Chapter 44: The Teacher’s Compensation

“Melo, you’re awake!”

The first thing Vellandelle saw was Vivilian’s face, and she breathed a sigh of relief, looking full of gratitude.

In her eyes just now, Vellandelle had fainted right after saying she could still hold on.

The suddenness of it all had scared Vivilian out of her wits.

But it was all right.

Vellandelle was fine now and had woken up.

“It’s all my fault, sigh, I knew high-level magic was…”

Vivilian looked regretful, truly feeling guilty over what had happened to Vellandelle.

She was the teacher.

She should have understood the risks, regardless of what kind of genius Vellandelle was, no matter how high her talent—she was still just a freshman, with a magic level of only a high-level mage.

“It’s all right, Teacher, it’s not your fault.”

Vellandelle waved her hand, rubbing her head with the other.

Her mind felt groggy; she could only vaguely recall experiencing something while unconscious.

It seemed like she met someone who looked just like herself, with the name “Vellanna” that she had made up.

Wait, maybe it wasn’t made up…

She felt as if some childhood memories had surfaced in her mind—back when her mother was always busy, and she was so lonely, she often fantasized about someone who could keep her company.

At the time, young Vilan had imagined an older sister named Vellanna based on her mother’s appearance.

No wonder the name had come out so naturally when she made it up—it was one she’d often used as a child.

But why had she forgotten?

Vellandelle finished speaking, her dazed, contemplative expression making Vivilian feel even guiltier, thinking that Vellandelle’s mental strength had been damaged by fainting.

“Melo, you don’t have to say it. It’s all because of my carelessness. As a teacher, I could have just held your hand for the Elemental Affinity Test, but I let curiosity get the better of me and had you try such a dangerous move.”

With that, Vivilian handed over a stack of Scrolls.

“These are some high-level Magic Scrolls I compiled as a teacher. Consider them compensation from me. I’m truly sorry.”

“T-this, Teacher, what are you saying? It was my fault to begin with—how can you talk about compensation?”

Although seeing so many Scrolls was certainly exciting, she had been the one who tried to freeload off the teacher’s Magic and ended up getting so many more because of it.

All these remaining Scrolls were high-level, and there were quite a few.

Vellandelle didn’t dare accept any more.

“Take them. There’s nothing valuable enough here for me to compensate you, and since you seem interested in Magic, it’s all I can give.”

“If you don’t accept, I won’t be at peace.”

Seeing Vellandelle’s reluctance to accept her apology, Vivilian added softly.

So, Vellandelle had no choice but to obediently accept Vivilian’s apology and compensation.

“Well, that’s about right then.”

Vivilian smiled gently.

“Then I’ll have to thank you, Teacher.”

“Melo, you’re so polite, and your way of speaking feels strange, too.”

“Uh…”

Vellandelle fell silent for a moment.

Maybe it was because her speech had an Eastern flavor, though not from the East of this world.

In the middle of these back-and-forth refusals, Vellandelle suddenly remembered the time.

How long had she been unconscious?

Had Rosasys and Kelosha finished their classes?

Was it still morning?

“Teacher, how long has it been since I came to your office?”

“About an hour and a half.”

“An hour and a half? Oh no, they’ve finished class!”

Vellandelle jumped up in alarm, hurriedly said goodbye to Teacher Vivilian, and rushed out of the office.

Although she had already told them she’d wait there, she couldn’t help but worry that they’d be anxious if they couldn’t find her.

Vellandelle ran out of the office in a hurry.

There were only two classes in a morning, and each lasted an hour, so it must have been a while since class ended.

The entire teaching area was quiet, with not a soul in sight.

She finally arrived at the spot where she’d agreed to meet Kelosha.

There, she saw two figures sitting quietly on a corridor bench, looking at the Photo Seleste had given her.

Vellandelle had let Rosasys see it earlier, and Rosasys had held onto it ever since.

She’d even forgotten to take it back.

It didn’t matter, really—a Photo was just a Photo. If Rosasys liked it, she could have it.

“Wait, why is there an extra person?”

Vellandelle squinted, noticing Rosasys and Kelosha sitting together on the wooden bench, staring at the Photo—while Gloria stood behind them, gently patting their heads.

“Gloria? Why is she here?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Vellandelle approached with questions.

Gloria seemed to sense her presence, lifting her head to reveal a gentle smile when she saw it was Vellandelle.

“Little Ca… ah, no, Miss Vellandelle.”

Vellandelle glanced at her but said nothing, not knowing what Gloria meant—why did she want to give her a nickname right away?

“Yes, hello, Miss Gloria.”

Vellandelle nodded in reply.

Little Cake, cold, but very cute.

Gloria looked at Vellandelle’s cool demeanor and couldn’t help thinking to herself.

“Why are you here?”

“When class ended, I saw the two Misses sitting alone in the corridor. After asking, I learned they were waiting for you, Miss, so I stayed here to wait with them.”

Gloria’s voice was gentle, but Vellandelle couldn’t help feeling she was hiding some kind of desire toward her.

Nothing better to do?

Vellandelle didn’t buy it for a second.

She figured Gloria was just greedy for her blood, right?

Although Vellandelle wasn’t a narcissist, as a member of the Royal Family of the Banshees, at least her blood was noble.

When she had revealed her true form earlier, Gloria had practically been drooling over her—her blood was clearly a huge temptation.

Vellandelle wondered, if she ever did get together with Gloria in the future, would it be true love?

Or just a craving for her blood?

In her mind, food and its master couldn’t truly fall in love.

“Ah, big sister is here!”

“Roommate… where did you go?”

Two pairs of eyes turned to Vellandelle, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Well, the teacher wanted to see me after class.”

The Scrolls Vellandelle held caught the attention of the two little ones.

Rosasys nudged Kelosha with her elbow, signaling her with her eyes.

It took Kelosha a moment to get it, then she hurried over to take the Scrolls from Vellandelle’s arms.

“Roommate, let me handle these! I’ve been bored sitting here half the day anyway.”

Kelosha’s actions were astonishingly mature.

Vellandelle looked at her in surprise—when did Kelosha become so thoughtful?

What had she and Rosasys talked about while they waited?

“All right, I’ll leave it to you then, Kelosha.”

Vellandelle couldn’t help but rub Kelosha’s head.

Under her touch, Kelosha closed her eyes in bliss, her tail wagging furiously.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Miss Gloria, did you have something to discuss with me?”

“Well, actually…”

Gloria didn’t make a big fuss, but what she said next left Vellandelle speechless.

“I just heard that Miss Seleste got a job at a restaurant. Miss Vellandelle, are you in need of money?”

“That’s right. I’m just a girl from an ordinary family, with little money, so of course I have to work.”

“Isn’t working hard?”

Gloria looked at Vellandelle sympathetically.

Vellandelle couldn’t tell if she was being sincere or just pretending.

“Of course it’s hard, but you have to earn money. Unless… you want to support me?”

Trying to lighten the mood, Vellandelle joked.

Who knew Gloria would answer so directly?

“I can support Miss Vellandelle.”

“No, no, don’t joke like that.”

Vellandelle was startled, remembering that Gloria was a woman of strange tastes.

Keeping a few Blood Slaves was normal for her—in the story, she even took in a new Blood Slave every month.

“I’m not joking. If I keep you, Miss Vellandelle, you can have as much money as you want, and I’ll satisfy any desire…”

“Enough with the jokes! What are you even talking about?”

Rosasys gritted her teeth, glaring at Gloria.

She felt certain that this woman was no good, and her intentions for supporting Vellandelle were far from pure.

But her rebuke seemed to fall on deaf ears—Gloria remained gentle yet greedy as she gazed at Vellandelle.

“No need. I still think earning my own money is more dignified.”

Vellandelle shook her head softly.

Rosasys and Kelosha both breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s a real shame. Still, I’d like to see where you work. Would you allow it?”

“I don’t mind. If you want to come along, then come. Rosasys, Kelosha, let’s go.”

With that, Vellandelle turned and left with the two.

Gloria laughed quietly and followed behind.

“So proud, like a white swan. I really want to dirty those feathers.”