“Miralda!”A female master came rushing toward Miralda, who was still standing on the stone floor. The woman’s panicked, worried expression only made Miralda furrow her brows in confusion.“Master, why do you look so worried?”Miralda asked as she stepped down from the stone platform.“How could I not be? We couldn’t find you in your room!”Without another word, the master pulled Miralda into a tight embrace. Holding the girl close, her heart finally eased—the worst she feared hadn’t come to pass.Behind her, several other female masters and a group of male masters all let out collective sighs of relief.“Thank goodness nothing happened to Miralda. For a moment, we thought someone had kidnapped her.”One of the other female masters smiled in relief. At the same time, everyone turned their eyes toward four particular masters, their gazes filled with irritation.“A mage kidnapped Miralda, you said? Can you four ever think before causing a scene? Next time, if you don't want to face my p

“What?!”Shambhu’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Don’t even think about spinning some ridiculous story in front of me! How dare you say something like that!”Of course, Shambhu was deeply concerned about Miralda. But he also knew the girl wasn’t your average student.Even if the four of them ganged up on her, they wouldn’t stand a chance. So how could someone that strong be easily defeated by just one sorcerer?No way. Keshab’s words were completely baseless. He couldn’t bring himself to believe them.“Bro, I know you probably don’t believe me. But how about you check it out yourself?”Keshab let out a dramatic sigh and slumped onto the concrete bench, feigning pain with an exaggerated grimace.“Hey, pig, quit talking nonsense! Say one more crazy thing and I’ll beat you senseless!”Ujwal was fuming. He might’ve tolerated it if Shambhu ended up getting close to Miralda. But someone like Keshab? Fat, sloppy, and downright unattractive? No way he was letting that guy get involved in the ra

"Why are you all standing in front of the girls' dormitory?"Though her gaze was sharp, Bersena’s tone wasn’t harsh. It carried a kind of calm authority—firm, but not overbearing. It was the kind of presence that made her perfectly suited for the role of Vice Chair of the Education Department.Her suspicion was entirely reasonable, too. This dormitory was under her personal supervision. There was no need for anyone from other departments to be hanging around here.Shambhu understood that perfectly well. And if he didn’t want the formidable woman standing in front of him to hand out a punishment, he needed to explain himself—clearly and honestly.“M-Miss Meksi, please forgive me.”The moment he realized who was addressing him, Shambhu bowed deeply in respect. He had to show proper decorum.Without needing to be told, the three men standing behind him followed his lead.Raising his head again, Shambhu continued.“But I had to come. I saw someone suspicious lurking around the dorm. Someo

"Miralda, are you sure you're okay?"Bersena cupped Miralda’s cheeks gently, gazing deep into her eyes. There was a profound worry in her expression."You can tell me anything—whatever’s happened to you, whatever’s weighing on your heart."In that moment, Bersena seemed to have finally found a way to express her deep concern and affection for the young girl. By letting her panic show on her face and through her body language, somehow her tongue was suddenly freed, able to say all the things she’d always struggled to express.And it seemed Miralda could finally feel that care. For the first time, the young duchess sensed the genuine warmth behind the stern facade of the woman before her. She began to understand that the vice chair of the education department, who had always come across as rigid and authoritative, had only acted that way out of a fierce sense of protectiveness—and love."I'm really okay, Bersena. Truly. You don’t have to worry."Miralda shook her head and spoke softly.

Three days had passed since that explosive night, and this morning was supposed to mark the beginning of punishment for five individuals, as previously scheduled.Yet on this bright morning, only two figures stood in the dormitory’s backyard—a young girl and a young man. They were Miralda and Keshab.Since it was only six in the morning, it seemed that Shambhu and the other two men hadn't even woken up yet, let alone shown up in the yard.Naturally, the absence of the other three men presented an opportunity Keshab was quick to seize. With them gone, he could freely talk—and maybe even joke—around Miralda. A rare chance like this might never come again. So why waste it?Without waiting for a senior master to fetch their poles and buckets, the chubby young man eagerly headed into the tool shed. He emerged with two long poles and four massive buckets, each nearly as tall as a person.“Miss Miralda, please be careful carrying these,”Keshab said, his tone calm and relaxed as he handed he