No matter what happened between the Crown Prince and Edna, Eisel had to join the club.

Entering the club was an option, but it was almost mandatory for a student like her who was desperate for her grades.

‘Well, what can I say…’ she thought.

Apart from those concerns, scheduled class was approaching. It was also the time for the most important performance evaluation.

“Starting today, we will proceed with the Demon Simulation Battle.”

Eisel had faced Level 1-2 Danger demons before through Dungeon Training, but the goal of the Simulation Battle was to hunt down 'Level 3 Intermediate Demons’ that were difficult to deal with compared to weak demons.

Normally, it was impossible to deal with it alone, so she would team up to figure out the demon’s weakness and take it down with her own method.

That was the goal of the training.

“Conditions are already stated. From now on, you can roam around and choose one Intermediate Demon to attack. Also, you are given enough time to practice against that demon.”

The topography of Stella Dome was changed for the first year cadets' Simulation Battle against the demon.

To the north was a fiery valley; a sea of ice to the south, and in the west lay a barren desert, while a grassy swamp encompassed the east.

Therefore, cadets could choose their desired terrain, and find an Intermediate Demon which matched their fighting style.

Of course, very few teams would actually succeed in attacking. Not only was it Eisel’s first time actually fighting, but the Level 3 Intermediate Demons were harder to deal with than she thought.

“The performance evaluation is in four days. At that time, all you have to do is show off the battle skills you practiced. Any questions?”

“None!” As the students shouted, Lee Hanwol nodded his head.

"Good. Form a team of up to 6 people, and submit your list.”

As always, training was done in a combination of Class A and Class S. Other students were teaming up with close friends or people with matching attributes.

'Ugh, I really hate team play...'

This performance evaluation was important. If Eisel didn’t score well that time, the scholarship money would be gone. And if she didn’t get a scholarship... She might have to go to the academy while working part-time on weekends or vacations.

As the study hours decrease, the amount of scholarship would get further and further away, and at the same time, her achievement in magic would also decrease, resulting in a more and more bleak future.

'I have to work hard.'

That was what she promised to herself.

"Ugh!"

Several female students passed by, hitting Eisel on the shoulder, and then they laughed and giggled.

“Why are you blocking the road like that alone?”

"It's unpleasant, so why don't you step aside?"

“Shit. The traitor’s blood is on her shoulder, and I think it tainted me now.”

“Mr. Lee….”

Eisel, who was about to burst into anger without even realizing it, tried hard to supress it. Even getting into Stella was a miracle, if she got into trouble with the students for no reason and received Demerit Points, she would not be able to receive the scholarship.

If she didn’t get a scholarship for even one semester... her studies would be in jeopardy.

For the sake of her own dream, she had to endure the humiliation at that moment.

Eisel, who was thinking that way, unconsciously looked at Hong Bi-Yeon.

As befitting a princess of the Adolveit Royal Family, there were numerous students gathered around her, and Hong Bi-Yeon had the luxury to choose any student she wanted.

In comparison, she was alone.

Nobody even thought of coming near her.

‘I too, originally…’

She shook her head swiftly, fortifying her heart which was getting weaker second by second.

‘… What am I thinking?’

While she was trembling in despair, and glancing at Hong Bi-Yeon with such quaint eyes, they happened to meet her for a fleeting second.

However, in that small contact, she could not find any emotion in Hong Bi-Yeon’s eyes as she looked at him.

She ignored Eisel as if looking at the air.

The girls of Hong Bi-Yeon’s faction whispered with subtle smiles as they watched the interaction between the Princess and Eisel.

"Princess, there’s someone alone out there.”

“Oh my, I feel sorry for her. Shall we go ahead and let her join us?”

Hong Bi-Yeon didn't seem to be interested in their chatter, and just stared blankly somewhere, but for some reason, Eisel was angry at even that.

She wasn't like that before.

For Hong Bi-Yeon, Eisel was a rival.

She thought, 'In the past... it was like that.'

The time when the Morph family was strong.

At that time, they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Adolveit Royal Family, and conquered the magic world. They even kept each other at checks.

Even though both the side had almost equal power, the power struggle was becoming stronger and stronger.

Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon were born in their respective families.

Grand Duke Morph’s daughter had an ice-attributed child.

While the Adolveit Royal Family had a fire-attributed one.

Children born in the most prestigious family of the world..

Perhaps by a twist of fate, both daughters of the two families were gifted with heaven-defying talent.

Eisel held an ice needle in her hand as soon as she was born, while Hong Bi-Yeon’s fingertips shone with a spark.

It was... not something that could simply be described as a good talent. Being able to manifest magic at the time of birth without even learning it was a blessing from the world. It could allow them to reach the Heavenly Realm that all mages aspired to ascend.

Everyone in the world focused their attention on Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel, and they calmly accepted the reality.

'I must have been chosen.' they thought.

Being born in the best magic family and gifted with the best talent, Eisel had believed that one day she would become a great mage.

Until the Adolveit Royal Family completely destroyed her own family.

She clenched her fists tightly.

‘...... There’s no need to be angry right now…’

‘People of the world will say that the Grand Duke of Morph has fallen.’

‘However, that is not quite right. Because I am still alive and will continue the Morph bloodline.’

'Because… I will become the Archmage and revive Morph again.’

However....

Lately, she had been questioning herself.

'...... Can I really do it?'

Hong Bi-Yeon was already far ahead of her, and not only she, but also numerous geniuses with the qualities of archmage were overtaking her.

Would it be possible for her, who grew up in the streets, to catch up with the ones who received a thorough elite education?

She couldn’t find a hope.

'I.......'

The moment when the seed of anxiety that existed somewhere in her heart was about to sprout.

“Hey, are you alone?”

A familiar voice called out from behind.

It was Baek Yu-Seol.

Eisel sighed as she saw his smiling face.

"... What’s going on?"

“Let’s team up. The maximum number of people is fixed, but you know there’s no minimum number, right? The two of us will team up, and get extra points.”

"Are you crazy? How will we face a Level 3 Intermediate Demon..."

After saying that, Eisel was convinced without even realizing it.

‘For some reason, if it’s Baek Yu-Seol... I really think I can do it.’

“So, are you willing to do it?”

"... Yes. Not like I have any other options.”

"Okay. Bullies like us should stick together.”

“You are a voluntary loner, right? I am different from you.”

“You are all right.”

"Ugh."

‘Baek Yu-Seol's way of speaking is something… something…’

She felt that he was like an adult dealing with a child.

At first, it seemed that he went out with a strong tone in order not to bend her pride, but even then, he was very smooth.

‘His face appears younger than me.......'

Baek Yu-Seol had a face that looked quite young to the point that if it wasn't for his school uniform, he would have been mistaken for a middle school boy.

Moreover, his stiff hair made him look like a boy, otherwise with the delicate features and youthful face, he appeared no different from a girl.

“Once you've decided on the cadet and group you like, bring me the list and register it.”

At the Instructor's shout, the students hurried to him.

“I’ll go too.”

Baek Yu-Seol wanted to give a piece of paper to the Instructor.

As he carried it around and walked away, Eisel let out a sigh. Again, she was shaken by his pace.

She was standing blankly, scratching the floor with her shoes, but she suddenly felt a gaze and slowly turned her head.

‘Uh...?'