Having absorbed the memories of her predecessor Willis, although not yet fully mastered, Willis could quickly recall the connections between her past self and others whenever she encountered the relevant people or events.
But the kindly old man before her, who spoke like an elder giving advice to a junior, truly left Willis baffled.
Old grandpa, who exactly are you?
She searched her mind repeatedly for any memories of interactions with this Headmaster, but the answer was clear—none!
Unless someone had erased her memories.
Or perhaps Willis hadn’t completely inherited all of her predecessor’s memories; otherwise, how could she have no impression of this elderly man who cared so much about her?
Yet, seeing Hill Yu’s reaction beside her, Willis discarded this theory.
If her past self was familiar with him, Hill Yu would surely know as well and wouldn’t look so surprised.
Seeing this, Willis asked curiously, “Headmaster, do you… know me?”
“No, I don’t,” the unexpected answer was honest and straightforward.
Willis, who initially thought this man’s concern was some scheme to benefit from her, was momentarily thrown into confusion.
“Don’t guess anymore. I didn’t know you before… but that doesn’t prevent me from helping you now.”
Sylvester’s gaunt face suddenly broke into a mischievous smile, and for a moment, Willis thought she’d misread it.
“Besides, not knowing before, but now we do, right?”
This shameless pick-up line from a past life—asking for a Weibo account—felt utterly out of place.
Sorry, grandpa, you’re not my type.
I like women—pretty women, quality women.
You’re none of that—not only a man, but an old, washed-up one at that!
As Willis’s mind wandered with these random thoughts, the Headmaster sighed and continued speaking to himself.
“Sigh… Willis, you shouldn’t have come to the Academy. It’ll only thrust you into the eye of the storm. The safest way would’ve been to stay in the palace and build your influence slowly as before.”
Upon hearing this, Willis was sure this old man had some connection to her.
Either he wanted something from her, or they shared an unspeakable secret.
And this secret—Willis herself was unaware of it.
Who else, besides someone who genuinely cared for her, would dare speak so bluntly to an Imperial Princess?
And in such a critical tone?
If she were still her former self, Willis would have already grabbed this old man by the beard, punched him twice in the face, and shouted, “Who the hell do you think you are, speaking to this princess like that? Want me to kill you?”
Although Willis still felt the impulse thanks to her predecessor’s influence, she controlled herself well.
“And cozying up to commoners will anger other nobles and invite more covetous eyes…”
The Headmaster paused, sighed deeply, and ended the topic.
“Enough, that’s enough for today. For now, just settle into your post at the Academy. If anything happens, come find me.”
Hill Yu, who had been silent for a long time, finally asked, “Headmaster, why do you care so much for my imperial sister?”
“Old stories from long ago. It’s normal you two don’t understand,” the old man said, turning away.
His momentary air of profound mystery almost made Willis want to kick him.
Suddenly, a possibility struck Willis.
“Uh, you wouldn’t happen to have some relation with my late mother, would you?”
Thinking of this, Willis felt a sudden clarity.
Could her mother and this old man have some strange connection? Is that why he cares so much for her?
That might also explain why Emperor Lubas dislikes her so much—not just because she’s suspected of killing the princes…
But possibly because her mother might have been unfaithful to her husband?
Though their ages didn’t quite match!
At that moment, Willis suddenly realized something.
Sylvester, seeing straight into Willis’s thoughts, thundered with the authority of an elder, “Willis!!”
That stern reprimand made Willis understand a bit.
Then the old Headmaster shook his hand helplessly.
“Enough, enough, that’s all for today. You should rest now.”
With that, he left without resistance from Willis or Hill Yu.
Outside the Crescent Moon Hall, Hill Yu asked curiously, “Willis, what’s your relationship with the Headmaster?”
Willis rolled her eyes.
“How would I know?”
She stretched lazily, relaxing.
“At least it’s finally over.”
Fatigue—that was all Willis felt right now.
***
At the same time, a silver, sacred figure burst through the crowd.
Under Willis’s surprised gaze, she knelt on one knee before her.
“Royal Knight Victoria Meklei, apologizing for my late arrival in protecting Your Highness, breaking the Royal Knight’s oath. Please punish me, Your Highness!”
Victoria Meklei!
Willis narrowed her eyes at the silver-armored girl, whose slender figure was gracefully curved yet drenched in sweat and panting heavily, cheeks flushed.
She reached out, hooked Victoria’s chin, and made the silver-haired girl look up at her.
The delicate face was full of determination—the girl radiated a heroic aura and the sanctity of a Royal Knight.
It made one almost want to take advantage of her.
Willis licked her lips and asked with a smile, “Weren’t you supposed to be handling things at home?”
Victoria’s expression darkened with anger.
“Please forgive me, Your Highness. That family letter was forged by others. I was deceived and returned to the family estate to see my parents, only to find no trouble had occurred and no such letter was ever written!”
“Only then did I realize it was a villain’s plot. But on my way back, I still heard that Your Highness had been attacked!”
“Royal Knight Victoria Meklei has failed in her duty. Please punish me, Your Highness!”
Her loud voice attracted the lingering attention of teachers and students around.
This girl was doing it on purpose!
Willis clicked her tongue, suddenly feeling a bit disinterested.
“Get up. It’s not your fault.”
“But—”
“Alright, Victoria, if anyone should take responsibility, it’s me, the older sister, for failing to protect my younger sister.”
Hill Yu helped Victoria to her feet.
“You had permission before leaving; no need to blame yourself. Besides, isn’t Willis fine now?”
“In that case, thank you, First Princess, for your mercy,” Victoria bowed again to Willis. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your forgiveness.”
Willis’s mind vaguely began thinking of how to repay today’s troublesome people.
At the same time, she very much wanted to go rest and sleep.
Yet, before she could take two steps, someone stopped her.
A surge of irritation rose from her abdomen.
“What is it?”
Willis coldly looked at the professor before her.
She remembered this was the same professor who had highly praised her improved Fire Armor Spell in the hall earlier.
Come to think of it, this professor had helped her a little.
After all, without someone praising Willis’s improved formation, the occasion would’ve been awkward.
“Your Highness,” the professor cupped his hands and ignored Willis’s cold tone.
Instead, he smiled, “I helped you a little just now in the hall. Do you remember, Your Highness?”
Immediately, Hill Yu and Victoria behind frowned.
This guy openly came to ask for a favor?
Hill Yu, as an Academy teacher, naturally knew this man, though they didn’t have much interaction.
Now she was curious why he had come.
Willis calmed herself and asked, “Of course I remember. May I ask your name, professor? And what favor do you want me to remember?”
“Not at all!” The professor said humbly but confidently introduced himself.
“I am Elliot Laval, fourth in the Laval family. Your Highness can just call me Little Four.”
“Oh, so you’re Little Four,” Willis said bluntly, catching him off guard.
That’s quite informal—did you really just say that?
Hill Yu and Victoria internally rolled their eyes simultaneously.
“I didn’t expect so many hidden talents in the Imperial Royal Academy. The formation I just improved was immediately seen through by Little Four, who critiqued it thoroughly. You truly have genuine talent, worthy of being a professor.”
Facing Willis’s sarcastic compliment, Elliot pretended not to notice and accepted it graciously.
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“To me, Your Highness, improving a formation at such a young age shows great genius and the bearing of a sage!”
Hill Yu couldn’t stand their mutual flattery any longer and quickly asked, “Elliot, what exactly do you want with my imperial sister?”
“Well…” Elliot handed Willis an invitation.
“In two days, I will hold a banquet at the Mirror Flower Elegant Garden and respectfully invite Your Highness to attend.”