Chapter 53: A Little Peek Doesn’t Count

The next day, at the magic class, Silia was surprised by an unexpected visitor before the lesson began.

“Little Chloe? What’re you doing here?”

She hurried over, grabbing Chloe’s hand and pulling her to sit.

“Um… Her Majesty said she wanted to test my skills, so we agreed on a duel in a week. Then she gave me a week off work to prepare however I want.”

“Huh? You’re fighting Mother? For real?”

“She said she won’t attack. I just need to touch her once to win.”

Even so, Chloe felt it was tough.

In her past life, even as a Sword Saint, she barely landed a hit on Larvia.

But she couldn’t lose—Larvia had upped the stakes.

If she won, Larvia would restore her docked month’s pay.

If she lost, she’d replace Sheffield as Larvia’s personal maid for a month.

Carrying the name of Sword Saint, she couldn’t afford to lose.

“So, Silia, you don’t mind me joining your class, right?” Chloe asked tentatively.

“Of course not!” Silia waved it off. “I’ve always wanted to take magic classes with you!”

“Huh? Why?”

“Magic classes often involve practical combat. Let me tell you, those guards I spar with always go easy on me. And that old man…”

She sneaked a glance at Reginald on the podium, then whispered quickly in Chloe’s ear, “I’m afraid I’ll break him.”

She gave Chloe a knowing wink.

“Hm…”

Silia’s concern wasn’t baseless.

Reginald was over 1,000 years old.

Tall and thin, with white hair and a long beard down to his chest, he looked frail, like he’d collapse any moment.

Rumor had it Reginald was once a renowned mage, but after a severe injury, he never fully recovered and couldn’t handle combat.

So, he joined the Blood Domain’s magic academy as a professor. Centuries later, after retiring, Larvia hired him to teach Silia.

As an experienced mage and professor, he was well-versed in most magic-related fields—spells, alchemy, formations, you name it.

But his rigid demeanor earned him plenty of behind-the-back grumbling from Silia.

“By the way, how strong is Professor Reginald?”

“Let’s see… if I recall, at his peak, he was pretty strong among sixth-tier mages.”

Sixth-tier… stronger than Chloe in her past life.

Knock, knock.

“Ahem, it’s about time. Let’s start the lesson.”

After the class, Chloe learned a few new spells.

As a Sword Saint, she’d been a fifth-tier mage, but her focus was swordsmanship, using magic mainly for buffs to enhance her sword techniques.

For other magic, she only knew basic attack spells like fireball and ice arrow, defensive ones like ice shield, and control spells like pit trap—entry-level stuff.

But even basic spells were favored by advanced mages.

Without chanting, they were versatile enough for most situations, and their power was flexible—less mana for weaker effects, more for stronger ones.

To test her progress, Chloe stepped onto the training field.

Silia was already waiting across from her.

Reginald stood outside the field.

Since this was part of their lesson, only the three were present.

Though Reginald appeared calm, he’d secretly prepared a water wall. If either risked injury, he’d instantly separate them.

“Begin when ready,” he said.

The moment he spoke, Silia raised her staff, flicking her hand to launch an instant fireball at Chloe.

Without thinking, Chloe swung her sword, slicing the fireball in half.

The heat brushed her face, but she didn’t flinch—she knew her strike had reduced it to raw mana, dissipating into the air.

“Phew…”

Chloe kept her eyes on Silia but glanced at Flux.

‘This sword’s really something.’

She marveled inwardly.

Like in her past life, even without blood mana, she wielded Flux as naturally as an extension of herself.

The only downside was its size.

At 130 cm, Flux was perfect for the old Sword Saint Chloe. Since Larvia’s reforged version replicated the original, it stayed 130 cm.

But now, as a barely-over-1.5-meter loli, Chloe wasn’t much taller than the sword.

She had to sling it diagonally across her back to move comfortably.

Of course, that was for public appearances.

It looked cooler.

When alone, she preferred hugging Flux—it was more convenient.

Gripping the sword with both hands, she decided to try her newly learned magic.

As a vampire, she’d only recently learned blood magic.

Chloe bit her lip, letting a drop of blood fall onto Flux.

The moment it touched, the sword’s red patterns flared. With a swing, half the training field was engulfed in crimson blood mist.

“Blood Mist!”

Since she specialized in swordsmanship, Chloe prioritized blood magic that enhanced her combat.

Like Blood Mist.

Within its range, everyone’s vision was obscured, including Chloe’s.

But she could sense every movement inside, down to the slightest breath. Plus, the mist boosted her strength and agility significantly.

‘A little peek doesn’t count as cheating.’

‘It’s my skill, so what?’

Silia, aware of Blood Mist’s power, tried to retreat.

But Chloe wouldn’t let her.

“Hmph, trying to run?”

She dashed forward, raising her sword toward Silia’s back.

With Reginald present, she didn’t worry about hurting her.

“Stop.”

A water wall rose instantly.

Chloe’s sword struck it, its force completely absorbed.

She recalled the Blood Mist.

“Class ends here. Chloe wins.”

Reginald spoke calmly, lowered the wall, and left.

“Little Chloe, you’re amazing…”

Silia, wiping sweat, leaned against Chloe from behind.

“Eh, just average—”

Chloe’s casual reply cut off.

She felt a chill on her backside.

“Oh? Little Chloe’s still wearing pink bear panties?”