Chapter 23.
“…Then, Miss Estel. Would you show us a demonstration?”
At the instructor’s words, I summoned a spirit without hesitation.
“Undine.”
Kallia!Kallia!
In an instant, the classroom filled with lower water spirits—undines.
The undines flew joyfully through the air, chattering in voices only I and they could hear. There were easily more than thirty of them.
“Wow…”
One student couldn’t hold back and exclaimed.
A girl sitting next to him gave him a sharp glare and slapped the back of his hand with a smack.
The student who first exclaimed shut his mouth while rubbing his hand, but the look he alternated between the spirits covering the ceiling and me was one of awe and curiosity.
“How many lower spirits can you summon?”
“Well… I haven’t really counted, but…”
I calculated it quickly in my head.
“Probably about fifty.”
“Gasp.”
Another student couldn’t hide his surprise this time. Startled by his own voice, he quickly covered his mouth.
“…That’s truly impressive.”
The instructor didn’t show his amazement as blatantly as the students, but his tone betrayed it nonetheless.
“Ahem. If you all learn to use your strength efficiently, you’ll be able to summon even more spirits.”
A chime signaling the end of class rang. The instructor began tidying up the podium as he spoke.
“That’s all for today’s class.”
I dismissed the spirits and stood up. Just as I was about to leave the classroom, a scuffle broke out behind me.
“But… I’m really curious! How did she suddenly become able to summon spirits—and that skillfully?”
“Yeah, aren’t you curious? She’s even contracted with a mid-level spirit!”
“Shut up!”
They tried to hush their voices, but it was all clearly audible.
The student who said the last part looked up with a “shh” sound.
When our eyes met, her expression twisted. I stared back at her indifferently.
She was Helena’s friend.
The girls flanking her, whose wrists she was clutching, grumbled in discontent but didn’t approach me. They merely threw me occasional glances.
Leaving them behind, I walked out the door. The same sort of thing happened in the hallway.
Everyone—students, professors, and staff alike—couldn’t take their eyes off me.
Even in the past, I used to draw attention, but the nature of it had changed.
Where there used to be only disgust, contempt, and scorn, now there was curiosity—and wariness.
All this changed in just a week?
It hadn’t been long since I revealed I could summon spirits.
Yet even that short time had brought this much change.
I didn’t know what the imperial family or other nobles thought, but at least within the Academy, the open mockery and bullying had decreased.
That shift came after I won my power struggle with Madam Haydn and successfully summoned a mid-level spirit.
Those who used to torment me deliberately now either pretended not to see me or tried to avoid me altogether, probably fearing retaliation.
It was laughable.
When I had groveled for peace, comfort—even indifference—they ignored me.
But once I gave up, their attitude changed.
Is it human nature to kick a dog that licks your hand, but run from one that bares its fangs in rage?
Every time I thought that, I was reminded of Claude Valentine.
“Act weak. Be pitiful. People are kind to the weak.”
Just thinking about how utter nonsense that was.
I was lost in thought when I exited the building.
My day’s schedule was done, and I headed to the back of the building to visit the Valentina Forest.
I planned to practice controlling spirits by the pond.
It’s easier to concentrate when training in a place full of life, feeling the water directly.
The path behind the building was quiet. Few people passed here since the forest was off-limits and considered dangerous.
I was likely the only one granted special access for spirit training.
…Or so I thought.
“Hey.”
A familiar voice came from a little ways behind me. I froze instinctively.
“…Can we talk for a second?”
How bold, after all the times he tormented me—now he sounded almost sulky.
I paused to consider.
Do I have any reason to listen to this guy?
Nope.
Without hesitation, I resumed walking.
“Hey! Can’t you hear me?!”
The one who had just been calling me calmly now shouted in disbelief as I ignored him.
“Kallia Estel!”
I heard hurried footsteps approaching. With a sigh, I finally turned around.
“What do you want, Reedmore?”
He had come up close without me noticing. I stepped back and held up my hand.
“Don’t come any closer.”
“Alright.”
I thought he’d ignore me like always—he usually went out of his way to provoke me—but this time, he obediently stopped.
I remained wary.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it.”
Oddly, Reedmore struggled to speak. Gone were his usual taunts—“monster,” “wretched witch.”
He looked deflated, even awkward.
“I mean… um…”
He sighed at the ground, clicked his tongue at the sky, kicked dirt with his shoe—fidgeting annoyingly. I snapped.
“Did you become a mumbling idiot in the meantime?”
“How can you talk like that…”
My words must’ve hit a nerve—he finally raised his head and met my eyes.
But again, his shoulders slumped soon after.
At this point, I was honestly confused.
Did he eat something bad?
As the favored heir of the ducal house, that seemed unlikely.
The only recent events I knew of were my spirit-summoning revelation and his long private meeting with the Duke over the weekend.
Iyla had told me about it when I visited the mansion.
“The Duke summoned the young master to his office and talked alone for a long time. I happened to walk by when he left… and his expression looked really dark.”
What could the Duke have said?
While I was still wondering, Reedmore seemed to make up his mind and asked:
“…Why did you kick Miss Helena out?”
Regardless of his intent, that was absolutely the wrong question. My mood instantly plummeted.
“You’re still asking that kind of crap?”
“No, I mean—”
“Dumb and still stuck in the same place. Don’t you dare try to insert me into your pathetic little love story. Just hearing it disgusts me.”
“Wait, listen. I misspoke. That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh right—you owe me something, don’t you?”
A memory I had tucked away resurfaced.
Madam Haydn, the scattered belongings on the floor, his mocking face—
Reedmore’s expression darkened. He stepped forward and reached out a hand.
“The reason I called you—”
“Don’t come any closer!”
I slapped his hand away and backed off.
“Undine.”
A surge of power escaped me. The mid-level spirit coiled behind me and revealed her form.
Reedmore clutched his stinging hand, his expression going stiff.
The oppressive aura of a mid-level spirit and my hostile stance thickened the air.
He bit his lip and shouted.
“Do you have to react like this? I just wanted to talk!”
“Think about what you’ve done to me. And then ask that question.”
“I—sigh…”
His eyes flickered nervously. He placed a hand on his forehead and paced.
“Damn it, I’m confused too!”
“I have no idea what you’re rambling about. If you’re going to spout nonsense, stop wasting my time and mutter to yourself elsewhere.”
My voice came out in a low growl, like a beast.
My body tensed into battle posture. My whole frame heated up, heart racing.
But my mind was cold.
It was a mistake to give him a chance to talk. I should’ve just ignored him.
He was going to bring up Helena and blame me anyway—no doubt.
“You’re not even letting me talk!”
“I gave you plenty of chances! What more do you want?”
By then, even his feigned innocence cracked.
I saw a flash of that familiar hostility—just like during that August at the Duke’s estate.
“When someone asks to talk, can’t you at least listen?! You’re so aggressive!”
Splash!
Undine whipped her tail, and a massive splash of water poured onto his head.
Reedmore’s jet-black hair and expensive clothes were instantly soaked.
Only his red eyes glowed between the strands dripping down his face.
He wiped his face slowly with a muttered curse.
“Damn it…”
I glared and coldly declared:
“Whatever you were going to say, I’m not interested. So go talk to a rock or cry to your loyal servants or whatever.”
I couldn’t stand looking at him anymore. I turned and walked away.
I kept alert, just in case he tried something from behind—but felt no presence.
Only when the entrance to the forest came into view did I start to relax.
My stiff shoulders loosened.
“Undine, you can go back now.”
She gently wagged her tail and disappeared.
Even after sending her away, I still felt drained from the emotional strain of the encounter.
I didn’t push myself. I walked slowly down the only open trail.
But near the forest’s edge, behind a thick tree, I spotted someone standing. The hem of a skirt and a few limbs stuck out from behind the trunk.
Who…?
I approached curiously—but with each step, my heart beat louder. My instincts knew before my brain did.
I stopped.
The person behind the tree turned to face me.
Red hair fluttered with the motion of her head. She spoke.
“Let’s talk.”
My lips moved on their own as I whispered her name.
“Helena.”
