HTNSA 61

Chapter 61

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These creatures are mostly active during the dark night, so exterminations were usually carried out during the daytime.

In contrast, creatures full of solar energy became divine beasts.

Generally, the power of the sun is stronger than that of the moon, so divine beasts were known to be stronger and more perfect beings than demonic beasts.

“Judging by its appearance, this definitely isn’t a divine beast’s egg. Divine beast eggs tend to be small and emit a bright light.”

Even now, this egg glowed faintly with moonlight.

The surface of the egg was so pitch black it felt ominous.

It was certain that what Eila had been hiding and caring for in the greenhouse was indeed a demonic beast’s egg.

Rosia tried to suppress the weak laughter escaping her lips but failed.

It was clear that Eila had used this demonic beast’s egg as a forbidden magical ingredient to completely cure her mana insensitivity.

“Could it be she discovered some ancient magic similar to what I use?”

She wanted to take the egg immediately to confirm exactly what kind it was.

But if she did, Eila would soon notice that her egg had been discovered.

“Then she’d prepare countermeasures to destroy the evidence. She’d surely claim that this demonic beast’s egg isn’t hers.”

Rosia then thought of an even more amusing situation.

“What if this fact were suddenly revealed in front of everyone?”

Demonic beast eggs were considered symbols of corruption, so much so that the temple strictly forbade raising them.

Accordingly, caring for such an egg was strictly banned by imperial law, following temple doctrine.

“If this is discovered, Eila will not only be expelled but socially ruined.”

If things went even worse, she could face a witch hunt throughout the empire.

After this delightful thought, Rosia smiled cheerfully.

Of course, she did not want the situation to escalate that far. ‘He’ wouldn’t want that either.

What Rosia wanted was very simple:

Eila expelled, quietly returning to House Blanche, living and dying powerless by Rosia’s side.

If it were revealed that Eila had taken the top rank using such a forbidden magic, her family’s loyalty would completely shift to Rosia.

“If Lord Cadin finds out, he’ll lose all affection for Eila, and then I’ll have the happy marriage life I’ve wanted.”

No one would willingly help Eila after she was caught raising a demonic beast’s egg and expelled from the academy.

At that time, Rosia planned to gently persuade her family.

“Though Eila took my top spot by underhanded means, I can’t just watch her suffer. How about taking her back to the family and caring for her?”

She would propose taking in the poor Eila with nowhere else to go.

Once Eila was brought back, Rosia would continuously sow discord between her and the family.

“Then everyone will fully trust me. Eila will become a criminal forever marked for using forbidden magic.”

With that thought, Rosia smiled coldly.

If that happened, manipulating the family’s emotions with magic would be easy.

She could make every member of House Blanche, except Eila, her slaves.

Rosia then gazed greedily at the large egg before her.

“I’ll ask ‘him’ to let me have this demonic beast’s egg too.”

She planned to take everything from Eila.

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Finally, the autumn cultural festival began.

During the several days of events, students could enjoy many different activities.

Big and small stages were set up all over the academy, with exhibitions and entertainments prepared by various departments.

The noisy sounds outside lifted Fiorelli’s spirits.

“Since Brother Darian is coming on the last day, we have to have fun with the others before then!”

Today, she planned to forget all troubles and enjoy the festival completely.

After getting ready and stepping outside the dormitory, many students were already gathered, chatting noisily in groups.

Among them, Fiorelli spotted two people happily approaching.

“Eila! Felix!”

Waving her hand, Fiorelli received a bright smile from Eila in return.

“Hello, Fiorelli. You look pretty today.”

Despite the compliment, Eila was dressed neatly in her usual uniform.

She apparently had no intention to dress up specially for the festival.

Felix, however, wore a coat over his uniform and looked somewhat dressed up.

Thanks to his well-built physique, passing students glanced at him surreptitiously.

Yet his face remained expressionless, seemingly not caring at all.

“Where shall we start?”

Fiorelli asked eagerly, and after thinking for a moment, Eila replied:

“Let’s go wherever you want. I’m fine with anywhere.”

Hearing this, Fiorelli pouted.

“Hmph, I thought so. Felix, how about you?”

“I don’t mind either way.”

Fiorelli sighed deeply, looking between the two.

“Are you both too calm? It’s a festival! You should enjoy it enthusiastically!”

“That’s why we’re leaving it to you.”

Eila shrugged and smiled.

Felix nodded quietly, showing no objections.

“Alright, then let’s visit the food stalls first! We can stroll around and check out what’s for sale.”

The three slowly walked toward the fountain.

But the food stall area was more crowded than imagined.

The crowd was so dense it was hard even to move.

Still, Fiorelli walked excitedly through the crowd, as if it was the most fun thing in the world.

“Let’s buy that, Eila!”

She pushed through the people and picked a black cat headband from a stall, placing it on Eila’s head.

Fiorelli’s face soon flushed with a rosy glow.

“That looks really good on you!”

Fiorelli put on a white cat headband herself and stood next to Eila, giggling while looking in a mirror.

Then, noticing Felix standing behind them looking blank, she glanced at him with a puzzled expression.

“Hmm, let me see… How about this one?”

She handed him a silly headband with a tiny bald doll attached.

The doll looked remarkably like the academy’s dean.

Felix stared at the bizarre headband for a while, debating whether to wear it or not.

But with Eila’s expectant eyes on him, he had no choice.

Half resigned, Felix placed it on his head.

“Wow! That’s… ahem.”

Fiorelli burst into laughter, then suddenly coughed to cover it up.

Eila covered her mouth and said with effort, “It really suits you!”

She meant it, to some extent.

They say the face completes the fashion, and even with the silly headband, Felix always shone.

Unable to hold back laughter, Fiorelli quickly paid and dragged Eila outside.

Felix sighed deeply, following them while carrying all the things they bought.

“Try this, try that!”

Fiorelli was truly excited.

Her cheeks reddened, she held Eila’s hand tightly and kept running around without rest.

Soon, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster storing lots of food.

At a glance, no one would think she was a princess.

 

Felix struggled to follow behind, burdened with the many items they had bought.