temanon couple was deliberately keeping their distance for my sake, but still—I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

‘I thought I’d be fine on my own.’

I wasn’t.

I found myself wishing someone was by my side.

My father obviously wasn’t here. Neither were my two brothers.

‘I have such good people around me, though.’

Mary was here, chattering beside me.

The Temanon couple, watching over me in their own quiet way from afar.

Hamune, who supported me with the kindest gaze.

Even little kitten Jermiel.

And yet, there was still this unfillable thirst.

It was probably because Seila’s body and my own memories were clashing.

Seila instinctively craved her father’s love.

Meanwhile, I had grown up showered in a father’s affection.

Had I never known love, it would’ve been easier. But Seila’s body, having tasted love through my memories, now longed for her father’s love even more.

‘No, Seila. Dephelto is a lost cause. It’s better not to even think of him as your dad. After how he treated you, craving love from him just makes you a fool, right?’

That’s what my head said, but the hollow feeling didn’t go away.

It was truly something instinctual—nothing logic could fix.

‘Not having a family is… really sad.’

My dad had always been there—for school sports days, entrance ceremonies, parent-teacher conferences—every moment.

We made countless memories, all filled with love, so I’d never had time to feel anything like this.

‘This makes me feel really small.’

I thought I was the only one here without family.

So I believed.

* * *

Professor Demian, the youngest professor at Somarfi Academy, had taken leave, and the students erupted in cheers.

“Professor Demian’s classes are canceled for a whole week!”

“What? Are you serious? I can finally breathe again.”

The students at Somarfi found Demian’s classes brutally difficult.

For most students, his classes were a source of despair.

“Last time he made eye contact with me, I thought he was going to ask a question. I nearly died from the stress.”

“Ugh, his class is the one class I want to avoid. Can’t he go on permanent leave?”

Demian wasn’t particularly good at teaching others.

He was just too much of a genius. He didn’t understand that what was obvious to him wasn’t obvious to everyone else.

Most of his lessons boiled down to, “You just do it like this.”

“Did you do this week’s assignment?”

“Of course not. That wasn’t made for humans to complete.”

“All professors are tough, but Professor Demian is on another level.”

It was like even the most difficult problems bowed their heads before Demian.

No matter how hard something was, Demian would say, “Just do it. Why can’t you?”

But today, Demian was facing a very difficult problem of his own.

Should I kill them?

Galph.

And the three brats who followed him.

He wanted to make them suffer in the most horrific ways—but he held back.

Of all times, the Princess of Secrets is here.

Anyone else, maybe—but it was nearly impossible to fool the Princess of Secrets.

If a direct descendant of House Dvernon like him made a scene here, it would become a diplomatic nightmare between two prestigious houses.

As he sat quietly with a magic disguise masking his face and body, a voice spoke to him.

“Demian, why are you hiding like that?”

He glanced sideways and saw an unfamiliar man sitting next to him.

Only the Princess of Secrets could’ve seen through his disguise.

For some reason, she too seemed to be sitting there with her appearance changed.

“Isn’t it a good thing to attend your little sister’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

“…Then why are you hiding your face, Your Highness?”

“Hiding’s kind of my hobby, remember?”

The Princess of Secrets tapped Demian’s shoulder.

“Don’t cause any trouble here. It’ll splash back onto my little sister.”

She said “my” but the pronunciation was identical to “your” anyway.

Demian understood her meaning perfectly.

“Here,” she said.

It meant, “Anywhere else is fair game.”

If trouble happened somewhere else, she wouldn’t intervene.

Demian asked,

“Could you perhaps get me photos or personal details on them?”

“Why?”

“Because there’s a good chance they’ll be admitted to Somarfi Academy.”

“You’re not planning to use your status for something unfair, are you? That wouldn’t be good for my sister either.”

“What are you talking about?”

Demian shrugged and calmly replied.

“I plan to educate them with all my heart and sincerity—as a professor of Somarfi.”