The next day, immediately after regular classes ended, Linen knocked on the door of Elena and Hysteria's dorm room, textbooks in hand.
"Linen?"
The door opened, revealing Elena. Seeing Linen standing there surprised her slightly.
"Good evening, Elena. I've come to tutor Hysteria."
Linen politely inclined his head.
"So soon?"
Elena's eyes widened slightly.
Linen simply nodded.
His ninja way was straightforward—act immediately! Since he'd decided to tutor Hysteria, there was no reason to delay.
Besides, he had a feeling tutoring this princess was going to be a long-term project. With that in mind, he'd already followed Elena's earlier suggestions and made a rather extensive plan.
Linen's gaze briefly swept over Elena. Today, she wore a delicate blue dress, her chestnut hair held back by a sky-blue ribbon clip. Her slender legs were wrapped snugly in thin white stockings, and she wore no shoes. Her stocking-covered toes fidgeted nervously, seemingly uncomfortable due to Linen's unexpected visit.
Looks like Artificers aren't just skilled with their fingers, but also quite nimble with their toes, Linen silently concluded.
"Are you heading out somewhere, Elena?" Linen asked.
Her current outfit didn't exactly suggest casual lounging at home.
"Yes." Elena nodded, eyes shining with unmistakable excitement. "Master Holly's Artificer lessons are scheduled in the evening self-study period, after regular classes. I was just about to leave."
For a commoner like Elena, receiving instruction from the Empire's top Artificer was something she'd never dared to dream about—and now, something even happier than a dream was coming true.
She had Linen to thank for taking on the troublesome responsibility of tutoring Hysteria!
"No need to look at me with those eyes," Linen said, looking away slightly. "I already told you, this is just a whim."
"Yes, yes, I understand completely. Come in, Linen. I've spent some time tutoring Hysteria these past couple days. She's currently studying quietly in her room."
Elena smiled warmly, already familiar with Linen's tsundere attitude.
The two chatted briefly as they approached Hysteria's door. Just as Elena raised a hand to knock, Linen stopped her and opened the door directly.
Inside, Hysteria lay sprawled comfortably on her bed, wearing fluffy pink strawberry-bear pajamas and an utterly shameless look of absolute laziness.
Although her grades were hovering precariously near expulsion, extra tutoring was out of the question for Her Highness. After all, even if Elena got mad, she'd forgive her once she acted cute.
Worst case scenario, she'd just get expelled and reapply next year to repeat the first year!
When two massive shadows loomed over her, Hysteria still hadn't sensed the gravity of the situation. Squinting happily, she rolled over, speaking with a pampered tone:
"Elena, you don't have to close the curtains yet—"
But when she saw who was standing by the bed, her blissful smile vanished instantly, replaced by a stunned expression.
Linen flashed a brilliant smile.
"Good evening, Hysteria."
"Ria, didn't you say you'd study properly?" Elena sighed.
Dragging the embarrassed princess from the bed, the three of them sat around a round table, with Hysteria sheepishly lowering her head under the reprimanding gazes of Elena and Linen.
"Forget it. Scolding won't change anything," Linen said as he pulled out a test paper from his spatial ring. "Let's start by having you complete a test to gauge your current level."
"You came pretty well-prepared, didn't you?" Hysteria remarked, half-closing her eyes suspiciously.
"Naturally. Not everyone can be as carefree as Her Highness, sleeping peacefully when they're about to get expelled."
"That…that was just a misunderstanding earlier," Hysteria muttered, avoiding his gaze. "Anyway, from now on, Her Highness will get serious. Don't underestimate me!"
Can she really do it? Linen and Elena both worried silently.
...
Half an hour later.
Holding Hysteria's completed basic elemental theory exam, the two fell silent.
"Did you do this on purpose, or by accident?" Linen finally asked.
"I was completely serious!" Hysteria protested loudly, then gradually wilted beneath their gazes.
"I see," Linen sighed helplessly. "Then, Your Highness, could you kindly explain why the counter-element to water is fire?"
"Because if you have enough fire, water will evaporate into steam!" Hysteria proudly answered. But noticing the lack of reactions, she hesitantly asked in a quieter voice, "That's...wrong?"
"Alright, you have a point. Let's check this next question," Elena quickly changed the subject. "Since water's counter-element is fire, why is fire also the counter-element to wind?"
"Because wind will only spread fire, making it bigger and stronger instead of stopping it!" Hysteria lifted her head again, smugly satisfied.
It actually… makes sense?!
Elena almost broke down. She could clearly see Hysteria was seriously thinking through the answers, but her logic just happened to run completely opposite from the textbook…
Can she really pass the finals like this?
"Leave it to me." Just as Elena was growing discouraged, Linen calmly placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I created a detailed plan based on your suggestions. As long as we strictly follow the reward and punishment system outlined in the plan, things will definitely improve."
My suggestions? Elena suddenly became even more worried.
But back then, I thought Linen was asking about training a pet…
Noticing the time, Elena saw Master Holly's Artificer class was about to begin. With no choice left, she could only trust Linen. Saying goodbye to both, she left the suddenly lively dorm room, slipped on her shoes, and prepared to leave.
"Oh, by the way, Elena," Linen suddenly recalled something, casually asking as she was about to step out, "Master Holly's class started yesterday, didn't it? Is everything going smoothly?"
"Yes, very smoothly. Thank you for your concern, Linen."
Linen showed a thoughtful expression.
Everything going smoothly? According to the original story, Elena's special tutoring with Holly had been full of problems—far more challenging than tutoring this idiot.
And if Elena truly had everything going smoothly, he might have to give up on that particular plotline altogether. It would really be a shame.
"Hey, how exactly are you planning to tutor me? Hurry it up already—I'm busy."
An impatient voice from behind brought Linen back to reality. Hysteria was yawning rudely, showing no respect for Linen whatsoever.
Yet Linen unusually didn't confront her directly. Instead, he smiled gently.
"It seems Hysteria hasn't looked at the study plan I prepared for you."
"That sort of thing…" Hysteria averted her gaze. "It's the same whenever I look at it, isn't it? Don't worry, if it's useful, I'll follow it."
"Fair enough," Linen nodded calmly, his smile slowly fading into seriousness. "Then, according to the first rule of the tutoring plan: Failing students have no human rights. From now on, you must address me as 'Master.' And, by the way, this was Elena's suggestion."
"?"
A question mark slowly materialized above Hysteria's head. A heartbeat later, the girl exploded with rage and lunged forward, claws outstretched:
"You worthless jerk! You think you can boss me around just because you're tutoring me—and you even dare to slander Elena!"
But before she knew it, her vision spun wildly, and she found herself face-down on the floor, both arms pinned behind her back by Linen.
For Linen—who could dominate knights at close combat—subduing this physically inept princess who was weaker than a goblin required almost no effort at all.
He nodded to himself knowingly.
Sure enough, Elena's advice was completely correct. When your target not only refuses commands but also tries to resist, applying force is entirely justified.
With that thought, Linen calmly ignored Hysteria's squirming protests and yanked down Her Highness's pajama bottoms.
The long-absent strawberry-bear underwear entered his field of view.
Ignoring the princess's furious struggling, Linen raised his hand and swung down firmly.
Smack!
A sharp, clear sound echoed through the room.
"I'll kill you!"
Smack!
"Stop it already!"
Smack, smack, smack!
"Master! Master, I was wrong, okay?!"
Linen paused, sinking into contemplative silence.
He'd clearly accomplished his goal, yet why did it feel like Hysteria was somehow more excited than afraid?
"Elena, save me!"
Hysteria finally called desperately toward Elena, who had not yet left the room.
"So jealous..." Elena blurted out quietly.
"?"
"I—I meant, having someone like Linen, top student in our class, tutoring you—I'm actually jealous. So, Hysteria, you should just bear with it for now!"
The girl, accidentally revealing her inner thoughts, fled from the room at top speed.
...
Master Holly's Artificer class was held on the topmost floor of the ancient castle building, an area generally off-limits, thus more tranquil than other floors.
Just as Elena rounded the staircase corner, she collided into someone head-on.
"I'm sorry—"
Her apology came naturally, but Elena quickly suppressed her polite smile upon seeing the mocking smirk on the other girl's face.
"See, what did I tell you guys? Mudbloods don't even dare look up when they walk! Such pathetic things."
"I know, right? Who knows why she was chosen to attend classes with us."
"She probably begged desperately for it. That's the only explanation."
Elena's face darkened slightly.
In truth, she'd told Linen everything was going smoothly only to prevent him from worrying. But this was what her classes actually looked like.
Arcana Mage was already an expensive career—spellbooks, experimental materials, and magical instruments were all incredibly costly. If one pursued Artificery alongside it, expenses skyrocketed even further.
The daily practice materials required for Artificery alone were staggering, not even counting the high chance of failed attempts. Thus, most Artificers came from noble families—especially those qualified for Master Holly's classes.
Within Eden Academy, the Golden Court—open only to nobles—naturally provided the most Artificer students.
In this temporary class, Golden Court students made up the majority. A few students from Star Court had been selected due to family backgrounds involving Artificers, but Elena was the only one from Newbie Court.
As for Knight Court, there was no need to even consider them—asking those muscle-headed sword swingers to learn Artificery was clearly asking too much.
With Star Court students sticking together and Golden Court students dominating, Elena inevitably became a target for mockery. Many nobles were still bitter after Elena had embarrassed Golden Court's elite during the Spring Cup, stealing their victory away.
Master Holly only lectured and would never bother with petty incidents like these. Elena also had no intention of humiliating herself by complaining.
Of course, to maintain order and assist Master Holly, the academy had appointed an assistant instructor—but unfortunately, the assistant was…
"Elena, you nearly arrived late today. Mind sharing your excuse?"
A cold, sharp female voice sounded behind Elena, immediately prompting laughter from the Golden Court students.
Looking up, Elena recognized the assistant instructor—none other than the Golden Court teacher who had previously clashed with their group in the auditorium. Her complexion had grown even paler since then, but the contempt and venom in her gaze had only intensified.
Due to the dominance of Golden Court students, it was logical for the academy to select an assistant instructor from their ranks. Teri South, having recently been demoted from senior instructor to assistant, naturally became the top choice.
"Alright, prepare for class," a voice echoed from the empty podium. Master Holly was exceptionally busy, sometimes unable to attend in person, thus often teaching via Arcana projection—this was nothing unusual.
Seeing Elena ignore her provocation, Teri merely snorted coldly, thrusting today's materials into the girl's hands before turning away.
Now merely an assistant instructor, Teri couldn't afford to disrupt Master Holly's class.
She could never forget that dreadful night. She'd been holding an Arcana communication with her family elder, who'd briefly excused himself to check on a gas meter—then never returned.
Teri never received another reply. Instead, news arrived that the entire South family had been dissolved.
Overnight, she went from "Respected Teacher South" among the students to "that woman."
She still didn't know exactly why her family had fallen, and instinct warned her strongly not to ask too many questions.
Though she knew logically that Elena had nothing to do with her family's demise, Teri still placed blame in her heart. If there was a chance to make Elena's life difficult, she certainly wouldn't miss it.
You think this is over?
A sinister smile curled Teri's lips.
This is just the beginning!
Watching Teri walk away, Elena's eyes remained darkly calm.
She didn't doubt for a moment that these Golden Court students harassed her under Teri's instructions.
Yet, remembering how Teri had previously groveled pathetically before Linen, Elena couldn't help but find amusement.
Even nobles fear greater nobles.
If Linen stepped in, these people would probably change their attitudes overnight.
But Elena chose not to. Instead, she'd merely told Linen everything was fine.
Tutoring Hysteria and dealing with everything else had already troubled Linen enough. She could handle this herself.
She couldn't always burden Linen with every minor issue.
She was here to learn, not compete. As long as Teri didn't dare tamper with her classroom supplies, Elena could endure the insults.
The words Elena said before leaving earlier were entirely sincere.
To Elena, an orphan since childhood, her interactions with Linen and Hysteria mirrored her fantasies of having a real family.
No differences in status, just being together and creating happy memories.
Honestly, she envied Hysteria greatly. Despite frequently squabbling with Linen, their relationship was clearly progressing rapidly.
But what about her? Even after spending so long alongside Linen, she remained timid. If Linen saw her now, would he feel disappointed?
If he were in my shoes, what would Linen do?
At that thought, a surge of courage blossomed in Elena's heart. She turned decisively, calling out to the retreating Teri:
"Please wait a moment, Miss Teri. You asked earlier why I was nearly late—I haven't answered you yet."
"Then hurry up," Teri sneered impatiently.
"I apologize. Actually, I was busy chatting with some people I have but you no longer do, which delayed me slightly."
"Fine, whatever—just spit it out already. Who exactly are you talking about?" Teri turned back irritably, baffled.
"Family."
Teri: "?"
---
T/N: bonus chaps tomorrow
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