Chapter 31: The Day the Nightmare Began

The misfortune that befell Abet that day felt like a nightmare.

On the day of the entrance ceremony, a day she had eagerly awaited, she was kidnapped in the middle of the city by unknown men.

Her memories of that time were hazy at best. All she could recall was that the scenery outside the carriage had suddenly turned pitch black.

By the time she regained consciousness, she had already been released.

Questions plagued her mind.

Who were the kidnappers?

Why did they let her go?

She soon found out the answer.

That was when the nightmare truly began.

The Living Room of the Mansion

“I’m off to school.”

Dressed in her school uniform, Abet greeted her mother warmly in the morning. However, the only response she received was silence.

Her mother, Helena, lay motionless in bed. Having endured two devastating catastrophes—her husband’s suicide and the downfall of their family—she had been sick for days, refusing to eat or drink anything.

Abet opened the curtains, letting sunlight flood the shadowed room.

“The weather is nice today. How about a short walk?” she suggested with a bright expression, hoping to lift her mother’s spirits.

Helena remained unresponsive.

Abet forced an awkward smile and stepped out of the room. “I’ll leave breakfast by the door. Make sure you eat before it gets cold.”

The mansion was eerily quiet.

The red carpet was disheveled in places, and signs of neglect were evident throughout.

All the servants had quit, unable to bear the disgrace of working for a fallen house.

Abet’s expression turned bitter. The abrupt departure of people she had treated like family was painful, but she understood their decision.

“I can’t work for a traitor’s family…”

Suppressing her sorrow, she refocused and steadied herself.

The real battle was about to begin.

She had to go to Edem Academy.

There, she would face her nemesis—and the princess of Helatos, the biggest victim of her family’s disgrace.

At the Academy

As soon as Abet entered the classroom, silence fell.

She expected it and silently walked to her seat.

Two students stood out to her.

One was Angelica, her long-time rival. The other was a girl with waist-length gray hair, sitting by the window.

Lucy Deviluke.

A princess of a fallen kingdom, betrayed by her own father, who had sold her to the enemy to save himself.

Abet knew who she was immediately, even though they had never met before.

She glanced at Lucy, but the princess quickly averted her gaze.

‘I guess she despises me too.’

The princess had been kidnapped and nearly executed because her father sided with the enemy.

Even though it wasn’t Abet’s fault, she understood why Lucy would resent the child of a traitor.

Sitting down, Abet braced herself.

As if on cue, Angelica and her faction surrounded her, hurling insults. They even dredged up her father’s suicide, their words cutting deep.

Among them were Amel and Beichel—former friends who had now joined Angelica’s side.

“I thought you’d drop out naturally, but I was surprised to see you boldly coming to school.”

Angelica smirked. “Why don’t you just leave instead of contaminating our academy?”

Abet clenched her fists.

Dropping out was not an option.

With her family branded as traitors, she and her mother would face relentless persecution anywhere in Helatos. Her rivals even demanded their expulsion from the country.

Her only chance at survival was to become stronger.

Fortunately, she had been born with powerful magical abilities and a unique “gift.”

Edem Academy was the only place that could nurture her potential.

She had to stay.

The Cafeteria

Curiosity piqued, Lucy entered the academy’s extravagant cafeteria. Unlike ordinary school dining halls, this place resembled a high-end hotel restaurant, with chefs working over open flames.

“Omelette, please.”

A tray was handed to her, containing an omelette, black tea, and fruit for dessert.

Lucy scanned the dining hall, searching for a seat.

Two options presented themselves:

One at Angelica’s table.

The other at a table where Abet sat alone, intentionally shunned by others.

Angelica noticed Lucy and waved. “Lucy! Over here!”

Only one seat was conspicuously left empty beside her.

Lucy hesitated. If she sat there, it would seem as if she was actively isolating Abet.

Instead, she set her tray down across from Abet.

Angelica gasped audibly.

“I’ll enjoy my meal,” Lucy said, picking up her utensils.

Abet’s eyes widened.

‘Why is she sitting with me?’

“Is there something on my face?” Lucy asked.

“!? Oh… no.” Abet quickly looked away, but her curiosity lingered.

They ate in silence until only dessert remained.

Lucy’s tray had a selection of fruits. Abet’s had pudding.

Lucy’s gaze lingered on the pudding, disappointment flashing across her face.

Abet noticed and hesitated before offering, “Would you like some?”

“May I?”

“Yes.”

Lucy didn’t refuse. She accepted the pudding and savored it.

Abet watched her quietly, then bit his lip before finally speaking. “Um…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry.”

Lucy tilted her head.

Abet hesitated before saying, “My father…”

Lucy understood instantly.

“It’s not your fault. No parent would let that happen.”

Abet’s emerald eyes wavered.

Lucy had never blamed her father. He had done what any parent would do to protect their child.

“Rather…” Lucy stopped herself from saying, If I had been there, your father wouldn’t have died.

Instead, she stood up. “I’ll be going now.”

Abet looked at her, gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you.”

For some reason, Lucy didn’t look back.

Edem Garden – Afternoon Class

Andreyan led the students to a small forest in the academy’s backyard.

“This morning, we practiced with staffs. Now, we’ll learn how to handle demons.”

The word ‘demon’ sent tension through the class.

“There’s no need to worry,” Andreyan reassured them. “The ones here are low-level and non-aggressive.”

The tension eased, and some students even became excited, treating it like a picnic.

“For today’s exercise, you’ll work in pairs to tame a low-level beast using magic.”

“Why pairs? Wouldn’t it be easier as a group?” someone asked.

“Noise disturbs the beasts, and we need proper conditions for the test to work.”

The students reluctantly agreed and prepared for a lottery draw to determine partners.

One by one, they drew numbers from a wooden box.

When Lucy’s turn came, she reached in and pulled out a slip.

‘Number 7.’

“Who’s my partner?” she asked.

Abet hesitantly approached her, holding up his slip.

It had the same number.

Their gazes met.

The first test of trust was about to begin.