The next morning, the beachside air was warm and clear, the sound of waves faint in the distance as the academy's field buzzed with students.
Milly, still in her silver-haired human disguise, stood in front of her Class F students hands on her hips, expression sharp but calm.
"Alright, ten laps around the field! No magic, no shortcuts. Just pure stamina," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The students groaned in unison.
"Ten laps again!?"
"Miss Mila, you're merciless…"
She gave a small smirk. "Merciless? You'll thank me when you're not panting after a single duel."
As the students ran, Milly's sharp gaze shifted toward a group from Class S leaning lazily against a fence, smirking at the struggling F-Class.
One of them whispered loudly, "No matter how much trash you polish, it's still trash."
Laughter followed.
Milly's expression darkened. She walked over, steps light but commanding.
"Is that how the top students of this academy behave?"
The laughter stopped instantly.
A tall boy from Class S scoffed. "We were just joking, Miss Mila. No harm done."
"Bullying isn't a joke," Milly replied firmly. "You're supposed to lead by example, not act like spoiled brats."
The students looked down, but one muttered, "They're too weak anyway…"
Milly crossed her arms. "Then maybe you should try being stronger in discipline before strength."
Before the tension could rise further, a calm, deep voice echoed from behind.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned. The Sage the strongest among the Seven Sages approached with quiet authority. His robe swayed lightly in the wind, eyes half-lidded but sharp.
"S-Sir Sage!" the Class S students stammered.
The man looked at Milly first, giving a faint nod. "I'll handle this, Miss Mila."
She blinked, slightly surprised. "You will?"
"Yes," he said, his tone steady but cold toward the S-Class students. "You represent this academy's pride. To mock those who are trying to grow only reveals how little pride you have in yourself."
The students lowered their heads, trembling.
"Apologize to her students," the Sage commanded.
One by one, they muttered soft apologies to Class F, who were staring wide-eyed at the scene.
When the S-Class left, the Sage turned to Milly again.
"You handled that well. Your tone was… surprisingly restrained."
Milly sighed, brushing her hair aside. "I don't like yelling unless I have to. Besides" she glanced at her Class F students who were still jogging "they're improving. Slowly but surely."
The Sage gave a small, rare smile. "You're more of a teacher than you think."
Milly tilted her head slightly. "Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment."
He nodded once and turned away.
"Keep your eyes sharp, Miss Mila. The academy needs teachers like you."
As he walked off, Milly exhaled, her thoughts briefly wandering.
(That guy's always so serious… Still, I'm glad he handled it.)
Then she clapped her hands.
"Alright! Back to running! No breaks until I say so!"
Her students groaned again, but this time, a few smiled through the complaints.
And as the sun shone above, Milly's golden spirit even if hidden under a disguise burned quietly with pride.