Chapter 23: Shadows Behind the Academy Pillars

Prince Leonhardt's footsteps faded into the distance, leaving behind a soft echo blending with the noisy chatter of noble students in the academy's main corridor. The lingering scent of cinnamon and the chill of the morning wind seemed frozen in the air where he had stood moments ago. I remained rooted to the spot, my gloved fingers clenched so tightly that my nails nearly pierced my palms.

*Damn it. That prince actually knows something.*

How on earth could he detect mana distortion near my dorm room last night? Did he place magical scouts around the girls' dormitory, or is a male lead's magical sensitivity simply operating on an absurd level? Whatever the reason, this situation clarified one absolute truth: I was caught inside a spiderweb spun by multiple opposing forces simultaneously. On one side stood the Shadow Faction threatening to expose my secret and take my life, while on the other sat the crown prince tracking my every move with suspicion.

"Lady Alicia?"

A soft yet cautious voice broke my train of thought. I slowly turned my head to find my personal maid, Maria, standing with a silver tray laden with morning lecture notebooks. The girl's face looked pale, her eyes conveying deep concern.

"You're spacing out, my lady. Did you sleep poorly last night? Your face looks a bit pale even beneath your makeup," Maria whispered quietly, stepping closer with hesitation.

I took a deep breath, steadying a hammering heartbeat stirred by the poisoned dagger incident last night. As a villainess, I could never show vulnerability in front of anyone, not even my loyal maid. I had to maintain an impenetrable mask of arrogance.

"I am fine, Maria," I replied in a voice kept as cold and steady as possible, lifting my chin slightly higher. "The morning air is simply a bit too biting. Come along, we cannot afford to be late for Professor Vane's advanced magic class. My reputation as a top-tier student refuses to allow such a foolish delay."

Maria bowed respectfully, though the frown on her forehead showed she didn't entirely buy my excuse. We resumed walking down the magnificent white marble corridor, passing massive classical pillars adorned with glittering golden ornaments. Yet, the academy's grand architecture couldn't banish the cold creeping up my spine. Every shadow behind those towering pillars suddenly looked suspicious, as if unseen eyes watched my every move from the dark.

Upon arriving at the advanced magic lecture hall, the room was already nearly full. Noble students sat grouped according to social status and political factions. Whispered gossip erupted the moment I stepped past the carved wooden doorway. My presence always attracted attention, whether due to the Valerian family's military clout or my fierce rivalry with main characters in past magic exams.

I chose a seat in the middle row—a strategic position offering a clear view of the magic blackboard while letting me monitor who sat nearby. In the corner, Raven, the silver-haired youth with a gloomy aura who served as a key character in the novel, sat alone, staring blankly at his wooden desk. As I passed him, I could sense the mana around him shivering subtly, as though reacting to lingering ice energy still clinging to my cloak.

*That kid too... Why has he been glancing at me lately? In the original plot, Raven shouldn't have any specific interest in Alicia aside from bitter resentment toward her past arrogance.*

I exhaled softly, trying to ignore the piercing gazes from across the room, and pulled out my magic notebook and quill from a leather bag. Moments later, Professor Vane—a thin elderly wizard in a long gray robe with wire-rimmed glasses—entered holding a stack of thick parchment.

"Good morning, esteemed students," Professor Vane's raspy voice echoed across the room, cutting through remaining casual chatter. "Today we will cover advanced topics regarding pure element manipulation and methods for detecting hidden mana anomalies inside the body or surrounding environment. This topic is critical, given recent reports of rising wild magic activity outside academy surveillance boundaries."

Hearing Professor Vane's words, my eyes glanced briefly toward the classroom window. Did the academy administration already know about the assassin attack last night? Or was this merely a coincidence in the monthly curriculum?

"As a practical exercise," Professor Vane continued, placing a piece of white chalk on the large front desk, "I want you to form pairs. You must attempt to detect hidden mana fluctuations I've dispersed within this room, then neutralize them using your respective defensive elements. You have forty minutes. Please find your partners now."

The classroom erupted into commotion. Noble students began moving to find peers from equivalent social strata. I scoffed inwardly. In this hypocritical noble society, finding a working partner felt like picking which poison had the fewest side effects.

Before I could stand up and search for a quiet corner, a tall figure stopped right beside my desk.

I lifted my gaze, finding a young man with bright blonde hair and a fake, friendly smile gracing his lips—the young Duke from the Sterling clan, one of the primary political rivals of the Valerian family in the royal council.

"Lady Alicia, it seems we are fated to be practice partners this time," the young man said in a sweet tone hiding a thousand thorns beneath every word. "Considering your brilliantly shining ice magic during your duel against Prince Leonhardt recently, it's an honor to work with you. Or... perhaps you're hiding something that makes you uncomfortable partnering with me?"

I studied his face carefully. Behind his friendly smile and clear blue eyes, I knew precisely that his family orchestrated part of the political tension targeting the Valerians. A cold, subtle smile curved my lips, displaying an untouchable, arrogant villainess expression.

"A rather troublesome honor, Lord Sterling," I replied in a low, sharp voice, emphasizing every syllable of his name. "If you intend to sniff out Valerian family weaknesses through this small drill, I advise you to prepare yourself for profound disappointment."

The young man chuckled softly, though a sharp glint flashed briefly in his eyes. "You're always fascinating, Lady Alicia. Very well, let's see how strong your defense really is today."

As we began chanting basic spells to detect mana anomalies in the air, my thoughts drifted back to the poisoned dagger and last night's shadow faction threat. The real battle no longer took place on this academy exam stage, but within the dark shadows ready to strike at any moment. And I, Alicia, had no choice but to survive and destroy anyone reckless enough to shatter my future peace.