Chapter 63: The Great Soup Stewing Project
Morning sunlight bathed St. Freya Academy in a soft golden glow, the training field alive with the crackle of colliding magical elements.
Seraphina had dragged Ailiya and Aurora out early to practice new spells. Isabella joined them, the trio huddled together, discussing high-tier incantations and gestures, their magic sparking vibrant bursts in the air.
Meanwhile, Ailiya crouched alone in a corner, frowning at a patch of dirt. High-level stuff’s way out of my league, she thought, glancing around. Noticing Liliane’s absence, she asked, “Seraphina, where’s Lady Liliane? Didn’t you invite her?”
“I did,” Seraphina replied, a hint of worry in her voice. “But she said she’s feeling unwell and might come later.”
Unwell? Ailiya pictured Liliane’s icy, unyielding face. That monster-strong woman gets sick? Probably stayed up until 4 a.m. on paperwork. What a workaholic.
Grumbling inwardly, Ailiya refocused on her dirt patch. Mimicking her textbook, she channeled mana to her fingertips. “Terra Spina!” (Earth Spike)
A second passed. Then ten. Nothing but a stray leaf stirred.
Ugh, why won’t it work?! Cheeks puffed, she tried again, imagining herself commanding the earth, spikes erupting gloriously. Then I’ll roast tricorn meat on them—delicious!
Lost in her fantasy, she overheard Seraphina’s curious voice. “Ailiya, you and Lady Liliane seem… close lately.”
The words hit like a stone in a calm lake. Aurora and Isabella, Liliane’s ardent fans, snapped their heads toward her, eyes sharp.
“Close?” Ailiya stood, brushing dirt off her hands, indignant. “Hardly! You didn’t see how she treated me! Yesterday, just for a joke, she pinched my face—it still hurts! And over a cat, she glared like she’d eat me!”
To Aurora and Isabella, her complaints sounded like bragging. “Lady Liliane… pinched your face herself?” Isabella’s eyes widened.
“And gave you a special look over a cat?” Aurora’s breath quickened.
Such honor! Fans would kill for that! Their faces darkened. How dare this ingrate complain?
“Ailiya…” Aurora’s smile turned menacing as she advanced.
“We need to ‘talk,’” Isabella added, cracking her knuckles, “to teach you to respect Lady Liliane.”
Cornered by the fanatics, Ailiya backpedaled. Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the field’s entrance—Liliane.
“Lady Liliane! Save me!!” Ailiya bolted, hiding behind her, pointing at her pursuers. “They’re plotting against me!”
“I didn’t! I wouldn’t!” Aurora’s menacing aura vanished, replaced by innocence.
“We just wanted to spar with Ailiya,” Isabella said, smoothing her skirt, as if her earlier threat was a mirage.
Ailiya opened her mouth to argue, but noticed Liliane’s silence. Peeking, she saw Liliane’s pale face and faint breaths. “Lady Liliane, are you okay?” Seraphina asked, approaching.
Liliane shook her head slightly, her voice soft with rare weakness. “I’m… not feeling well today. I can’t demonstrate spells, but I can still correct your mistakes.”
“You should rest,” Seraphina urged.
“No,” Liliane insisted. “I promised to guide you.” She turned to Ailiya, her violet eyes unusually gentle. “Ailiya, could you help me to that bench?”
Ailiya froze. The bossy princess is… asking nicely? Nodding, she took Liliane’s arm, feeling its cool, soft touch. Liliane’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Thank you.”
Boom! Ailiya’s mind short-circuited. She smiled? At me? The cold, venomous Liliane now seemed like a fragile porcelain doll, her pallor adding a delicate charm. She’s… stunning.
Blushing, Ailiya fumbled, helping Liliane to the bench, stammering, “I-I’ll go practice!” before fleeing to her corner.
Aurora, watching Liliane sit quietly, didn’t swoon as usual. Instead, her brow furrowed. Something’s off.
Ailiya, reeling from Liliane’s unexpected softness, poured her energy into practice. Maybe that shock unlocked my potential! Channeling mana, she shouted, “Terra Spina!”
The ground quaked. A crooked, half-meter earth spike burst forth. Success!
Before she could celebrate, uninvited guests entered the field—a gaudy group surrounding Prince Leon. Felix and other familiar boys were among them.
“Your Highness,” Felix said, scanning the crowded field, “it’s full. Shall we try elsewhere?”
“There’s a spot,” a lackey pointed to Ailiya’s area.
“One spot’s not enough for us,” a flamboyantly dressed girl scoffed.
“Why not ask Lady Isabella’s group to share?” another suggested.
As if! Isabella and Seraphina were untouchable. Their gazes settled on Ailiya, the “commoner” with her laughable spike.
After whispering, they concluded: Kick her out.
The lead girl strutted over, chin high. “Hey, you. We’re taking this spot. Scram.”
Ailiya blinked, pointing to herself. “I reserved this.”
They hadn’t expected a commoner to talk back. She’s supposed to beg and flee! “A peasant daring to defy us?” another girl shrilled. “We’re doing you a favor by telling you to leave!”
As tensions rose, Leon stepped in, playing peacemaker. “It’s just one spot. Let’s go.”
“No way, Your Highness!” the lead girl protested. “A commoner disrespecting nobles? She needs a lesson, or the royal name’s tarnished!” She smirked at Ailiya. “Let’s duel. If you lose, apologize and get out.”
Ailiya laughed, incredulous. “Why should I? I got here first.”
“If we lose…” The girl dangled a heavy coin purse. “Here’s a thousand gold coins as compensation.”
Ailiya’s eyes sparkled. “Deal!”
Money talks!
“You money-grubbing fool!” Aurora’s hand shot out, grabbing Ailiya’s head, shaking it like a basketball. “Selling us out for a thousand coins? Where’s your pride?!”
Stewed in soup, Ailiya thought.