The day after the ball, Coralina was summoned to the headmaster's office. It was a rare occurrence, as despite her defiant attitude, she had never caused serious trouble requiring intervention from the academy's authorities.
In the office sat Headmaster Reinhardt Müller, her mentor Friedrich Steiner, and a young woman Coralina recognized immediately: Amélie von Falkenstein, a noble student of Viennese descent.
Steiner's face was streaked with tears, his posture utterly defeated. Coralina had never seen him like this before.
"Miss Álvarez," Headmaster Müller said gravely. "Thank you for coming. We are facing a delicate situation. Miss von Falkenstein has made an accusation against Professor Steiner."
"What kind of accusation?"
"Hours before the ball… Professor Steiner tried to… take advantage of me. I was so embarrassed and frightened that I didn't know whether to speak up, but I eventually decided it was the right thing to do."
"That's a lie," Steiner said, his voice broken, his eyes filled with despair. "I didn't do anything. I spent the entire afternoon grading student essays. I didn't even cross paths with her that day."
Coralina knew Steiner well enough to be certain he would never do such a thing. The academy was everything to him. His life revolved around research, his classes, and his students. An accusation like this wouldn't just ruin his reputation—it would likely force him to leave the academy.
This can't be true, Coralina thought. But she also knew that her belief wasn't enough. Amélie's word, as a noble, carried far more weight than Steiner's. If Coralina tried to defend him, her own reputation could be called into question.
If he simply denied the accusation, all attention would remain focused on Steiner, and the damage was already done. She needed a distraction, something big enough to shift everyone's focus.
"Headmaster, this is a misunderstanding. Professor Steiner couldn't possibly be interested in Miss von Falkenstein. Why? Because…"
She paused, as though the decision pained her, then released her words in a deliberately dramatic tone:
"Because Professor Steiner only has eyes for me!"
Everyone, including Müller, Steiner, and Amélie, stared at her in disbelief.
"What are you saying, Coralina?" Steiner asked, horrified.
Coralina turned to him with an expression that attempted to look serious and emotional. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I can't keep it a secret any longer. I'm in love with you. And I think you feel the same. That's why you could never have done something like what you're being accused of."
"That makes no sense," Amélie said in a tone that was sweet but venomous. "Do you really expect us to believe something so scandalous?"
Coralina shot her a glare. "More scandalous than your ridiculous story? You know perfectly well the professor wouldn't be interested in you, and your tale has no evidence. After he finished grading essays, we spent the hours before the ball together. Walking down Vienna's main avenue."
Amélie didn't respond directly. Coralina knew instantly that she had struck a nerve. So it's the prince you're after, she thought. And now I've become your obstacle.
The news of the "romance" between Coralina and Professor Steiner spread like wildfire throughout the academy. Though Coralina had hoped it would be a passing rumor, the intensity of the students' reactions caught her off guard.
"Did you know?" some whispered. "Coralina and Professor Steiner! I never would've guessed."
"It's strange, but… they do spend a lot of time together."
Others weren't so kind. "It's just a tactic to get the prince's attention," said a group of noble students, led by Amélie. "It's nothing but a desperate ploy."
That night, as Coralina locked herself in her room, she collapsed onto her bed with a sigh. What have I gotten myself into? Between the rumors about her and Steiner, Alexander's apparent interest in her, and the rivalry with Amélie, things were spiraling out of control.
The next morning, Steiner confronted her in the hallway.
"What the hell was that, Coralina?" he asked, lowering his voice so no one else would hear. "Are you insane? Why did you make up something like that?"
"Because it was the only way to save you," Coralina replied coldly.
"Save me? You've made my life even more complicated! Do you know what this means for my reputation? The rumors won't stop!"
"You'd rather the rumors be about you being a criminal than someone caught in a romantic scandal with me."
Steiner opened his mouth to retort but couldn't.
"I know," Coralina said, crossing her arms. "And I also know Amélie won't sit quietly. So we'd better be prepared."
Duel Under the Stars
The rumor spread through the academy like wildfire: Prince Alexander Wright had challenged Professor Friedrich Steiner to a magical duel to the death. The reason? Coralina's hand.
Coralina was in her battle strategy class when a classmate burst in, breathless and wide-eyed.
"Coralina! The prince has challenged Professor Steiner to a duel!"
This can't be happening. What kind of nonsense is this?
"Where?" was all she asked.
"The grass fields near the north wing. It's happening right now."
A crowd had already gathered. Students, professors, and even some academy staff formed a semicircle around the two men facing off at the center.
Prince Alexander, dressed in a dark blue dueling uniform embroidered with silver threads, held a wand in his hand.
Opposite him stood Steiner, with his usual disheveled appearance, holding a simple, well-worn wand.
Coralina knew Steiner wasn't a duelist; he was a researcher. He stood no chance against someone like Alexander, trained in advanced magical combat since childhood.
"Professor Steiner," Alexander said, his voice clear and firm. "You have sullied the honor of Coralina Álvarez and, in doing so, mine as well. That is why I challenge you. This duel will determine who has the right to stand by her side."
Steiner raised a hand in an attempt to reason with him. "This is a misunderstanding! There's nothing between Coralina and me."
"Words are no longer enough," Alexander replied, raising his wand. "Only magic can settle this."
The crowd held its breath. The prince began gathering an overwhelming amount of magical energy, and Coralina, who had just reached the edge of the circle, froze.
He's going to kill him, she thought, her heart in her throat. And it'll be my fault.
Without a second thought, Coralina extended her right hand, and her right eye lit up with the crimson cross of her antimagic. The moment Alexander released his spell—a surge of bright blue energy that capable of disintegrating everything in its path—it froze in mid-air, inches from Steiner.
"Alexander!" Coralina shouted. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Coralina, this isn't your concern. This man sullied your name. I'm protecting your honor."
"Protecting my honor?" she shot back, glaring at him. "You didn't even bother to confirm if this nonsense was true! Did you really fall for such a cheap story?"
"Then tell me, Coralina. If it isn't true, why did you go to the ball with me when, according to the rumors, you're in love with him?"
"Why did I go to the ball with you?" Coralina repeated incredulously. She stepped closer, her tone dripping with disdain. "I went to the ball with you because I thought you were a decent person, someone who wouldn't be manipulated by absurd gossip. But it seems I was wrong."
"If you're so convinced this duel must continue, then I'll be your opponent."
The declaration sent murmurs of shock rippling through the crowd. Even Steiner tried to intervene. "Coralina, this is madness. He—"
"Shut up," she cut him off, her eyes never leaving Alexander. "This started because of me, so I'll end it."
"You want to challenge me? Why risk your life for him?"
"I'm not doing it for him. I'm doing it because I'm sick of this spectacle. Here are my conditions: if I lose, I'll do whatever you want. Even marry you, if that's what you wish."
The murmurs grew louder, and Alexander's face flickered with surprise.
"But if I win," Coralina continued, "you'll leave Professor Steiner and me alone."
"Agreed. If you're so confident in yourself, I accept your terms."
The two moved to opposite ends of the field as the crowd stepped back to give them space. Steiner tried to approach Coralina, but she raised a hand to stop him.
"I already told you this isn't your problem, Professor," she said without looking at him. "Just stay out of it."