"Is there anything else?"
[Anything else?]
"A family treasure, or a secret place that only you know about?"
[There's nothing.]
"Okay."
Damn.
Herschel burst out laughing as he watched Camilla sulk.
She was a strange child. One moment she was very clever and fox-like, and the next she was so innocent and honest, like a child.
Herschel said nothing for a moment, just stared at Camilla in silence.
"Child."
"Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Why are you using that term so subtly again?
Camilla immediately shot him a wary glance. Was there something else going on besides the Divine Beast's egg?
Swoosh.
"…?"
Suddenly, Herschel's hand was above her head.
Camilla flinched for a moment, but when she realized he was stroking her hair, she became still.
Even though she couldn't feel his touch directly, she could see the look on his face, and it made her feel strange.
That's exactly the way Ji-hyun's grandmother used to look at Ji-hyun.
[Thank you.]
It was a very brief thank you, but she could feel the sincerity in it.
At that moment, Herschel's body began to fade into a blur, enveloped in a faint glow.
Camilla, who knows what this phenomenon means, watched Herschel.
This is the end.
At last, he was able to let go and leave.
Herschel smiled brightly at Camilla. There were no further greetings.
Camilla saw off his final moments until Herschel completely disappeared.
* * *
'I need a Black Mage.'
When she got back to school, Camilla was still thinking about the black mineral in her hand.
The mineral requires the power of Black Mages to use it properly, and there is only one place in the entire empire where they are affiliated with.
'That place is the problem.'
Eventually, unable to figure out what to do with the mineral, Duke Sorpel sells the mine to Duke Jévillon for a small price.
Duke Jévillon was very interested in the mine from the start.
A year later, Duke Jévillon finally discovers the mineral's use through a Black Mage and becomes very wealthy.
It goes without saying that he made the Duke of Sorpel's stomach churn at every turn.
'I'm going to be the one to do it this time------'
After all, that's the only way, right?
'Let's face this head-on!'
Camilla, who was sitting in the classroom, jumped to her feet.
She left the classroom and headed to the floor where the 3rd year students are, not the floor where the 2nd year students reside.
"Oh?"
"Huh?"
Her appearance drew stares from the hallway.
Camilla brushed off the stares, one by one, and made her way to her destination: Class C in the 3rd Year floor.
Swish.
As she walked through the door, the small, buzzing classroom fell silent.
'As expected, I'm the center of attention wherever I go.'
But then, the eyes of those who were directed at Camilla, shifted away. It wasn't the first time she'd made such an appearance.
Where they turned to was Pedro.
Camilla has been quiet lately, but not long ago she was always hanging around Pedro during breaks. She was there to see him.
Naturally, the students easily assumed that her purpose today would be Petro Jévillon.
However…
Clomp.
The person Camilla was headed to was unexpected.
The faces of the students who saw where she was walking quickly hardened.
Wham!
She made her way to the far corner of the room and lightly touched the desk of the man sitting there.
"…"
The man who had been indifferent to everything going on in the classroom slowly raised his head.
Camilla smirked as she met the dark eyes that instantly chilled the air around her.
She leaned in a little closer to him and spoke in a low voice.
"I've got a nice item, would you like to take a look?"
They stare in disbelief as Camilla smiles like a businesswoman and talks casually.
Even Pedro, who had been watching from the sidelines, jumped to his feet in surprise.
"…"
This is because the person she was speaking to was Arsian Sefra, the son of Duke Sefra.
Chapter. Arsian
The Duchy of Sefra, a group of Black Mages.
Every member of the Sefra Duchy was a Black Mage of great magical power.
It took Sefra's power to change the perception of the ostracized Black Mages and make them an integral part of magic.
'In other words, we really need the Sephras' help to sell these minerals.'
Arsian Sefra, heir to the Duke of Sefra.
'I hate it, too.'
If there's anyone out there who thinks life is as precious as I do, let them come out.
Camilla was well aware of Arsian's cruelty, having seen firsthand what he could do when he was provoked.
It took a lot of courage for her to approach him.
After all, there is no money without a business.
If it was something that needed to be done, no matter when, there was no need to hesitate any longer. Fear doesn't just go away with time.
'And then there's the part of me that has a little bit of faith.'
She may be a lady in name only, but why kill a duke's daughter outright?
Still, Camilla clutched the bracelet Ravi had made for her tightly in her hand.
Even with the students staring at her like she's madder than ever, Camilla kept her smile on her face in front of Arsian.
She was nervous inside, but she wasn't immature enough to show it. She didn't choose acting as a profession for nothing.
"…"
"…"
But why isn't he responding?
If you don't like it, tell me to piss off, show interest in what I'm talking about, or give me some sort of small response so I can continue on with the next thing-----
'Why are you so quiet?'
Arsian could only stare at her, his jaw clenched tight.
Swish.
At that moment, he stood up from his seat. The sound of his chair being dragged echoed loudly through the classroom.
Everyone in the room flinched and held their breath at the sight.
To be honest, Camilla flinched a little. She thought she was going to get punched. But of course, her facial expression didn't show it at all.
However…
'What?'
Arsian walked out of the classroom without any reaction.
"Oh my."
Am I out of the loop?
Camilla stared in disbelief at the space where Arsian had disappeared.
'Did… Did he just leave?'
'What's going on?'
Meanwhile, the other students in the room were left with their mouths hanging open in disbelief.
Arsian was someone who never let anyone bother him or make a fool of him in public.
He didn't care if the person was a woman.
'I thought I was going to get in trouble for something....'
'That's right.'
He didn't react, he just quietly disappeared. It was a first.
"Oh!"
Camilla, oblivious to the situation, soon followed Arsian.
She was planning to show him the product today and get his confirmation.
"Miss Camilla."
As she walked quickly out of the classroom, someone quickly grabbed her.
It was Pedro who grabbed her arm with a gentle hand.
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean, what's going on?"
"I thought you had some business with Arsian."
"That's right."
Camilla nodded slightly, then turned to walk away again in a hurry.
But soon her brow furrowed slightly because Pedro still hadn't let go of her arm.
"May I ask what you need?"
"No."
"…"
"Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
Camila's gaze fell on his arm, and Pedro slowly released his grip.
"I don't know what's going on, but I'll speak to Arsian for you."
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why do I have to tell you, Pedro, when I can do it myself?"
Pedro was taken aback for a moment, as if he hadn't expected such an answer, but then a smile spread across his face.
"It pains me to say this, but... Miss Camilla might be at risk."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for your concern."
"Then I'll----"
"Then, bye."
Camilla turned and ran out of the classroom. She ran quickly in the direction to where Arsian had disappeared to.
"…"
I seem to recall something similar before.
Pedro stared, a little dazed, at the spot where Camilla had disappeared, remembering how she had ignored his suggestion to take a walk in the garden together.
* * *
"Where did he go?"
Despite the fact that it was only a few seconds, she didn't see any signs of Arsian.
[Are you looking for Arsian? I know where he went. Do you want me to show you?]
"Really? Then let's----"
Camilla turned around at the sound of a voice, and at the speed of light, she looked away again.
I didn't hear anything…!
[Wow! You can see me, right?]
Damn it.
It was a ghost, and a familiar one at that.
She was the female ghost who always sat in the back of the classroom.
'I thought she was a haunt…'
She thought she was a ghost unable to escape because she sat in the classroom everyday.
She wasn't expecting her to come and talk to her, so she was caught off guard for a moment.
[I wasn't sure if we were making eye contact, but now I really think so.]
"Ah— Where can I find him?"
[You know there's no point in pretending now, right?]
Can't we just pretend like I never saw you?
After a brief sigh, Camilla finally confronted the schoolgirl ghost head-on.
"So what? What do you want to say?"
[My name is Amy.]
"Yes, it was nice meeting you."
Camilla turned to leave.
[I actually know where Arsian is.]
Camilla was about to start walking when she stopped.
Turning her head again, Camilla was able to get a full view of Amy's face, the schoolgirl ghost.
She's seen her in the classroom all this time, but she's never really looked at her.
Short, bobbed hair. She wasn't strikingly pretty, but she was likable and cute.
She was about seventeen, maybe eighteen, and the clothes she was wearing didn't look that high-quality.
Camilla's gaze stopped at her neck, where she stared for a moment before turning away.
[Yup, I really do know.]
"Yes, I believe you."
[Then why were you leaving?]
"Because I don't want anything to do with you."
[Why? Because I'm a ghost?]
"Um, I'll just look for Arsian myself."
With that, Camilla took off at a brisk pace. She could feel Amy following behind her, but she didn't care.
'The place he frequents…'
Given his aversion to crowds, it's likely that he'd be in a dark, remote location.
[It's not that way.]
"Let's just go over there-----"
[Not that way either.]
"Mm, I think we should go this way."
[Not over there either.]
"…"