Chapter 3 Counterattacking Despicable People Who Resort to Underhanded Tricks

Catherine's POV

7:00 a.m.

The bed was shaking. Didn't seem like I was imagining it.

My eyes flew open.

The next second, a carrier pigeon fluttered its wings and stepped right onto my face. "Miss Catherine, current academy time: 7:00. Please get ready quickly. Today's outfit has been refreshed on your nightstand. Liam Hammer is already up and is expected to appear outside the dormitory building in 60 minutes to walk to the academic building together."

The bed was shaking harder and harder. I jumped up fast, afraid the mattress was about to launch me into the air.

"Got it."

My eyes landed on the neatly folded clothes on the nightstand, and for the countless time, I marveled at how amazing the magical world was.

It was a deep blue school uniform, a dress shirt, a blazer, and a skirt. Pretty much exactly what I'd always pictured a uniform to look like.

I stood in front of the mirror fixing my tie while the pigeon chirped away at me, "Miss Catherine, would you prefer to have breakfast at the dining hall or in your room?"

"In my room." Just thinking about what happened yesterday was enough to tell me what the dining hall would be like right now.

Either way, today was a new day. More importantly, classes were officially starting today. I wasn't about to let idiots ruin my mood.

Honestly, I was long past done with people who just go with the flow, swaying like grass in the wind without a single thought of their own.

By the time I finished getting ready, a flash of dazzling light swept across the dining table, and breakfast appeared, a sandwich and a glass of milk.

This was way too convenient!

I almost wanted to jump up and cheer.

The pigeon perched on my shoulder. "Miss Catherine, you can give me feedback and pre-order tomorrow's meals a day in advance. Now, please head out. Liam Hammer is already waiting at the door."

The next second, there was a soft knock.

I opened the door. Lynn was standing there, expression calm, dressed sharp in his suit. The moment he saw me, a polite smile crossed his face without him even trying. "Good morning, Catherine. You look beautiful today."

I was a little surprised. "I thought you'd wait downstairs. Didn't you say yesterday you couldn't get in?"

"I thought about it... I might move into the dorms in a few days." His voice dropped when he said it, clearly a little nervous. "Would you look forward to that?"

"Of course, then we'd get to see each other every day. We could watch movies together!" I grinned.

Lynn took my tote bag so I'd have both hands free to eat. "Your first class today is Fundamentals of Magical History. The professor is Professor Cosette... he's not the easiest person to deal with, so be careful."

I noticed the worry in his voice and frowned. "He doesn't have a problem with non-Awakeners like me, does he?"

"No, it's not that. Nobody has a problem with you. It's just that he has extreme prejudice against half-bloods... I'm worried you might get a hard time because of me."

It was only now that I realized I'd already started taking Lynn's side. Just hearing him describe it like that was enough to kill any goodwill I might've had toward that professor.

"Don't worry about me. I'll handle it. Do you have class today?"

"Half-bloods don't have many classes, almost all of them are advanced combat practicals. I don't have anything this morning. I'll be in the library. I'll come pick you up when you're done." Lynn said.

I walked into the classroom humming to myself, ignored all the stares, and headed straight to my seat.

First class: Fundamentals of Magical History.

Professor Cosette slowly scanned the room, confirmed everyone was present, and began the lecture.

"On the planet we inhabit, there exist two entirely distinct worlds. The ordinary human world and the magical world. The two worlds are connected and aware of each other, yet neither interferes with the other."

"The magical world is governed by the Angelkin, whom we refer to as the Royal Family. The magical world is made up of eight races: Dragonkin, Undead, Elvenkin, Demonkin, Dwarvenkin, Beastkin, and Angelkin. Each race has relatively fixed awakening traits and territories."

Wait. I frowned. That's eight races?

He only named seven. I quickly glanced back at the other students. Nobody seemed bothered by it at all.

I was pretty sure the missing race was the half-bloods. Why were they being deliberately erased from history too?

This was worse than I'd thought. Having spent my first twenty years as an ordinary human, I knew exactly how serious it was to erase something from the historical record.

The problem was that the students who'd grown up in the magical world didn't seem to notice at all.

"The ranking of each race's strength follows the order in which I just listed them. The Dragonkin are exceptionally powerful. Two races serve as the Royal Guard under the Royal Family, helping expand their territory, the Dragonkin are one of them."

Right. And the other one is the half-bloods. I quietly added that to my notes.

A girl in the front row raised her hand. "Professor, why does the Angelic Race rank last and yet still rule the magical world?"

The professor looked like he'd been expecting the question. He adjusted his glasses. "The Angelic Race is a separate exception and is not included in the power ranking. They are natural-born rulers, possessing an innate authority and capacity for leadership."

"At your graduation ceremony, as students of the Imperial Academy of Magic, members of the Royal Family will be present to confer honors upon outstanding graduates. You'll understand then."

"I hope each of you will follow your heart here at the Imperial Academy of Magic and find your own path."

The class wrapped up quickly.

After flipping through the textbook several times, I confirmed one thing. It wasn't just the professor, the book didn't have a single word about half-bloods either.

I hurried after Professor Cosette as he left the classroom.

"Good morning, Professor. My name is Catherine. I'm a new student this year." I introduced myself politely. "I have a question I'd like to ask you."

Professor Cosette stared at me. He seemed to know who I was.

"Half-bloods make up a significant portion of the new students. So why did you deliberately leave out their history?"

"I know who you are, kid." His tone wasn't friendly. "Vera mentioned you to me. I knew from the start you'd be trouble. You know Liam Hammer, don't you? If you have any sense about your own future, you'll stay away from him."

"As for the half-bloods, they can only blame themselves for not being able to choose their fate."

I stood there and listened to every word of that nonsense in disbelief. My voice shifted from respectful at the start to something closer to stunned. "Professor, I can't believe I'm hearing this from you."

"I respected you, which is why I came to you with my question. But now I see I was wrong. You're not just full of prejudice, you're trying to use your position and authority to pressure me into sharing it. I don't. Goodbye, Professor Cosette."

I turned and walked away cleanly, but there was a knot in my chest that wouldn't loosen.

It wasn't my first time pushing back against a professor. If anything, I'd always enjoyed poking holes in authority and saying so out loud.

But this was my first time arguing with a professor in the magical world. Part of me was deeply disappointed. Another part was a little on edge.

Lynn was waiting at the entrance of the academic building, just like I figured he would be. He took one look at my face and immediately asked, "What happened? What did Cosette do?"

He seemed to have figured it out right away.

I shook my head. I didn't want this to get to him, it was my curiosity that started it, after all.

"Nothing, really. I just ran into someone I didn't like. Come on, isn't our next class together?"

Lynn took my bag without even thinking about it. "Yeah, it's Edible Gemstone Appreciation. That one's fine, the professor's pretty easygoing."

I've always been quick to move on from things that bother me.

I pushed what just happened to the back of my mind and started looking forward to the next class, which already sounded fascinating.