Most of the students didn't actually know the young man who'd inexplicably barged into the classroom; they just thought this rather handsome boy was being way too cocky.
Though Linen had stolen the limelight during the Spring Cup, he wasn't quite famous enough for everyone to recognize. After all, not everyone followed the Cup closely. Besides, most of the students here weren't even in the same Court as Linen. Not to mention, he'd spent half the semester keeping his head down in order to properly discipline... no, tutor Her Highness Hysteria. It was only natural that people might overlook him.
Yet, after that chilling threat, the Golden Court students who'd initially regarded Linen with hostility suddenly recognized the blond youth standing before them.
"What an arrogant blondie! Ha-ha, slaughtering my whole family? Does he even know who I am?"
"Do you know who he is? He's Linen Norton."
"Linen...? Holy shit?!"
In an instant, their hostile gazes turned to sheer terror. Linen suddenly seemed like a tiger that had invaded a pen full of sheep, making the little lambs shiver in fear. Linen shot Elena a smug "mission accomplished" gesture.
...
Meanwhile, in Headmaster Sorgana's office.
"At least it's finally shaping up to something."
The voice of the Empress from the crystal ball carried a faint trace of approval. Sorgana pursed her lips—she could almost see the woman crossing her legs, nodding slightly in satisfaction. But what Sorgana hadn't expected was that Her Majesty's next words would aim straight at her.
"Sorgana, the students in your academy are becoming increasingly spineless. Linen might be royalty, but they're shaking in their boots from just a trivial threat. Is this really what the Empire's future talents look like?"
"You have the nerve to say that?"
A vein bulged faintly on Sorgana's forehead in anger.
"Do you seriously not know whose fault this all is?!"
Indeed, Linen's current infamy was all thanks to none other than his dear Empress mother.
At the Spring Cup celebration banquet, the conflict involving Linen and Teacher Teri seemed minor on the surface but attracted considerable attention behind the scenes.
On the surface, it appeared that the wise Headmaster Sorgana had cunningly used students to humble an arrogant noble instructor. But beneath the surface, it had been another probe from the old-guard nobles toward the Empress.
It was hardly a secret among the nobility that, despite Linen's identity as the Third Prince, he wasn't exactly favored by the Imperial family. Yet, since enrolling, he'd continually defied his reputation as a useless prince.
Aside from the Spring Cup, there was also the Artificer's Exam. Although Linen had generously allowed the spotlight to fall on the Shadow Knights, anyone paying close attention could easily trace the prince's influence behind the scenes.
Thus, using the Golden Court's breach of etiquette during the Spring Cup as an excuse—and with tacit approval from conservative nobles—the South family dispatched Teacher Teri to test the waters.
The cautious South family didn't dare target the prince directly, instead choosing to mess with his two teammates.
The result, needless to say, was obvious.
It was akin to probing your opponent in a card game by playing a single three, only to have Linen smilingly slap down a carefully prepared royal flush in return.
The day after the conflict, the entire South family was swiftly sent to heaven by the Empress. Several noble heads stormed into the palace furiously to demand an explanation—and maybe squeeze out some benefits—but left pale as powdered ghosts, their legs shaking like puppies.
Shortly after, accusations of the South family plotting rebellion were publicly announced. Nobles nervously speculated whether this was the prelude to another great purge. With everyone consumed by paranoia, no one had the leisure to ponder Linen's involvement anymore.
No one would absurdly connect the South family's annihilation to Linen himself. They merely warned their young lords and ladies to stay away from Linen during such sensitive times.
But while the adults were tactful and subtle, the students at Eden simplified these hidden nuances into blunt logic:
Teacher Teri from the South family offended Linen Norton; then the entire South family got slaughtered.
Holy crap—Linen Norton wiped out the entire South family just because he got angry!
This absurd rumor had been relayed to Linen by Hysteria, who'd heard it when students repeatedly asked her if the Flame Rose Emperor's health was still alright during card games in the break area.
A normal person might laugh off such ridiculous rumors. A straight-laced person like Elena might even attempt clarification, effectiveness notwithstanding.
But Linen, using reverse logic, figured he might as well exploit the rumor. He even spent some imperial currency to have Eden Academy's Publicity Department spread it further.
And so, over time, the rumors became increasingly outrageous, eventually morphing into: "Did you hear? Teacher Teri only glanced at Linen Norton once in the crowd—and her whole family got massacred!"
Now, facing these elite Golden Court lambs who trembled in silence, pale-faced and terrified, the effectiveness of Linen's public relations warfare was clear.
If anyone else had acted so recklessly, the school teachers would definitely step in. But the one spreading rumors was His Highness, the Imperial Prince—teachers had families to worry about too...
Sorgana seized this opportunity to shoot a skeptical sideways glance at Her Majesty:
"Those old foxes in the capital might lack real skills, but they're exceptionally skilled at playing turtles. I haven't heard of the Shadow Knights having any spies in the South family. How did you know they were plotting rebellion? Could it be..."
As she spoke, she pouted her lips towards Linen on the magical screen.
The Empress neither confirmed nor denied, merely turning to ask Holly at her side:
"When will it start? I still have countless duties and preparations for the Dragonblood Ceremony requiring my personal oversight. I don't have time to idle here indefinitely."
"No worries, Your Majesty. It's about to begin," Holly replied with a smile and nod.
"I knew it!"
Faced with this noncommittal response, Sorgana crossed her arms and disdainfully curled her lips.
She didn't actually believe Linen had anything significant to do with the South family's downfall; she merely saw it as the Empress conveniently yanking out a nail she'd disliked for a long time, using Linen's provocation as an excuse.
Yet, choosing to strike precisely because Linen was provoked…
It seemed Tivira truly had developed genuine affection for this son of hers.
But as far as Sorgana was concerned, the little dragon and the old dragon were equally irritating to behold!
Go ahead, keep spoiling him—let's see if he doesn't drain you dry one day!
Sorgana thought bitterly.
...
In the classroom, the Golden Court noble students who'd been swaggering around Elena for half the semester suddenly fell silent, trembling like cicadas in winter, upon discovering Linen's true identity.
Even Teri's loyal lapdog students dared not continue carrying out her orders to harass the two. Instead, some Golden Court students even started trying to curry favor with Linen:
"Your Highness, don't just stand there—take a seat!"
Instantly, the classroom burst into chatter again, though now with a drastically different tone.
"Your Highness, take my seat—I warmed it for you, right in the front!"
"Ridiculous! What can you even see from your seat? Sit on me, Your Highness—I'm tall!"
Elena's feelings were the most complicated of all—both relieved and anxious.
No matter the crisis, no matter when, the sight of Linen always brought her a subconscious sense of reassurance, as though he'd always have a solution.
Yet she was anxious, too—she'd kept her secret hidden carefully for half a semester, only for Linen to find out at the very end. I wonder what he thinks of me now.
Linen noticed her complicated mood and turned his head to reassure her:
"If you have something to say, let's handle your exam first. We can talk later."
"Handle my exam?"
Elena was surprised.
"You came here specifically to help me pass the test, Linen? I thought you were here because you also wanted to become Master Holly's disciple..."
"I have no interest in that woman."
Linen paused briefly, then smiled:
"But Elena, surely you haven't forgotten our promise, right?"
"Our promise?"
Elena tilted her head slightly, clearly having forgotten.
Linen was about to remind her when Master Holly's voice rang out once again from the podium:
"All right, everyone, it seems your teams are assembled. It's been an honor teaching you Arcana Artifacts this semester—and, of course, my thanks to those students who never attended a single class but decided to grace us with their presence today for the final exam. Enough chatter—let's begin. Everyone, please be seated."
"Good luck to you all—oh, and to our new classmate too, of course."
Holly's pointed words were clearly directed at Linen. Although the other students no longer dared laugh openly as before, Linen still couldn't help frowning.
This was blatantly hostile. Just as expected, this pointy-eared woman was as petty as she'd been in the original plot—openly mocking him now.
He just hoped her mockery was all talk. Otherwise, Linen would be forced to let her pick which stick she'd prefer.
But to Linen's surprise, the shocks weren't over yet. After Holly gestured everyone to their seats, Teri didn't leave either. Instead, she chose an empty seat and sat down among the students.
"Teacher Teri, what are you doing?" one student couldn't help asking.
"What? Is there a problem?"
Teri replied indifferently.
"Master Holly only said she'd select disciples through this exam—she never specified only students could compete, right?"
At her words, all those furtive glances toward Linen instantly shifted onto Teri instead.
You've got to be kidding!
The students here might be Eden Academy's elite, but Teri was both a senior instructor and a distinguished graduate. How could students, no matter how talented, compete against her?
Even Linen was speechless now.
This woman was truly shameless enough to exploit loopholes and snatch opportunities from her own students?
Teri completely ignored those disdainful gazes.
If her family were still around, she'd never stoop to something so humiliating. A mere Master Holly certainly wasn't enough to humble a noble lady of the South family.
But after her family's annihilation, Teri felt the fall deeply. Every waking moment, she desperately sought ways to restore the South family's lost glory—and this was her last, desperate chance.
She could no longer endure being ordered around by mud-born subordinates she'd once despised, nor the contemptuous gazes of former friends who now deliberately humiliated her, treating her name as a mere grunt.
It wasn't her fault she'd fallen so low—it was the fault of this damned world!
Becoming Holly's disciple was her sole lifeline back into high society.
The resentment of mere students meant nothing. Once she became Master Teri's direct disciple, they'd all be begging her one day!
Then she'd loudly remind everyone her name wasn't "Hey, you"—it was Teri South!
Her former friends, Headmaster Sorgana—that worthless old hag—she'd make them all pay eventually!
Many students glared angrily at her. The Golden Court students remained cautious, unwilling to openly provoke Teri. The Star Court students, however, were openly hostile. Elena glanced at Linen but noticed he'd already stopped paying attention after a brief moment of amusement.
"Aren't you worried, Linen?" Elena asked.
"Worried about what? That self-deluded fool of a woman?" Linen sneered.
Of all the teachers knowledgeable about Arcana Artifacts, picking Teri as an assistant clearly showed Headmaster Sorgana—whom Teri believed hostile—was actually still protecting her.
Yet Teri, oblivious, greedily sought even more.
This boundless greed truly matched the aristocratic temperament perfectly.
Unfortunately, Teri's calculations were doomed to fail.
Not only had she thoroughly disappointed her last protector, the thing she shamelessly sacrificed her pride for wouldn't actually help her either.
This classroom was filled with students from multiple Courts and varying grades. If Holly's only criterion were Arcana mastery and Ring counts, she could've simply summoned graduates averaging Three Rings or above.
But there was a reason the exam didn't limit grades—because this test had little to do with cultivation or even knowledge of Arcana Artifacts.
That narcissistic elf woman didn't care about any of those things!
In Holly's narcissistic worldview, no one could surpass her.
Thus, the real test was…
"All right, let's begin with the first—and most important—part of the exam. Since you'll be my disciples, naturally, the first requirement is… your understanding of me."
Instantly, dozens of display stands rose from the front of the classroom, each bearing an artifact.
"The artifacts before you each have unique effects. Some are crafted by my hand, while others are merely imitations crafted by others—but of course, all work perfectly."
"Now, each team, please select an artifact. Those who select one personally made by me may remain; as for those choosing an imitation… oh, my apologies, it seems we're just not fated."
After hearing the exam rules, students who'd been previously confident turned pale.
What kind of absurd exam was this?! Distinguishing artifacts from fakes might've been reasonable—but according to Holly, all the artifacts were genuine. They were supposed to distinguish if it was made by her?!
How were they supposed to do that? Did this even relate to Arcana Artificing? Was this just pure luck?!
Of course, there were ways aside from luck. If there was a true Holly fanatic, familiar with every artifact she'd ever crafted, perhaps they could pass by genuine skill.
Alternatively, one could meticulously examine every detail of each artifact, trying to spot subtle imperfections in the imitations. Still, that would require considerable time, explaining the forced grouping.
Teri, who'd already shamelessly joined, stood frozen.
She'd sacrificed her dignity—only to face such a bizarre test?
Yet with her higher Ring-count, she could at least examine artifacts faster, raising her odds.
Thinking this, she quickly stepped forward, randomly grabbed an artifact, and began inspecting it.
Seeing her move, other students quickly rushed forward to start their own inspections.
Just as Elena hesitantly prepared to join them, a hand gently patted her shoulder.
"See that silver box in the third row? Just pick that one later."
"Linen, you already figured out which one is Holly's?" Elena asked, astonished.
She'd intended to begin a meticulous inspection—yet Linen had already drawn a confident conclusion.
Rare modesty showed as Linen nodded lightly:
"I know a thing or two."
He wasn't lying; after all, he'd simply read the script.
Feeling the admiring and shocked gazes of surrounding students, Linen suddenly smiled slyly:
"Wanna learn?"
Everyone vigorously nodded.
"Then let me teach you!"
Moments later, Teri was left alone, still desperately inspecting artifacts…