Mahina could barely breathe under the weight of the oppressive atmosphere, and the current mood only made things worse. Just as she was about to leave, she ran into acquaintances on the road.
Neither familiar nor unfamiliar. Were they the companions from the student council? Could they still be called companions…?
Since the Grand Examination, other than Lucia, Mahina had never seen any of the other student council members.
Even during the idle period without council duties, Mahina used to meet them often. When they met, they would exchange pleasantries, talking until neither had time to spare.
If there was one thing that made Mahina feel the greatest contrast, it was probably them.
Because Mahina remembered every student in the school, she knew that if it were just a classmate she had only met once, at most they would turn away and not greet her.
But the student council members really seemed to be avoiding her, as if afraid she carried some virus that would infect them.
Virus wasn’t an exaggeration, judging by the current scene.
They instinctively took half a step back, covering their mouths and noses with fans or handkerchiefs, their undisguised disgust clear in their eyes, as if afraid she carried a plague that would infect their expensive dresses.
After such a long time, this was the first time she had seen these former colleagues in public.
Of course, a major event where the entire school attended—there was no reason for them not to be here.
And almost all of them were children of powerful families.
It was like an admission ticket. Winning the position of Student Council President was Mahina’s own ability, but the identity of Duke’s daughter also played a huge role. The student council was actually a microcosm of external power. After all, when Mahina was able to join the student council, the Talan family played a significant role in getting her in. No matter how strong she was, it didn’t matter.
And Oz had left after Mahina joined to maintain balance.
She wondered how the situation had changed now that she had left.
But honestly, it was all just child’s play.
Since it was already a done deal that Oz would be the next Duke, there was no need to compete for such trivial things to gild her resume.
Having realized this, Mahina bit her lower lip and planned to take a detour.
Since they hated her and thought she was dirty, it was better to avoid meeting and leave each other some last shred of dignity.
From now on, it would be best if they remained parallel lines.
However, the fangs of malice always bared themselves faster than expected.
“Have you come back to fawn, Lady Mahina?”
Suddenly, a very familiar voice came. It was the Secretary of the Student Council, the girl from the Second Year Section of the Swordsmanship Department who was in the same grade as Mahina. She used to cling to Mahina like a little animal, calling her “Sister Mahina” sweetly.
Her voice was still as pure and sweet, but now it pierced Mahina’s ears, so harsh and cold, filled with thick hatred and bone-piercing chill.
Mahina felt as if she had been struck in the head by a red-hot hammer.
The Secretary wore a gorgeous gown, looking down at Mahina from above.
She had already seen Mahina wear it once, and she appraised Mahina’s dress now.
“Why do you have to bother Merlin? Do you still have some leftover value to exploit? Or do you think you still have hope? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Mahina stood frozen.
She didn’t walk over confidently as she once did. She just stiffly turned her neck and looked at her former colleagues again.
Once, she was the center of their circle, surrounded like stars around the moon.
Now, that central position had naturally changed hands, and she had become the trash cast out of the circle.
She wanted to argue, her lips parted slightly, a dry sound escaping her throat.
But looking at their stance clearly wanting to pick a fight and humiliate her, she finally closed her mouth weakly.
What was the use of arguing?
Anyway, if they brought up the fact that she had hurt Merlin, what confidence would Mahina have to refute?
If they attacked her with those bloody truths, could Mahina’s already shattered heart withstand it?
Even if Merlin hadn’t said it himself, wasn’t it still the truth?
“Not talking? Hmph.”
The Secretary stepped forward, a malicious glint in her eyes.
“This must be your usual method, right? First use your ambiguous attitude to attract people, make them approach you, then drain their value and discard them.”
Mahina’s whole body began to tremble.
“It’s not like that.”
“Not like that? Then what is it?”
The Secretary’s voice suddenly rose, sharp and piercing.
“Isn’t Merlin a living fact? If not, then what about the magic power Merlin lost? The harm Merlin suffered. You did the same to other boys, right? Otherwise, how could you have climbed to this position?”
Mahina’s pupils gradually lost focus, tears leaking out.
But she couldn’t cry here.
She was clearly aggrieved, but she couldn’t show weakness.
Hadn’t she always been the one who gave the most to others to maintain her persona? When had she ever drained others’ value? Hurting Merlin was a fact, but just because her reputation had deteriorated, could they just turn black into white and deny everything?
“I hate people like you the most, a beast in human form.”
Mahina’s vacant eyes stared into the void, where there was nothing but endless darkness.
This was really… the worst day.
She wanted to deny it loudly, to slap the evidence in their faces.
But tonight, all her strength and courage had been used up in that meeting with Merlin.
She was tired.
Really tired.
And it wasn’t just the Secretary. Mahina could feel that the other student council members, though not speaking, had clear mockery and malice in their eyes.
True nobles.
Gentle when there’s profit, then kick you when you’re down once the status flips.
Other students did hold malice toward her, but these big noble families in the student council were clearly more malicious.
Mahina remembered something. The boy the Secretary liked had once shown interest in her.
So, unrequited love? Now she wants to vent by bullying Mahina?
Mahina had never given him a good look.
But being harsh to that boy meant she had a bad temper; being gentle to her meant she was fawning. How could she win either way?
Even though that boy never came to her again, he didn’t fall for the Secretary either.
“Hah, as expected, a slut! Speechless when caught!”
“Don’t think you can shamelessly stay in this academy! You bloodsucking scum!”
Others joined in.
“Don’t forget! It was you who almost killed Merlin! You’re the criminal who almost killed Princess Merlinlia! That’s why she hates you.”
“She’ll never like you again in this life. Don’t wish on it, and stop troubling other people’s lives. Seriously, seeing you shamelessly cling to her every time makes me sick!”
“Get away from her! She’s a princess, and you’re just a lowly scum expelled from the nobility!”
“If you won’t leave gracefully, we’ll help you! Get out of Zelion now!”
“Princess Merlinlia will never like a scumbag who hurts others like you!”
Now it’s just getting a little mean. I wonder if she committed suicide , would Merlin never recover