HTNSA 44 (Edited)

Chapter 44

As the end-of-term exams approached, studying took a backseat.

Most of Eila’s time now went into potion-making.

Even crafting a single dose of the temporary treatment took considerable effort—and this time, she also had to prepare her own medication, doubling her workload.

Felix had lessons with the Duke, so she had to prioritize his supply. By now, the effects of his last dose were probably wearing off.

Thinking about him darkened Eila’s expression.

“Why is Eila going so far with all of this?”

She hadn’t expected Felix to ask that.

He was a kind person—it made sense he worried about her—but she’d been so flustered that she drew the line more sharply than intended.

Remembering the hurt look on his face left her feeling uneasy.

Eila glanced down at the bracelet on her wrist, then shook her head.

“It’s over. Focus on what needs to be done.”

Steam rose from the cauldron as she wiped sweat from her forehead.

Every day after class, she locked herself in her room to brew, but there was only so much extract she could get from rare herbs.

Heaven’s Tear, Earth’s Smile, and Moon’s Footstep—ingredients with names as grand as their cost.

Without Peony’s support, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of obtaining them.

Thanks to those herbs, her brewing speed had increased dramatically. What used to take over a week now took just three or four days.

Gathering enough of them took some time, but now she was on track to finish before exams.

Only a week remained.

Felix’s batch was already complete—she just needed to finish her own.

Thankfully, it was already halfway done.

The potion simmered under low heat, glowing a beautiful shade of pink.

With the final ingredients added and two more days of careful boiling, it would turn a deep crimson red.

Eila smiled proudly.

“Once I drink this, I’ll be able to sense mana.”

Her heart swelled at the thought.

Voices from the past—spoken during her years of mana insensitivity—echoed in her ears.

“Did Lady Irenne cheat or something?”

“A Blanche daughter with mana insensitivity? What a disgrace.”

Eila didn’t mind the insults aimed at her. But they always dragged her mother down too.

She had been the only flaw in Duchess Irenne’s otherwise perfect life.

Thinking of her mother made Eila’s heart ache.

She remembered how, in the original story, her mother had loved her unconditionally despite the family’s disdain.

So this time, she wanted to show Irenne—no, she had to.

Show her just how magical her daughter really was.

And one day, after fulfilling her revenge, she would return with pride.

“Just a little longer.”

She got back to work, determined to finish before the exam.

Two days before the exams.

Eila was heading to the dorms with Peony after spending most of the day in the library.

“I can’t believe it’s in two days. Ugh, it’s terrifying.”

Peony looked anxious.

“I just hope I don’t fail.”

Because she had missed so many classes, she struggled to keep up with the material.

If Eila hadn’t helped, even reviewing would have been difficult.

“You’ll do fine, Peony. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah… Thanks to you, I think I can at least pass.”

They shared light conversation until they reached their dorm hall and split up.

Once alone, Eila quickened her pace.

Felix’s treatment had been delivered.

Now she just needed to finish her own.

She planned to complete it tonight and rehearse a bit before the test.

“If I do, I’ll have a shot at top marks against Rosia.”

As a child, she had poured herself into studying magic.

Even though her condition made it pointless back then, this time was different.

“This time, it’ll finally pay off.”

Her heart beat faster.

She didn’t even notice she was speeding up—until someone approached from down the hallway.

Eila stopped, eyes wary.

The girl wore an academy uniform, but her face was unfamiliar.

Maybe they were from a different department?

But judging by the color of her name tag, she was from the same year.

The girl had a soft, indistinct face—a harmless appearance.

Maybe that’s why Eila’s sharpened senses, dulled from sleepless nights, relaxed just a little.

“Eila.”

The student approached and gently called her name.

“Professor Jacey wants to see you.”

“…Professor Jacey?”

Eila tilted her head.

All the professors were busy with exams.

“She had some questions about your potion assignment.”

“Oh… right.”

Eila recalled something Jacey had said during their last class.

She’d asked if Eila was interested in growing herbs.

Maybe this was about that.

Professors were busy, but she could spare a few minutes.

“Okay.”

Eila agreed easily. The girl smiled softly and stepped closer.

“You don’t know where her office is, right? I’ll guide you.”

“No, I can find it myself.”

The moment she spoke, Eila winced.

A sharp pain stabbed through her head.

She immediately realized—

“It’s a trap.”

But one she couldn’t easily escape.

Her thoughts fogged. A strange compulsion to follow the girl’s words crept in.

“Emotion manipulation magic.”

She clenched her jaw and forced herself to respond.

“I know where Professor Jacey’s office is.”

“No, didn’t you hear? She moved her office recently.”

That… sounded vaguely familiar.

Eila blinked. Her mind flickered in and out.

But she held onto one thought:

“Someone needs to find me.”

The only reason she could still resist was because of her conviction.

Emotion manipulation didn’t work well on those with strong beliefs.

Her fingers trembled, but she discreetly slipped off the bracelet from her wrist.

The girl’s voice remained kind.

“There’s no agenda here. I just thought it’d save time. You’re busy with exams, right?”

Eila hesitated.

She was beginning to break free from the spell—she could probably escape.

But if she showed too much clarity, the girl would become suspicious.

“I can’t let her know I understand how emotion magic works.”