Lilith's face flushed a deep red instantly, turning even more vibrant than the morning glow outside her window.
She snatched the silk handkerchief from Layla and messily covered her face, trying to hide her momentary panic and a strange, inexplicable bashfulness.
"Hmph! As if he'd dare to look down on me!"
Her voice came out muffled from beneath the silk, carrying the usual arrogance of a princess, but upon closer listening, her confidence seemed a bit lacking.
As the Second Princess of the kingdom, she had been the center of everyone's affection since birth.
A magic prodigy rarely seen in a century, she had mastered the prototype of Flame Burst at the age of ten, making her the focus of attention wherever she went.
She had always acted according to her whims—a bit willful, a bit overbearing—but no one had ever truly dared to look down on her, at least not to her face.
That Greg Sass... that guy who was abandoned by his family and was hiding in a dark dungeon... what right did he have to look down on her?
Despite her indignant thoughts, Lilith's movements as she wiped her face and neck were unconsciously more careful and thorough than usual.
The warm, damp silk brushed against her skin, providing a refreshing sensation that helped cool her heated head slightly.
"Don't get the wrong idea!"
She pulled the handkerchief away, her face still red, as she tried to find an excuse for her sudden attention to her appearance.
"It's only because today is the important Placement Exam! As a princess, I must attend in my best state! It's—it's not for any other reason!"
Layla watched her mistress's clumsy attempt to cover things up, a knowing smile flickering in her eyes behind her glasses.
She didn't point it out. Instead, she simply took the used handkerchief and handed over a prepared face cream—one inlaid with tiny magic crystals for moisturizing and refreshing effects—her tone remaining steady.
"Yes, Your Highness. Today is an important day, and it is only right to face it in your best condition."
Lilith pursed her lips, took the cream, and applied it carefully.
The cool touch on her fingertips and the faint floral scent gradually calmed her frantic thoughts.
After quickly applying the cream, she stuffed the jar back into Layla's hand and stood up, heading toward the ornate wardrobe. "I'll change into a new set of clothes while I'm at it."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Layla stepped back with a smile and skillfully brought out the well-tailored Glory Cael Magic Academy uniform, along with a light-colored undershirt embroidered with the Kahn royal crest.
The process of changing was quiet and swift.
When Lilith stood before the full-length mirror again, she looked completely refreshed.
Her smooth, shiny red hair had been woven by Layla's nimble hands into an elegant yet energetic hairstyle, adorned with several low-key but exquisite flame-patterned hairpins.
The well-fitted dark academy uniform perfectly outlined the young woman's developing figure, with gold piping and buttons shimmering in the morning light.
Her shirt was white and crisp, and her neck was tied with a deep red bow representing the first-year class.
Stockings hugged her straight, slender calves, and her leather shoes were polished to a shine.
The bedraggled "Lily Carlo" from yesterday by the dungeon's underground river had vanished.
Standing in the mirror now was the noble Second Princess of the Kahn Kingdom, the highly anticipated genius freshman of Glory Cael Academy, the radiant Lilith Kahn.
She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. In her ruby-like eyes, the lingering confusion and complex emotions from yesterday were entirely suppressed, replaced by a glow of pride and self-confidence.
After enjoying a nutritionally balanced but not overly lavish breakfast, Lilith walked out of the royal dormitory, full of energy.
The morning air at the academy was fresh, carrying the scent of flowers and grass.
The clamor of students heading toward the examination grounds could already be heard in the distance.
Lilith's mood was exceptionally excited, even somewhat impatient.
She certainly remembered that annoying Greg's confident prediction—that she, Lilith Kahn, would be defeated in the Placement Exam by that commoner Victoria, who would trick her into wasting her Flame Burst with a feint!
What a joke!
She was Lilith Kahn!
The genius who had touched the threshold of Flame Burst at ten years old!
A future pillar of the kingdom!
How could she possibly lose so easily to another freshman!?
"Hmph, just you wait, Greg Sass."
Lilith clenched her fists, and tiny sparks of fire flashed across her fingertips for a moment.
"Today, I will use facts to show you just how wrong your prediction is!"
She was going to win.
Not just win, but win beautifully and without any suspense!
Then, after the exam was over, she would go to the dungeon again, find that guy, and let him see the posture of a victor for himself, enjoying the sight of his dumbfounded, stupid face!
Thinking of that scene, the corners of Lilith's mouth curled up unconsciously, and her steps became lighter and more forceful as she headed toward the examination grounds.
...
The morning sun filtered through the gaps of Glory Cael Magic Academy's towering spires, casting dappled shadows on the clean stone path.
Freshmen gathered in small groups, heading toward the massive circular arena in the center of the academy with feelings of nervousness or anticipation.
Victoria and Silvia walked side by side through the crowd.
"Victoria."
Silvia leaned slightly closer to her friend, her lowered voice carrying obvious concern.
"Did you see the match list posted on the bulletin board this morning? Your first official opponent... is actually Her Highness Lilith."
Victoria's gray eyes looked straight ahead, her expression unchanged as she gave a soft "Mm."
Silvia continued, "I've looked into it. Although her level is about the same as ours, around Level 15, she's already able to use Flame Burst. You must be careful not to get hurt."
Faced with her friend's worry, Victoria stopped in her tracks.
She turned around, looked at Silvia's face full of concern, and suddenly reached out to ruffle her soft pink hair.
"Don't worry."
The corner of Victoria's mouth curled into a confident arc, her gray eyes sparkling in the morning light. "There's no way I'm going to lose to her."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable certainty.
About to face the famous genius princess, any other freshman would likely be restless or even lose heart before the battle started.
But in Victoria's heart, there wasn't even a ripple of fear.
Her confidence stemmed from a past unlike any other.
Unlike most noble children who learned theory in greenhouses and practiced standardized combat, Victoria's childhood had been spent amidst the mud and dangers of a frontier village.
Those experiences of struggling on the brink of life and death had given Victoria a calm judgment and precise magic control far beyond her peers, as well as a sharp intuition for finding a chance for victory under extreme pressure.
It was combat experience exchanged for countless brushes with death, something that couldn't be simply measured by level or the number of spells mastered.
Not to mention, she also had the Hero's Protection.
She firmly believed that with these, she wouldn't lose to anyone.
Whether it was a so-called noble genius or the princess of the kingdom.
And...
Victoria unconsciously gripped the Reflection Gem in her pocket.
The cold, crystalline edges pressed against her palm, providing a clear sensation.
This time, she had a reason why she absolutely could not lose.
It wasn't just to win better resources from the Placement Exam, but also because... she didn't want to be made a laughingstock by a certain annoying guy currently hiding in the dungeon!
At the thought of Greg Sass potentially watching her lose to Lilith with that half-smile and playful gaze, Victoria felt an inexplicable fire flare up in her heart.
Although logic told her that the villain should be fighting monsters in some corner of the dungeon right now and couldn't possibly see the exam, the subtle feeling of not wanting to "lose" to a certain expectation was exceptionally strong.
"Let's go, Silvia."
Victoria let go, resumed her pace, and her gaze became even sharper. "I will definitely win this time."
Rate on N.U.
