Under the dark royal blue shadow of embroidered walls and the amber tints of the wall lamp, we six people were together.
It was nighttime now, and a half-crescent moon was visible through my room's window stacked with numerous stars.
Several color lights could also be seen in the distance, emanating from where the plaza was situated.
Around a coffee table that was in the middle of the room, Valerie sat on a three-seater sofa to my left, beyond which my workplace, a door that led to the bathroom aside to the open kitchen, and several bookshelves were visible.
Ducas stood behind her, a step towards me.
Felicity sat on a similar sofa to my right, beyond which my bed was placed in a distance.
Griff also stood behind her like Ducas, also a step towards me.
And I sat with my back to the window, witnessing the whole formal arrangement.
Persephone sat on the sofa similar to mine which was across the table infront of me, graceful as always.
It wasn't certainly easy, but Griff's pleas worked in the end and here we were, on the cusp of starting the whole conference meeting.
" So, Griff kept saying you saved him. What is he talking about? " the voice demanded.
Felicity's head turned to me, as she spoke in an arrogant tone, which I thought was quite fitting for a 'Malika'.
I let loose my body, placing both my arms on the embroidered hand-rest .
I also let the weight of my body rest on the back of it, as it helped me relax a bit.
After being discouraged by the realization that my tonight's rest has been taken away. I was Feeling tired of all this so I only moved my eyes, and focused on her.
She is calm even though she was being hostile to everyone. It must have been the lioness's pride. I thought.
Her almond-shaped eyes which always seem to look down on everyone stared at me, and signs of frustration were obvious on her fierce diamond-cut face.
Her tawny yellow hair was tied in a ponytail that went all the way to her back, above her crimson color shirt with black buttons and a darker shade of jeans with high boots.
Taking the view once, even though I don't have to. I used Prescient information on her.
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[ The Active Skill 'Prescient information' has been activated. ]
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[ Profile has been found. ]
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[ Name: Felicity Hanson
Age: 36 years old
Blessing: none
Active Attribute: Malika( Hero )
Active skill: Combat in jungle Lvl.3, Sense of sight Lvl.3, Roar Lvl.2...
Passive skills: Caution Lvl.5, ReadRoom Lvl.4, Hunter's Pride Lvl.4...
Overall Stats: Strength Lvl 78, Stamina Lvl 79, Agility Lvl 79, Magic Power Lvl 68
Description: Prideful Existence. The pride she had since childhood has earned her the attribute Malika, Queen of Jungle. But despite that, she is struggling with authorities personally.
Currently, existence is showing hostility towards you ]
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White glass slate screen with runic border appeared as I wanted.
So it really is like that, I mused as I read her [Profile]. Malika was her attribute, her profile seemed amazing, and her hostility was quite understandable.
Felicity was a student who is known by everyone in Trivia just like Valerie.
But they both are hiding their identities here. Actually, Valerie is from the Duke House of the Atlas kingdom And Felicity is from the Marquis house of the Atlas kingdom. Duke being the higher authority.
Valerie was known to be friendly and very approachable.
On the other hand, Felicity has a cold attitude around her. People found her to be unapproachable and She, herself, didn't want to be associated with anyone.
That is just how she is. Felicity is also a student who repeatedly applied to be Lisa's assistant.
Unlike Valerie who wanted to be close to Lisa because she wanted to excel in magic. Felicity wanted to learn Lisa's mindset.
Lisa is a strong existence who was a leader and left everything for her vision. She wanted to learn that strong mindset, and she had the courage to leave everything behind.
And that attitude will lead Felicity to become the future queen of the Lion tribe, once Dark matter would engulf this world and a new script would start.
Hence she has the attribute of Malika.
Malika, the Queen Lioness.
Nevertheless, - I argued inside - I am the assistant professor. I have higher authority than them, not in this world but should be in this school.
I am still trying not to get into their internal affairs, but I feel like I am just being swept away by them.
It's not just because all of them are actually much older than me, I have seen their story for a long time.
Excluding Ducas and Persephone, since one is a scam and another is a Goddess, I focused on what I could remember about others.
' If these three could get along, and with Ducas, they could become a great force, they at least have potential. ' I thought to myself.
They are from the Royal families, obviously heirs, and the next Heads of their families.
So their authoritative powers are absolute. Well, that kind of authority will also only last till...
'hmm...' I became emerged in my thoughts.
After that their progress will certainly be significant but not enough to change anything.
I never considered anyone a protagonist or antagonist when I wrote about this world in my dream journal, but these people definitely are the side characters.
Real performers of this script are still out there.
Maybe it can change, no, it definitely can change, but maybe I shouldn't involve that much.
The pitter-Patter of outside and an oscillating sound of a bell from distance took over the room.
ding... ding... ding...
I wonder what my existence must be looked like at present. A random thought came to me.
:: FELICITY HANSON
" So, Griff kept saying you saved him. What is he talking about? " I asked.
It was sudden and surprising when the sudden feeling inside of me went rampant.
Griff's condition should have been severely bad, I thought when it happened.
I had never felt such foreign pain coming from him. I searched for him instantly, and even though I had left important work behind, this was more important.
I used too much of my magic to search for him everywhere. His dorm was empty, and I couldn't find him with any of his friends that he made to blend in.
And after searching for a long time everywhere, the feeling went away just when I was near the faculty dorm on the fifth floor.
Even though the feeling was gone, I couldn't just rest my uneasiness and had to track him through my senses.
I picked up the blood stench quickly and rushed, as it brought horrified thoughts in me.
And what do I find? him in 'his' room with blood on his hand. And then Griff was pleading to me to let things go?
Laughable.
Instead of giving an answer to my question, 'he' kept looking at me with his calm eyes which seemed a little annoyed.
His restful posture, with his arms on the handrests of his cathedral, palms lazily hanging, straight back, and head resting on the back of the chair, was frivolous.
It was a very calm posture to be in right now, does he have her family's backing?
My eyes went straight at Valerie. Her family sure has power everywhere, and anger wields up inside of me.
The pitter-patter of outside suddenly took over the room and an oscillating sound of a bell rang into my ears.
ding... ding... ding...
'He' just kept looking my way but not at me, seemingly inside in his own thoughts.
" Well? "
I spoke, shifting my eyes to Griff, but maintaining my posture, not letting it turn.
I was still worried about his condition and what happened to him. The blood on his lips was no more and 'his' hands were clean of blood as well, but I am almost certain it was Griffs.
How did he get hurt?
Griff quickly avoided my eyes and spoke looking at 'him'.
" Ah... I was poisoned, and... Sir Arthur used his Elixir to save me. "
My eyes also shifted on Arthur as well, but he was already holding Griff's gaze with a little frown on his face.
And confusion swept inside me too, I eyed the man intimidatedly, while squinting them a little.
An Elixir?
How did he get an elixir? Such a rare tonic.
Is he really from the Queen's family as rumors say?
A man of mystery he is, to say the least.
Arthur came here almost three weeks ago and already was rumored to have become Archduchess's Assistant, which I thought had to be absurd.
But it turned out to be true, and after the Opening ceremony, he was suddenly rumored to be chosen by Headmaster.
Aside from that, whenever someone tried to talk to him outside of the classroom, he always came out as confident and approachable, but aloof and uninterested. Quite opposite traits.
While in class, or rather infront of the Archduchess, he always comes out as all-knowing and reliable, which arose mystery regarding him.
His looks already attracted a lot of attention to himself.
He was rumored to be young, only of twenty, and his effeminate face with sharp features which for some reason showed maturity like he was looking at everyone from above, already made him popular.
But not me.
" You really expect me to believe that? " I sneered.
I certainly didn't believe what Griff told me. To be more precise I believed him but I didn't believe anyone else.
" You should. Your brother would have been dead without it. "
Valerie spoke pointing out facts, so that I couldn't refute them and had to make a reasonable conclusion.
But if it is coming out of her mouth, it could not be the truth.
" Ridiculous. It is a lie. "
" Big Sis- "
" This all must be orchestrated from before. You are being deceived, Griff. "
I flat-out rejected everything. Griff tried to say something, maybe more pleas but I cut him by saying all of this was a deception.
Sigh.
Suddenly the man sitting in the cathedral let out a sigh. He seemed to be exhausted.
Does he think he could get away from me just because he got some recognition in the school? Archduchess wouldn't batt an eye if I make you disappear right this instant. I roared inside with annoyance.
Then my deduction has to be right. It is her, the red-haired bitch, I eyed Valerie from the corner of my eyes, but her guard's expression took my attention who seemed pissed.
I looked at the silver-haired boy, what was his name? Ducas? he was frowning. He looked really angry. His bitterness was quite obvious.
Valerie also sighed. No voice was heard but she had a face that was like she was sighing in dejection, which enraged me further inside.
But I didn't let it show, and remained prideful.
She has no Royal etiquette left whatsoever, she seems to have changed. I was about to belittle her when suddenly a silver light comes from one of Arthur's hands, which he held in front of him like he was trying to catch something in the air.
To be more precise, the light came from one of the rings on his fingers.
It was then I realize, it was a [storage ring].
He had a storage ring? And that even of silver color?
The light soon dimmed and a beautiful hexagonal cut glass bottle shimmering with a green hue with similar mystical fluid inside of it appeared on his hand.
He casually tossed it to me, which swiftly landed on my palm and I grabbed it. Tightly gripping the bottle and rubbing the surface with my thumb, I focused on the energy inside it.
[ Item: Healing Elixir - grade 4]
It was real?
" I thought you were trying to stay in hiding, but I guess a princess couldn't live without all the riches. " I sneered again.
I was informed that Valerie has left her duchess and went to this school so that she could pursue her interest without being shackled by all the political affairs, but I guess I was wrong.
I was a fool to even consider that her claims were true. She is still in contact with Duke, otherwise, how could she acquire an Elixir?
Valerie again let out a sigh.
" You just saw Felicity. It was Sir Arthur's, I had nothing to do with it. "
Ridiculous, like I will ever believe that.
" And it was your brother who attacked us first, we just defended ourselves, and Sir Arthur saved him. " the silver-haired one chimed in.
I looked at Griff, he opened his mouth to say something but instead just took a deep breath in.
" It's true. " so he said.
But so what? I am not apologizing and neither I blame him. After everything, it was hard for us too. It was all her family's fault.
" Then what was Griff's blood- "
" Ah. It was not Griff's "
Valerie cut me off, which pissed me off even more but her words made me confused.
It was not his?
" It was Sir Arthur's. He used his own blood to enhance the Elixir's effect to cure him faster. "
A slight frown appear on my face this time. Does Elixirs require blood to enhance its effect? Why didn't I hear something of it before?
Then again it's not like we have Elixir to spare for experiments.
With the sudden information, I felt Griff's body tense up behind me looking confused like it was news to him as well.
Was the blood really not Griff's? I focused on Griff's energy and... he seems to be fine, also when I think again, it was only a little blood that was on his lips, and 'his' whole palm was drenched with it.
" Do you want to say anything, Professor? "
Already feeling annoyed by everything, and since my pride never let me bend to anyone, I spoke in a rude tone, which he didn't seem to mind it.
I shifted to the only person who 'seems' to be the one I could talk to, but he kept observing everything.
Everyone was looking at him then. They all were waiting for him to give reply to my rude question. The silver-haired boy kept looking at me with a threatening frown, but I didn't show any reaction to it.
" I am not part of this conversation. " Then he said, still not lifting his head from the back of his cathedral.
What does he mean he is not involved? It is his room, he gave the Elixir, he even used his blood, and he saved Griff.
Also if everything is true he is the only one I can trust here.
" They both brought Griff to you? " I began.
" Yes? "
" You used your own Grade three Elixir to get rid of the poison? "
" ..Yes? "
" You even hurt yourself to give him your blood so that he could heal faster? "
" ...Yes? "
" You are still saying that you are not part of the conversation? "
His mouth remained open a little, he seemed speechless for a second, and then an understanding appeared on his face. He lifted his head and looked at me.
Amusement appeared in his eyes. His expression seems to be saying ' You got me. let me counter then. '
" Miss Felicity."
Subconsciously I put my guard up.
" Your brother was poisoned, right? "
" Yes? "
" He attacked the other two people present in this room? " He pointed to the two-person on his left side, flicking his index finger.
" ...Yes? " Maybe, I wasn't sure honestly.
" Then. Am I really the main part of this conversation? "
This time my lips halted a little separated from each other. He is right. Was this really a time to talk about how he got the Elixir? This wasn't the right place to talk about the Royals affair here.
" Still. I don't believe anything, but it seems that my brother is unharmed. "
Aside from Arthur, everyone's expression relaxed at my words, his seems annoyed as he looked into the empty air in front of him like he was reading personal words from the gods.
Impossible, even Father only gets them on special occasions. I told myself.
He probably already knows that I am not going to let things go so easily and I am not.
" But I will not let this matter at rest. "
Saying so I darted my eyes at Valerie. Our eyes made eye contact, and then fierceness appeared in her eyes.
Yes, that competitive gaze is the one I remember. I will not back down and it was evident that she will also not.
It was a tense atmosphere. It was like there were sparks generated between our eyes.
Valerie's cheeks rose up a little, as she clenched her jaw, eating her own words. Arthur spoke again then.
" What do you mean? "
" Obviously. You all are working for her. I don't trust her. "
My eyes shifted to him.
" Even if you handed the Elixir. That doesn't mean she couldn't have already given it to you before. Or you could have been sent by her family, and she wouldn't even know. "
Arthur's eyes squinted and he seemed to bite his lower lip just a little, unable to deny my words. But he was paying full attention to my words.
" You just happen to have some [Grade three Elixir]? Even we don't have that many to spare. "
A subtle curious expression took over on everyone's face. Arthur must have some connection, no, not just a connection, a strong connection, some very high Authorities, but then again he seems to be too weak.
He must be hiding and have great control over his own soul. I assumed but there were uncertainty.
" And this all can be an orchestrated act, to lure my brother, painting him as an attempted murderer. He can be easily persuaded, you see. "
A bewilderedness appeared on Valerie's face, understanding where I am leading my words.
" I am concerned about his safety now. "
It doesn't matter what happened, since Griff is safe, I can use the situation to my benefit. Swords, skills, and stats are good for survival battles, but in a closed room like this one, around a table words are the one that shifts the control.
Only by embracing a living of a Royal can one control a conversation like this.
" I am sure If I said this to Acting Headmaster, he will conduct a thorough investigation. So, I want Valerie expelled from this school by sunrise. "
No need to beat around the bush anymore.
By the end of my words, Valerie and Ducas both had amusing bewildered faces, which I couldn't help but find funny.
I will keep snatching everything from her until she feels the same despair we feel, the same struggle I keep seeing in my father's eyes.
Sigh.
" Davison and Hanson power struggle. I forgot how frustrating it was. " Sighing Arthur said so.
" Felicity Hanson. " I stiffened up as the words escaped his mouth.
" Daughter of Kieta Hanson, Marquis of the Atlas Kingdom. " Bewildered expression took over my face this time, as his eyes bore a hole into me.
'He knows me?'
I was already suspecting, by how nonchalant he seemed, as the banter between me and Valerie progressed. He must have known the gist of our identity.
I thought, he must have figured that we are from the Marquis family. But How does he know that I am the daughter of the Hanson family?
It was a secret, only 'Titled' Royals know about it.
" Since we don't know each other, let me tell you the A, B, C's of me. " Caught off guard I was unable to say anything.
" A: I don't respond to threats. " He was intimidating.
" And B: People don't demand things from me, That's my thing. "
Griff and Valerie's faces stiffened, but hers were a little relaxed like it was not the first time she has experienced something like this.
" That is only two things. What's the C? " I asked, suppressing my wish to grab him and asked for more information.
" C is for people who show me, they know A and B. "
Hahaha-, I laughed inside. What a dialogue.
" Griff, I guess you attacked Valerie because of this situation, right? "
Then he asked Griff that, to which he couldn't reply anything, in against of his words.
Griff looked at me, we both made eye contact then he lowered his head to avoid eye contact with me.
He couldn't say anything.
" I will prove that the situation Valerie told is true," Arthur stated.
A suspicious expression appeared on my face but it was gone as soon as it appeared. I spoke in my usual tone.
" Then I have to believe it. "
A smile appeared on his face, which said 'obviously'. He knows what he is doing.
"Let's add a condition. "
" Condition? "
" Yes. You are proud so I am sure you would accept it. "
It goes without saying. Pride is one thing that makes me who I am.
" Since you have already demanded something. I will go ahead and do the same. If I could prove it then you would do one thing I ask. Of course, it would be perfectly within your limit and it won't be too difficult and weird. "
" Why should I? "
" If I can't prove it. I would quit being Professor Lisa's Assistant and I would personally make sure that you get my place. "
I became speechless again.
At first when he proposes the condition. Intimidating he may be, but I had no reason to accept anything he says.
Unexpectedly he put forward a condition that I didn't want to refuse. It felt like he was playing with a winning hand.
Everyone had odd look on their face. Valerie looked most shocked.
" Okay. It is a deal. "
" Sis? "
Whatever the situation may be, how could I give up an opportunity like this one?
***
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[ Several Nubeculas are watching at your direction. ]
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[ Majority of Nubeculas that are watching you, are immensely enjoying the situation. ]
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