Chapter 28
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Volume 3 + Chapter 28: Punishment
The magic Xia Yi released was a little too powerful—likely strong enough to break through the defensive spell the magic faculty teachers at Laurel Tree Academy had set in advance.
If she ended up not only piercing the defensive spell but also shattering the target behind it, well, that would be a bit much.
What was a magician stronger than the teachers themselves doing applying to an academy?
Highly suspicious, to say the least.
So Xia Yi quickly thought on her feet.
If her magic didn’t actually hit the target, then there’d be no problem at all!
She might even use this poor showing to balance out the over-performance earlier and bring her score down.
That way, her overall evaluation would shift from “a once-in-a-century magical genius” to “a young mage with promise.”
Let the act begin!
Xia Yi’s expression changed swiftly, putting on a flustered, panicked look.
“N-No! This is bad!! I can’t control it!!”
Her hands began trembling, making it look like she had lost control of the Lightning Blade spell. But secretly, she was guiding the spell carefully—so it veered away from the target and slammed into the wall, blowing a hole in it.
“If she couldn’t control it, why’d she try to show off?! Just to fight for first place? Was that necessary?!”
“Wait, that spell’s coming this way!”
“Is she crazy?! Trying to blow us up?! Run!!”
The crowd started to panic.
The teachers of the magic department had obviously seen situations like this before. One of them quickly summoned a wand and cast a protective shield over the other students.
The lightning arced through the air like a crazed serpent, writhing out of control and changing direction—
CLANG!
A flash of swordlight split the serpent’s head apart. The Lightning Blade was also shattered in the same instant.
Hill had stepped in.
She sheathed her sword—her movements clean and precise.
Exactly as Xia Yi had expected. With Hill watching from the sidelines, there was no way she’d just stand by. In the end, it became a harmless “minor accident.”
“It’s fine. Teacher Hill will handle it!”
“As expected of Teacher Hill!”
“If I had any talent in swordsmanship, I’d sign up for the swordsmanship department immediately…”
The students started murmuring in awe.
The proctor came forward, speaking with a heavy tone,
“Miss Xia Yi, your performance just now was quite poor. While I understand the desire to excel, if you don’t have the control or strength to match, don’t recklessly use unstable magic. It could result in severe consequences for both yourself and those around you.”
“S-sorry…”
Xia Yi lowered her head.
The proctor showed a faint look of regret. In the final test, Xia Yi hadn’t quite met the expectations of a prodigy. Still, overall, she showed potential and was worth cultivating.
“Miss Xia Yi, your entrance exam is now complete. We will notify you once the results are available,” the proctor said. “You may leave or stay and observe the exams of the remaining students.”
“Okay.”
Xia Yi nodded and stepped down from the platform.
Sigh.
Hill let out a quiet sigh. Based on the overall performance, Xia Yi might not have been perfect, but she certainly had what it took to enter Laurel Tree Academy.
Hill had hoped that if Xia Yi didn’t perform well in the magic exam and got eliminated, she could immediately recruit her to the swordsmanship department—but that chance was now gone.
Though she understood logically that she should give up, she just couldn’t stop thinking about Xia Yi.
But… Why?
Hill pondered.
She remembered the time she went to Golde with her students to research a difficult project in hopes of being promoted to senior instructor. She had gotten into danger protecting the students.
In her hazy consciousness back then, she’d felt her teacher standing protectively in front of her, bathing her in the warm light of the holy sword.
Suddenly, she froze.
Why did thinking of Xia Yi always connect to that memory?
…
“I’m back.”
Xia Yi stood in front of Norma.
Norma didn’t quite dare look her in the eye.
“The… exam? How’d it go?”
“Not bad.”
“…Really?”
“Norma, is there anything you’d like to say to me?” Xia Yi asked, smiling gently.
But somehow, Norma found the smile terrifying.
“N-nope! Nothing!”
“Alright. Let’s head back.”
Xia Yi didn’t seem to care much on the surface.
“Oh… okay.”
Norma was confused. Was Xia Yi not angry at all? Could this little loli really be so forgiving?
Too embarrassed to ask, she simply followed Xia Yi back to Bellen.
…
Over the next few days, Xia Yi remained at the Lawrence family estate, waiting for the Laurel Tree Academy’s notice.
At first, Keith tried to keep up appearances around her, but soon couldn’t hold back. He went back to partying day and night.
Norma kept to herself, training every day while avoiding Xia Yi.
Xia Yi, meanwhile, stayed in the estate, studying the Lawrence family history and questioning the servants to ensure she didn’t slip up in the future.
Until—finally—the notice from Laurel Tree Academy arrived.
“Miss Xia Yi, this is your letter.”
A servant handed it to her.
Xia Yi looked at the envelope—sure enough, it bore the academy’s seal. It must be her exam result.
She didn’t open it right away.
“Fetch Master Keith and Norma for me.”
“Master Keith is still sleeping…” the servant replied hesitantly. “He was out late with friends last night and only just returned.”
“Wake him up.”
“But…”
“But what? Would you rather I walk in there with a bucket of ice water and pour it on him? Or set his room on fire so he wakes up on his own?”
The servant froze—realizing he had no choice.
He didn’t know…
Xia Yi really would do it. In the Dragon Palace, she was nothing less than a little tyrant.
After a while, Norma came, pretending like nothing had happened. She gave Xia Yi a casual greeting.
Soon after, Keith arrived, dark circles under his eyes. Clearly not pleased, but unable to show it.
“Miss Xia Yi, what’s the matter?” he asked politely.
“This,” Xia Yi held up the letter, “is from Laurel Tree Academy. The exam results.”
“Oh? How’d it go?”
“I haven’t looked yet. I thought—if it’s good news—I should share it with you both.”
“Ahaha…” Keith laughed awkwardly.
Right in front of them, Xia Yi opened the letter and read its contents:
“…Xia Yi Lawrence, we formally invite you to join the Magic Department of Laurel Tree Academy as one of our students.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful news! Congratulations, Miss Xia Yi, you’ve passed the exam!” Keith clapped. “Now you can study at the academy, just as you hoped!”
“Wait, the magic department…?” Norma was stunned.
“Norma, what are you doing?” Keith glared at her.
Norma clapped stiffly.
“C-congratulations.”
“Yes, it’s the magic department, not swordsmanship. Surprised, are you, Norma?” Xia Yi turned her gaze on her.
“…”
Norma froze, her movements turning stiff.
Keith sensed something was wrong.
What had happened between his niece and this VIP?
This should be a joyous moment—so why the tension?
“Miss Xia Yi, is something wrong with my niece?” Keith asked.
“Norma, aren’t you going to explain to your uncle? Or… shall I do it?” Xia Yi said.
“I…”
“Norma! What did you do? Tell me everything. As head of the Lawrence family, I command you!”
With Keith demanding answers, Norma had no choice but to confess.
After hearing it all, Keith was dumbfounded. His whole body shook with rage.
He wanted to scream at this idiot niece—you’re seventeen and acting like a kindergartener?!
After thinking for a moment, the Lawrence patriarch had an idea.
“Heh heh… I’m truly sorry, Miss Xia Yi. From now on, I’ll leave Norma to you. You can punish her however you like—as long as it pleases you!”
“Uncle?!”
“Miss Xia Yi, I’ll take my leave. Make sure to properly discipline my niece. You don’t need to check with me about anything!”
Keith forced a smile, then shot Norma a fierce warning glare—
BANG!
He slammed the door shut and left.
Xia Yi stood up and walked past Norma.
“Come on, Norma.”
“Where… are we going?”
“To my room,” Xia Yi said. “There aren’t many people there. No matter what we do, no one will find out.”
“Huh?!”
Norma panicked, completely at a loss.
…
In Xia Yi’s room, it was just the two of them.
Xia Yi seemed in a good mood.
Norma, meanwhile, kept her head down—utterly flustered.
“What’s wrong, Norma? Can’t own up to what you did?”
“…”
“You claim to
want to be a knight, but your actions betray every knightly virtue,” Xia Yi sneered. “You can’t even admit your mistakes—how could you possibly become a good knight?”
Norma clenched her fists.
That struck a nerve.
She muttered an apology—
“Sorry…”
“Hm? Was that a mosquito buzzing just now?”
Norma bit her lip in humiliation, then raised her voice,
“Sorry.”
“Oh? Is someone speaking to me?”
“I’m sorry, Xia Yi!!”
“Oh~ So you do know how to apologize.”
Xia Yi smiled.
Norma remembered—that same smile she saw right after the exam.
Pitch black.
“And what should someone do after making a mistake?” Xia Yi pressed.
“Accept punishment…”
“Very good.”
Xia Yi sat down on the bed, her legs in white stockings crossing elegantly as she tilted her foot.
For someone who dreams of becoming a knight… what would they fear the most?
The dark-hearted little princess stared at Norma, and came up with a delightfully fitting punishment.
—
[Author’s Note: This chapter is 3,000 characters—consider it a special bonus update!]
