Chapter 9: Violence

On the way home from school, Merlin let out a sigh.

“Aiya, just go to school for now. Hiding out here all the time is making your brain dull. Go out more, make some friends. So what if you run into her? It’s not like she can hit you.”

That was what Ophelia had casually said to her a month ago.

Merlin hadn’t thought much of it and took it as a joke.

But in the end, she really did hit her… though she hadn’t used magic.

Merlin brought the Recommendation Letter to register, had a brief conversation with the Principal, and talked a bit about her mother’s situation.

Then she collected her necessities and the dormitory key.

Up to this point, there were no real issues. Merlin had attended school in her past life, so she understood the process.

She changed into her uniform and attended the Entrance Ceremony the next day.

Then, Merlin met the eyes of Machina, who was giving the opening speech.

Machina’s transformation over the past three years was already astonishing, and now it was even more breathtaking to Merlin.

She stood on stage, dressed in Zerion’s black-and-white uniform.

Her long hair had the smooth luster of the finest silk, and the carefully braided little plaits hanging beside her ears added a playful touch of girlhood.

Machina’s hair color was no longer the pure black of Merlin’s memory.

Instead, it began at the crown as a midnight-black, gradually transitioning downward, like top-grade ink dispersing in clear water, slowly melting into a deep, mysterious indigo, until at the very tips, it turned to a glacial, pale blue.

Merlin had heard before enrolling that, in her first year, Machina’s overwhelming ice-attribute magic had changed the color of her hair and eyes, but only seeing it in person could one truly understand its beauty.

Her face had shed the immaturity and pallor of the past, now appearing even more beautiful and refined.

Her eyes, once a pinkish gemstone, now had an enchanting ring of sky blue around the edges, like the sky reflected beneath polar ice.

The blend of pink and blue was dazzling, like two masterpieces of gemstone artistry.

These heterochromatic eyes were the most striking and beautiful proof of Machina’s identity as a magical genius.

It was said that this sort of constitution might not appear even once in decades among humans.

She stood quietly at the podium, exuding a faint chill and an untouchable nobility.

This otherworldly beauty made Merlin’s heart tremble.

With just a gentle wave from the stage, the audience below erupted into unceasing applause and cheers.

He simply couldn’t associate the little girl who used to nuzzle in his arms with the woman before him.

Not only had her personality and abilities changed, but even her hair and eye color. It was as if she were a completely different person.

Merlin instinctively curled his fingers, his nails nearly digging into his palm.

Standing before such a Machina, though in the same school and wearing the same uniform, he felt as if he and Machina existed in entirely different worlds.

Machina thought she was mistaken as well. Though she continued her speech in an orderly manner, her eyes remained locked on Merlin.

Even though he hadn’t participated in the entrance exam, Merlin had to speak as the Freshman Representative of the Alchemy Department.

Only now did Merlin realize—could it be that the Recommendation Letter… was something truly special?

Well, it made sense. Ophelia was Elf Royalty, after all.

When Merlin walked on stage and brushed past Machina, she kept her gaze fixed on him.

Finally, with the Magic Department’s Freshman Representative speech as the finale, the Entrance Ceremony ended.

So what if their eyes had met again? It’s not like she could hit him, right?

She really did hit him…

“What are you doing here?” Just as Merlin left the auditorium, a cold voice was waiting for her.

“I—I’m going to school.”

Merlin was so startled by the forcefulness of the black-and-blue-haired girl that she could barely speak.

Machina eyed Merlin, who was wearing the Zerion uniform.

“You clearly don’t have any magical talent.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m in the Alchemy Department. Maybe the duke’s young lady is too important to remember, but I’ve been tinkering with alchemy since I was little.”

That voice remained as cool and ethereal as before.

“…But only the Magic Department has free tuition. How did you get in?”

“I got adopted by a kind, gentle, purple-haired mom. How else would I get in?”

“This place isn’t for you. I suggest you drop out while you still can.”

“No way. My purple-haired big sister at home would be furious.”

Then, Machina slapped Merlin hard with her right hand.

The fact that the academy’s most renowned figure and a new student were already attracting attention at the entrance was enough, but the crisp slap drew all eyes their way.

Even Merlin himself didn’t understand what had just happened; all he felt was a burning pain spreading across his cheek.

He instinctively wanted to retaliate, but seeing that face—even if she was a different person—it still struck the softest part of his heart.

Looking around, teachers and students who were about to leave had gathered around, watching them as if they were the center of a spectacle.

It seemed too late to hit back now.

Besides, Merlin, as an Alchemy Department student, couldn’t possibly win in a fight—he could only talk back in self-defense.

“Hey! Why’d you hit me for no reason, Duchess? Isn’t everyone supposed to be equal in Zerion?”

Machina merely cast a cool glance at Merlin.

Then she slipped away into the crowd.

That slap—

And that resentful glance.

Had triggered a massive butterfly effect.

A once-in-decades prodigy among humans.

Zerion’s beloved Student Council President.

A hero who had conquered countless magic beasts and labyrinths.

The daughter of the Talan Duke’s house.

And a newly-enrolled, commoner student—though a Freshman Representative—already in a delicate position in the Alchemy Department.

It was obvious whose side people would take in a dispute.

That ever-gentle, kind, outstanding, and beautiful President Machina, who treated everyone warmly, had left with such a resentful look.

Even the students could hardly believe it.

By the time everyone came back to their senses, the situation had already spiraled out of control. Not long after school began, Merlin’s reputation had taken a nosedive.

No matter how Merlin tried to explain, nothing worked.

Ask Machina to clarify? Out of the question.

Playboy, heartbreaker, scumbag who hurt Machina’s feelings.

The girls wanted nothing to do with Merlin.

The boys were jealous and resentful.

As the first-year representative of the Alchemy Department, the girls from his own department avoided him, and the boys plotted to drag down this “scumbag who hurt Machina” in the next exam.

If that was how his own department felt, the hostility from other departments and grades was even worse.

Especially that so-called Fan Club.

Today, things escalated even further. When Merlin arrived at the classroom in the morning, he found his desk scrawled with neat black handwriting—clearly a girl’s:

“Scumbag—”

It definitely wasn’t Machina, probably one of her friends, or maybe some little fangirl.

Even the Lab showed signs of being rummaged through today. Though he reported it to the professor, there was no result so far.

Knowing he had no strength to resist, Merlin obediently went about his days attending class, doing experiments, sleeping—dull, lonely, and keeping away from people.

But even his precious Lab was being messed with. Who had he provoked, anyway?

If not for his promise to Ophelia, Merlin would’ve gone home long ago.

“Ahem!”

A girl’s voice rang out.