The silver-haired boy and the red-haired girl stood frozen, their eyes locked in mutual surprise. The bustling academy hallway seemed to fade around as they processed this unexpected reunion in front of the classroom.
"You're the boy from before," Valerie said, her voice a mix of recognition and disbelief.
"You're that girl," Ducas replied, equally stunned.
Their voices overlapped, and I suppressed a chuckle as I took a deliberate step back, giving them space.
Valerie's gloved hands clasped together as she bowed her head slightly, her smile softening the usual sharpness in her amber eyes.
"You're also a student here? That's wonderful. I wanted to thank you again for yesterday—I wouldn't have gotten my materials back without you."
Her gratitude was palpable.
Ducas shifted uncomfortably, his boots scuffing against the polished floor.
"Ah... Like I already said, I was just—" He cut himself off, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it's okay."
Unlike her effortless warmth, his words came out stiff, his usual confidence replaced by awkward hesitation.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments: "What's going on here? Did we skip a scene?" ]
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For The Heartbroken' sighs: "We missed something. Again." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' replies dryly: "If you're that curious, try observing the world beyond his shadow for once." ]
+
[ Some Nubecula are curious about the interaction. ]
+
Murmurs of intrigue rippled through the Nubeculas. Hwang Jini wasn't wrong—I'd openly ordered Ducas to patrol the plaza's alleyway yesterday. If they'd paid attention, they'd have seen the whole thing unfold.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' purrs: "Oh, I know. It was deliciously interesting." ]
[ A chorus of Nubeculas lean in, eager for gossip. ]
+
Of course, Gumiho, our ever-knowledgeable rumor collector, had the details. I'd sent Ducas to intercept a problem I saw happening in my dreams—one that would've left Valerie empty-handed and humiliated.
The alley near the plaza housed a discreet black market, its storefronts masquerading as ordinary magic shops. Unlike the legitimate stores in the city center, these shadowy vendors traded in rare, often illicit materials: dragon-scale residue smuggled, bottled whispers of dead mages, even cursed artifacts wrapped in suppression seals. For researchers like Valerie, it was a necessary risk.
In my dreams, she'd been ambushed after purchasing a vial of vampire ash. Outnumbered and unwilling to expose her disguised identity, she had to give up on that. But with Ducas there the would-be thieves didn't stand a chance.
I planned a perfect situation: Ducas acting of his own will, Valerie gaining an ally, and no one the wiser about my involvement.
'Flawless,' I thought, smug. ' I feel like a cool mastermind.'
+
[ Several Nubeculas nod approvingly, though a few grumble about meddling. ]
+
Ducas's gaze flicked to me, but I was too busy mentally applauding myself to notice—Valerie, however, did. Her eyes followed his, landing on me with sudden interest.
"Hello," she said, tilting her head like a scholar examining a rare specimen.
I blinked, then offered a polite smile.
"Hello. Nice to meet you."
"This is Sir Arthur." Following that, Ducas introduced me, which I thought was unnecessary.
Valerie's brows rose. "That Sir?" she asked, as if confirming a rumor.
Ducas nodded solemnly.
I stiffened. I was confused. What is this secret conversation?
Oblivious to my confusion, Before I could say anything, Valerie clasped her hands again. "Thank you very much. Because of you, I was saved."
What. Now, I was shocked. What is going on? When did I save her? It was Ducas who saved her yesterday.
I shot Ducas a glare. He scratched his head, then delivered the killing blow: "Sir Arthur, you told me to patrol the plaza. That's when I helped her. I know you said not to tell anyone, but she kept thanking me, so I admitted I was just following your orders."
His tone was so earnest it physically pained me.
'This absolute moron.'
Persephone's laughter echoed in my mind. "Pfft... He really meant what he said."
How did it go like this? This idiot. I sent him so that Valerie feels indebted to him. But did he bring one more baggage for me?
+
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' cackles, tossing 500 points into the air. ]
[ 500 points donated ]
+
This Nubecula is such an asshole, but shockingly he also knew what I wanted.
I pointed at Ducas, my voice strained.
"You should thank him. I didn't lift a finger."
Valerie's smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew brighter, her eyes crinkling at the corners. 'How noble,' her expression seemed to say. 'Modest, too.'
Ducas had clearly spent yesterday waxing poetic about his "Sir," and now I was stuck with her admiration like a burr on my cloak.
"Of course, but I want to thank you as well," she insisted.
I exhaled through my nose. "...Sure."
Oh hell with it. I finally let her think whatever she was thinking. Her brightened face was telling me it was useless to argue with her.
Ducas nodded, blissfully unaware of my suffering.
"I'm Arthur Xanders," I said, resigning myself. "Just Arthur is fine."
Valerie brightened. "Valerie Blackmore. Please, call me Valerie."
"Wynfor Ducas," Ducas added. "But just Ducas is... easier."
The way Valerie's gaze lingered on him—soft, almost fond—made me reconsider my frustration. Maybe this wasn't a total disaster.
Then, I activated Prescient Description, the world sharpening into lines of data as Valerie's secrets unraveled before me.
+
[ The Active Skill 'Prescient Description' is activated. ]
+
[ Name: Valerie Davison
Age: 32
Blessing: None
Active Attribute: Fierce Mage (Rare)
Active Skills: Fire Control Lvl.2, Wind manipulation Lvl2, Fluid Sync Lvl.2, Verdant reach Lvl.2
Passive skills: Magic Lvl.2, Common Sense Lvl.3, Positive attitude Lvl.2, Rational thinker Lvl.3
Overall Stats: Strength Lvl 63, Stamina Lvl 72, Agility Lvl 65, Magic Power Lvl 79
Description: A woman who traded nobility for knowledge. Currently hiding her identity, researching forbidden magic—not for power, but for answers.]
+
The moment I analyzed Valerie's stats, I had to suppress a whistle of appreciation. She is amazing—that is all I could think of. While none of her elemental skills is above level2, she'd achieved control over every base element, something even most senior professors couldn't boast: fire, wind, water, forest-sort of. The implications were staggering; with proper guidance, she could become one of those rare polyvalent mages who could adapt to any magical circumstance.
Even her stats are impressive. At just 32 years old, her overall level is above 200. Most of normal lower existences reach nearly 200 in their lifetime. Only exceptional individuals nears 400, and those above are considered in a realm of their own. I mentally compared her to the academy's average students, whose combined stats typically languished between 80-120. Even among nobles, only the most dedicated warriors or mages pushed past 200 before middle age. But those who surpassed even sooner? They existed in legends, their names etched in the history as the world's true powers.
And as expected, her last name isn't Blackmore—it is Davison. The system also noted she was hiding her identity, but I'd already known that.
She is the daughter of the Davison family, Dukes of the demi-human country Atlas. They are the only human family ruling over demi-humans, putting her status just below Lisa's.
"Are you also here for the class, Miss Valerie?" I asked, already knowing the answer but playing my role.
Her eyes lit up. "Yes," she breathed, fingers unconsciously tracing the cover of her book. "I would never miss Professor Lisa's class. Not when there's so much to learn."
The reverence in her voice bordered on devotional. I'd seen her in my dream before, of course - knew how she'd secretly transcribed every one of Lisa's papers, every one of them which she could get her hands on. This wasn't admiration; it was the single-minded focus of someone who is curious about the magic of this world.
"You're also here to attend her class, Sir Arthur?" Valerie asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Yes. Something like that," I replied smoothly. I caught Ducas giving me that look - the one that said he knew exactly how much I was omitting. As Lisa's assistant, attendance wasn't optional, though I carefully avoided mentioning that detail.
Valerie clasped her hands together, her gloves' fine embroidery catching the light. "You're in for a treat! Professor Lisa's lectures are..." She searched for words, her passion making her momentarily inarticulate. "They're like watching a master painter create a masterpiece while explaining every brushstroke."
"Yeas. I have heard that she's strict but incredibly knowledgeable." I said, already understanding her words were genuine. "I'm sure you're right. I'll attend every one of her classes,"
Valerie smiled, pleased to share her passion.
Ducas shifted uncomfortably, his silver hair falling across his face as he looked between us. When the silence stretched, he blurted out: "I'll obviously be wherever Sir Arthur is."
The sudden declaration hung in the air.
"...What about your own classes?" I asked, surprised by his declaration.
Would he really follow me everywhere? Ducas awkwardly averted his eyes, leaving my question unanswered. Worry prickled at me.
"Miss Valerie, may I ask which course you're in?" I said, forming a plan in my wake. I already know she is in the research course.
"Hmm, the research course," she answered, confused by my chosen change of topic.
"Perfect. He's also in the research course," I said, gesturing to Ducas. "You'll be seeing each other often. Could you help guide him?"
This wasn't a coincidence—I'd enrolled him specifically to bring them together.
Valerie hesitated, likely concerned about her own research time. I softened my expression.
"Consider it repayment for yesterday."
Now she couldn't refuse. Despite hiding her noble status, she still carries a duke's daughter's mindset—debts must be honored.
Defeat flickered across her face. "Okay... Alright, alright."
Relief washed over me. Ducas looked like he wanted to protest, but I ignored him. I couldn't have him shadowing my every move.
"We'll go together after this class," Valerie told Ducas.
I nodded in approval.
"Is this class really that important?" Ducas asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
Unlike me, he didn't know about Valerie's obsession with the strict professor.
"Yes," Valerie said, eyes alight. "And I'm particularly excited about today's session."
"Hmm? What's special about today?" Ducas asked.
I perked up too. I didn't recall anything unusual scheduled.
Valerie nodded eagerly. "A very interesting guest is coming."
"Oh? Someone renowned?"
"No—an assistant."
"Ah-"
"A special guest- Professor Lisa's new assistant." Her voice dropped conspiratorially. "I heard the headmaster personally selected him after he solved the Dirac Enigma in under an hour."
I nearly choked. The Dirac Enigma? That obscure theoretical puzzle Lisa used to weed out applicants? The way rumors mutated in this place was both terrifying and oddly flattering.
"He sounds... interesting," I murmured.
"Of course. I'm very interested," Valerie said brightly.
Brinngggg!
As the bell's chime echoed through the vaulted hallway, signaling eight o'clock and the start of classes. I gestured to the door.
"You two should head in."
"Aren't you coming?" Valerie asked.
"I'll be right behind you."
She entered without question—understandable, given we'd just met. Ducas simply nodded and followed, closing the door behind him.
Alone in the hallway, I exhaled. Then I turned and I caught sight of Lisa approaching, her robe flowing behind her like a banner of authority.
"Showtime," I murmured, squaring my shoulders as Lisa's piercing gaze met mine. Whatever today's class held, one thing is certain - Valerie isn't the only one who'd be learning something revealing.