Chapter 384 Danger always approaches in a harmless form

Ever since her last bad breakup with Coors, Ilana had gotten used to hanging out in the cafeteria alone.

Due to her cold and aloof temperament, as well as some gossip about her and His Highness Colin that was quietly circulating among the apprentices, few people dared to approach her now.

Finn once kindly reminded her that someone was deliberately spreading the news, but Ilana didn't care.

If His Highness Colin doesn't care, why should she care?

Moreover, it didn't hurt for her that others kept their distance from her. She enjoyed this simple and regular life.

Attend classes, go to the laboratory, and then dive into the vast academic world.

She found that beautiful and rigorous mathematical formulas were much more interesting than dealing with those complex and difficult interpersonal relationships.

Especially after seeing Coors' "face change".

One morning, Ilana sat alone in the corner of the cafeteria as usual, carefully cutting the bread into small shapes with a dinner knife while thinking about the difficult math problem she had not figured out the night before.

At this moment, a figure suddenly sat opposite her, and his slightly broad arms slightly blocked the light from the magic crystal lamp.

Ilana looked up with some surprise and saw a strange face with a little baby fat.

She was wearing a blue apprentice robe that symbolized her status as a mage. Her hair was chestnut brown and her smile was simple and cute, just like a sunflower blooming in the countryside.

"You're Ilana?"

"Yes..." Ilana nodded stiffly, put down the knife in her hand, and asked hesitantly, "What's the matter?"

"My name is Anjie! Sorry to bother you. I'm studying calculus recently and there are some questions I can't figure out. Can I ask you for help?"

"Of course." Looking at Miss Angel who was asking for advice humbly, Ilana showed a surprised expression on her face.

It was a rare thing in such a hierarchical school that a mage would actually ask questions of a candidate like himself.

Anjie seemed to see her confusion and smiled embarrassedly, but did not give any explanation.

She stretched out her chubby little hand, quickly took out the paper and pen that had been prepared long ago from her backpack, and respectfully handed it to the other side of the table.

There was a math problem written on the paper, and it didn't look difficult.

To be honest, compared with the questions that His Highness Colin asked Miss Ophelia, the question asked by Miss Angel is not so simple, it can even be said to be "basic".

and--

His Highness Colin seems to have talked about this in class?

After taking it, Ilana thought about it for a while and quickly found a solution.

"Look here, Senior Angel," she picked up the feather pen and gently drew a circle on a key point in the equation, and said patiently, "The core of this problem is not to solve a fixed value, but to understand the concept of 'infinitely close'. You can't use the conventional substitution method, but should try to simplify this equation first..."

Her voice was crisp and steady, her thoughts were clear, and in just a few words she analyzed a seemingly complex limit problem in a clear and organized manner.

Anjie nodded repeatedly after hearing this, the confusion on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a look of surprise as if she had suddenly realized something.

When Ilana finished her explanation, she couldn't help but put her hands together, looked at Ilana with almost worshipful eyes, and praised her sincerely.

"So that's how it is! I understand, Junior Sister Ilana, you are simply... amazing! This question has troubled me for several days, and after listening to you, I suddenly understand!"

"I'm not as good as you say..." Ilana scratched her cheek embarrassedly and returned the paper and pen to Anjie.

"That's impossible! You must have something extraordinary to win the favor of His Highness Colin. Whether it's your beauty or your knowledge."

Anjie took the quill with a smile, looked at Ilana who looked a little troubled, and continued speaking eagerly.

"Junior Ilana, can I still ask you questions I don't understand in the future?"

"Of course... It would be my honor if my immature knowledge could inspire you." Ilana didn't know why this senior was so polite, so she, who rarely used written humble words, couldn't help but respond politely.

But to be honest, she had a pretty good impression of this simple and polite senior. Compared to Coors's enthusiasm with ulterior motives, she seemed to be simply asking her for knowledge.

At least, Ilana couldn't figure out for the time being what this senior schoolmate wanted from her.

If he wanted to get close to me just to enter His Highness Colin's laboratory, it would be a waste of effort. After all, I am just an apprentice.

The seeds of friendship were planted.

For the next few days, Angie followed Ilana around like a shadow, taking her to eat and go to school together every day, making her, who was originally alone, seem less out of place.

Not only that—

The questions asked by this senior sister Angel were also from the simplest to the most complex, with a sincere and humble attitude, which made Ilana see in her the shadows of many of her hardworking classmates in the laboratory.

Although Ilana was occasionally confused by this sudden enthusiasm, she didn't think too much about it.

Besides, she actually likes to use her knowledge to solve other people's problems.

That pure sense of accomplishment not only made her feel at ease, but also made her feel that the knowledge that His Highness Colin taught her was meaningful.

It was not just some useless tricks as the apprentices standing outside the door thought.

A week passed peacefully like this, and it was lunch time again. Anjie sat with Ilana as usual, chatting about the daily life in the Mage Tower.

Poking the sausage on the plate with a fork, she looked at the bustling apprentices in the cafeteria who were all discussing the same thing, and sighed casually.

"Alas, All Souls' Day is coming soon, and everyone's topic lately is all about 'Maze Trial'."

When she said this, Anjie suddenly turned her head, looked at Ilana with her usual sunny smile, and said expectantly.

"Ilana, aren't you curious? That's the annual event of Xuebang!"

"It's okay," Ilana was sipping her soup. She nodded slightly and replied calmly, "Many people in the lab are preparing. I've heard about some of them."

Of course she knew about All Souls' Day, and there were many senior apprentices in the Magic Science Laboratory who were actively preparing for it.

It was said that it was a rehearsal for the Sage Trial and an important opportunity for senior apprentices to leave a deep impression on their mentors and professors before graduation.

Especially for those senior apprentices who plan to stay in the Mage Tower, they are determined to win this trial.

When she becomes a mage, she plans to give it a try.

Seeing that Ilana seemed to have an idea, Anjie's eyes suddenly lit up. She leaned forward slightly and said with an excited energy of encouragement.

"Then... do you want to give it a try?"

"I?"

Ilana was stunned by her sudden suggestion. She subconsciously put down the spoon and smiled embarrassedly.

"Senior Anjie, stop kidding. I'm a preparatory student with a magic level that's only at the Iron level. The most proficient offensive spell I have is probably... throwing a fireball without burning myself. Wouldn't it just cause trouble for everyone if I go?"

She paused and added, "Also, I heard that preparatory students are not eligible to participate in the maze trial."

"That's because you don't understand!" Anjie immediately smiled enthusiastically and waved her hand, saying, "The rules only say that preparatory students can't sign up, but they don't say they can't team up with senior apprentices! As long as there are seniors willing to lead, even preparatory students can participate!"

"So that's how it is..." Ilana looked at Anjie in surprise. This was the first time she heard of this statement. No wonder one of her roommates seemed to be secretly preparing for it.

"That's right! That's right! Although our school is sometimes quite rigid, it is still very flexible when it needs to be!"

Anjie seized the opportunity, looked at Ilana with sincere and expectant eyes, and issued a formal invitation.

"Our team is still short of a companion, Ilana, come with us! You are so smart, you can help us analyze the rune structure of the maze and so on. As for safety, you don't have to worry at all!"

As she spoke, Anjie patted her slightly plump chest and made a promise.

"I'll protect you!"

That heavy voice did give people a sense of reliability, but at this moment Ilana was more caught off guard.

She waved her hands in surprise, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and said, "How can I do this, Senior Sister Anjie? I am too weak. What if I hinder you guys? Why don't you talk to your teammates and find a student of the same grade?"

"Oh, don't worry! My teammates are all very good people, and they are very capable!"

Anjie interrupted her with a smile and continued in an intimate tone.

"Also, I've discussed it with them, and they're all very happy to hear that you're willing to come! Besides, the maze trial isn't a real maze, and the difficulty isn't as exaggerated as you think. Black Iron-level strength is enough to protect yourself. Many adventurers don't even have extraordinary powers, but they dare to venture into a real maze, not to mention that you're already at Black Iron level!"

After a pause, she continued in a persuasive tone.

"Just follow us and you'll be safe! Besides, you've helped me so much, I have to find a chance to repay you."

Ilana whispered.

"No, I didn't expect you to repay me..."

"That's what I said, but I also want to do something for you. I can't always trouble you..." Anjie looked at Ilana with hope on her face, "Can you give me this chance?"

Ilana was silent.

She was not good at rejecting others, especially when the other person was a good friend of hers. After spending the past few days together, she felt that Anjie was a very good person, but she was not very good at math.

Seeing that Ilana's delicate eyebrows were still furrowed and she was still hesitating, Anjie suddenly put away her carefree smile and replaced it with an extremely serious and sincere expression.

"Ilana, I am seriously considering this for you." Her voice became serious. "In the academy, there are not many good opportunities to publicly display your abilities. A talented apprentice like you will definitely stay in the Mage Tower and follow His Highness Colin to do research, right?"

She leaned forward and lowered her voice.

"Think about it. If you can stand out in the labyrinth trial, even if you only get the most basic credits... and pass the labyrinth trial as a preparatory student, I think even His Highness Colin will look at you with new eyes."

Ilana looked at the enthusiastic Anjie with a confused look on her face.

To be honest, she had a clear understanding of her own strength. It was simply a fantasy to expect to "stand out" in the maze trial with her Black Iron-level skills.

Even if the goblins there aren't real goblins, the man-eating treasure chest won't actually eat people...

However, Anjie's enthusiastic invitation, especially the last reason, made it impossible for her to simply refuse.

perhaps……

It doesn't seem like a bad idea to give it a try?

This is a rare qualification after all, and His Highness Colin has always encouraged his apprentices to actively participate in the activities of the Mage Tower.

After all, these were just excuses. She couldn't refuse her friends' requests... especially those with good intentions.

Ilana finally nodded slightly.

"Well...I'll think about it."

Anjie's face showed a sunny smile, and she excitedly hugged Ilana who was caught off guard, before the sunny smile gradually turned into a sinister and cunning one.

"Oh! Ilana! You're so nice! Thank you so much!"

Although it was just an ambiguous answer, she knew Ilana's character very well. As long as this nerd didn't refuse directly, it meant that she had agreed...

…

The afternoon sun shone through the arched windows of the dormitory tower, shining into Miss Ophelia's luxurious single dormitory, which was decorated just like the Duke's residence in the Holy City, making it warm and comfortable.

Although most of the apprentices were packed like sardines in a cage-like eight-person room, it was obvious that not everyone needed to exercise their damn willpower and social skills.

"Miss, there is a letter for you."

The maid who was responsible for taking care of Miss Ophelia's daily life respectfully presented a letter tied with brown paper.

At this moment, Ophelia was boredly flipping through the "Collection of Poems" she brought from the Holy City as a pastime after studying magic and science.

When she heard that there was a letter from her, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, and a hint of interest appeared in her lazy eyes.

In this cold wizard tower, apart from the occasional letters from my father, who else would write to me?

"Elyfit, bring it to me."

"Yes, miss." The maid stepped forward respectfully and handed over the letter.

Ophelia gracefully stretched out her fingers, opened the emotionless envelope and read it.

The handwriting on the letter seemed a little childish, and even had a few minor grammatical errors, and the wording and sentence structure were extremely restrained.

But it can be seen that this boy named "Sana" has tried very hard. After all, the Kingdom of Rhodes is a rural area in the countryside, and it is reasonable that the grammar is different from that of the Holy City.

Back to the point, the boy named "Sana" in the letter, in an almost humble tone of admiration, invited her to meet at the door of the Potions classroom on the north side of the twelfth floor of the Great Sage's Tower when the evening bell rang today, saying that he had something important to discuss with her.

Important things...

What else is important for a boy of this age?

Ophelia couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth slightly, and a smile of understanding bloomed in her eyes, as if she was watching an orangutan splitting a banana in the zoo.

"A love letter...haha...it's really interesting."

She casually placed the letter on the table, held her cheek with one hand, and talked to herself in the air, with a barely perceptible hint of teasing and joy in her voice.

As Miss Castellón, she was very experienced in this matter.

When she was in the holy city, the love letters she received every day filled up a desk drawer, so much so that a horse-drawn carriage was needed to clear out the waste.

She could even conclude from her rich experience that this love letter must have been written by a boy who had never been in a relationship and whose total sentences to girls this year did not exceed ten.

Ophelia stood up gracefully and walked to the dressing mirror. She looked at her flawless face and brilliant blonde hair in the mirror and sighed softly.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Sana, I already have someone in my heart...You should keep your love for your future wife." She said in a slightly regretful tone, and her ups and downs in voice sounded like she was acting in a drama.

"Don't be discouraged. It's not your fault. It's just... I prefer more mature men. What? You'll try hard? Haha, no need. You can't be that man's opponent."

If she was at the Royal Academy of Arts in the Holy City, she probably wouldn't even bother to open the letter, which even had a cowardly signature, and would just let the maid take it and throw it into the fireplace.

but……

After all, this is a place of learning.

The maid, Elifite, who was standing in the corner, quietly left the room and closed the door, pretending that she had seen and heard nothing.

This is purely for the young lady's sake.

If she were to recall what she had done without paying any attention to anyone, she might bury herself in the quilt and wail all day long without eating or drinking.

"As a representative of the Castellón family, studying in a vassal state of the empire, every move you make represents the glory of your family, and you must not lose your manners. Yes, that's right, Miss Castellón, you are a woman who can stand on your own feet, and you can't lose face over such a small matter."

Ophelia looked at herself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction, "We can't let the barbarians think that we in the Castellón family are all rude barbarians."

She would never admit that the reason she was willing to open the letter and even planned to go to the appointment was not because of the family honor, but purely because of the little vanity that was stirring deep in her heart.

When she was in the Holy City, the love letters she received could fill a carriage, and she was the focus of people's attention wherever she went.

But here, none of these ignorant wizard apprentices dared to write to her! And the love letter written by this young man was the first letter she received!

How is this possible? !

Miss Castellón can refuse to accept it, but that doesn’t mean you can choose not to write it!

She longed for more attention, and especially hoped that this fragrance called "charm" could blow into the heart of that prince.

Just as what she said in the book "The Adventures of Baron Cosia" that she was following - beautiful things need to be set off. Without experiencing the storm on the vast ocean, he would never realize how hard it was to earn the time he wasted in the past.

How can a heroine who is the center of everyone's attention not have a few sad and depressed suitors around her?

Thinking of this, Ophelia made up her mind.

She decided to go to the appointment, or rather - she had to go!

This is the duty of a lady, just like Lady Tolakiri in "The Art of Love". Even though she had no interest in Baron Fenrir's old-fashioned tone, she still listened to his confession patiently until the last scene when she gave a gorgeous rejection.

"Elyfit, help me prepare my clothes, the lunch break is almost over - wait, did you hear that?!"

Ophelia blushed and turned around quickly. Only when she saw the empty bedroom did her heart, which had been hanging in her throat, fall down and she slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good Luck——

Just now she accidentally said what was in her heart.

…

The evening bell rang slowly from the top of the tower, announcing the end of the day's classes.

The apprentices left the classroom one after another, and the corridor gradually became lively.

Ophelia adjusted her dress, and went to the appointment with a hint of reserve and excitement as a "mature lady".

Ilana looked at her strangely, feeling that this friend was a little unusual today.

"Aren't you going to the lab?"

"You go first, Ilana," Ophia shook her golden hair gently and gave her a smug look, "I have something to deal with... It's really a headache."

"Do you need my help?" Ilana asked with concern.

"No, no, I'll do it quickly." Ophelia turned and walked out the door, fearing that her potential competitor would catch up with her.

She only went to the appointment for the honor of the Castellón family. She didn't want any strange rumors to spread from the laboratory, and she didn't want His Highness Colin to misunderstand her.

The Potions classroom is located on the north side of the twelfth floor. However, since the new batch of preparatory students have not yet started the Potions class, this classroom has been idle for half a year.

When Ophelia walked near the Potions classroom, a familiar name suddenly came into her ears, causing her brisk steps to pause slightly.

"…Ilana?"

Out of curiosity, she did not go over immediately, but crouched down and quietly hid in the empty classroom next door.

The classroom was dimly lit. She used the rows of laboratory tables and the strangely shaped bottles and jars on them as cover and moved quietly from the back row to the shadow of the front row near the door.

Although eavesdropping is not something a lady should do, the ancestral teachings of the Castellón family are not to stick to the rules, so it is almost equivalent to the tacit approval of the ancestors.

The location is just right.

Looking at the sunset halo printed on the corridor window glass, Ophelia, hiding under the table, was secretly delighted. It seemed that even Saint Sis had acquiesced to her peeping.

The glass that reflected the light was like a mirror, allowing her to clearly observe the figures who were talking furtively at the corner of the corridor outside the classroom.

However, from the well-lit corridor, it was extremely difficult to see her hiding in the shadow of the dim classroom.

"Is it settled?"

"Hey, it's done, Miss Lastina."

Ophelia's eyes widened slightly.

She recognized it almost at a glance. The fat girl with a flattering smile on her face and who was as respectful as a servant was Angel, who had been inseparable from Ilana in the past few days!

Standing in front of Anjie at this moment was a girl with two exaggerated golden diamond ponytails and a haughty look.

Judging from her superior expression and bossy attitude, she must be the Miss Lastina that Anjie mentioned.

What are they doing?

Why was Ilana's name suddenly mentioned?

besides……

What is that settled thing?

With strong curiosity and uneasiness, Ophelia swallowed and continued to listen carefully.

Lastina nodded with satisfaction, an elegant smile on her lips. Before she spoke, another girl standing next to her said with a smirk.

"Great, Anjie, well done! Next, we just need to take her to the deepest part of the maze trial, and accidentally get separated from her when she is entangled with the hungry 'Hitman Vine'... Hehe, that scene must be beautiful."

A chestnut-haired girl nearby added with a smirk, "We can also add a few 'acid slimes'. Their acid can corrode fabrics. In less than half a minute, there will be a naked pretty girl in the maze... I hope she can hold on until she gets out."

"Haha! It's a pity there are no real goblins in the maze, otherwise she might have to go out with a bulging belly, haha." Angel laughed maliciously.

This reminded a few girls, and the chestnut-haired girl said eagerly.

"How about we go find an adventurer and buy two? I heard that the real thing can be bought at a good price in Artisan Street!"

"Okay, stop giving bad advice. Xuebang's magicians are not fools. Do you think they can't tell the difference between real goblins and fake goblins?"

Lastina interrupted the thoughtless speech slowly, then looked at the girl who lowered her head in fear and said, "Don't do anything unnecessary to leave any handle. Our goal is to teach her a lesson and make her lose face in front of His Highness Colin. It would be best if she can't stay here any longer... That's enough."

She paused, and her elegant smile gradually turned sinister.

"However, the acid slime is a good idea...it will allow more people to appreciate the miserable appearance of that cousin."

Laughter and cheers filled the corridor, with whistles replacing applause.

"Hahaha!"

"Those guys got a bargain."

"I hope someone brought a video crystal!"

Ophelia's face turned completely cold when she heard this, and her blue eyes flashed with cold anger.

I see--

She knew this dirty trick all too well.

In the Royal Academy of the Holy City, only the most inferior nobles would use such a despicable method to bully the citizens who were admitted based on their own strength. It was because their family emblems had long been covered in dust, and only in this way could they show off the pitiful authority in their hands.

The Castellón family disdained this, and even Miss Lambert, whom she hated the most, was too proud of her status to tolerate such dirty dealings.

But she didn't expect that the academic state regarded as an academic sanctuary by countless people of the empire would actually have such dirty things!

"You dare to touch my friend...very good."

Ophelia sneered in her heart, and had already made up her mind to give these blind guys an unforgettable "surprise"...

She had completely forgotten about the love letter and the confession.

Without waiting for the little boy named "Sana" to show up, she tiptoed out of the empty classroom...

There are more important things to do now.

As Ophelia tiptoed away, she didn't notice that there was another person hiding in the empty classroom.

Behind the gently swaying curtains, Sarah's figure blended into the darkness, and her cat-like vertical pupils took in everything that happened here.

She watched Ophelia hide in the classroom, heard the vicious plans of those senior apprentices, and finally saw the cold anger and determination to fight back on Ophelia's face.

very good.

Just as the Demon King said, she didn't have to do everything herself, she just had to put the chess piece where it should be and then watch what happened.

Sarah gained a new understanding of her work.

After confirming that the Demon Lord's plan had unfolded exactly as expected, she did not stop, and like a drop of ink blending into the darkness, she disappeared silently into the shadows of dusk.

As if it had never existed...

(End of this chapter)