---

Chapter 44: The Fourth One

“Three people actually finished their final practical tests early this time!”

“And that kid doesn’t seem to be a noble or part of the guild, right?”

Sado chuckled lightly from the side, her admiration for Alice a stark contrast to how she treated Nia, nodding and saying, “You guys underestimate Alice too much.”

As the homeroom teacher, Sado was naturally aware of all of Alice’s hard work.

The “Angel Bathed in Light,” popular among the students, was nothing special in the eyes of the teachers.

Holy Light was rare on the Western Continent but not particularly powerful, especially since Alice didn’t come from the church.

Unlike those noble families or the Mage Guild, lacking systematic guidance and rich resources, a maid’s ceiling was destined not to be too high.

Yet, Alice’s talent and effort exceeded expectations.

Not only did she frequently participate in various extracurricular training and elective subjects, but her ability in practical applications was also on par with exchange students from the church academy.

Today, after years of hard work paying off, the scene of the blonde girl wielding her sword, unstoppable, finally unfolded before the teachers, who were captivated by her graceful and noble figure.

With three students completing the final practical test a day early, the noonday drowsiness brought on by the bright sun dissipated.

You have to understand; the content of the final practical was specially tailored by the academic office.

Finishing early indicated that their strength far exceeded the teachers’ expectations, and such instances rarely happen in years.

Last year’s top three had only Leanna and Douglas finish, which was already quite rare.

Just as everyone was excitedly raising their cups in celebration of these outstanding young people, a calm voice from a corner suddenly broke the silence.

“Roy, what do you think?”

“Do you believe he’ll finish his practical exam early?”

That light comment sparked new discussions.

The only exceptions able to finish their practical tests early were royal offspring or the guild’s designated top mages.

Students like Alice were already in the minority.

The marquis’s son, among the elite gathered in the magic academy, seemed quite ordinary.

However, arguments were never lacking regarding this name.

“I’m sure Roy can do it! He’s the winner of the Blue Trial, a rare Sequence 7 for a first-year!” Barbara, being the homeroom teacher, naturally defended her student.

But Prince Winter chuckled wryly, saying, “Not necessarily?”

“That trial was interrupted by a cult attack, right? Roy winning was more of a recognition of his bravery. As for being Sequence 7, it’s just silver blood; it’s not that special, is it?”

Barbara was somewhat at a loss for words: “But, but…”

Another male teacher jumped in to support her: “But he’s a knight of the Lionheart Kingdom! He must have some skills!”

A female teacher sneered: “Really? I heard he climbed the ladder by fooling the princess and hugging her thigh! Besides, dating so many girls at once, he seems like just some useless playboy!”

Good or bad, Roy’s name was always bound to be a topic of conversation. In a sense, it was even more of a focal point than that of princes or princesses.

However, no one noticed that the silver-haired girl who first mentioned the name was silently scanning the projections.

If they knew that Xue Nuo, who treated all students equally, would take an interest in one person’s name, they would probably be quite surprised from a different perspective.

Xue Nuo didn’t expect such a casual inquiry would ignite such a big discussion.

Yet, compared to those speculations and discussions, she cared more about Roy himself.

Strange, why can’t I find that kid’s shadow…

Since students were constantly moving, it wasn’t odd that the projection would lose track for a moment. But Roy’s absence was a bit too long…

Just as Xue Nuo grew increasingly suspicious, a panicked shout rose from the entrance of the ruins.

“Not good! Something happened!”

Xue Nuo was the first to rush over.

There, she saw several teachers bringing back three students who were covered in injuries.

One of the girls was in tears, “T-Teacher, please go save Roy…”

Xue Nuo’s pupils contracted, but a deep chill surged within her.

After learning the details from Jaika, the teachers were in chaos.

However, before they could assemble a rescue team, Xue Nuo hurriedly set off alone, riding her silver wolf towards the scene.

The academy teachers had succumbed to the cult, ruthlessly attacking the students.

As a teacher and also a mage under the guild, Xue Nuo, who had long been active on the front lines against cultists, could not tolerate such despicable behavior, her anger rising uncontrollably.

But beyond the anger, there was a more fragile and soft emotion spreading in her heart, urging her to act faster.

The Sequence 6 who was entangled with the power of the cult had far exceeded what a first-year student could handle.

If something really happened to Roy…

Imagining that handsome young boy might turn into a miserable corpse she had seen more than once, a slight pain pricked Xue Nuo’s heart.

These two emotions intertwined, ultimately transforming into a profound killing intent.

Upon the rushing silver wolf, the silver-haired girl’s gaze darkened, her lips involuntarily releasing a wisp of white mist, leaving a cold trail wherever she went.

The silver wolf was swift, covering in minutes what took Roy and the others hours, arriving at the valley.

Just as Xue Nuo followed the scent and dashed into the woods, she unexpectedly ran straight into the boy’s figure.

Xue Nuo jumped off the silver wolf immediately.

“Roy, are you okay…?”

The black-haired boy’s clothes were torn, his hair a mess, clearly after a fierce battle.

Yet, he stood there just fine, looking energetic.

Most importantly, the Sequence 6 Enwei, a powerful villain tainted by the cult’s power, was unconscious, slung over the boy’s shoulder like a bag of potatoes.

The scene, which was a bit different from what she imagined, made Xue Nuo pause for a moment.

Approaching Roy, she looked him up and down, and when her icy gaze met Roy’s somewhat uneasy expression, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Good that you’re fine.”

The taciturn girl’s words were simple, but the storm in her ice-blue eyes gradually faded, revealing tenderness like spring water.

Noticing the girl’s concern, Roy smiled leisurely, “Thank you for your concern, teacher.”

“…No need. As a teacher, caring for students’ safety is just my duty.”

Xue Nuo subtly avoided the boy’s tender gaze, glancing over at Enwei, her expression hardening again.

“Put him down. You’ve gone through a tough fight; there’s no need to exert yourself for this scum.”

“No, no, no, teacher, please don’t trouble yourself.”

The fight with Enwei wasn’t too exhausting, and she felt bad making the girl move heavy things.

But Xue Nuo shook her head. “No, it’s unnecessary for me to exert myself.”

Moments later, the silver wolf set off on the journey back with the two.

As for Enwei, he was tied to the wolf’s tail, dragged back like trash.

 

---