One hour later…
Amid the astonished gazes of many students, Willis, drenched in blood, was carried into the Royal Academy’s infirmary.
Her vision blurred from blood loss, Willis could only hear the voices of teachers and students around her but couldn’t see what the Royal Academy looked like.
A numb coldness spread over her shoulder, and she closed her eyes as Hill Yu’s anxious calls echoed in her ears.
She felt herself being laid onto a soft bed, with footsteps moving around her.
“Men, all of you, out!”
Hill Yu’s tone was sharp.
“Healer, hurry over!”
Soon after, as the healer’s restorative magic took effect, the searing pain Hill Yu had caused in her shoulder slowly subsided.
At the same time, the system’s voice rang softly in her ears.
[ Beep! Congratulations, Host, Task Complete — Retreat with Injury.
Reward: Magic Power Limit +200. ]
The task completion was straightforward, but it was a pity that total annihilation was not achieved.
If only they had been able to persuade the city guard soldiers who arrived later, perhaps they could have completed the full annihilation.
But now, it was all hindsight.
There was no use dwelling on it.
“Her Highness the Princess, you’ve been fully healed.”
In a daze, a stranger’s voice came from nearby, making Willis quietly alert.
She opened her eyes through the lingering pain and saw a girl with fluffy pink hair.
The girl wore the uniform of a Royal Academy instructor. Despite the modest outfit, her alluring figure couldn’t be restrained.
Her slender body and dangerously enticing curves marked her as a woman with a devilish physique.
Yet, strikingly incongruous with this was the aura surrounding her and the smile on her face, as if she treated everyone she met with gentle kindness…
She was like an angel.
Two contradictory vibes existed in one person. Though her beauty was only above average, it multiplied her allure several times over.
“What’s your name?”
Hill Yu, standing nearby, saw Willis awaken and was about to ask her condition, only to hear Willis speak with such flirtatious levity.
In an instant, not only did the healer freeze in place, but everyone else in the room also exchanged strange looks.
As the Second Princess of the Okam Empire, Willis’ reputation was well known far and wide.
The healer’s face flushed in panic, quickly straightening up and bowing to Willis.
“I-I’m sorry… Her Highness the Princess, you need rest; I won’t disturb you further…”
With that, she fled as if escaping.
The other nurses in the room also took their leave—citing Her Highness the Princess’s need for quiet recuperation.
Willis looked on, somewhat surprised by this scene, her expression revealing a hint of disappointment.
Yet deep inside, turbulent ripples stirred.
Since she had transmigrated into this world, the original Willis still influenced her.
It could be said she dominated the body but was still affected by the original Willis.
That careless phrase had slipped out subconsciously.
“Haha, you messed up, didn’t you? You scared her half to death. I bet she’ll be avoiding you from now on.”
Hill Yu teased from the side, but Willis bowed her head, lost in thought.
“Willis, what are you thinking? Don’t tell me you’re planning…”
Seeing Willis silent, Hill Yu assumed she was angry at the healer’s fleeing and plotting revenge.
Willis smiled bitterly.
“Sister, I’m just wondering which faction the people who attacked us belong to.”
“Not the Elves?”
Hill Yu asked, puzzled.
Seeing Winnie Kanasha voluntarily remove her mask, Hill Yu realized the woman had been another victim of her sister’s mischief.
Thus, driven by hatred, she might have sought the Elves’ power to assassinate Willis, which was perhaps not surprising.
As a woman herself, Hill Yu understood how furious women could act.
But Willis didn’t think that way.
“The Elf Realm is 108,000 miles from the Okam Empire, separated by the Great Southern Sea. Their influence can’t reach the empire’s power center…”
Not to mention organizing such a large-scale assassination.
Drawing on the original Willis’ memories, she tried hard to gather information about the attackers, but could only piece together fragments.
To unravel this darkness, more intelligence was needed.
“All right, Willis, let’s discuss this later. Your inauguration speech starts in half an hour…”
Hill Yu pursed her lips and sighed.
“Since you were attacked, I think the Academy should postpone the speech until tomorrow.”
Given the circumstances, it was unreasonable to proceed with the inauguration speech.
Moreover, an imperial princess being attacked on her way to the academy implied suspicion fell on the Royal Academy itself.
After all, those who wished Willis couldn’t reach the academy were many.
“Tomorrow, huh?”
Willis thought about her reputation and smiled wryly.
“That might not be so easy.”
Sure enough, ten minutes later, Vice Dean Mark of the Royal Academy arrived at Willis’ infirmary with a group of instructors.
This infirmary was a medical facility specially set up for the academy’s teachers and students, with healers on duty around the clock and a full range of medicines.
Willis received the best treatment here, even the hollow wound that had pierced through her shoulder had been restored to pale, flawless skin, as if she had never been injured.
But… this was also the reason the academy was pressuring her step by step.
The visitors greeted Willis and Hill Yu respectfully, and then Vice Dean Mark spoke.
“Your Highness the Second Princess, how are you feeling now? Our healers here are quite capable. If you feel any discomfort, you may call on them again.”
In that moment, Willis almost accepted and even considered requesting the pink-haired woman who had just treated her.
But she restrained herself and replied calmly, “I am fine. Your healers are indeed extraordinary.”
“In that case, since Your Highness is no longer unwell, and the academy has made extensive preparations for your inauguration speech, wasting even a minute is costly. Would you consider…”
Vice Dean Mark spoke. He was said to have risen from a commoner to such a high position.
Hence, he had only the name “Mark” without any noble surname.
His story of climbing the ranks from a poor background was once a model for children from humble families striving for success.
But now, he no longer had the spirit he once did.
To Willis, this fat-faced, coarse man who had become a Magister was utterly corrupt inside and out.
His flattering smile belied the sharpness of his words, which left no room for compromise.
“What did you say?!”
Before Willis could respond, Hill Yu snapped in anger.
She violently drew out her Ice Orchid sword and brandished it in front of Mark.
Willis was stunned; she never expected her usually composed elder sister to react so fiercely.
This was unlike her at all!
Under Willis’ surprised gaze, Hill Yu’s eyes froze coldly on Mark.
“Vice Dean Mark, my younger sister and I were attacked. The Royal Academy is the prime suspect! And now she has just recovered from serious injuries, yet you want her to proceed with the inauguration speech? What exactly are your intentions!?”
Hill Yu’s eyes seemed ready to spit fire.
Only then did Willis realize that Hill Yu had a history with this slimy-looking Vice Dean.
Seeing Hill Yu draw her sword, Mark’s demeanor immediately became more humble, almost cowardly.
He bowed low, face filled with the helplessness, grievance, and pitifulness of someone being bullied.
“Your Highness the First Princess, forgive us. It’s not that we insist on the Second Princess attending the inauguration speech…”
“But the venue and facilities have all been arranged, the academy has invited professors and all the students and staff, and much expense has been incurred. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the Second Princess!”
Mark suddenly cried, his round face scrunched up as if suffering a great injustice.
“Your Highness, please understand, we have no intention of forcing the Second Princess!”
“If it’s unsuitable, I will report to the academy and cancel the speech immediately… But I fear that if this speech is called off, there may not be another chance.”
A threat!
A blatant threat!
Willis frowned. Did this man really have no fear of death? How dare he speak to an imperial princess like this?
***