*[Advancement to the National Finals in the Magic School League]*

- Team *Pulleim*
- Team *Maorun White*
- Team *Emperor Goldens*

The preliminary rounds of the *League of Spirits* competition at Stella Academy had ended, and the teams representing the academy in the national finals were announced. For most schools, having even one team make it to the national finals was considered an honor. However, Stella Academy was unique in sending three teams.

After the preliminary round, each team had interview time. Baek Yuseol and Mayuseong tried to slip away, citing exhaustion, while Aizel was barely restrained from leaving, claiming she needed to study after all the fun she'd had.

After all, going to the interview alone would have been awkward.

**Q: Player from *Pulleim*, you defeated the Emerald Stella team, considered the best team at Stella Academy. What do you attribute your victory to?**

"Victory? You're asking this over a simple school prelim? We haven’t even won the championship…"

[*Pulleim* Player: "Winning the school prelims isn’t really winning."]

**Q: Player Haewonryang, you’re usually seen as the studious type. I didn’t expect you to be interested in sports. When did you start playing *League of Spirits*?**

"Two weeks ago."

[*Shocking News! *Pulleim* Team Member’s Game Experience: Just Two Weeks...*]

**Q: Player Mayuseong, you defeated other teams who were seriously preparing for a pro career. What are your thoughts on *League of Spirits*?**

Mayuseong stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, before answering honestly.

"It’s a good hobby, nothing more."

[*Even with qualification for the national competition, Mayuseong sees it as just a hobby?*]

Watching their casual answers get turned into headlines in real-time, Baek Yuseol, who had been anxiously fidgeting, suddenly grabbed the microphone.

**Q: Baek…**

"I'm happy to win! I studied by the book! I love kimchi! Big love to wisdom!"

And with that, he bolted off before they could ask anything else.

**Q: Um… I guess that concludes the interview…**

“Wait, what about me?”

When Aizel suddenly interjected, the reporter was startled. Due to her lineage from the Morf family, the journalist naturally felt cautious.

But her sparkling eyes were hard to ignore.

'Is she really a descendant of *that* Morf?'

He’d heard rumors of her beauty and had seen her photo in newspapers, but looking directly into her pure, sky-like, shimmering eyes, the reporter found it difficult to stay focused.

Blushing, he tried to keep his professional composure, fanning himself before awkwardly clearing his throat.

**Q: Uh… so, Player Aizel…?**

“Yes!”

**Q: Uh…**

Mesmerized by her twinkling eyes, flawless skin, and radiant hair, the reporter blurted out the question he truly wanted to ask.

**Q: What’s the secret to your beauty?**

"…Pardon?"

Aizel, caught off guard by the unexpected question, hesitated before answering awkwardly.

"Um… I don’t really do anything…"

[*Aizel: "The secret to beauty? Just being born pretty.”*]

---

The **Red Falcon Society**.

At one time, third-year senior Edmon Atalek had been its key figure, but since an incident in the first semester, Hong Biyeon now held full control.

The Red Falcon Society was an elite circle for students from prestigious families in Adolevit, and Hong Biyeon’s influence had naturally grown. Lately, she had even started establishing connections with noble families, gradually expanding her network.

Despite her royal status, Hong Biyeon had always been isolated within the Adolevit royal palace, and ironically, the Stella Academy abroad offered her the social circle to easily and rapidly extend her influence.

“Princess, we’re sorry.”

“For what?”

“...We failed to qualify for the League of Spirits finals.”

Several members of the Red Falcon Society approached her while she was reading, bowing their heads in apology.

However, she waved them off dismissively.

“It’s fine. I’m not interested in *League of Spirits*. I’m too busy to enjoy a hobby anyway.”

In the original storyline, Hong Biyeon was supposed to participate in *League of Spirits* and lead one of the three teams advancing to the finals. 

But she’d quit the competition, citing her busy schedule. The main reason was that she’d been formally recognized as a candidate for the throne by the queen and had started receiving royal education, leaving her with little free time.

In addition, she spent her evenings and weekends hosting tea gatherings with noble families, solidifying her influence and making the Red Falcon Society members her loyal supporters.

Although the society members had initially gathered around her due to her status as a princess, they could easily be swayed by her rival, Hong Si-hwa, at any time.

To secure their loyalty, Hong Biyeon devoted herself to transforming the Red Falcon Society into her inner circle.

If Edmon Atalek still held sway, it would have been challenging. However, he no longer showed up often, which worked in her favor. Although she still valued his strength, she no longer needed to rely on the Atalek family.

“By the way, Princess, did you hear that *Pulleim*, Baek Yuseol’s team, made it to the finals?”

“Yes, I heard.”

Lately, she’d had the odd feeling that anything Baek Yuseol was involved in would turn out to be significant.

So, Hong Biyeon had personally approached him to ask if his involvement in *League of Spirits* was connected to some larger issue. She’d even offered her assistance if he was involved in something serious.

His response?

'I’m just doing it for fun.'

Indeed, Baek Yuseol had nothing in particular to focus on at the time, and since *Pulleim* had asked him for help, he joined in as a hobby. Just to be sure, Hong Biyeon sneaked into the spectator’s section to watch him during the match. She was surprised to find him enjoying the game with pure delight, free from worry.

It might have been the first time she’d seen him look so genuinely happy.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang of jealousy toward Aizel and *Pulleim*. If she weren’t already committed to her duties, she might have carved out time to join Baek Yuseol on the field.

“Hm…”

As Hong Biyeon reviewed the teams advancing to the finals, she noticed an unfamiliar team name and tilted her head in confusion. Anticipating her curiosity, another girl nearby, who had been reading a book, eagerly provided an answer.

“Oh, the *Maorun White* team is a newly formed team in this year's preliminaries! They were an unfinished team with poor performance, but with a player named Cho Yerin’s sudden improvement, they made it to the finals without a single loss!”

“Cho Yerin? Never heard of her.”

“Well, she’s not part of the Magic Warrior Department.”

Hong Biyeon viewed the other departments at Stella Academy as subpar, so as soon as she heard Cho Yerin’s name, she erased it from her memory.

It simply didn’t interest her.

“But the interview was impressive. Apparently, she’s doing so well thanks to advice from Baek Yuseol.”

“…A commoner? Giving advice?”

A student from an outside department… and not even a male, but a female student?

“What was her name again?”

“Huh? Cho… Cho Yerin.”

As Hong Biyeon’s expression hardened, the girl who had been happily chatting with her quickly backed away, feeling intimidated.

‘Idiot! Read the room!’

‘Huh?’

One of her classmates discreetly nudged her away, saving her from saying any more.

“…Princess, shall we gather information on this Cho Yerin?”

Hong Biyeon’s expression softened, and she shook her head. Sighing, she closed her book, seemingly coming to her senses.

“No need. There’s no point in investigating someone like that.”

“Of course, since she’s just a commoner unrelated to you, Princess.”

With a quick reply, she stood and headed straight to her personal dressing room at the back of the Red Falcon Society room.

Although the room only held a few spare clothes compared to her dormitory wardrobe, it was convenient for a quick change.

About an hour later, Hong Biyeon emerged, neatly dressed in casual attire, and spoke to her group.

“I’ll be back after dinner.”

“But Princess, we have our monthly club meeting tonight.”

“Handle it yourselves.”

“Yes.”

Her decision was entirely her own, yet none dared to protest. However, the members didn’t seem too concerned. With her perfectionist nature, she had likely already handled her share of responsibilities.

“…I was supposed to do this, but she finished it all.”

“My tasks, too…”

“This is supposed to be our team project, but she must have thought it was her personal assignment…”

“When did she even manage this?”

They’d only seen her writing notes, yet she had somehow completed all the tasks herself, leaving her teammates staring in disbelief at her now empty seat.

“If the Princess becomes Queen, I doubt the kingdom would ever fall…”

“Indeed…”

---

**That Same Time.**

**First Main Tower, Vice Principal’s Office, Stella Academy**

Sunlight shone brightly, reflecting off Vice Principal Aki Hayden’s smooth head, making it gleam even more.

Raiden, unaffected by the dazzling light, gazed steadily.

“You mentioned this is the list of

 upcoming transfer students.”

“Yes.”

“Who is this?”

Aki Hayden pointed to a girl named *Anella*.

Raiden glanced at her identification photo, where her innocent face and somewhat vacant expression still managed to appear charming.

“She’s a Dark Mage from Black Kingdom.”

“A Dark Mage from Black Kingdom…”

Aki Hayden and Raiden, both members of the *Moonshadow Faith*, had a strained relationship with Black Kingdom. Despite sharing the dark arts, their goals diverged.

They maintained diplomatic relations under the Dark Sorcerer King’s orders, but it was like handling a ticking time bomb.

“You intend to use the T.O. resource on her? We need to integrate more of our own members, not outsiders.”

“Yes. I understand your concerns, but there’s no need to worry. I’ve secured her loyalty perfectly.”

For the first time, Raiden lied. As a devout member of *Moonshadow Faith*, he had never lied to Aki Hayden. The vice principal paused, surprised.

“Is that so…”

“She’ll be strategically useful. My plan is to utilize her as a double agent to monitor Black Kingdom’s movements.”

“If you say so, then it must be.”

Raiden felt relieved.

Baek Yuseol had fulfilled his role by helping *Maorun White* advance to the finals.

Now, it was Raiden’s turn to keep his promise to Baek Yuseol.

“But…”

When Aki Hayden frowned and shook his head, Raiden’s relief was cut short.

“Is something wrong?”

“Quite. The principal personally announced that he will conduct rigorous checks on all incoming transfers, meaning all pending applications have been canceled.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I have no idea why that lunatic Eltham suddenly decided to micromanage. If he just followed protocol, everything would go smoothly. Yet he insists on meddling in trivial matters.”

“Isn’t there any way…?”

“No. It’s unfortunate, but all the transfer candidates have been sent back. You’ll have to keep her for now—she might come in handy later.”

After dismissing Raiden, Aki Hayden seemed unbothered by the setback. To him, a few missing transfers were trivial.

But.

For Raiden, it was not.

‘…This is a mess.’

Baek Yuseol had honored his request, but Raiden couldn’t do the same.

With a contract already signed, backing out was impossible.

In other words, Raiden now owed Baek Yuseol a favor.

*Click!*

Leaving the vice principal’s office, Raiden walked down the hall, troubled by how to resolve this situation.

At the end of the corridor on the 79th floor of the First Main Tower, he arrived at the elevator.

Leaning against the wall, waiting, was a young man.

It was Baek Yuseol.

With his usual cheerful smile, Baek Yuseol spoke.

“Professor, you kept our promise, didn’t you?”

The pressure in his voice today wasn’t just a feeling.

“…You knew this would happen from the start.”

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean.”

It was only then that Raiden realized he had walked into a trap… but by then, it was already too late.