It had been more than two months since that incident.
Irina Zi was imprisoned for life in the dungeon, and after the incident, Korim also disappeared without a trace.
But the Blood Magic left behind by Liyakade told her that Korim was not just a figment of her imagination.
On the streets of the Academy, students in uniforms walked leisurely towards their classrooms under the bright sunlight, laughing and playing.
Liyakade sat up drowsily from bed, feeling much more energetic than before now that she could sleep well every day.
Liyakade looked in the mirror, admiring her own face with vanity.
She felt that after losing the pressure and anxiety brought by Irina Zi, her skin had become even smoother and more delicate.
Although she had seen this face when she first arrived in this world, back then she had always been under Irina Zi’s oppression and never had the chance to appreciate it.
She looked left and right in the mirror, lamenting that other students’ gazes really were lacking—just because of her white hair, they thought she wasn’t good-looking enough.
Delicate features like a porcelain doll, fair skin, paired with the unconventional silver-white long hair and crimson eyes—this was the true charm and essence of her character.
After washing up, Liyakade took off her pajamas and tossed them on the bed, then began choosing her outfit for the day from the wardrobe.
She was tired of the black and white uniform.
Today, for a change of mood, she decided to wear a pure white set.
She took out a pure white uniform from the wooden wardrobe, then drew two white over-the-knee socks from the lower drawer, slipping her pale little feet and ankles into the soft fabric, slowly pulling them up past her calves and knees until they rested on her thighs, then put on the other one.
After dressing, she put on her little leather shoes and walked out of the dormitory cheerfully, heading towards the classroom.
Ever since Irina Zi was thrown into prison, Liyakade felt that the looks of disgust and fear from others in the Academy had lessened.
It seemed Irina Zi had been spreading rumors about her, making her reputation worse.
But at this stage, it was still unrealistic to completely turn around her reputation.
After all, the original owner really had been as mean as the rumors said when she first enrolled.
Adding to that Irina Zi’s spies stirring things up, the title “Curse Child” quickly spread throughout the Academy.
Although the truth had now come to light—Irina Zi was arrested and imprisoned for life—the details of the incident weren’t made public.
After all, these matters were already considered a scandal within the Palace.
Most people only knew Irina Zi was expelled.
Very few knew she was in prison, and almost no one understood the full truth behind the event.
However, none of this could ruin Liyakade’s good mood.
Liyakade hummed a little tune as she strolled into the classroom, her leather shoes making a cheerful squeak.
She seemed to be in great spirits these days.
“Good morning, Miss Liakade. You’ve been so happy ever since the Contract was dissolved.”
Alice, who had arrived early and was already seated, greeted Liyakade.
“Humph, how could I not be happy?”
Liyakade sat casually in her seat, a hint of pride on her small face as she lifted her chin slightly.
“I was so busy with all that mess before, I barely had time to enjoy Academy life properly.”
“That’s true. After Miss Liakade confessed everything, I couldn’t concentrate on studying either. I was always worried about Miss Liakade.”
Alice also felt much more at ease.
Now she didn’t have to worry about someone doing anything terrible to her or her friends.
“But… Miss Liakade, aren’t you forgetting something important?”
Alice suddenly changed the subject, looking at Liyakade seriously.
“W-what?”
Liyakade thought hard.
She had finished dealing with everything related to Irina Zi.
Her Demon Bloodline was perfectly hidden, too.
Was there something she had missed?
No, that couldn’t be.
Alice was probably talking about something more lighthearted, right?
Could it be about tutoring?
But she helped Alice with tutoring every day.
What on earth was it?
“I-I don’t remember. What is it?”
Liyakade scratched her cheek awkwardly, unable to recall.
“Hey! How could Miss Liakade forget?”
“It’s about you scribbling on my textbook before!”
Alice glared at Liyakade, who kept dodging her gaze.
“Didn’t we make a promise back then? What was it again?”
“Oh, I remember now!”
Liyakade tried to recall the situation and suddenly shivered.
Back then, Alice had asked her to write a formal Confession Letter.
Liyakade had agreed just to get it over with.
She didn’t expect Alice to still remember after all this time.
She thought Alice had already forgotten.
It seemed that when Alice confessed under control that day, her feelings were genuine.
“Uh… um…”
“Is Miss Liakade trying to cheat?”
“Cheating isn’t right!”
At some point, Alice had leaned in closer, her bright eyes blinking expectantly at Liyakade.
“Eh?”
Liyakade stared into those eager eyes, then leaned back slightly.
“O-of course I won’t cheat! I just regained my freedom a few days ago, so I need to have some fun first. I’ll definitely write it for you after that.”
“Don’t forget again, because I’m serious.”
Alice smiled sweetly, her words soft but firm.
“I-I know!”
Liyakade felt her face heating up, a visible blush spreading across her cheeks.
She quickly shook her head, trying to shake the strange emotions out of her mind and cool herself down.
“Good morning. What are you two talking about? You look so happy.”
At that moment, Field arrived.
Although the two of them shared a dorm room, they didn’t always leave together.
Every month, there were a few days when Field liked to stay in bed.
Even if Alice called her, she’d tell Alice to go to the classroom first, and she’d come later after a bit more sleep.
Today was one of those days.
“What’s wrong, Liyakade? Why are your ears so red?”
Field sat in the seat on the other side, studying Liyakade beside her.
“N-nothing.”
Liyakade shook her head blankly, looking conflicted as she fiddled with her fingers on the desk.
“I need to calm down.”
“Hmm?”
Field glanced at the uneasy Liyakade, then at Alice, who seemed to be expecting something.
She immediately understood what was going on.
“Wow, Alice! Are you sneaking ahead again?”
“Hehe, Princess Field, this isn’t called sneaking ahead. You just missed out because you slept in.”
“I don’t care. Sneaking ahead is still sneaking ahead!”
“Humph. Even if you didn’t sneak ahead, Princess Field, you’d never express your feelings openly, would you?”
“W-why not?”
“It’s just that the mood isn’t right yet, and the timing isn’t perfect…”
Faced with the question, Field admitted she really wasn’t as straightforward as Alice.
Alice could express her feelings boldly, but Field just couldn’t.
Maybe it was because her status as a princess made it hard to lower her pride, or maybe she was just too shy.
However, their playful bickering gradually faded from Liyakade’s mind.
Before she crossed over, she was also a total novice at love.
Facing Alice’s straightforward approach, Liyakade found herself at a loss.