Chapter 415

Chapter 415: Betrayal

The legend grew increasingly intense and convincing… Ultimately, even the nobles and wealthy individuals who had been robbed came to believe it to a considerable extent. They flocked to the royal capital’s law enforcement agencies, clamoring for the arrest of the righteous thief.

Yet how could these law enforcement officers possibly apprehend the Stealth Ants, masters of stealth who could melt into shadows and even turn invisible? After days of fruitless investigation, the authorities could only issue bounty notices, plastering them throughout the capital while commissioning the Adventurer’s Guild to assist in the inquiry…

Nevertheless, progress remained elusive. Some posters displayed across the capital were secretly torn down by commoners who had received aid from the “righteous thief.” Capital residents spun various rumors about this figure based on both truth and fiction—tales that amused all listening ants.

None could connect the “righteous thief” to Magic Rainbow, Demon One, and Demon Two—teachers and students at the Magic Academy. Nor could they imagine the “righteous thief’s” true form being that of an ant monster. Except when dealing with noble-born girls.

Magic Rainbow occasionally sought out Ando at the academy to challenge her to duels. Once or twice, when issuing challenges before other faculty or students, Ando reluctantly accepted to save face. Predictably, she suffered sound defeats each time. Eventually, this instructor not only refused further challenges but would turn and walk away upon encountering Magic Rainbow in the corridors.

Beyond dueling Instructor Ando, Magic Rainbow next approached counselor Hank to challenge him, aiming to climb the faculty rankings. She chose Hank not only because of their prior clash during teacher evaluations, but also to avoid antagonizing other instructors…

For academy teachers, receiving challenges was thankless labor. Should challengers fail, the defender gained nothing while risking injury. Successful challengers inflicted worse consequences—wounds, lost rankings, and potential ridicule behind one’s back. Hank differed. After two months of proximity and interaction, his fondness for Magic Rainbow was evident to all. Victory or defeat mattered little to him. Moreover, as the sole apprentice of the kingdom’s Chief Mage, Hank remained beyond reproach among the faculty.

When Magic Rainbow demonstrated significantly enhanced abilities, Hank suffered undeniable defeat—a comprehensive loss he acknowledged wholeheartedly despite employing every technique.

“Miss Magic Rainbow’s progress these past two months is truly astonishing,” remarked the young man, unbothered by surrendering his third-place ranking while regarding her with amazement.

“Though this may seem boastful…” Magic Rainbow paused, her expression earnest. “I’ve possessed exceptional talent in magic since childhood.”

“Heh, that much is evident,” Hank replied with a smile.

“Mastering over a dozen low-tier spells, four intermediate-tier spells, and creating the ‘Magic Transform’ casting technique in such brief time? This transcends mere talent—it’s the mark of a one-in-ten-thousand magical prodigy,” concurred Mrs. Ada from nearby.

Her praise actually covered only a fraction of Magic Rainbow’s recent magical acquisitions. Beyond routine teaching duties, the instructor had devoted most hours to library research and magical study.

Though inwardly acknowledging her own genius, Magic Rainbow revealed nothing of the sort upon hearing the Vice Dean’s compliments, instead responding with practiced modesty… Thus did she secure the third position in the faculty rankings.

Consequently, not only did her salary improve, but certain ancient magical texts from the academy’s collection also became accessible to her.

To Magic Rainbow’s surprise, these ancient tomes contained several remarkably potent intermediate spells. Moreover, she even discovered a high-level spell named “Earthfire Hell.”

“Earthfire Hell”: A rare high-tier wide-area offensive spell. Upon activation, it causes the ground within its range to erupt with countless high-temperature flame pillars, incinerating all existence.

She had previously heard of this advanced skill from Lin Yu, who mentioned it as one of three gift options when advancing to Class S.

Judging by its name and description, this magic might lack the precision of “Rain Blade Storm,” yet its destructive power could potentially surpass it—after all, both belong to the same tier of wide-area magic.

Naturally, mastering high-level spells proves exceptionally challenging. According to Mrs. Ada, only Merleau, the kingdom’s Chief Mage, can currently wield “Earthfire Hell.”

And “wield” is all he can manage; Merleau hasn’t fully mastered this magic, preventing it from manifesting as a skill on his Attribute Panel.

The disparity between partial and complete mastery is significant.

Without full mastery, not only do spell accuracy and potency drastically diminish, but casting failure also becomes a tangible risk.

…

Mrs. Ada indicated that ascending further in the teacher rankings would grant access to additional ancient magical texts.

Yet upon learning this, Magic Rainbow refrained from immediately challenging the top two instructors. Instead, she immersed herself in studying the acquired tomes, resolving to master their spells before pursuing further challenges.

This caution stemmed from her currently displayed rank within the academy. Defeating the ostensibly higher-ranked top two teachers might arouse suspicion.

Ironically, Magic Rainbow’s restraint reinforced Ada’s impression of her as “neither arrogant nor impatient.”

These truly lived up to their reputation as ancient magical texts. Despite Magic Rainbow’s extraordinary talent and her skills “Talent of Magic” and “Magic Master,” deciphering the recorded spells proved unexpectedly arduous. The intermediate spells were challenging, while the advanced “Earthfire Hell” proved even more formidable.

Difficult, however, did not mean impossible.

If the learning process were visualized as a progress bar, Magic Rainbow’s advancement—though gradual—steadily progressed toward full mastery.

…

During the final days of that month:

Amid increasingly exaggerated rumors about the “Righteous Thief,” Magic Rainbow received new intelligence from Stealth Ants concealed within the Minister of Finance’s residence—beyond her magical studies.

The report made Magic Rainbow’s eyes gleam abruptly.

The message revealed: Rogier is secretly colluding with a spy from the Eastern Deta Empire, leaking Rollo Kingdom intelligence… Their interaction appeared habitual, suggesting a long-established liaison.

Despite their extreme vigilance, how could they evade Stealth Ants entrenched within the estate for so long?

“The Minister of Finance conspires with imperial spies…”

Magic Rainbow murmured the Stealth Ants’ report once more, a faint smile touching her lips.

“I intended to delay dealing with you… but now, why not have the ‘Righteous Thief’ assist? Heh… treason carries grave consequences.”