n

n

n

"No! It's not like that! I would n-never do something like that! It-it's them! It's because of Keriul and Senria! I told them what happened and Keriul said I should go to sir Grazio! She said we need to get that darkness magician expelled! I was tricked! I would never do such a thing on my own! Miss Rokiana, I beg you, don't...!

"

nSifra exploded in a desperate cry and started pointing at the red-haired girl.

n

"Tsk... So you're not the one being manipulative, but the one who is easy to manipulate. That's honestly even worse.

"

nBut the blue-haired teacher wasn't moved by her cries and tantrums, she only clicked her tongue and shook her head in disappointment.

n

"I will notify my father about this, it may take a day or two, but I can promise you one thing already - you may consider your engagement to my younger brother annulled.

"

nRokiana Grea Perserios announce without a shred of hesitation in her voice.

n

"Also, for a starter, the three of you are suspended for a week, I'll talk to the principal about your real punishment later. Oh, and of course, I will notify your parents about how you three are spending your free time plotting against other students instead of studying, I'm sure that they will be thrilled to learn about that.

"

n

"....no...! NOOOOOOOOOOO....!

"

nAfter Rokiana has closed her mouth, Sifra fell on her knees and started wailing as if she suffered a fatal wound while the other two kept their mouth shut to not worsen their situation even more.

n----------

nMeanwhile, Zoemi was returning to the classroom and was dealing with the mana hangover, since he had a lot of mana potions in stock he decided to drink another one to completely clear the mana depletion.

nBut it was a mistake.

nHe had to deal with a splitting headache now and he felt some of his anger returning.

n|This whole situation must have been Grazio's plan! He and those girls must have spread rumors about me and that's why everyone was staring at me the whole morning!|

nThe black-haired boy gritted his teeth and pressed his hand to his head.

n|I wasn't paying attention to him and now I'm paying for that! What am I supposed to do about the rumor now?!

"

nHis own feelings got in a way of his master's happiness.

nZoemi couldn't forgive himself for that.

nThough since the blue-haired teacher herself said that everything was fine then maybe there wasn't too much to worry about...

n

"Zoemi!

"

n

"...!

"

nThe black-haired attendant with the ugly burn-scar deforming his right cheek flinched at the sound of his name.

nFor some reason, none other than his own master, Miriette, was running towards him with a worried expression!

n

"My lady...?

"

nZoemi exclaimed in surprise.

n

"What are you doing here?

"

n

"Zoemi! Do you know what kind of rumors about you are circulating through the academy!?

"

nThe dark-haired girl was red from anger as she asked him - but she didn't even wait for the answer.

n

"People are saying that you raped a girl from our class! What's that supposed to mean!?

"

n|You could have me anytime you wanted and you have actually forced yourself on another woman!?|

nMiriette was heartbroken and absolutely, utterly furious!

nZoemi felt a sharp pain in his chest.

n

"My lady, that's just a false accusation fabricated by sir Victureo and some girls from our class, I swear!

"

nHis face twisted in desperation and he put his right hand over his heart pleading innocence.

n

"Your servant would never disgrace you like that! Just now sir Victureo and the responsible girls confronted me about that rumor in an attempt to ruin my reputation but then a teacher came and everything has been cleared out!

"

nHe declared.

n

"Misunderstanding...?

"

nFrowning Miriette glared at Zoemi distrustfully.

n

"Indeed! Everything is the work of sir Victureo, he couldn't bear the humiliation he suffered at the end of the magic examination and did it as an act of revenge...!

"

n

"I'm sure of it – wait...! Oh no!

"

nThe black-haired boy thought but then bit his tongue as soon as he realized what he was saying.

nIt wasn't the facts!

nIt was only his speculations!

nAnd since Miriette hated Grazio almost as much as Zoemi did - then because of her personality she would...

n

"GRAZIO!

"

nMiriette straightened her back and shouted as a vengeful fire lit in her eyes.

n

"I am going to kill him this time for sure!

"

n

"My lady...!

"

nHer hair bristled like a forest of needles and she tried to walk past Zoemi but her attendant blocked her path.

n

"Zoemi, move! This world doesn't need that red-headed filth!

"

n

"My lady, no you can't, he may deserve that but you cannot do that!

"

nMiriette froze and looked at Zoemi with shocked eyes.

n|He said that Grazio deserves to die...? What has that trash done to my Zoemi now!?|

nShe thought to herself, more shaken than ever before.

n

"Zoemi, you don't have to worry, I'm going to shred him to pieces, I will not let him harm you anymore...!

"

nThe dark-haired girl announced with conviction.

n

"My lady?! No! You can't! If you harm him you'll get in trouble!

"

nThe black-haired boy gasped and shook his head.

n

"I don't care!

"

nThe dark-haired girl scoffed and shook her head.

n

"No, my lady! I beg of you! Everything's cleared out, someone from the faculty is already dealing with the problem, so it's fine, right? We can return to the classroom, right?

"

nZoemi desperately tried to stop his master from destroying her future, but she wasn't listening at all...!

n

"No need to bother the faculty - I'm going to crush him! I've been tolerating his presence for so long and that's how he pays me back for my mercy!?

"

nMiriette was boiling with blind fury and she wasn't listening to her attendant.

n

"My lady, you can't! If you would hurt another high-born noble, then even you will get in serious trouble!

"

n|Your happiness will be at risk! No, it won't be achievable anymore!|

n

"I don't care!

"

nMiriette shrugged him off and tried to pass him without looking sparing him a glance.

n|...no...! NO!|

nEven Miriette herself was a threat to her own happiness.

nNormally he would think about a different way to stop her but because of the headache caused by the mana hangover he simply lost his patience.

n

"Miriette, listen to me!

"

nZoemi's expression became strict - he grabbed his master's shoulder and pulled her back forcing her to face him.

n

"What are yo...!?

"

nShe asked with a frow but she couldn't finish because Zoemi grabbed her face and forced her to look at him, squishing her cheeks a bit in the process.

n

"No! You are not killing anyone! I'm not going to allow you to just destroy your own happiness because of me, Grazio, or anyone else! You are the most important person in my life and you will not ruin your future over some idiotic anger! Is that clear!?

"

nZoemi demanded in an ice-cold voice, staring at Miriette's with his lifeless eyes.

n

"Y-yesh.

"

nSince he was squishing her cheeks, Miriette's lips were shaped like a duck-face and her voice came out a bit distorted.

n

"Exactly. Now, we are returning to the classroom now and I don't want to hear a word about hurting Grazio!

"

n

"Ochay.

"

nOnly after he got that confirmation did Zoemi release Mieirette's face and grab her hand instead, leading her back to the classroom.

n

"...

"

nAs they walked, the black-haired boy managed to calm down...

n

"...!

nAnd halfway to the classroom, Zoemi realized what the hell did he had just done and said to his master.

n

"M-master, I'm so so...! Huh?

"

nHe turned around, shaking in fear at the thought of how furious the dark-haired girl must have become - but he closed his mouth when he actually saw her.

n

"...

"

nMiriette was toddling behind him with her head shyly down, just like an obedient child.

nShe wasn't angry or didn't run off to beat up Grazio, instead of letting herself be led wherever Zoemi was going.

n|That's... Unexpected...|

nThought the black-haired boy - but he wasn't someone who would question such a good outcome so he turned back and led his master back to their classroom in peace.

n---------

nAt the same time in Miriette's head...

n|I'm the most important person in his life!? That means he loves me! He wants my happiness! AAAHHH! I love him so much! And he was so assertive! Uh! He's so manly! I thought my heart would stop! His face was soo close! He's so handsome! He even touched my face! Oh my god! His hands were so warm! I don't want to wash my face ever again! No wait, he'll think I'm gross... Will he touch my face again if I ask him!? I'm his most important person after all! I should try that!|

nA pink-colored hurricane of love was swiping every other thought or emotion in its wake to the side.

n