A tranquil and harmonious morning had turned noisy today.
People paused, drawn by the captivating sight before them, unable to tear their eyes away.
A graceful elf with light purple hair was dressed in a long blue fishtail gown.
At this moment, she was confidently holding the hand of a blue-haired elf with gradient hues. Even though the shy elf kept her head lowered, the students could still glimpse her exquisitely carved features from the side.
The purple-haired elf was rumored to be the Headmaster’s guest; the blue-haired elf appeared to be her daughter.
In Zerlion, where elves were seldom seen, encountering two elves at once was a rare spectacle.
Currently, only one elf was enrolled as a fourth-year student, and even she was seldom seen around.
The blue-haired elf was shyly muttering something, while the smiling purple-haired elf leaned down slightly to listen at her ear.
It was just like a doting mother, afraid the treasure in her hands would shatter, or that the words on her lips would melt away.
“What’s wrong?”
“So many people are staring at me… Did I do something wrong? Or is it my dress…”
Merlin’s slender, pale fingers kept brushing over the black fabric of her skirt.
“It’s nothing at all. Just hold your head high and straighten your back. It’s because you’re just too cute and beautiful.”
“C-cute? I’m not… Don’t say that.”
The tips of Merlin’s ears turned red at the compliment, and she lowered her head, steam almost rising from her.
Ophelia let out a sigh.
“It seems I’ll have to keep you away from boys for a while longer. Who knows how many hearts you’ve already broken just now, with you being this bashful.”
“Please don’t tease me…”
Instinctively, Merlin rested her forehead against Ophelia’s shoulder—a gesture of reliance that made several female students clutch at their chests.
“Tease? I’m simply stating the facts. If you’d just stand up straight like a normal person, you wouldn’t attract so much attention. Look at you now, acting all shy and girlish…”
Ophelia’s voice grew even softer and gentler.
“I understand…”
Merlin gently ran her hand over the back of her skirt, confirming that she hadn’t embarrassed herself, and that the gazes from behind hadn’t seen anything improper. Only after making sure did she let out a sigh of relief.
She began to follow Ophelia’s instructions from yesterday, holding her head high and walking with dainty steps befitting a young lady.
But in the eyes of others, it looked like a loving mother was encouraging her anxious daughter, a heartwarming scene that made the onlooking students smile knowingly.
“Merlin.”
When the mother and daughter reached the academy’s courtyard, Mahina, who had been sitting quietly on a bench, opened her eyes and walked over to them.
In front of others, she no longer displayed the coldness she reserved for moments alone with Merlin, but showed a gentleness like a spring breeze.
Then, she bent at a ninety-degree angle.
“I’m very sorry for slapping you the other day because of a misunderstanding. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, please tell me.”
Merlin shook her head, looking at Mahina, who had once nestled in her arms and was now a bit taller than herself.
“It was just a misunderstanding, Lady Duke. You only wanted me not to conceal my identity and cause trouble.”
Mahina understood what she meant.
“No, Princess Merlinia, hitting someone is fundamentally wrong, no matter how anxious one is.”
“It’s fine, let’s put that misunderstanding behind us. I don’t mind.”
After all, Merlin had been hurt more deeply by Mahina before; a slap was nothing compared to that. This apology was hardly enough to heal the wounds she had caused.
Right now, she was just putting on an act for others, explaining away the misunderstanding.
“Thank you.”
“Well then, we’ll go take care of the paperwork first.”
Once Mahina straightened up, Ophelia took Merlin’s hand and led her away.
And that was that.
Mahina watched the elf mother and daughter head toward the Department of Alchemy for a long time, before finally turning away and heading to where she belonged.
All that remained were the students frozen in place, utterly bewildered.
Merlin? Merlinia? An apology? Human? Elf? Princess? Black hair? Blue hair?
“Ahem…”
A gentle cough, like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, sent ripples through the lecture hall of the Department of Alchemy.
On the podium stood a woman with a neat ponytail and narrow-framed glasses.
Professor Elanim, the Department Head, was introducing someone to the first-year alchemy students.
“In short, she’s both a new and an old classmate. Let’s welcome the Princess of the Elves—Merlinia Helier—to our academy.”
Recalling her mother’s instructions, Merlin awkwardly pinched the hem of her dress and curtseyed.
This was what Ophelia had taught her yesterday… Fingers together, bow at just the right angle—graceful, yet dignified.
“I previously enrolled under a different identity and caused everyone some trouble. I’m very sorry. My name is Merlinia Helier. If the name is hard to pronounce, just call me Merlin as always.”
Merlinia lifted her face and offered a gentle smile to her classmates in the Department of Alchemy.
It wasn’t a showy smile—just the soft curve of her lips. Her ice-blue eyes were like freshly melted snow, reflecting the classroom’s light and shadows.
In an instant, several innocent students in the audience blushed deeply, hurriedly lowering their heads. Some pretended to flip through their books, others exchanged glances, all scrambling to avoid her dazzling gaze.
If Ophelia had been here, she definitely would have forbidden Merlin from smiling at others so recklessly—it was bound to cause misunderstandings.
Even though it seemed like a big commotion, that was all there was to it.
Merlin soon returned to her daily routine: attending classes alone, changing classrooms alone, eating alone, conducting research alone.
Thinking about it, becoming a girl wasn’t that big of a deal—just meant wearing a skirt and having a slightly lower field of vision.
Wasn’t this just like her college life in her previous life?
During her time at the academy, thanks to Mahina’s actions, Merlin had ended up isolated—despised by the boys, disliked by the girls.
Even though she had clarified the misunderstanding and explained her identity in front of everyone that morning.
Now, in the afternoon, Merlin sat by the window, looking out at the scenery and the occasional flashes of colorful light from the nearby training field.
So disgusting.
Even though they’d come to apologize, it felt more like going through the motions.
Merlin caught herself thinking this, nearly saying it out loud.
Those guys who used to act like sworn enemies, forming little groups to strategize for the next big exam just to drag her down.
Back then, if their eyes met in the lab or hallway, they’d either glare at her or turn away with a cold snort.
They always acted so indignant, as if their beloved Mahina was absolutely infallible.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, not only did they not apologize, but several in the classroom would sneak glances at her out of the corner of their eyes.
Heh… Where’s your Mahina now? All that righteous fury, that camaraderie?
You all changed sides so quickly?
How cheap. It’s laughable.
Mahina, your fans aren’t that great after all.
Being stared at like this is really uncomfortable.
Wanting it both ways.
Merlin scooted closer to the window.
The girls were at least a little better.