The Nen and I left the blood extraction room together after having our Traits evaluated.
We walked toward the restaurant in complete silence.
Even though I do not enjoy her company, it is a punishment I must endure to carry out my plan.
So I must dig my nails into my skin just to withstand this immense torture.
Remember, Carlotta von Wiebke… remember why you are doing all of this.
After taking a couple of breaths, I calmed myself, preparing for the unpleasant experience ahead.
Let's begin with some conversation.
"Tell me, Lady Adelheid, what do you think of the practical classes so far?"
"Eh… well, I think they're fine. Although I didn't really understand what the whole blood thing was for… Oh… shit."
"Excuse me?"
I asked, but when I glanced at her, I noticed her gaze was unfocused.
It was as if she were looking in my direction, yet not actually paying attention to me.
What a strange cat…
"…Please don't kill me…"
"What?"
I truly cannot understand how her mind works.
How can she say so many random things in such a short time?
It's as if she deliberately tries to crawl into my mind just to create chaos.
"Carlotta… what's that behind you?"
"Huh?"
Out of pure instinct, I turned my head toward where she was pointing.
But there was nothing there.
Just the hallway, students leaving the large doors of the practical training area. Nothing unusual.
…Was she… just messing with me?
"Nmh! Ah! Nmh!"
Suddenly, I felt something soft brush against the back of my neck, forcing a rather obscene sound out of my lips.
Everyone nearby turned to look at me—obviously—because of that strange moan.
My pale complexion burned with embarrassment.
I quickly turned around, and of course… it was her.
That stupid, wretched, ill-born, cretinous, savage, degenerate Nen.
Her tail was retreating back to its place, trembling and fully puffed up.
"…You tickled me with your damn tail, you bitc-"
I bit my tongue before finishing. That is not the language of a noble.
Even so, when I saw that degenerate slowly walking away, I couldn't contain my rage.
Did she think she could do whatever she wanted and walk away unpunished?
I clasped my hands together and summoned my magic.
"Valak!"
This situation only strengthened my determination to carry out my plan—the one I told Fisalia about.
***
"So… you're getting along with Nen now?"
We had barely entered my dorm after the team assignments for practice in the southern sector of the Academy when Fisalia uttered those dreadful words.
"I beg your pardon?"
I couldn't stop my voice from rising an octave at such an insult.
More than anyone, she should know how much I detest that filthy Nen.
Suggesting I get along with her… is nothing short of a slap to the face.
"I say it because you chose to team up with her."
"That? I see… I admit my mistake in not mentioning it earlier. Allow me to enlighten you, dear Fisalia. It is all part of my plan."
"And what brilliant plan would that be, if I may ask, dear friend? You haven't forgotten we are both involved in this, have you?"
"Of course not. I'll tell you."
I smiled faintly.
"First, do you remember our objective?"
"To remove Nen from our path. To prevent her from tainting Auren with her tricks. To stop her from stealing Kaelvarion's heart, which should belong to you alone, as is only natural. That would be all… unless I'm forgetting something."
"Correct. So… how should we do it?"
"Well…"
Fisalia narrowed her eyes, analyzing my intent.
Then she clicked her tongue.
"Definitely not by force."
"I see your mind is as sharp as ever."
My dear partner in crime understood immediately.
"We can't get rid of her through harassment or pressure to make her leave the Academy. Nor can we have her expelled with mere slander. That was proven after the shopping district incident. With that Non-Elemental Magic, our precious Madame Herz has no intention of letting her go. Especially not with those wild Anti-Magic commoners backing her."
"Then what are you going to do? I'd suggest ideas, but it feels like you've already decided."
I sat on the edge of my bed, crossing my legs. I shouldn't be so relaxed in front of another noble, but today I simply don't care.
Fisalia, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable.
That part of her hasn't changed.
She still dislikes being excluded. I understand. I don't like it either when my parents do that… but this time, it is necessary.
"A direct attack won't work. So we'll choose something more… refined." I glanced at her. "Patience. I will make her grow attached to me."
"Excuse me?"
She sat at the edge of the bed, keeping her distance.
Cold as always.
"Don't you understand? I'm disappointed in you, Fisalia."
"… "
"Don't make that dreadful face."
I said as she frowned, offended.
"My dear…" I continued softly, waiting for her to grasp it. "That is everyone's weakness."
I paused, holding her gaze.
"Including yours."
"And not yours, I suppose?"
"I never said that."
I smiled slightly.
"But let's not digress. Affection makes people stupid. It makes them lower their guard."
My fingers intertwined delicately.
"Take my idiot fiancé, for example. Because of his obsession with that Nen, he'll protect her from anything. Affection is synonymous with vulnerability."
"I see…" Fisalia murmured. "Lowering your guard is becoming weak."
"Exactly."
My smile sharpened.
"I'll get close. We'll become 'friends.' I'll guide her exactly where I want."
I tilted my head back slightly, staring at the ceiling.
Pure white. Boring.
Yet calming.
In a way, it reminded me of the composure we must maintain.
"When she least expects it… the dagger will fall."
"And that dagger would be…?"
I smiled.
"My death."
***
After giving that savage a proper slap, I decided to invite her to eat.
Nen was clearly unsettled by my sudden change, but I had to correct my earlier action.
I must make her feel comfortable around me… even if she tries her hardest to make me hate her.
Every fiber of my being resisted, but I had to bite my tongue and move forward.
…Though seeing that stupid expression on her face nearly made me snap.
Even more so because the memory of her "joke" still lingered vividly.
Damn her…
Anyway.
I had to force that commoner to come with me.
And that's how we ended up here.
"Here. Try this pudding, it's delicious."
"…This isn't poisoned, right?"
I looked at her with disdain.
That creature is more perceptive than she appears.
Her appearance and ridiculous expression might suggest carelessness… but no.
She has an unpleasantly sharp instinct for danger.
Fortunately for her, this time there was no poison. No traps. Just a sweet dessert.
…For now, at least…
Still, I must get her to eat it.
The key to building intimacy and trust is always good food.
It shows kindness and concern.
And all those hormones released after eating… they can confuse the brain into associating pleasure with the person offering the food.
"That's offensive. I thought you said you wanted to get along with me. Fine, you don't have to force yourself—"
"Alright! Alright! Geez… don't be so dramatic… fine, I'll try it."
"Don't say it like it's a trap."
"Mmm! Huh? Mmh… damn, this is actually really good!"
"I told you. It's a special edition. Hard to obtain—but not for me."
I crossed my arms proudly. That carefree smile told me everything I needed to know.
"So what's the occasion? It's not because of what happened earlier—"
"No!"
Heat rushed to my face.
I clenched my teeth.
I would not think about that.
Not again.
"It has nothing to do with that," I said coldly. "I simply… went a bit overboard when I shot you with my blood."
I looked away.
"Consider it a gesture of reconciliation."
"…Okay. I don't really care that you shot me, honestly… no, wait…"
She held her head.
"How messed up is my life that I just said that?"
"Indeed."
At least she has the awareness to notice her own decline.
As for me…
I remain perfectly sane.
And because of that… I still resent her.
But I cannot take revenge.
Not yet.
I must plant affection in her heart.
I must deceive her foolish heart so she does not suspect me.
Only then… will I be free of her.
Just as I told Fisalia that day in my room.
***
"My death."
"Excuse me?"
Fisalia looked at me with genuine surprise.
Understandably so.
Words so… extreme rarely leave my lips.
But as my father, Matthew von Wiebke, always says: desperate times require desperate measures.
"My death, dear. My death."
I repeated slowly, making sure she understood.
"No matter how many times you say it, it still makes no sense."
"Think."
I leaned slightly toward her.
"Creating a scandal means nothing without irrefutable proof. Yes, we could stage something elaborate to force Herz's hand… but—"
"But the odds aren't in our favor."
I smiled again at her quick understanding.
"Exactly. Her protection is too strong. The Strongest Creature in the World and the favor of the strongest nation's prince. We would need something absurdly extreme to win—and even then, the chances of being exposed are devastatingly high."
I leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"We need something extreme. And that's where affection comes in… and then, my death."
"… "
"I'll make her trust me."
My voice softened.
"And when she is completely in my grasp…"
My lips curled.
"I will make her kill me."
"You're still rambling about your death. I don't understand."
"We need an irrefutable act. Something terrible. Something that cannot be justified."
I stepped back, giving her space.
Still, seeing how stiff her posture was made me want to tease her.
As I spoke, I lightly tapped her shoulder.
"What is more unforgivable for a commoner… than murdering a noble?"
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Fisalia narrowed her eyes.
"I don't see the logic in dying to achieve your goal of marrying Kael… wait… you're not actually planning to die, are you?"
I laughed softly.
"Of course not."
I shook my head, amused.
"It took you a while to realize. It was adorable seeing you confused, dear Fisalia."
I chuckled.
I spoke ambiguously on purpose—I wanted to see her troubled expression.
It had been so long since I last saw it.
When we were children, she used to make that face often.
A little childish, perhaps… but I wanted to see her cold demeanor melt again. To see the Jade I once knew.
But enough of that.
"No. What I need…"
I raised two fingers.
"Is for her to 'kill' me. Deceiving one Nen… or deceiving thousands of nobles… it's the same."
"Thousands…?"
Fisalia's eyes widened slightly.
"…Don't tell me. I get it now. You'll 'die' during the Capture the Flag Tournament!"
"Now you understand."
My smile became flawless.
At this Academy, we have two major tournaments.
One is the Tournament of Power, for students in Specialized Practice courses.
The other is the exhibition tournament: Capture the Flag.
Designed for students focused on Spellcasting and Magic Manipulation.
A harmless spectacle meant to entertain the masses and showcase the Academy's talent.
"The tournament is perfect. We need evidence and witnesses—and the event itself provides both. What better way to force Herz to act than having thousands of nobles witness the Nen's savagery? Even Kaelvarion won't be able to intervene."
"So, in six months… you will die."
"No. In six months… we will rid ourselves of a filthy pest… hehe… hahaha!"
I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the fate awaiting that meddlesome Nen.
Just wait and see.
Kathryn von Adelheid… you will regret ever setting foot in Libelling Academy.