Chapter 6: Raven’s Shadow and Escalating Misunderstandings

The cold night air began to creep upward, enveloping the courtyard of the magic academy's dormitory. 

I sat leaning back against my study chair, staring blankly at a cup of herbal tea that had already gone cold on the wooden table. 

Today was truly exhausting. 

Not because of magic training or assignments from Professor Orion, but rather because of my own head constantly spinning with how chaotic the ongoing storyline had become. 

*In the original novel, Alicia was supposed to be shunned by everyone due to her cruel nature. But why on earth am I now being invited to be friends by the heroine, suspected by the prince, and idolized by Cedric? Something is seriously wrong with this reincarnation system!* 

That complaint caught in my throat when I heard a soft knock on my dormitory room door. 

Knock. Knock. Knock. 

I straightened my sleeping robe, put back on a cold and calm facial expression, and walked over to open the door. 

Standing on the threshold was a figure with raven-black hair and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. 

Raven D'Ark. 

One of the most talented students in the academy, Alicia's natural rival in lightning-element magic power. 

In the original novel, Raven was a serious and quiet character who later joined the hero's party to bring Alicia down. 

Tonight, however, Raven's expression looked different. He stared intently at me with his arms crossed over his chest. 

"What business do you have coming to my room this late at night, Raven?" I asked in a flat, cold, and authoritative tone. 

Deep inside, I already wanted to slam the door shut. 

*What is this now?! Why are other male characters showing up at my room late at night? Want to show off magic power too? Please, I just want to sleep in peace!* 

Raven let out a soft snort, staring at me with a gaze full of challenge mixed with hidden curiosity. 

"I just wanted to verify one thing, Alicia," Raven said in a heavy voice. "A few days ago during the advanced magic practice, you held back your power, didn't you? Why didn't you unleash your full strength against that ice pillar?" 

I paused for a moment, processing his words. 

*Held back my power? Swear to god, I almost blew up the arena because I had no idea how to control this ice magic! How could I possibly have held back on purpose?!* 

Outwardly, however, I flashed a subtle, condescending smirk. I looked up at Raven with my chin slightly raised. 

"Held back my power?" my voice slipped out cold. "Why would I do such a thing? Fighting a pathetic ice pillar like that isn't even worth me using my full strength." 

Raven's eyes widened slightly. His brows furrowed sharply, but a glimmer of admiration was hidden beneath his cold gaze. 

"I see..." Raven muttered softly, as if concluding something inside his own head. "Arrogant as always. But fine. That means you're still far stronger than me. I won't let you get ahead of me in next month's practical exam." 

With those words, Raven turned around and walked away down the dimly lit corridor. 

I stood frozen in front of the open door, watching Raven's back vanish around the corner. 

Cold sweat trickled down my temple once more. 

*Huh? Arrogant? I was just trying to look cool so he would leave quickly! Why is he even more motivated to challenge me now?!* 

I slowly pulled my dorm door shut, then slumped down against the back of it, sliding all the way to the floor. 

*God... please send me back to the convenience store. Being a villainess in a novel world is way more exhausting than dealing with customers trying to pay with toy money.*