So this is what Linen was asking of me?
After hearing Linen's condition, Elena stood dumbfounded.
Over the past half-semester, she'd grown used to hearing Hysteria call Linen "Master," but that was obviously just a joke—nobody took it seriously.
Besides, some things sounded completely different when others said them compared to saying them herself.
Elena's pink lips parted and closed again, her hands twisting anxiously at the edge of her skirt.
But deep inside, the scales in her heart slowly, inevitably tilted.
It's just a single word. It doesn't actually mean anything. Maybe Linen just wants to test how serious I am about becoming Master Holly's disciple.
Yes—it has to be something like that.
Elena knew Linen was an Imperial Prince; that wasn't exactly a secret.
If anyone else said something like this, she might think it was a cruel joke. But when Linen said he had a way, she instinctively wanted to believe him.
Just attending Master Holly's classes for half a semester had already changed her. Elena now felt completely different from the naïve girl who'd first entered Eden Academy.
Her understanding of Artificers—and her ability to craft and use arcana artifacts—had improved tremendously.
If I could really become Master Holly's disciple, learning directly from her long-term…
Elena's heartbeat quickened.
That's right, it's not that I actually want to call Linen "Master." I'm just desperate to become Master Holly's disciple.
It was all for that goal. Making a small sacrifice was reasonable.
With that thought, Elena's head lowered further, her gaze fixed on her toes, her lips silently moving…
"Hahaha, I was joking." Linen shook his head with a chuckle. "Alright, Elena, you should hurry to class."
His voice dissolved the strange atmosphere between them, snapping Elena back to reality.
So it really was just a joke?
Thinking rationally, Master Holly was a legendary Artificer—even Her Majesty the Empress treated her with utmost respect. Linen might be a prince, but the idea of him persuading Master Holly to accept a disciple with a single word was indeed too exaggerated.
For Artificers, choosing a disciple was incredibly serious—especially for someone like Master Holly, eccentric and notoriously solitary. There had never even been rumors of her accepting disciples.
Honestly, it was just a joke. If only I'd known earlier… I would've played along.
Still, Elena couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Linen's shift from serious to joking had been oddly forced.
What if he really did know something, but because I hesitated, he got offended and changed his mind?
"Okay, if that's all, I'll head to class first. I'll see you two later."
Forcing a smile, Elena quickly turned and left the dorm room.
Linen continued calmly sipping his tea, his brow slightly furrowed.
Honestly, he'd only meant to test Elena's reaction casually—but was her response really that extreme?
Seeing her delicate brows knit tight, her lips bitten nervously, he'd almost thought she was about to explode in anger right then and there.
Seems I overestimated Elena's affection level toward me. Good thing I backed off fast.
But while Elena's response wasn't ideal, Linen's main objective was already achieved.
Treating every heroine like they were as gullible as Hysteria would be suicide. From the start, he'd labeled Elena a high-difficulty capture target.
So he approached every step with extreme caution—including that clumsy "joke."
Observing Elena's reaction was just a bonus; Linen's real aim was to plant a seed in her subconscious through that awkward act: that he likely possessed real knowledge about becoming Holly's disciple, yet chose to withhold it.
If it were Hysteria, whose goldfish memory rivaled a shoe-sized amoeba's, she'd forget in seconds. But Elena's sharp mind would turn it into a burden.
Regret was human; Elena would replay this clumsy joke again and again, her hesitation haunting her. It would feed frustration—especially when she faced setbacks, that lingering resentment toward Linen for withholding the secret would only grow.
And unfortunately for Elena, Linen genuinely knew Master Holly would pick a disciple from the Academy.
First, plant resentment. Then, at the perfect moment, reappear and leave her no room to refuse—securing her position as Holly's disciple, then using that leverage to pressure her again.
Nobody enjoyed coercion, especially when pride was involved.
Under constant pressure, wouldn't Elena eventually explode and reject him completely?
This was Linen's newest backstabbing scheme.
After reviewing his past failures, he'd realized physical betrayal was too risky. If the harm was too much, they'd become mortal enemies and drag him into the doomed villain route. If too little, those delusional heroines would somehow like him even more.
Thus, psychological betrayal was the key.
Would Linen's actions benefit Elena?
Absolutely—but only in a forced, uncomfortable way. Instead of gratitude, she'd feel like she'd stepped barefoot into dog poop.
Perfect. How could this backstab possibly go wrong?
After instructing Hysteria to study on her own, Linen also left the dorm.
Yet the one factor he hadn't accounted for was this:
Elena had indeed seen through his awkward performance and was genuinely filled with regret—but not because she'd missed out on becoming Holly's disciple…
...
Shortly after, when Elena entered the Artificer classroom, she immediately sensed something off.
The usual lively chatter had thinned, replaced by an air of tense anticipation. Several students wore tight expressions Elena had only seen on Hysteria's face when she bet everything on a desperate card play, hoping for a miracle. Seeing that tension here felt completely wrong.
She even spotted a few upper-year students.
Before Elena could ask, Assistant Teacher Teri quickly cleared up her confusion—only to raise more questions.
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you for spending this semester with us. Being chosen to attend this class means each of you has been recognized by your courts as youthful prodigies with limitless potential as Artificers."
"Today, after this final examination, we'll part ways. Most of you will receive Master Holly's recognition and recommendation, becoming distinguished Artificers of the Empire. And as for the most exceptional student—"
Teri didn't bother prolonging the suspense.
"They will earn the honor of touching the highest realm of Artificers, inheriting Master Holly's knowledge and power—as her personal disciple."
The exam's first-place student could become Master Holly's disciple?!
Elena's eyes widened in shock and excitement. Linen hadn't lied! The chance to become Holly's disciple was real!
But why had she heard nothing about this until today? She hadn't even known there was an exam—yet everyone else, despite their shock, looked ready and prepared.
A sudden unease tightened in her chest.
And sure enough, in the next moment, Teri announced, "Now, everyone please assemble into your groups. The test is about to begin."
Immediately, the students separated into several groups, cleanly divided between the Golden Court and Star Court students.
With everyone grouping up, the lone figure quickly stood out.
Teri immediately hardened her expression:
"Elena, what are you waiting for? Where's your group? Do you want the whole class waiting just for you? You're wasting everyone's time!"
Already rattled—and feeling countless sharp gazes on her back—Elena hurried to reply:
"I'm sorry, Miss Teri. I didn't agree to team up with anyone. Can I participate alone?"
"Alone?"
Teri pretended to think before shaking her head:
"No, that won't work. Master Holly specified that the test must be done in teams of at least two. I can't bend the rules."
"But—"
Elena lowered her gaze.
"No one ever told me about this."
"Impossible. I clearly notified every student individually!" Teri feigned surprise.
Elena fell silent, but at that moment, a Star Court girl finally couldn't hold back and raised her hand:
"Miss Teri, sorry, but I didn't get that notification either."
"Oh? Then how did you find out?" a Golden Court student immediately shot back.
"A friend told me. Problem?" the girl retorted.
"No problem at all." The Golden Court student smiled maliciously. "But it looks like someone's a real failure—an entire semester without making even one friend."
Teri nodded with faux seriousness:
"Without a team, you can't participate. Those are Master Holly's rules, and I can't make exceptions. It seems we'll just have one less team today."
"I do apologize. Managing my usual duties plus this class made me a bit scatterbrained. Perhaps I overlooked some notifications—I assumed friends would inform each other."
The Star Court girl instantly realized she'd been used to corner Elena. She wanted to argue, but her friends tugged her sleeve in warning.
Teri's hint was painfully clear: one less team meant fewer rivals and a better chance at becoming Master Holly's disciple.
Even the Star Court students who'd felt sympathy now lowered their heads. The Golden Court students, already hostile toward a commoner like Elena, could barely stifle their laughter.
In an instant, Elena became the target of every whisper:
"How long are you going to drag this out?"
"It's your fault you couldn't find a partner—step aside already."
"Let's hurry it up; my patience is running thin."
"A whole semester and not a single friend—sure, Miss Teri slipped up, but that's on you too."
Elena bit her lip and drew a deep breath:
"I—"
"Sorry, but only sheep and cattle move in herds. Tigers walk alone. Elena just isn't used to mingling with livestock. I apologize on her behalf."
A voice came from the doorway. Linen strolled in casually, hands in his pockets.
"Who the hell are you? Never seen you before," a Golden Court student challenged.
"Lin—!"
Startled, Elena began to speak, but Linen cut her off:
"I'm Elena's last-minute partner. Sorry, I'm late."
A Golden Court girl sneered:
"Let's ignore whether you're even qualified. If she'd stepped down, I might've respected her a little. Didn't you say grouping up is something livestock do? What does that make you two?"
"We're two tigers," Linen replied flatly. "Keep yapping and I'll slaughter your whole family."
The Golden Court students went pale:
"You're Linen Norton?!"
Teri: ?
...
At the same time, in Sorgana's office, just a short while earlier…
On the long sofa, Sorgana and Holly Orlando sat at opposite ends, watching the classroom through Sorgana's magical mirror.
Between them, in the most comfortable spot, rested an arcane crystal ball transmitting sound and images.
"Holly."
A cold, emotionless woman's voice came from the crystal ball.
"Holly, are you truly choosing a disciple here and now?"
On the left end of the sofa, Holly swirled the amber drink in her hand and glanced sideways at the crystal ball, a faint, teasing smile on her lips:
"Wasn't it Your Majesty who suggested I pick a successor from among the students?"
Indeed, the crystal ball's owner was none other than the Red Dragon Empress of the Zijinghua Empire—Tivella.
Only she could naturally occupy the center when two of the Empire's greatest figures gathered.
"We merely think… perhaps there's no need to rush."
The Empress's voice stayed calm, yet carried an unusual hesitation.
The playful expression faded from Holly's usually languid eyes. At last, she closed them and replied quietly:
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Your Majesty, but my time is running out."
She rose slowly as she spoke. Her sleek black gown—adorned with star-like glimmers—dissolved into mist, revealing a peerlessly stunning body beneath.
Yet rather than stirring desire, the sight filled one with alarm. Anyone who saw her finally understood why she always wore a dress that covered nearly every inch of herself.
Every bit of Holly's exposed skin was covered in dense, ink-black arcane runes. Freed from the gown's suppression, the runes flowed rapidly across her body.
"Your Majesty needn't worry," Holly said with forced levity. "Before I vanish from this world, I'll entrust everything I've learned to a worthy disciple. These children have great potential—given time, perhaps one of them will match, or even surpass, me."
"Holly…" the Empress hesitated again.
"Pointy-ears, I can't take this anymore!" Sorgana suddenly exploded, leaping off the couch. "All you lack is a man! Just go pick one already!"
Sorgana clapped her tiny hands, spreading her arms dramatically:
"Cook the rice! Problem solved instantly, curse broken!"
"You're really going to let yourself die over some stupid curse? Don't make me laugh!"
---
T/N: lmaooo sorganas like JUST GET PREGNANT!