Chapter 4
1529words
Lucas's revelation had left her restless. Another traveler who knew the "plot" yet seemed hostile toward her was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
"Whoever you are," Isabella murmured, her gaze hardening, "you've picked the wrong princess to target."
"Your Highness, the Dean has sent your class schedule and uniform," Martha called from beyond the door.
The uniform consisted of a silver-white magical robe with the Valencia rose emblem and the star symbol of the Dean's disciple embroidered in gold thread across the chest—understated yet unmistakably prestigious.
The class schedule, however, raised her eyebrows. Beyond standard courses like Magic History, Elemental Theory, and Potion Studies, several specialized classes stood out:
《Ancient Runes and Forbidden Spell Analysis》 - Instructor: Lucas de Roland
《Royal Knights Order Joint Combat Theory》 - Instructor: Adrian von Rosenblad
《Alchemy and Magic Circle Construction》 - Instructor: Evan de Alfred
"Seriously?" Isabella laughed despite herself. "Is my entire reverse harem teaching me now?" She recognized Dean Grinton's hand in this—clearly designed to ensure her well-rounded magical education.
Her first class was Lucas's "Ancient Runes and Forbidden Spell Analysis," held in the restricted section of the ancient library—a sanctum few students ever qualified to enter.
Isabella entered to find several students already seated, including fire prodigy Beatrice from yesterday's examination and a handful of other A-rank noble scions. This was clearly the academy's most elite cohort.
Beatrice spotted her, snorted derisively, and turned away. Jealousy and resentment radiated from her every pore.
Lucas stood at the podium in an impeccably tailored black instructor's robe that somehow emphasized both scholarly discipline and latent danger. When Isabella entered, he acknowledged her with only the slightest nod—as though they were nothing more than teacher and student.
"Ancient runes form the very foundation of magic—each symbol contains the power to bend reality's rules," Lucas began, his deep voice drawing everyone's attention. "Master them, and you'll cast spells beyond your level, even breach forbidden realms of power."
As he spoke, his fingers traced complex patterns in the air, conjuring glowing runes that seemed almost alive, pulsing with power that made the students' hearts race.
While the other students watched in fascination, only Isabella noticed how Lucas's teachings aligned perfectly with the inherited memories from her Moon Goddess Prophecy talent.
"He's deliberately guiding my prophetic abilities," Isabella realized with sudden clarity.
As class concluded, Lucas assigned their task: "Before our next meeting, attempt to decipher and activate this 'Silent Rune.'"
He distributed small stone tablets, each engraved with an intricate runic pattern.
"Activate it?" Beatrice scoffed. "Professor, no one in recorded history has ever activated this rune. Are you deliberately setting us up to fail?"
"Rules," Lucas replied with a slight smile, "exist to be broken. The first to successfully activate it may ask one favor of me—anything at all."
His words ignited immediate ambition in every student's eyes. Professor Lucas possessed not only tremendous power but also mysterious connections. A favor from him could be priceless.
Isabella studied her tablet thoughtfully. Her prophetic ability whispered that the key to activation wasn't magical power at all, but something far more fundamental—the soul itself.
At midday, Isabella bypassed the nobles' private dining hall and headed for the public cafeteria. She wanted to experience ordinary student life—and perhaps gather useful intelligence along the way.
Her entrance caused an immediate stir.
"Look! Princess Isabella!"
"She's actually eating in the common hall? Unbelievable."
Just as Isabella settled with her tray, a tall shadow fell across her table.
It was the hawk-eyed young man from the Knight Division—Leo.
"Princess Isabella," Leo said, his voice formal but awkward, "may I join you?"
"Please." Isabella gestured to the empty seat.
Leo sat down and ate in silence, though his eyes occasionally darted toward her with poorly concealed curiosity.
Suddenly, Beatrice approached with her entourage of noble sycophants, carrying her tray on a collision course with Leo.
SPLASH!*
Soup and food cascaded over Leo's uniform.
"Oh my, how clumsy of me," Beatrice simpered with theatrical insincerity. "A commoner dining with royalty—clearly you don't understand your place."
Leo's fists clenched instantly, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. As a commoner admitted solely for his exceptional swordsmanship, he'd endured constant derision from the nobility.
"Beatrice," Isabella rose slowly, her voice dropping to a dangerous chill, "apologize. Now."
"What? Apologize to a commoner? Have you lost your mind, Isabella?"
"I won't repeat myself again." Golden light began to shimmer around Isabella, her magical pressure building until nearby students struggled to breathe.
"You—you dare command me?" Beatrice's face flushed crimson as flames flickered to life around her clenched fists.
"In this academy, power is the only language that matters," Isabella stated coldly. "Since you won't listen to reason, we'll settle this with magic. Survive one attack from me, and I'll consider the matter closed."
"Fine! You asked for this!" Beatrice had been itching for a chance to restore her wounded pride since yesterday.
They moved to the courtyard outside, instantly drawing a crowd of eager spectators.
"Look! Beatrice is dueling Princess Isabella!"
"The established fire prodigy versus the new dual-system genius! This is going to be epic!"
Beatrice struck first, her incantation summoning a massive fireball that she hurled toward Isabella with murderous intent.
"Blazing Burst!"
Confronted with the A-class spell, Isabella didn't even flinch. She raised her right hand slightly, and a shield of pure light materialized before her.
BOOM!
The fireball slammed into the light shield with a thunderous crash, then simply… vanished, leaving Isabella's defense completely undisturbed.
"Impossible!" Beatrice gasped. Spellcasting without incantation? And effortlessly neutralizing her full-power attack?
"My turn." Isabella's voice rang with quiet authority.
She extended one finger, a point of golden light coalescing at its tip.
"Holy Lance."
A spear of pure light launched forward faster than the eye could follow, piercing Beatrice's hastily erected flame barrier and stopping a hair's breadth from her throat.
Beatrice collapsed to her knees, cold sweat drenching her face, frozen in terror. One twitch of Isabella's finger would end her life, and they both knew it.
The courtyard fell into stunned silence.
The spectators stared in awe at Isabella's display of power. This wasn't mere talent—this was something beyond comprehension.
Isabella slowly withdrew her light spear, looking down at her trembling opponent. "Now. Your apology?"
"I—I'm sorry," Beatrice stammered, her arrogance shattered.
Without another glance at Beatrice, Isabella returned to Leo and extended her hand. "Are you alright?"
Leo stared at her offered hand in disbelief. When he looked up into her clear, determined blue eyes, something profound shifted in his heart.
He clasped her hand and rose to his feet. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Call me Isabella."
"I'm Leo." The young man smiled for the first time since she'd met him. "From this day forward, my blade serves only you."
Isabella returned his smile, knowing she'd just gained her first truly loyal knight.
After the cafeteria incident, Isabella headed for the academy's vast library, determined to uncover clues about the "other traveler."
Since this person knew the term "crossing over," they must, like her, come from the modern world. Would they inadvertently reveal themselves through certain behaviors or phrases?
Isabella activated her prophetic ability, focusing specifically on "clues related to the modern world."
Soon, fragmented visions materialized in her mind:
Fragment one: A hooded figure hunched over a forbidden tome titled "Summoning from Other Worlds" in the library's restricted history section.*
Fragment two: The same figure writing "Plan A failed, activate backup plan" on parchment—in Simplified Chinese characters, a script Isabella instantly recognized.*
Fragment three: The mysterious figure attaching the message to a black raven's leg, the bird taking flight toward Second Princess Selina's chambers!*
"Selina!" Murderous intent flashed in Isabella's eyes.
She never imagined the other traveler would ally with her manipulative sister!
What were they plotting? A coup? Assassination?
As Isabella turned to leave, a gentle voice halted her steps.
"Princess Isabella, a moment of your time, please."
Mage Evan approached, a leather-bound tome cradled in his arms and a pleasant smile on his face.
"I couldn't help noticing your interest in ancient history," Evan said. "As it happens, I have a rare treatise on 'space-time magic' that might interest you."
"Space-time magic?" Isabella's pulse quickened.
"Indeed," Evan offered her the tome. "Legend claims the most powerful practitioners could manipulate time itself—even travel to the past or cross into… other worlds entirely."
His words hit Isabella like a thunderbolt.
Studying Evan's seemingly innocent smile, a chilling possibility crystallized in her mind.
Could this seemingly gentle court mage be the traveler lurking in the shadows? Was this book a test—or a warning?
"How thoughtful, Mage Evan." Isabella accepted the book with perfect composure, while inwardly her suspicions reached fever pitch.
This academy harbored more dangers than she'd imagined. Everyone wore masks, concealing motives and secrets behind carefully crafted personas.
She needed to strengthen her powers rapidly while uncovering the traveler's true identity—before they made their next move.
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