0̵̮̜̹̲̣̼̞͒͋̾̐͛͒͐̅͘͜͜2̶͓̰̦̜̻̣͙̮̱̯̾̀̐4̴̙̰̩͕̖̲̦͍͒̅̈́͋̿͘ͅ

While Instructor Illinbur was contemplating, questioning and articulating the abilities of the young Veronique, the 4 members of Class 1-S were approached by Corlissa who was letting out a frightening aura that intimidated the novices. The way she calmly walked towards them deathly slow, the 4 class members could only freeze in their tracks as they were engulfed in the domineering presence that Corlissa had yet to unleash in any other battle prior.

Surprisingly, the airhead of the class was able to move first, he awoke everyone else from their state of being frozen in fear, even those spectating felt their breath hitch when they felt even the slightest of her aura. They felt as though a sudden weight had been placed on their shoulders, they found it harder to move just their finger, Illinbur watched as Class 1-S was exposed with the experience of the young Veronique and was only more intrigued with what else she had kept secret, the fact that she was still only using water magic completely slipping from his train of thought.

Miraculously, Class 1-S found themselves preparing again as the royal blue-haired female neared closer, step by step, even though they had prepared physically and mentally they were unable to react. In the blink of an eye, Amy who was closest to the young Veronique felt a thick line of water surrounding the entire circumference of her neck and felt it trail down soaking the collar of her white blouse. Even though she held her sword in front of her, ready to slash at any moment that Corlissa as much flinched, she was unable to move at all, like she was weighed down with chains encompassing her to the depths of her heart.

Other than Teacher Illinbur, none of them was able to pick up what had happened, they couldn’t even tell that she had moved, the most they saw was Corlissa twitching her finger slightly. The smile on her face had remained as she walked closer to the other three, she passed by the auburn-haired boy, her cloak flowing as she stepped forward. Even though she passed the boy, nothing happened to him until the young Veronique had reached the point where she was surrounded by the three remaining members of Class 1-S.

In an instant all 3 of them were in the same state as Amy, the collars of their blouses all soaked as a deafening tense silence followed as they were rendered still in shock. Corlissa’s smile had dropped, her eyes opened as a blank stare was left in its place. The future Crown Prince who was in Class 3-S simply narrowed his eyes, playfulness dancing in his eyes but also caution hidden behind his gaze.

Illinbur was vaguely able to comprehend what had happened, though he trusted his eyesight he couldn’t believe it.

The blade made of water magic wielded by the young Veronique passed through the throats of Class 1-S. Unmistakably, Corlissa Veronique’s sword had gone through their throats, they should've been fatally injured from what he had witnessed but their heads did not roll. The sword had simply passed through their necks. The only trace it had left was the line of water around their necks like a collar.

The Headmistress was simply in shock, this had never happened before, never once had they accepted a student who held such extensive power, she acknowledged that the young Veronique was more than capable of single-handedly defeat countries. A fearsome addition to the Kingdom, one that would prove to be a pioneer and a leader, an addition that can become an assurance to the people, an addition that can ease the hearts of comrades and instil fright into enemies.

None of the students was able to remove themselves from their state of speechlessness out of shock, they were still unable to comprehend what had just happened.

“Miss Corlissa Veronique stands victorious, meaning that is another win for Class 3-S,” Illibur’s voice rang out vividly cutting through the tense atmosphere, causing the rest who were still confused to snap back to reality.

“But Class 1-S is still standing though, there was no damage done to them!” Similar complaints ensued, protesting how it was unfair that the match was called when they still had a chance of fighting back, causing their teacher to sigh in annoyance.

“You’re like pests. If it weren’t for the control or consideration of Miss Veronique, their heads would be rolling right now, her sword made direct contact with their necks but she was able to control the density of the blade halfway along the length so they wouldn’t suffer any injuries or death.”

Instructor Illinbur’s statement had caused all of the first years to stop complaining any further, the 4 students who had experienced the feeling first hand were still paralyzed in alarm. It was indisputable, they knew best, it was made undeniably clear that even if they did not stand a chance from the start. The young daughter of Duke Veronique did not unleash their true potential, the strength of 4 powerful children who stood at the top of their age group was unable to hold a flame to someone who had lived the same duration as them.

They could no longer stay ignorant and stay under the false pretence that they were strong simply because of their birth, seeing how the young Veronique showed no difference in treatment no matter what their past or status was. In battle none of that mattered, the only factor that influenced them was their strength, their own power that would determine if they were worthy of survival.

This was the annual event for first years in any division, their pride, past strength or standing would all be obliterated to dust by first years but this one was more extreme because the false hopes of the first years were shattered by another fellow first year. It appeared that it was time for the Headmistress to make some alterations, especially for Corlissa.

Teacher Illinbur dismissed them all back to their rooms and made his way to the Headmistress’ office with a solemn expression. He knew that what they had at hand was more than what it seemed. The instructor knocked on the large mahogany door, twisting the golden doorknob after hearing an invitation to enter from the Headmistress.

“You’re here to talk about Miss Veronique, right?” the Headmistress asked to which Illinbur responded with a silent nod.

“This is going to be quite difficult to deal with,” she continued.

“Yeah, those skills and abilities or rather the mentality that she has honed is one that is gained through countless real battles, they are abilities accumulated through life-staking fights. Honestly, for the extent that she has sharpened them to, it’s impossible to build such fearsome power within 8 years of childhood. What I saw in her were lifetimes of experience, ones that can only be found within the veterans of war, in our Kingdom’s forces I’m talking about the generals, the leaders of the army, those that have fought and survived countless conflicts. I can vouch for this as the former Grand Commander.”

“I see. We’ll test her then, I’m going to select her for the upcoming event.”

“What?! She’s still a first-year though! Aren’t the ones chosen usually the top-ranked of Division A who are part of The Summit, she hasn’t even gone through a week of classes yet. We have no idea if she is mentally or physically capable of participating, one wrong move and she could die!” Corlissa’s combat teacher exclaimed with clear disagreement.

“You’ve seen her fight, you've even acknowledged her strength, we’ve witnessed what she is capable of. Her abilities are well on par with The Summit, in the entrance exam her results well surpassed her predecessors, there has been no one at all in the history of this world that has such strength. She defeated the legendary light magic with the common water attribute and the rare dark magic. She didn’t even use all of her magic attributes, rather the fact that she even has advanced mastery over all of them is an unprecedented feat.”

“But even so, the Proelium is not to be taken lightly, even if she wields that much magic and mana, there’s no guarantee that she can make it out alive. You know very well how dangerous it is.”

“Yes, I have no intention of sending her out to die. There’s not much I can provide for her at this stage, she could easily graduate at this very moment right now, if she proves herself worthy enough in the Proelium, I will immediately transfer her to Division A. Right now though, I think the furthest I can stretch it is Division B Class 2-S.”

“There’s no point in arguing now, you’ve already made up your mind,” Teacher Illinbur announced with a defeated sigh causing the Headmistress to let out a hearty laugh.

***

Corlissa sluggishly walked out of her room, she had forgotten to take Evie’s candies since she won the match and was quite sad when she remembered. Despite usually not being one to break rules she did sneak out of the academy at night to do some undercover investigation, she was slowly gathering the lost puzzle pieces that the former villainess was selfless enough to leave behind at the cost of her own life.

‘How ironic, the villainess was the one who displayed the most heroic characteristics,’ Evie thought to herself with a bitter smile.

She dragged herself to the dining hall where the entire academy ate their meals and for a reason unknown to Corlissa, the students in Division A were more boisterous than usual. When she received her chosen meal, thanking the chefs as she took it, she and Amy Vontaine walked together to the end of one of the tables. Once seated, they ate quickly and then began chatting.

“Have you seen the notice board?” Miss Vontaine asked with pure excitement swirling in her eyes.

“Hm? What about it?”

“What?! You don’t know?!” Amy exclaimed causing all of the attention to head towards the pair, “oops,” she meekly added after realising how loud she was. When people recognised Corlissa, some glared, others smiled, many just ignored them and a few were scanning her as if they were determining her strength.

Corlissa let out a tired sigh before asking, “What is it that I don’t know?”

“You should see for yourself,” Amy said while pushing Corlissa to the tray dropoff area first before continuing to push her towards the noticeboard on the ‘Division C’ side of the dining hall.

“Look! Read it carefully!” Amy slightly yelled without realising that the entire academy was silent waiting for the young Veronique’s response.

“So...I moved up more classes and I’m competing in a competition…? So?” Corlissa responded nonchalantly, causing everyone to do a spit take out of disbelief.