Chapter3

The terror in his eyes was visceral. He definitely remembered me.

Three years ago, at a camp on the edge of the Monster Forest. I casually healed his torn flesh. I was wearing the cheapest apprentice robes back then, so he assumed I was a lowly medic he could toy with. Standing high and mighty, he ordered me to sign a soul contract and become his personal slave.

I smiled gently, and discreetly planted a microscopic curse thread into his collar.

For the next few months, every inch of his skin felt like it was bathing in hellfire. The Chief Mage of the Royal Academy was completely clueless. He begged the Holy Church for salvation, until a High Priest recognized the mark and, with a pale face, told him exactly who he had provoked.

Since that day, whenever Roderick saw a healer, he respectfully bowed his head.

Right now, the dormant curse mark beneath his royal clothes was burning hot, reminding him exactly who I was.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire hall of nobles, the Prince bowed his head.

"I apologize. They went too far... Please, forgive them."

The noble heirs who had just been laughing with Elaina exchanged panicked glances. Some subconsciously took a half-step back.

Clara went pale. Elaina froze completely.

In the corner, the disciplinary master who had previously ignored the bullying quickly rushed over, bowing to the prince. "Your Highness, if you are feeling unwell, the Academy can immediately—"

"Shut up." Roderick cut him off harshly, though his eyes still didn't dare to look at me.

I watched the scene, finding it utterly amusing. "You are too kind, Your Highness," I smiled. "It was just a tiny misunderstanding. How could I ever hold a grudge?"

Roderick's face showed zero relief. He knew better than anyone that before I laid a curse, I loved to smile and say, 'It's a misunderstanding. I won't hold a grudge.'

Another wave of cold crept up Clara's ankle. She looked down nervously before quickly raising her head to feign composure.

Elaina finally reached her breaking point. She took a drastic step forward, shielding Clara, and drew the decorative sword from her waist.

"Sister, what exactly do you want?!"

The hand holding the sword trembled. She must have sensed the creeping death in the air.

"Put the sword away," I said lazily. "It’s not like I'm a demon."

"I am certainly not afraid of you, Sister," she gritted her teeth. "But sometimes, human hearts are far more terrifying than demons."

I clapped my hands in slow, mocking applause. "Very well said, my dear sister."

I stepped closer to her. "You stole my identity and bathed in my glory for seventeen years. Now you're terrified I'll take it all back—don't you think your selfish little heart is far more disgusting than any demon's?"

Elaina's eyes teared up instantly. "You're slandering me!"

The surrounding gazes softened, looking at her with their usual pity.

I just chuckled. "You know exactly what the truth is."

"What are you all doing gathered around here?"

A cold, authoritative voice cut through the tension from the grand doorways.

Everyone hurriedly bowed. The First Prince, Alistair, strode in, his face expressionless.

His sharp eyes swept over the shattered glass on the floor, Clara's pale face, and finally stopped at the drawn sword in Elaina's trembling hand. He frowned.

"What is going on here?"

No one dared to answer. Just as Elaina opened her mouth, Roderick beat her to it, rushing to block his brother.

"Brother, it's nothing." His words spilled out in a panicked rush. "Just accompanying our new classmate for a magic test. Broke something by accident. A slight misunderstanding."

Alistair looked at Elaina's drawn sword. He obviously didn't buy a single word.

"A magic test that requires drawing out a blade?"

Roderick clamped his mouth shut, unable to find a lie fast enough.

Alistair didn't press him. His gaze moved past the crowd and landed on me. He frowned slightly, as if finding me familiar.

I met his gaze, saying nothing, just keeping my perfect smile. Deep inside my sleeves, my fingertips secretly toyed with the gray magical threads.

Alistair stared at me for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "What is your name?"