Mahina’s reputation was currently very poor.
She sat quietly at one end of a long table piled with parchment. Her dark blue hair slid down her thin shoulders, hiding her currently lonely expression.
However, she did not intend to be as extreme as Lucia was when provoked. The disputes that had erupted a few days ago were simply because she was dissatisfied with how some students kicked others while they were down. In her daily life, Mahina was not always prickly. Even if there were insults, she merely responded with silence if they were based on facts.
She lightly brushed her hand over the thesis on the table, feeling that this was enough. She did not need to be the center of attention; she only hoped to spend her remaining school days in peace. If people simply asked her for advice or small favors like they used to, Mahina did not find it unbearable — provided they did not look at her with that “kicking someone while they’re down” kind of pity and interacted with her as ordinary classmates.
“Um… Miss Mahina, about the blue section of the Star Moon Festival’s magic fireworks we mentioned earlier…”
Mahina looked up. In those eyes, which resembled the waters of a deep winter lake, there was none of the biting cold the other person had expected.
Mahina had started helping with the research on the blue section of the Star Moon Festival’s magic fireworks, though she had been forced into it. When the project was first conceived, these people had taken it for granted that Mahina should be responsible for the blue section. But then many things happened, and with her reputation hitting rock bottom, ordinary classmates did not dare approach her.
It couldn’t be helped… The Star Moon Festival was about to begin, and the most critical part was still unfinished. Thus, they had no choice but to brazenly ask Mahina for help once more.
Mahina did not mind. She had refused to help at first because she hated their looks of charity, mockery, and condescension. If it was just a normal request for help, she would not have been so extreme. When she saw the panicked, helpless looks in their eyes, her heart softened. It wasn’t because she wanted to be liked, or hoped to stop being bullied, or even because she wanted to be a good person. It was simply that after spending so much time together, seeing their panic made her heart yield.
Of course, the position in the Student Council remained vacant.
Initially, the students in the Second Year of the Magic Department found this Mahina, who had fallen from grace, a bit difficult to deal with. Watching her, who used to always wear a bright smile, now constantly shrouded in a layer of frost that kept everyone at a distance, left them somewhat at a loss. However, seeing the gentle aura Mahina occasionally revealed, some students believed she had not truly changed.
Regarding the matters involving Merlin and her past mistakes, even if someone tentatively probed, she would only lower her eyes and nod slightly. She neither defended herself nor tried to escape the topic.
During the magic firework research, she would point out and solve pain points or difficulties, even making improvements. After finishing her own part, she would proactively help others. If someone did a section incorrectly, she would ask other classmates to drop hints and remind them. Before a major stage was successfully completed, she would quietly leave, telling those who hated or despised her through her actions that she had self-awareness; she did not intend to mingle, nor did she want to cause displeasure.
She was no longer that bright young lady of the Talan family who was like the warm spring sun. Instead, she was more like a clear moon on a winter night — cold, but no longer scorching. Her equally icy attitude toward all the boys also caused much of the hostility born from jealousy to dissipate. After all, the former Mahina, who was as gentle as water to everyone, had unintentionally captured too many boys’ hearts.
Although many boys still tried to approach the fallen lady of nobility, Mahina rejected them all with polite but distant coldness, leaving no room for negotiation.
At this moment, Mahina was looking down at the formula for calculating the fireworks’ combustion height, magic power gathering at her fingertips. A few strands of hair hung by her face. She extended a slender finger, guiding her classmates through the operation of the circuits. Following her guidance, the students simulated the process cautiously. One second later, a small firework quietly bloomed in a student’s palm, illuminating the surprised faces around them.
“Wow, it really works!”
“If you want to change it to other patterns, you can use this same logic.”
Mahina tapped the blueprint with a quill, her tone calm. “Furthermore, since these are magic fireworks, you could consider the diffusion effect after the collision of wind and fire attributes. Otherwise, there will be no visual difference from ordinary fireworks.”
“Thank you!”
Faced with the sincere thanks, Mahina merely gave a polite nod. “This is the result of everyone’s hard work.”
An enthusiastic girl reminded her, “This formula… although it’s not exactly an epoch-making invention, Miss Mahina, wouldn’t it be better to apply for a patent?”
Mahina had not thought that far. “A patent…?”
“Yes! In the books and documents I’ve checked before, none have this unique approach of yours. It’s safer to apply. Fireworks are very popular in the Capital. This form of expression, as well as the energy-saving method, might become popular in the future.”
If Mahina were still part of the Talan family, she might not have cared much, but now she had to live independently. Even if the Magic Department waived her tuition, and she had her own scholarships and savings, she still had to consider living expenses. Having one more potential way to earn money was not a bad thing.
For some reason, she thought of Merlin again, and a smile appeared on her lips, though she was unaware of it herself.
“Thank you. I will apply today.”
Mahina simply thought that if this patent could make money in the future, even if those looking for trouble decreased, they would not vanish entirely. There would still be some people who, with disgusting looks of charity, would try to take advantage of her situation to satisfy their ridiculous vanity. But out of the upbringing she received as a member of the nobility, Mahina would give them a cold rejection to their faces, no matter how much she loathed it.
“Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment.”
She rose gracefully from her seat, straightened her skirt, and walked toward the door with steady, dignified steps. Mahina was already prepared with cold, hard words to make the other party back off in the most proper manner. However, when she reached the doorway and clearly saw the figure standing against the light, her prepared lines instantly stuck in her throat.
‘Wait? Why is it her? Why is she…?’
It was the person who was her legal older sister before Mahina left the Talane Estate — Oz.