Chapter 5

Ariella's POV

I didn't get much time to think.

Because Maeve shook me off.

She walked ahead, her steps quick and urgent, her robe rustling with each movement.

I chased after her, my mind still processing that strange scene—I had somehow made the old oak tree's roots move.

Was that magic?

And the shock on everyone's faces—couldn't other students do this kind of magic?

A wave of panic rose in my chest.

But just now when Teddy grabbed my hand, his eyes were full of gratitude.

I clenched my fists.

Having magical power not only makes you stronger, it can even help others. I had to master this amazing new thing.

I looked at the figure ahead: "Maeve."

She didn't turn around. Instead, she walked even faster.

"Maeve!" I caught up to her and reached for her sleeve, but she shook me off hard.

I looked at her in shock. The warmth and friendliness in her eyes had completely disappeared, replaced by a cold stare no different from how my mother used to look at me.

"Do you even know what you're doing!" Maeve lowered her voice, apparently not wanting other students to hear. "I told you, Cara Simmons's dad is on the Board of Governors!"

"In class, even professors have to show her respect. You're a brand new student—how dare you fight with her?"

I couldn't deny it—Maeve's concern made sense. Cara and I were clearly from two different worlds.

Whether it was my family or myself, everything about me was ordinary. I had no chance of ever getting close to the magic school's Board of Governors.

Would Cara go complain to her father?

As this thought crossed my mind, I patted Maeve's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Maeve. Worst case, I get expelled. Are they really going to track me down to my foster family's house?"

That would be perfect, I thought to myself.

Seeing my attitude, Maeve got even angrier: "If you can't handle the consequences, why play the hero?"

"Because they were bullying someone," my voice rose without meaning to. "That guy Teddy was almost beaten to death. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch?"

Maeve practically growled: "Yes, you should have just stood there and watched!"

"Who do you think you are? A savior? A saint? Don't forget, this is Hollyvale Academy of Magic. The rule here is survival of the fittest. Botany House is already at the bottom..."

She paused, probably remembering I was also a Botany House student.

"What good does helping him once do? If you don't get stronger yourself, you're still useless!"

I opened my mouth helplessly, my throat feeling stuffed with cotton.

"But you wanted to help him too."

I had seen her step forward when Teddy was getting beaten.

Maeve's expression froze, then became even colder. She stepped back and said: "I was just watching like everyone else. Going along with the strong and not sticking my neck out—that's how I survive."

"Ariella, you're too naive."

This time, she turned and walked away without hesitation.

In this strange magic academy, the first friend I'd managed to make had abandoned me, just because I helped someone others saw as weak and offended someone strong.

I clenched my fists, digging my nails hard into my palms, trying to wash away the confusion and sadness this brought me.

At home, I was always the one in the wrong. Bad grades were wrong, disappointing my parents was wrong, sometimes even sitting quietly was wrong.

But now, I'd done something right for the first time ever, and that was wrong too?

At the top of the tower, an owl appeared and let out a long cry.

Students in the hallway scattered, heading into classrooms.

Looked like that was the bell.

I stood there alone. Maeve had promised to help me find the classroom, but now she was gone.

I sighed and just followed the crowd.

The inside of this castle was far more magnificent than it looked from outside. The portraits hanging on both sides of the corridor were actually moving. The figures inside wore fancy clothes—some glared angrily at students who hadn't entered classrooms yet, while others were drinking tea or playing chess.

A bald old man pointed at me in surprise and shouted: "Good heavens, Botany House finally has a new face!"

I ignored him. The others in the paintings—uh, probably former students—let out harsh mocking laughter.

But he didn't care at all, saying cheerfully: "Dear, keep going! There's a half-open oak door up ahead!"

I hadn't expected him to help me, so I turned and thanked him.

Thank goodness, I finally found the new classroom.

A copper plate hung on the oak door, engraved with: [Fundamental Magic Theory—Professor Sophia Green].

I pushed the door open.

The classroom was even bigger than I'd imagined. The tiered seating seemed endless—I could see about forty or fifty students, who had been chattering away.

As soon as I walked in, the world went quiet.

Some of the looks they gave me were familiar—scrutiny, hostility, or schadenfreude.

Well, looked like my reputation had already spread throughout the academy.

I scanned the room quickly. The front and middle rows were full, leaving only the back row—that corner seat, next to another unfortunate... wait?

The other person in the corner wore a black magic robe, the hood properly covering most of his face, revealing only a jawline so perfect it was almost criminal. He sat completely still, like a statue.

It was the strange guy I'd met on the field.

I walked straight toward the "throne" in the back row.

Someone in the front gasped: "What's she doing?"

"That's the dangerous dragon..."

"Everyone in Botany House must be crazy!"

Up close, I realized he was even more perfect than I'd seen from a distance.

The hood couldn't completely hide his profile. His skin was pale, almost transparent—I'd bet that wasn't a normal skin tone. His lips had a beautiful shape, though he didn't seem to like smiling.

Those well-defined hands of his now rested quietly on the desk.

I tentatively sat down beside him: "Hello."

No response.

I tried again: "My name is Ariella Warren, Botany House freshman. Just started today."

Still no response.

I began to suspect he had hearing problems and tried to lean closer.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and gripped my wrist tightly!