Chapter 13
Typically, financiers are attached to nobles who come to the capital.
While the upper-class nobles lead extravagant lives in the capital, these financiers lend them money and hold the autumn harvests from their estates as collateral.
Although this may benefit financiers and merchants, the tenant farmers back in the countryside are squeezed to the bone.
Marie, who had experienced such horrific exploitation firsthand, held deep respect for the Duke of Betelgeuse.
However, from Marie’s perspective—who was already being ostracized from the very first day of the entrance ceremony—it wasn’t easy to turn down the seemingly friendly advances of Isolde Folchen and Sendia Aspinal.
Moreover—
“Lady Folchen!”
“Lady Aspinal!”
There were even male students who supported Isolde and Sendia.
They were sons of low-ranking bureaucrats or merchant families.
“As if a noble lady from a prestigious family like the Duke of Betelgeuse would ever bother looking at us.”
“It’s not like she’ll retaliate if we gossip about her. She doesn’t even have a social faction behind her.”
“Might as well support the more approachable wealthy young ladies and get on their good side.”
“Better a socialite with connections than a reclusive grand noble, right?”
With those thoughts, they sided with Isolde and Sendia.
To Marie—who was unfamiliar with the intricacies of high society—this only fueled her anxiety.
It was clear how powerful and well-connected Isolde and Sendia were.
If she upset them, she would be the next to be targeted.
Especially since she was the girl who had boldly claimed she didn’t do any pre-study—despite having done so—and embarrassed the professor in the process.
“You probably don’t know how ruthless grand nobles can be… Be careful. That Idnia Kache Betelgeuse is a vicious one.”
“Ah, yes… I’ll keep that in mind.”
Marie could only nod in reply.
But at that moment, a clear, commanding voice echoed above their heads.
[Tsk, tsk. You noble brats can’t even drop your filthy social habits here? You think dinnertime is for networking and gossiping?!]
💥BOOM!💥
A sudden gust of fierce wind swept across the plaza.
With a sharp, commanding female voice, the lights went out, and darkness enveloped everything.
“Eeek!”
“What’s going on?!”
As confusion spread, thorny black vines emerged from the darkness in front of the dormitory plaza…
Transforming into a woman in black.
With stark white hair, a tightly fitting black dress that highlighted her curves, and eyes that burned with intensity—
No one could mistake it. She was a demon.
A demon appearing in the middle of Dunais Academy left everyone in shock.
“One of the Empire’s Five Great Sinners!”
The Succubus Queen—Sadia—had arrived. She immediately addressed Vice Principal Deneve.
“I heard that Buremhide conducted the initial initiation ceremony. Then why are these students still so lively? They’re doing high-society tea parties, for crying out loud. I expected them to be half-dead after dealing with Buremhide.”
“Well… one student smashed a Crystal Golem. That’s probably why, Professor Sadia.”
“What? You serious? So Buremhide isn’t going senile after all? A student actually destroyed a Crystal Golem?”
“Yes.”
“Hmph. This sounds interesting. Fine. I’ll take over the rest of today’s events. Dinner’s over!”
With a clap of her hands, all tables, trays, and kettles flew into the air.
Students still mid-bite had their meals snatched away.
But Idnia had been quick—she’d already grabbed some scones.
‘Ugh, I barely ate thanks to those boys trying to flirt with me.’
Students nearby murmured at the sight.
“So unrefined, grabbing food with bare hands…”
“Seriously…”
“Not very lady-like. I used to really respect Duke Betelgeuse.”
Idnia heard the bitter, mocking whispers but snorted internally.
‘You lot don’t know these professors. Later, you’ll be eating crumbs off the ground.’
As Sadia raised her hand, a wand appeared in her grip.
“Vice Principal Deneve, you’re too soft! Spoiling them on day one?! This looks more like a fancy party!”
“We just had leftover tea-party food from the welcoming banquet for our VIPs. As per the headmaster’s orders, we avoided things like jam or butter. I thought it’d be fine for the first day…”
“Too soft!”
Sadia slammed her wand to the ground.
A magic circle spread out from her.
Magical energy touched every student.
“Ugh?!”
“What is this?!”
“Oh… I feel kind of… nice?”
Everyone was confused by the strange pleasure radiating through the magic touching their bodies.
But those knowledgeable about magic turned pale.
“No—!”
“It’s dangerous!”
Crown Prince Rudolf stepped in front of Idnia and cast a defensive spell.
So did Isolde Folchen, Astraea’s Marie, Prince Lorenzo of Mazdari, and Prince Karl of Oxbach.
Even some students—those who had escaped penalties during pre-studies by hiding behind others—cast shields.
“Heh. Not bad. Some of you have a clue, huh? Well, I made it obvious on purpose.”
Mass Energy Drain!
Sadia’s spell struck.
All the defensive spells shattered instantly, and silvery essence began pouring from students’ heads toward her.
“Professor Sadia!”
Professor Deneve screamed.
Energy Drain was a top-tier necromancy spell—classified as forbidden magic.
Defending against it at a student level was impossible. It didn’t just kill you—it could corrupt your soul.
Had she gone mad?
“Relax. It’s not lethal. Just drained enough energy for a meal.”
As Sadia absorbed the energy, her hair began to glow like starlight.
She looked less like a demon and more like a goddess.
Meanwhile, students collapsed in hunger.
“Ugh…”
“I… can’t…”
“I’m so hungry…”
“This is insane!”
“You feed us and then do this?!”
They fell to their knees, overcome by sudden hunger.
Only Idnia, the Crown Prince, Saint Candidate Marie, and those who had used defense magic like Isolde remained standing.
Mass Energy Drain was an elite spell.
For fledgling magic users, it was like using a cannonball to break paper.
Still, those who had resisted lost less vitality than others.
“Oh? Some of you held up better than expected.”
“Let’s see—the Crown Prince, the top student, various nobles… and a commoner who’s a Saint Candidate?”
Sadia eyed the ones still on their feet.
“Tch. I hate it. Are nobles going to dominate the top ranks again this year? Guess I’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“But Professor Sadia, as a teacher, shouldn’t you be fair—”
“Fair? In this wretched class-based society? Where’s the fairness in that?! Commoners are already being squeezed dry! I’m just evening the scales! Fire me if you don’t like it! You won’t, though, will you?!”
“Well… you are a tenured professor…”
‘Or more accurately, one of the Empire’s Five Great Sinners… gah.’
Professor Deneve looked helpless. The only way to control the Five Sinners was by extending their sentences with penalties.
But Sadia always danced just along the line—never quite crossing it.
‘This succubus really knows how to walk the edge. Compared to Buremhide… she’s way craftier. No wonder she once led a revolutionary faction.’
Meanwhile, Isolde seethed.
The Crown Prince had stepped in to protect Idnia during the attack.
‘That woman didn’t even cast a single spell! Yet my brother shielded her with his own body!’
‘And my brother—! He always…’
(The scene cuts off abruptly.)
