I finally succeeded in casting Flame Lance, my own four-circle spell.
It had taken far too long, but there it was—the proof of progress, floating in front of me in the form of a perfectly transmuted spear of fire.
Rachel and Cecilia, of course, were already beyond this stage, working on spell weaving, layering multiple spells into one fluid motion like it was some casual party trick. And they weren't even using their Mind aspect Gifts, the very things that would have made their already ridiculous talent even more absurd.
I sighed.
I wasn't about to kid myself.
There was no competing with them in spellcasting.
That was simply reality.
"Congratulations, Arthur," Nero said, his voice carrying an actual trace of praise, which, considering it was Nero, might as well have been a standing ovation.
I thanked him, quietly wondering if this was his version of favoritism.
With that, the class ended, followed by several hours of theory classes, which blurred together into one long, uninterrupted assault on my patience.
After that, I headed to the coffee shop with Rose.
Or at least, that was the plan.
Unfortunately, plans had a way of falling apart when Cecilia Slatemark was involved.
I spotted her before she spotted me, which gave me approximately three seconds to decide how to handle this encounter. The moment her crimson eyes locked onto me, she grinned and started waving enthusiastically, as if we were lifelong best friends instead of two people who had barely spoken.
'Here we go. Time to see what she wants this time.'
She practically skipped toward me, her hands clasped behind her back, leaning in just a little too close as she smiled up at me with entirely too much amusement.
"Hey Arthur, you cast Flame Lance pretty well!" she chirped, her voice bright and girlish, the kind of tone that would make anyone unfamiliar with her think she was harmless.
She was not.
Cecilia Slatemark—the princess of the Slatemark Empire, prodigy of magic, and, most importantly, a genuine sociopath who saw people as toys.
She didn't break people because she hated them. She broke them for fun.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, deliberately using her title to establish proper distance. "I appreciate the encouragement. Though I noticed you and Rachel were already working on much more advanced techniques."
'Acknowledge her skill while subtly redirecting to academic topics rather than personal ones.'
She tilted her head, clearly noting my formal address but seeming amused rather than offended.
"Oh, you don't need to be so formal," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Anyway, how about we hang out together?"
It wasn't a suggestion, but I had expected this.
"I appreciate the invitation," I said carefully, "but I already have plans with a friend. I wouldn't want to impose on her time by bringing unexpected company."
I paused, then added with a slight smile, "Though I'm sure she'd be honored to meet you properly if you'd prefer to arrange something more formal."
'Give her an out that makes her feel important while protecting Rose from ambush socializing.'
"A date?" she asked, tilting her head in exaggerated curiosity.
"Just a study session," I replied smoothly. "Rose Springshaper has been helping me understand the social dynamics here. As a commoner, I find the interpersonal aspects more challenging than the academics."
'Frame it as educational and mention Rose by name to gauge Cecilia's reaction.'
The moment I said Rose's name, something flickered in Cecilia's eyes—recognition, and something sharper.
"Oh, Rose," she said, her tone shifting slightly. "How... nostalgic."
'There's definitely history there. I need to be more careful.'
"Then I'll join you!" she declared, as if this solved everything. "It'll be like a reunion."
Before I could respond, she stepped closer, clearly intending to link arms or grab my sleeve.
I smoothly shifted my position, pulling out my phone as if checking the time. "Perfect timing, actually. Let me message Rose to let her know we'll have additional company. I wouldn't want to surprise her."
'Take control of the situation by making it seem like I'm being considerate rather than evasive.'
I quickly typed a message: Cecilia Slatemark wants to join us. Are you comfortable with that? I can redirect if needed.
The response came almost immediately: It's fine. Thank you for asking.
But I could read between the lines. Rose was being polite, but she was probably panicking.
"She says she'd be delighted," I said, slipping my phone away. "Though she did mention feeling a bit nervous about proper protocol. I hope you don't mind if the conversation stays fairly casual."
'Warning Cecilia that Rose is on edge, giving her a chance to behave if she chooses to.'
Cecilia's smile widened, apparently finding my diplomatic maneuvering entertaining rather than frustrating.
"Of course," she said with mock innocence. "I'm always considerate."
As we walked toward the coffee shop, I kept the conversation light, asking about her spellcasting techniques and the differences between academy training and imperial tutoring. The key was to keep her engaged with topics that appealed to her ego while maintaining control of the interaction.
"The empire's magical curriculum is quite fascinating," I said as we approached the entrance. "I imagine the theoretical foundations are much more comprehensive than what we get here."
'Appeal to her superiority complex while keeping things academic.'
"Oh, absolutely," Cecilia said, clearly pleased to discuss her advantages. "The imperial tutors are far more advanced than most academy instructors. Though I must admit, Mythos does have some unique practical applications."
The moment we stepped into the coffee shop, I could feel the shift in atmosphere.
Students glanced in our direction, their gazes flicking from me to Cecilia, eyebrows raised, murmurs starting up almost immediately.
I guided us toward Rose's table, maintaining a measured pace that gave her time to compose herself.
Rose was already sitting inside, and I watched her expression change the moment she spotted us. She froze for a heartbeat, then instantly stood up and bowed.
"I—I greet Your Highness!" she said quickly, her voice slightly higher than usual.
Rose was a count's daughter, which gave her a fairly high standing in the Slatemark Empire, but not nearly high enough to be comfortable around Cecilia.
Being a noblewoman, she had met Cecilia before at various events, which meant she knew exactly what kind of person she was dealing with.
If Cecilia took an interest in you, your life was over.
Not in the Ren Kagu "I will crush you if you're weak" way.
No, Cecilia was worse.
If she found you entertaining, she would play with you—twist your life into something you no longer recognized—just for fun.
And when she got bored?
She'd throw you away without a second thought.
Rose knew this.
And judging by the way her hands were gripping the edge of her skirt, she was currently debating whether to flee the country.
"Rose," I said warmly, stepping forward to give her something to focus on besides Cecilia's predatory smile. "Thanks for agreeing to meet on such short notice. I brought Her Highness along because she mentioned an interest in your insights on academy dynamics."
'Give Rose a role to play and a reason for Cecilia's presence that makes this seem planned rather than ambush.'
Cecilia's eyebrows rose slightly at my framing, but she played along.
"Oh, please, Rose. Call me Cecilia!" she said sweetly, smiling like a benevolent ruler gracing her subjects with kindness.
I could see right through it, and I suspected Rose could too.
Cecilia wasn't elitist like Ren.
She didn't care about nobility or commoners.
She cared about entertainment.
And she loved abusing her status far more than Ren ever did.
I moved to sit beside Rose rather than across from her, positioning myself as a subtle buffer while gesturing for Cecilia to take the seat across from us. "I was just telling Her Highness about your insights into the unwritten social rules here. The perspective of someone who understands both academy life and imperial society is quite valuable."
'Give Rose something to be confident about while establishing why her input matters.'
Rose looked slightly less panicked at having a defined role to play. "Of course," she said, her voice steadying slightly. "Though I'm not sure how helpful my observations would be to someone with your background, Your Highness."
"Please, just Cecilia," the princess insisted, settling into her chair with feline grace. "And I'm sure you have insights I wouldn't consider. Different perspectives are always... illuminating."
We ordered our coffee and began talking. To her credit, Cecilia Slatemark could hold a conversation effortlessly when she felt like it—the kind of person who could make you lower your guard with a few well-placed words and a smile that hid far too much amusement.
I kept the conversation flowing, asking Rose about specific academy traditions and customs, letting her expertise shine while monitoring Cecilia's reactions. The key was to keep Rose engaged and confident while preventing Cecilia from taking complete control of the interaction.
"The inter-house dynamics are particularly complex," Rose was explaining, her confidence growing as she discussed familiar territory. "Each section has its own informal hierarchies that don't always align with official rankings."
"Fascinating," Cecilia said, and she actually seemed genuinely interested. "The imperial court has similar dynamics, though I imagine the consequences here are less... permanent."
There was something in the way she said 'permanent' that made me pay closer attention.
Then, I noticed it.
A subtle shift in Cecilia's position. Not obvious, but definitely closer than she had been moments before.
'Testing boundaries again. Let's see how far she'll push this.'
I continued the conversation normally, but kept part of my attention on her movements.
A few minutes later, she had definitely moved closer.
Rose noticed too—her eyes flickered toward Cecilia with barely concealed wariness.
When Cecilia shifted again, now close enough that her shoulder was almost touching mine, I finally addressed it.
"Cecilia," I said conversationally, "you seem to be sliding toward the edge of your seat. Is it uncomfortable? We could ask for a different table if needed."
'Point out what she's doing without accusing her of anything inappropriate.'
She blinked innocently, looking down at her position as if just noticing it.
"Oh, was I?" she said with perfect surprise. "I was just trying to hear better. The acoustics in here are interesting, don't you think?"
She made a show of settling back into her proper position, but I caught the gleam of amusement in her eyes.
'She knows I'm onto her little games, but she's enjoying the fact that I called her out diplomatically.'
"The acoustics are fine from normal conversational distance," I replied with a slight smile. "Though I appreciate your attentiveness to our discussion."
Rose looked between us with something approaching relief. She had clearly been uncomfortable with Cecilia's proximity invasion but hadn't known how to address it.
As our conversation continued, I noticed Cecilia's attention gradually shifting away from Rose and toward me. Her questions became more personal, her gaze more assessing.
"So Arthur," she said during a lull in Rose's explanation of dormitory politics, "how are you finding the adjustment from... what was it, a small provincial town?"
The question was designed to highlight my humble origins in front of Rose, who knew my background but had tactfully never emphasized it.
"Slatemark City is quite impressive," I replied smoothly. "Though I find the academy environment more interesting than the city itself. The concentration of talent here creates unique dynamics you wouldn't find anywhere else."
'Redirect from personal background to academic observations.'
"Oh?" Cecilia leaned forward, clearly intrigued by my deflection. "What kind of dynamics?"
"Well," I said, glancing at Rose to include her in the conversation, "Rose was just explaining how students from different backgrounds find ways to contribute despite varying starting points. It's fascinating how merit and talent interact with social expectations."
Rose nodded, picking up the thread. "Exactly. Someone might have advantages in one area but face challenges in another. It creates interesting partnerships and rivalries."
'Good, Rose is following my lead in keeping things academic rather than personal.'
Cecilia studied us both for a moment, her expression thoughtful.
"You two work well together," she observed. "It's refreshing to see genuine collaboration rather than the usual political maneuvering."
There was something almost wistful in her tone, but it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.
Then, as if remembering herself, she shifted gears entirely, turning to Rose with a smile that held just a hint of something sharper.
"Speaking of collaboration," she said, her tone becoming deceptively casual, "I was just remembering our time at the Tower of Magic. You were always so... dedicated to your studies."
I felt Rose tense beside me.
"It's been some time since I last saw you," Cecilia continued, stirring her coffee with deliberate slowness. "You were quite... interesting back then."
The temperature at our table seemed to drop several degrees.
Rose's grip on her cup tightened, her knuckles going white.
I could see what was happening. Cecilia was probing for a reaction, testing to see how much she could affect Rose with veiled references to their shared past.
Time to intervene.
"The Tower of Magic must have been an incredible learning environment," I said, my voice carrying genuine curiosity. "Rose mentioned it briefly, but I'd love to hear more about the advanced techniques they teach there. It might help me understand some of the theoretical frameworks we're using here."
'Redirect to academic discussion and give Rose a chance to recover.'
"Oh yes," Rose said quickly, latching onto the safer topic. "The theoretical foundations were quite comprehensive. They emphasized understanding the underlying principles rather than just memorizing formulas."
"That explains why you're so good at explaining complex concepts," I said, giving her an encouraging smile. "Your teaching style has that theoretical depth."
Cecilia watched this exchange with evident amusement, clearly recognizing my intervention for what it was.
"How thoughtful of you, Arthur," she said, her tone carrying multiple layers of meaning. "Always looking out for your friends."
The way she said 'friends' made it sound like something worth examining more closely.
"Friendship is important," I replied evenly. "Especially in an environment like this, where everyone is under so much pressure. Having people you can trust and rely on makes all the difference."
'Subtle message: I value loyalty and protecting people I care about.'
Cecilia's eyes glittered with something that might have been approval.
"How admirable," she said. "Though I imagine trust can be... complicated when everyone has their own ambitions and goals."
"Trust is built through consistent actions," I said, meeting her gaze directly. "People show who they are by how they treat others, especially those who can't offer them anything in return."
'Another subtle message: I judge people by their character, not their status.'
For a moment, Cecilia's mask slipped entirely, and I saw something unexpected in her expression—surprise, perhaps even respect.
Then it was gone, replaced by her usual enigmatic smile.
"Well said," she murmured.
The conversation continued for another few minutes, but I could sense Cecilia evaluating me in a new way. Her questions became more thoughtful, less testing, as if she were trying to understand something she hadn't expected to find.
Finally, she glanced at the time and stood gracefully.
"I should head back," she announced, her movements fluid and controlled. "Thank you for the enlightening conversation."
She paused, looking directly at me.
"Arthur, you continue to surprise me. I find our discussions quite... educational."
There was something different in her tone—less predatory, more genuinely intrigued.
"I'm glad you found it worthwhile, Your Highness," I replied with a respectful nod. "Perhaps we could continue our discussion of magical theory sometime. I'd be interested in your perspective on advanced applications."
'Keep future interactions academic and formal.'
"I would enjoy that," she said, then turned to Rose. "Rose, it was lovely catching up. I hope your studies continue to go well."
The threat that had been implicit in her earlier comments was notably absent now.
After she left, Rose let out a long breath she'd apparently been holding.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "I don't know how you did that, but... thank you."
"Did what?" I asked, though I knew exactly what she meant.
"Made her back off without making her angry," Rose said, shaking her head in amazement. "Most people either grovel or antagonize her. You found some middle ground I didn't think existed."
I considered how much to explain.
"She's intelligent," I said finally. "Dangerous, yes, but intelligent. She responds better to genuine engagement than either fear or hostility. The key is showing that you understand the game without being willing to be just another piece on her board."
Rose stared at me for a long moment.
"You're scarier than I thought," she said, but she was smiling. "In a good way, I mean. I feel like you actually had control of that entire conversation."
"Control is probably too strong a word," I replied, though privately I was pleased with how it had gone. "But I think we reached an understanding."
As we finished our coffee and prepared to leave, I reflected on the encounter. Cecilia Slatemark was dangerous, but she was also predictable in her unpredictability. She valued intelligence, despised weakness, and was constantly testing boundaries.
The key to dealing with her wasn't to avoid the tests, but to pass them in unexpected ways.
Today had been a good start.