Since the last incident at the Academy, Vice Dean Mark, despite his high rank, had been living in a constant state of nervous tension.
Even the sound of a single person speaking loudly could startle him.
To outsiders, it seemed as though this Vice Dean had been utterly cowed by Her Highness the Second Princess of the Empire, perpetually fearing her retaliation.
“Vice Dean, here are the documents from the freshman year… It mentions, um, you should take a look yourself.”
“What a pity, such talent wasted… sigh.”
The teacher’s face was full of worry and regret.
In the office, Mark sat upright as usual, yet his mind was far away.
At the beginning, under the Emperor’s direction, he still had enough courage and confidence.
But now, clearly having been defeated and turned against the Empire’s Princess, all that remained was the title and authority of Vice Dean of the Imperial Royal Academy.
His courage slowly faded, replaced by fear and panic.
And these negative feelings grew day by day; what started as mere concern gradually turned into outright terror.
The quieter the Second Princess remained, the more unsettled Mark became.
Until Willis made a move in retaliation, this feeling would only intensify and eventually consume him.
Run…
This thought had crossed Mark’s mind before, but in the end, he did not act on it.
Running away would mean never recovering his standing, never having another chance.
Besides, Willis might not even seek revenge, right?
So many days had passed, yet there was still no sign from the Second Princess. Didn’t that prove she was powerless against him?
Perhaps she feared Emperor Rubas…
So he comforted himself with these thoughts. The teacher in front of him looked at him worriedly.
“Vice Dean? Are you alright?”
“I… I’m fine. You can leave now. I’ll get back to you after I finish reviewing.”
“Alright!”
The teacher hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say more.
But in the end, only a long sigh escaped before they turned and left.
After a while, it was only the cold wind from outside that jolted Mark back to reality with a shiver.
“Just scaring myself… it’s nothing, nothing at all.”
Reassuring himself, he picked up a stack of documents from the desk.
On top was the withdrawal application from Ofilia Laiensi, the second daughter of the Laiensi Family, the one hailed as a genius mage.
This application came from the Laiensi Family itself, bearing the signatures of her parents and family head.
But when Mark read the reason given, his body trembled even more.
“Dead… accidental… death!?”
There were countless reasons for withdrawal, but none as direct or chilling as this.
At the same time, it was terrifying.
The application was stamped with the red seals of her parents and family—there was no mistake here…
Ofilia Laiensi, the genius mage, was dead!
Dead by accident!
The stated reason was that Ofilia choked to death during breakfast after getting up in the morning.
Such a ridiculous way to die!
No one would believe it if told openly!
But if the perpetrator was the infamous Evil Princess—Willis—then no one would doubt it!
From Mark’s perspective, the cause of death could be fabricated, but Ofilia was probably really dead.
The Laiensi Family likely didn’t want to antagonize the Empire Princess over a dead daughter, so they gave such an absurd excuse.
After all, the Laiensi Family had declined over the years; it wasn’t wise to fight with a Princess.
And Mark himself, though the high Vice Dean, was no match for even a fallen family like the Laiensis.
Suddenly, a wave of cold dread rose from his feet.
“Who… who’s there?”
Mark even hallucinated—a shadow seemed to appear beside the curtain stirred by the wind in his office.
Willis Egbert!
“Your Highness! No! Your Highness, it’s not me, I was forced! If you spare me, Mark will serve Your Highness like a beast for life!”
Huff—
Huff—
Only the cold wind seemed to mock him in reply.
The curtain fluttered as Mark collapsed to the ground, panting and begging for mercy with no dignity left.
Half a minute later, he shakily returned to his seat.
“It was an accident… it should be an accident… um, though very… very unbelievable… a genius choking on food isn’t unheard of.”
Mark signed the document quickly, as if avoiding a plague, then tossed the withdrawal application aside.
The person was dead, so why bother with a withdrawal application? Did the Laiensi Family have such decorum?
Then again…
The Laiensi Family still hadn’t released any news about Ofilia. Were they trying to keep it quiet?
Dragging it out as long as possible—this strategy did benefit them…
Then making Ofilia withdraw erased her traces at the Royal Academy…
But if that was the case, why not give another reason?
Why claim she was dead…
And was she really dead?
Dead?
Dead?
His fingers trembled uncontrollably as he glanced at the next document.
After a long moment, he signed his name in a shaky scrawl.
But in his mind, the image of that day’s inauguration speech kept replaying.
That blonde girl who dared to stand up and defy Willis—was she really dead?
Truly choked to death?
Cold sweat poured down him. A mere withdrawal application had ignited all the fear built up over these past few days.
Mark reached for the water cup on the desk but suddenly seemed to realize something.
He abruptly smashed the cup onto the floor.
“Trying to choke me to death? No, no way! Willis, I won’t be scared by you!”
Soon after, the teacher returned, followed by a student with their head bowed, face obscured.
“Vice Dean? Have you finished reviewing?”
“Done, take it.” Mark appeared to have regained his composure, even cleaning up the shattered cup from the floor.
The teacher skimmed the signed documents, still sighing.
“Sigh, such a promising talent, yet gone so soon… The Laiensi Family has been so careless, failing to properly care for such a gifted individual…”
Mark grew impatient, his tone laced with anger.
“Enough talking. Leave now, I have work to do!”
“This student says they have something to discuss with you… I’ll take my leave then!”
The teacher noticed Mark’s irritation and quickly left.
“What are you doing?”
Seeing the student hadn’t left, Mark snapped.
“Get lost! Come back tomorrow if you have business!”
Unexpectedly, the student slowly lifted their head, revealing a face that made Mark shriek silently, covering his mouth in terror.
“Giggling…” The hoarse voice, the hateful glare.
The girl stared at him fiercely. “Vice Dean, do you remember me?”
Mark’s expression shifted from fear to anger as he grabbed a book from the nearby table and threw it at her.
“I advise you not to move recklessly. If you cause a scene, others might hear, Vice Dean…”
The girl’s gaze remained icy.
“You… you, what do you want? I’ve already paid you!”
Mark hissed.
“Paid? Ha…” She laughed bitterly, almost mocking herself.
“Do you take me for some prostitute, Vice Dean, who you can insult at will just because you pay?”
“I endured before, even thought about ending my life, but Mark, I will never let you off easy.”
Hearing this, Mark swallowed nervously, drenched in cold sweat.
The Willis matter was still unresolved, and now this!
“What… what do you want?”
Mark’s shifty, sly eyes darted around, his fear slowly turning into murderous intent.
“Vice Dean Mark seems ready to silence me, but even if I die, there are still a few girls you’ve violated who hate you enough to expose your crimes and tear you apart!”
“Willis!?”
Mark blurted out, the murderous intent in his eyes turning back into fear.
“Is… is it her? How does she know… Could it be you… you bastards contacted her…”
Mark paused, suddenly realizing the reason didn’t matter anymore.
“Did the Second Princess send you? What does she want?”
“Her Highness wants to give you a chance…” The girl sneered coldly.
“A chance?”
“To pledge loyalty to her… but she does not trust you. So, Vice Dean, if you fail to arrive at this location before sunrise tomorrow…”
The girl paused, her smile turning vicious.
“Her Highness will expose your crimes, ruining your reputation… And even if we die, we will drag you down to hell!”
“I’m coming! Where? Where?”
Mark shouted frantically.
If Willis was willing to give him a chance, then for the sake of his life, he was willing to kneel and lick the Princess’s shoes if needed!
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