Chapter 31
Who Says Magic Dueling Isn’t Magic?
Lady Reina’s methods shocked all the students.
It turned out that someone could openly use their privilege in front of everyone, and even Principal Merlin specifically came by to say something—
“Let her teach the students properly.”
Under Lady Reina’s pressure, the students had no time to think about the knowledge she was imparting. It felt as if someone was violently cramming the information into their brains.
“Hurry up and write it down, why are you dragging your feet?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be magic geniuses? How can you not even understand such a simple concept?”
“Tsk, I really don’t know why the academy even admitted you all. People say Henry is a nepotism case, but you’re not much better.”
Disappointment was written all over Reina’s face, dealing a heavy blow to these so-called geniuses.
“Henry, tell me—can men and women have pure friendships?”
Henry froze for a moment but quickly regained his composure.
Magic dueling is still magic! It seems Lady Reina truly lives up to her reputation as a magic instructor, deeply understanding the mysteries of magic!
“It exists when neither party is interested in the other.”
“Correct. You may sit down.”
The other students stared at Henry, their jaws nearly dropping. Was this still the Saint Nad Magic Academy they knew? How could such a question, completely unrelated to magic, even be asked?
One student, brimming with indignation, was about to raise a question—
But Reina’s next words left them stunned.
“You can’t even figure out relationships between men and women, and you think you’re ready to graduate? I’m afraid the moment you step out of this academy, some female cultist will seduce you, and you’ll end up leaking information that destroys your entire family!”
The students exchanged glances, but in the end, no one dared to speak up.
At that moment, Henry received a system notification—his mission was complete.
Luckily, the teacher had been switched midway, allowing him to finish the task so quickly. It seemed he’d have to prepare some gifts for Lady Reina next time he visited.
*****
Finally, the class ended. Henry felt that spending a day here was worse than going out to hunt cultists.
Still, he was curious about the high-quality seeds the system had given him.
After all, fruits in fantasy settings were incredibly useful! Some strengthened the body, some enhanced spiritual power, and some even allowed breakthroughs beyond one’s current level.
Though the world was different, people were still people. Even mages had the same physiology.
He eagerly opened his bag and inspected the contents with the system.
“What the heck is a ‘Papaya Spirit Fruit’?”
“And what’s this ‘Flowing Watermelon’?”
“Holy crap, ‘Ecstasy Strawberry’ sounds downright inappropriate!”
“And this ‘Primordial Yang Essence Peach’—could the name be any more obvious? It might as well scream what it’s for!”
Henry’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
To him, these items had nothing to do with physical enhancement. Had he really drawn such garbage this time?
He knew his luck with random rewards was bad, but this was ridiculous.
It seemed there were no shortcuts to training his body after all.
Henry glanced at his [Silver Body Technique] passive skill and sighed in disappointment.
Still, useless or not, he decided to plant them. It’d be a waste to just leave them lying around.
And if that Primordial Yang Essence Peach really worked, he could always sell it later. Who knew how many struggling couples it might save?
Thinking about it, Henry almost felt like a saint.
“Hiss—why does it feel colder lately? Looks like I’ll have to start my plans earlier.”
Rubbing his hands together, Henry’s expression turned serious.
He was about to do something big at the manor!
*****
Though it had been a day of theoretical classes, it didn’t affect Jessica at all.
If anything, having Henry around made the time pass less tediously.
Jessica recalled the first day they met—when she had pretended to be a damsel in distress to lure him into opening the door.
Ever since that incident, Henry sometimes looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes.
Jessica removed her outer garments and changed into a loose nightgown.
Her skin was like cherry blossom petals in spring, delicate and soft. Beneath that thin layer of skin, it was as if clear spring water flowed, emitting a faint pink glow.
Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Jessica slowly turned around.
On her back was a hideous scar.
Her slender fingers traced the mark lightly.
Though it no longer hurt, the memory of that despairing moment flashed through her mind.
Jessica shook her head violently, dispelling the dark thoughts.
“Knock knock.”
A sound came from the door.
“Your Highness, His Majesty the King requests your presence.”
“Wait a moment. I’ll change into something more appropriate.”
Jessica changed into casual attire and headed to the palace.
But she held no fondness for the palace.
No matter how many times she went, the stench of corruption never faded.
Jessica walked through the grand hall and arrived at the throne room, where a stern middle-aged man sat imposingly on the royal seat.
Seeing Jessica, the King showed no joy—only the detached demeanor of a ruler addressing a subject.
“For what reason has Your Majesty summoned me?”
Jessica knelt halfway, performing the proper etiquette.
“Jessica, congratulations on your enrollment. Additionally, we’ve uncovered some leads regarding the cultists you encountered at the farm.”
“What are their goals?”
Jessica couldn’t comprehend the situation.
The King waved his hand dismissively, his voice low.
“You need not concern yourself with this matter further. As a student of Saint Nad Magic Academy, your priority is to study and contribute to the Empire.”
Hearing her father’s words, Jessica lowered her head further.
No matter how much resentment she felt, she couldn’t openly defy him in front of the court!
“I understand.”
“Also, you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with that disowned son of the Rumelter Family.”
The mention of Henry made Jessica’s heart skip a beat.
She immediately raised her head to look at her father, but his expression remained unreadable.
“Father, Henry is—”
“Address me as ‘Your Majesty’!”
Joseph’s rebuke was sharp, as if the dignity of the throne could not be violated!
Jessica shuddered, then weakly bowed her head again.
Seeing her submission, Joseph snorted coldly before continuing.
“I don’t care what your reasons are—stay away from that troublemaker. A disowned son holds no value, even if he’s a student of Saint Nad Magic Academy.”
“……I understand.”
Jessica’s voice was lifeless. When she raised her head again, the light in her eyes seemed to have dimmed.