Chapter 652

The morning session progressed.

As one would anticipate at the start of a term, every student found themselves caught up in a flurry of activity.

Once lunch concluded, it was time for the afternoon session to begin.

Eliza spoke up, addressing Nella.

“Nella.”

“Yes. What is it, Eliza?”

“That’s irritating, go fix it immediately.”

Eliza spoke while gesturing toward Illiana.

In that direction, Illiana was engaged in reading, maintaining an impeccably upright posture.

Throughout the entire day, Illiana had carried herself as a flawless model student.

She presented an immaculate reputation as a scholar, interacted with everyone around her with utmost gentleness, and continued to focus on her book.

Shhhhk-

Even at this moment, as she brushed her hair back in imitation of Celia, breathless gasps rippled through the freshmen gathered for the combat session.

Quite literally, she was an absolutely faultless model student.

Naturally, from the perspective of the third-year students, witnessing that display felt rather exhausting.

Right then, Karl, who had been silently observing Illiana, remarked.

“Looking closer at her now, it appears she is trying to mimic Celia, Chloe, and Nella.”

“Huh?”

Hearing his observation, Chelsea tilted her head to the side.

“For what reason?”

“How should I know?”

“It’s irritating, let’s go demand an explanation for why she’s behaving that way.”

Chelsea pushed herself up with a heavy heave and marched over to Illiana.

Nella followed closely behind Chelsea.

“Nella.”

“Yes. Why are you calling for me, Karl?”

“Why are you bringing that along with you?”

Karl questioned, gesturing toward the morning star held gracefully in Nella’s grasp.

“Just in case I find a reason to employ it.”

Karl gave a nod, watching Nella offer a twisted grin.

‘Right, regardless of how gentle her nature is, a female student of Lumen is ultimately still a Lumen student.’

The spot where Chelsea, Karl, and Nella escorted Illiana was the area situated behind the combat class storage unit on the training field.

“What is the meaning of this?”

When Illiana questioned them with a bewildered expression, Chelsea demanded.

“Be completely truthful. Who exactly are you?”

“What are you implying, Chelsea? It is your companion, Illiana.”

“Then why are you conducting yourself as though you’ve lost your mind?”

“I am entirely rational? Hehe. You are uttering such bizarre things?”

Nella let out a faint whimper, “Ugh…,” as she watched Illiana cover her mouth while dissolving into giggles.

“What is the matter?”

“It resembles me slightly but is somehow deeply irritating. Did I cause others to feel that way as well?”

Karl shook his head, observing Nella fretting with a solemn countenance.

“Not a chance.”

“Exactly. Nella unnie. Nella unnie is not the issue here. The issue is entirely Illiana.”

“Should I honestly just give her head a gentle tap once?”

Karl rubbed his chin, watching Nella make the inquiry while hoisting her morning star.

“Hmm. It carries some risk, but it appears that is the sole remaining option.”

“Very well.”

Nella stood directly ahead of Illiana with an earnest expression, gripping the morning star.

For a brief instant, Illiana appeared startled, realizing Nella was genuinely preparing to strike her.

“Hold on? Why are you reacting like this? Compose yourself, Nella.”

Nella spoke with absolute gravity, gazing down at Illiana who maintained her soft-spoken tone.

“It might sting slightly, but endure it, Illiana. This is strictly for your own benefit.”

“How can taking my life be for my own benefit!”

Illiana shrieked in response.

“What a relief. That is the customary Illiana.”

“What? She hadn’t lost her wits, she was merely putting on a charade this entire time?”

“It amounted to nothing after all.”

Nella exhaled a genuine sigh of comfort, while Karl and Chelsea wore expressions that conveyed, “I suspected as much.”

Just at that moment, Eliza arrived looking around behind the storage unit.

“Karl. Do you happen to possess a tonic meant for magical beasts?”

“Oh! Indubitably, valued patron!”

Karl swiftly darted over to Eliza.

Eliza, casually retrieving gold coins from her pouch, glanced at Illiana and remarked.

“You have reverted to your customary Illiana Laden state.”

“What sort of customary reputation do I possess that causes everyone to react that way just by looking at my expression?”

“In contrast to before, you are displaying your usual scatterbrained look now.”

Illiana erupted at Eliza’s mocking tone.

“Hey! Karl! Cease all commerce with her! I typically purchase a vast amount from you!”

“Yet Eliza remains a superior patron compared to you, doesn’t she?”

“Is our companionship worth less than your marketplace earnings?!”

“Indeed.”

“Gah!”

Illiana glared with wide eyes, seized Karl, and shook him back and forth aggressively.

Chelsea observed Illiana with a look of pure pity.

“For what purpose did you stage such a dreadful performance?”

“Dreadful, you claim! Did you fail to notice the freshmen being entirely flustered and shy whenever they caught sight of me?”

Illiana adopted an elegant stance and ran her hand through her hair.

“That is entirely because they are utterly enthralled by my elegance, I am telling you.”

“Ah, I finally comprehend why I felt so irritated.”

Chelsea grimaced.

“That specific mannerism of smoothing back her hair. It is a carbon copy of Celia Zerdinger.”

“Heh. I did draw a bit of creativity from her.”

Eliza stared at the self-satisfied Illiana with a look of sheer disdain.

“Are you suggesting you mimicked Celia Zerdinger solely to impress the first-years? Are you a fool?”

“Hold on, hold on. I did not merely mimic Celia. I copied Chloe as well, and Nella too! Along with Chelsea!”

“Me?”

Chelsea appeared utterly bewildered.

“There was absolutely nothing resembling me in that display.”

“There certainly was. You are a deceptive person. I analyzed and implemented the method of concealing your genuine character.”

“Excuse me?”

“You gathered quite a bit of creativity from my deceptive performances.”

“When have I ever put on a false front?”

As Chelsea’s brow furrowed deeply, Illiana rapidly twisted her own features.

“Are you a fool? You remain blind to whether you are putting on a false front or not?”

“Oh, that is the customary Chelsea.”

“Her choice of words is entirely disrespectful, it is definitely Chelsea Lewallen.”

Karl and Eliza chimed in.

Chelsea’s petite fist quivered for a brief second.

“Oppa~ Leo Oppa~ Nella unnie~ hazard a guess~”

“Hahahahahahaha! Absolutely identical… cough!”

Karl exploded into laughter, watching Illiana mimic the exact vocal style Chelsea used when addressing Leo, Avard, and Nella.

Naturally, Chelsea delivered a flying kick to Karl without a moment’s hesitation, then glared with narrowed eyes and dashed straight toward Illiana.

“Why! Why! I was merely replicating your everyday demeanor!”

“When have I ever behaved in such an idiotic fashion!”

“Both of you, restore your calm.”

Nella lowered the morning star in her grasp and settled the two bickering girls.

“Nella unnie! Illiana’s performance just now bears no resemblance to me, correct?”

“Hmm…”

“That is unkind!”

Chelsea pulled a sulking expression.

“It is merely that the aura and cadence are identical. Though naturally, Chelsea possesses a far more adorable charm?”

“Is that not so?”

“Ugh. Adorable, she claims.”

“Just perish this day.”

Chelsea snarled, staring at Illiana who kept interjecting from the flank.

Eliza looked down upon Karl, who was gripping his ribs and laboriously pushing himself off the ground.

“Why do you allow yourself to be thrashed so mindlessly?”

“I do not absorb a thrashing by choice. If you possessed any pity for me, why did you fail to intervene?”

“I possess no pity. Should you not resolve the chaos you initiated?”

“How utterly callous.”

Karl clicked his tongue and adjusted his posture.

“In any case. So? You attempted to mimic the model students?”

“Correct. I copied Celia because her everyday conduct is that of a flawless scholar, and Chloe because anyone can perceive she is brimming with elegance. Nella and Chen Siah (Chen Xia/Chen Sia/ Chelsea) are poised, so I wavered over whom to replicate, but I realized that if I began employing formal honorifics, everyone would truly believe I had lost my sanity. Therefore, I copied Nella.”

“You already appeared thoroughly unhinged.”

Eliza scoffed.

Illiana puckered her lips, glaring at Eliza.

Chelsea, who had monitored the entire exchange with a thoroughly vexed expression, flashed a subtle grin.

Karl instinctively took a step back, recognizing that wicked smirk.

“Why did you refrain from mimicking Eliza?”

“Eliza’s everyday conduct is nothing short of a ruffian. There is zero merit in copying her.”

Illiana snorted, “Heheheh!” Eliza’s gaze sharpened, and she attempted to lunge at Illiana, but Karl managed to hold her back.

“So. For what reason did you attempt to copy the model students in the first place?”

Chelsea inquired, folding her arms, to which Illiana answered.

“I enacted it to appear exceptionally sophisticated.”

“Do you genuinely believe the juniors will respect you simply because you act sophisticated? Your genuine character will be exposed before long.”

“Whether my genuine character is exposed or not remains to be seen. Do we not have to test the waters to see the outcome? Furthermore, I did not execute this for the sake of the juniors.”

“Then for whom?”

“I was displaying an unanticipated allure. ‘Illiana Laden possesses a sophisticated side as well~’ Precisely like that. I discovered the concept within this volume.”

Illiana displayed the volume she had been studying.

Once the outer jacket was stripped away, the true contents came to light.

“‘Even an Idiot Can Seduce the Opposite Sex’? What sort of book features such a ridiculous title?”

Chelsea looked entirely unimpressed.

“Whom are you attempting to enchant by consuming a text like this?”

“Who else could it be? The class representative.”

“What?”

“The class representative is sophisticated, correct? ‘Attract a sophisticated member of the opposite sex with sophisticated allure.’ The text advised that, so I put it into practice.”

“…”

Chelsea’s jaw dropped, and Nella’s eyes grew wide.

Karl rubbed the back of his neck.

Eliza twisted her lips into a smirk.

“Why do you not simply strip away your garments and attempt to enchant him that way?”

“Ah! That! This volume stated that is the definitive strategy!”

“What sort of trash are you reading?!”

Chelsea utilized her gale magic to shred the book into tiny fragments.

“What do you intend to accomplish by enchanting Leo?”

Nella questioned with a bewildered expression, while Illiana smirked, “Hmph-”

“To ascend as the First Lady!”

Chen Siah smiled radiantly as the boisterous clamor echoed from the rear of the academy storage unit.

“It is quite spirited once again today,” Chen Siah remarked with a gleaming smile.

Hearing her comment, Celia released a gentle sigh.

“I simply hope they refrain from creating an ordeal, honestly.”

“With such a massive group of underclassmen around, would they truly humiliate our entire class rank?”

“Hmph, those simpletons would easily accomplish far worse than that,” Duran scoffed at Chen Siah’s assertion.

Celia gave a nod, appearing to concur for a rare change.

Chen Siah, tilting her head at the pair who were unexpectedly in accord, spoke up.

“On another note.”

“Huh?”

“How did the encounters with Senior Elena and Senior Lil unfold?”

Celia and Duran’s expressions darkened slightly.

“…They proved formidable.”

Celia wore an embittered look.

“I believed our capabilities were sufficient to secure a triumph… we lacked proper maturity.”

“Would the outcome not differ if an additional engagement took place?”

“If you are merely interrogating us for amusement, bring it to a halt,” Duran scowled at Chen Siah’s words.

“You recognize that such a thing would be entirely pointless, do you not?”

The evaluation from yesterday was, ultimately, a practice skirmish.

However, Celia and Duran, alongside everyone else in attendance yesterday, understood the reality.

Even if it was classified as a practice skirmish, yesterday’s failure was devastating.

Yesterday, the third-year scholars unquestionably possessed the capacity to triumph over Elena and Lil.

Yet despite that advantage, they suffered consecutive losses.

The initial failure stemmed from pure hubris, failing to properly evaluate Elena and Lil.

The subsequent failure was a defeat born from a deficiency in practical combat knowledge.

Both failures signified that the third-year scholars remained dangerously unrefined.

Just as Duran articulated, securing a victory in a repeated bout holds no real value.

Because in an authentic conflict, a secondary opportunity would never be granted to them.

‘Commencing from the third year, official assignments begin.’

While the initial two years centered around training for assignments, from the third year onward, they were required to officially resolve crises emerging across the globe under the banner of Lumen.

They would be formally placing their existences on the line as champion prospects.

And it was not merely their own survival they bore on their shoulders.

They would become accountable for the survival of countless individuals relying on them.

“There is no secondary chance when existences are on the line.”

Chen Siah signaled her agreement at Duran’s declaration.

“Retain that sentiment deeply.”

“Were you attempting to offer me guidance?”

“Indeed. Though we share the same class, I happen to be senior to Miss Celia and Mr. Duran, do I not?”

Chen Siah remarked, lifting her shoulders slightly.

“Observing both of you appearing so disheartened made me feel uneasy.”

Celia let out a quiet sigh at Chen Siah’s admission.

“You caused us unnecessary concern. However, I have no intention of remaining disheartened. We identified precisely where our vulnerabilities lie.”

Celia smoothed her hair back.

“Moving forward, I intend to bridge those deficiencies.”

“Precisely as expected of Miss Celia. An immaculate model student. In light of that, I, your senior sister, shall impart one final guidance.”

Celia narrowed her gaze, staring at Chen Siah who was affectionately patting her head, looking quite pleased.

“Even so, please refrain from treating me entirely as a youngster.”

“What sort of guidance do you intend to impart?”

“Huh?”

Chen Siah’s eyes widened at Duran’s inquiry.

“Why do you display such astonishment?”

“No, I anticipated Mr. Duran would take offense if I extended guidance.”

“What sort of individual do you presume me to be?”

“What sort of individual do you presume him to be? Siah likewise considers him an excessively prideful fellow, does she not?”

“If you seek a confrontation, unsheathe your blade, Celia Zerdinger.”

“That sounds perfectly fine.”

“Come now, come now. Both of you, lower your tempers.”

Chen Siah beamed radiantly despite the hostile tension circulating between them.

“The guidance is nothing extraordinary. It is to demonstrate to you how the adversaries we may confront from the third year onward engage in battle. And how you can prevail once you conquer your vulnerabilities.”

“What are you implying by those words?”

Chen Siah smiled warmly at Celia, who appeared utterly perplexed, and stepped forward.

Shh-pak-shh-pak-

“What is happening?”

“Young Master Leo.”

Chen Siah articulated, halting directly ahead of Leo.

“Engage in combat with me.”