September 1st, Sunday.
All schools across Pokémon Island had resumed classes.
With the kids returning to school, their parents also ended their days of accompanying them and gradually returned to their monotonous daily routines.
The liveliness of Pokémon Island was like a jumping egg—
From second gear down to first, giving the world a rare chance to breathe.
Compared to Pokémon Island, the general trend in the magical world was quite similar.
The previously chaotic global situation had begun to stabilize.
The difference was—
While the calm of Pokémon Island was leisurely and peaceful, the magical world's silence was more like the stillness before a storm.
At the Magic Academy, there were no so-called holidays.
Nobles who wanted to return home had to file leave requests with the school, and how many days they took off was entirely up to them.
The Magic Academy never forced any student to attend classes. Everything was left to their own self-discipline—even if they slept through class, the teachers wouldn't interfere.
Because in the end, it would be the students themselves who'd have to swallow the bitter consequences.
In noble families, having poor magic skills wasn't a small matter.
On one hand, it affected the battlefield, where nobles were guaranteed to fight.
Only mages who distinguished themselves on the battlefield had the right to become nobles.
Low magic proficiency meant weak combat power, and weak combat power didn't just mean no merit—it meant death on the battlefield.
On the other hand—
This was especially evident for daughters from patriarchal families and sons from matriarchal ones.
If their magic was weak, they'd most likely be forced into arranged marriages, becoming tools for fusing magical bloodlines and maintaining noble ties.
That said, it was rare for any major incident to occur within the Academy.
At most, there were occasional surprises—even for someone like Dak.
Like today—
Princess Henrietta of the Kingdom of Tristain came to visit the Academy, claiming she wanted to watch a familiar showcase presented by the students.
Of course, the real reason went far beyond that.
A royal princess didn't have that much free time to come and watch performances.
Part of the reason might have been to meet her childhood friend Louise and see how her familiar was doing—
But the main reason was that the letter of help from Prince Wales of Albion had successfully reached Henrietta's hands.
Her visit was likely to carry out a confidential mission, entrusted to her most trusted friend, Louise.
At this moment, Westley Square—
All faculty, students, staff, along with Princess Henrietta and her guards, were seated and watching the familiar performances one after another in leisure.
The atmosphere was lively and joyful, with applause and chatter echoing all around.
But Dak, who was specially invited to sit beside Princess Henrietta, sat quietly, slightly dazed under the gentle breeze.
Not because the students' performances were too ridiculous—
Actually, thanks to Dak's familiar breeding classes, they had learned quite a bit, and their performances were fairly presentable.
But to someone who had seen the Grand Finals of the Contest Festival—
These acts were like plain water.
It wasn't due to the fragrant presence of the princess seated beside him either.
True, Henrietta was a curvy woman in her prime and a future queen, but Dak felt no lust toward her.
The reason for his distraction—
Was because what he had expected to happen, didn't.
The Academy Secretary Longueville, who in the original plot should've taken the opportunity to steal the "Staff of Destruction," had yet to act.
In the original story—
Henrietta's arrival brought nearly every teacher to the familiar showcase venue.
It was both to welcome the princess and to ensure her safety.
Because of that—
Other areas of the Academy were left unguarded, giving Longueville a chance to raid the treasury and steal the Staff of Destruction.
But now—
None of that had happened.
Longueville sat not far from Dak, cheerfully watching the performances along with everyone else.
Dak didn't need to think too hard to realize—this was because of him.
Whether it was fear of his strength, or the desire to observe him further—
The "Dirt Witch of Fuke" had, for some reason related to Dak, chosen not to act today despite such a golden opportunity.
Dak had been ready to make a grand public move and capture this infamous thief.
Now, he was just disappointed.
He covertly glanced at "Saskota," sighing to himself.
Saskota—
That was Longueville's original and real name, though now more widely known in the magical world as the "Dirt Witch of Fuke."
She was a powerful Earth mage at the early "Rectangle" level.
It wasn't that Dak had intentionally investigated her—
But rather, Dragon had sent him related intel.
Currently, Dragon was both training Prince Wales and leading the Gekko Army in covert operations across Albion.
The name "Saskota" had come up during their investigations.
A rogue mage, stripped of her noble title by the Albion royal family—Wales' parents.
After arriving at Tristain's Magic Academy, she blended in using her strength and acting skills, and even seduced her way into becoming the principal's secretary.
"Mr. Dak, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
Just as Dak sat in a sullen mood, something soft suddenly pressed against his arm.
He didn't even need to look to know what it was.
But Princess Henrietta seemed unaware of the implications.
She spoke in a very soft voice, afraid of being overheard.
"Why come to me?"
"It was Louise's suggestion. She trusts you deeply, so I'm willing to place my trust in you as well. Please, help me."
Henrietta seemed quite anxious. She placed a hand on Dak's arm.
From afar, Musketeer Captain Agnes's brow twitched. She glared at Dak with a sharp look, as if warning him not to try anything improper.
Dak was speechless.
Didn't she see it was her princess who was doing the touching?
"..."
Dak didn't respond.
He could guess what Henrietta was about to ask—he was just thinking about Dragon's plans.
If they needed to support Wales by force, there would be no need for him to intervene.
Dragon alone could crush all of Albion's nobles.
But Dragon hadn't done that—because he wanted to use Albion's current crisis as a whetstone for Wales.
In that case, it wasn't appropriate for Dak to interfere on his own.
"No matter the outcome... I will grant you one request."
"Oh?"
Hearing that, Dak's eyes lit up slightly.
He turned to look at Henrietta, gaze sharp and serious.
He was considering whether he could use that promised request to have the future Queen Henrietta lead Tristain to join the New Era Alliance.
"Uh... If possible, I hope it won't involve anything physical... I already have someone in my heart."
Henrietta blushed, misinterpreting Dak's intense gaze.
She lowered her head nervously, fingers clasped in her lap.
"You bastard! Watch where you're looking!"
Agnes snapped, drawing her sword and rushing toward Dak.
"Agnes, stand down."
Henrietta's demeanor shifted. She rose and issued a gentle yet commanding order.
"Yes."
Agnes pursed her lips, shot Dak one last glare, and returned to her position—
But her eyes never left him for a second.
Dak didn't dislike this short-haired, sharp-eyed blonde.
In the original story, she had both the personality and ability worthy of respect—
One of the few civilians to earn knighthood and rise to noble status in Tristain.
Of course, Agnes's sudden outburst had drawn attention. Many people looked over, some even smirking knowingly.
But everyone pretended not to see anything.
After a second of awkward silence, the crowd returned to its usual chatter and excitement.
Though now, a different kind of whisper had joined the conversation.
"Is Princess Henrietta looking for a lover?"
"Well, it makes sense. Teacher Dak is strong—his bloodline must be noble. If he and the princess had a child, it would surely be a magical genius."
"But doesn't the princess already have a marriage pact with the Albion prince?"
"Don't be naïve. Engagements are shackles. True love is the real path. The princess definitely doesn't like that prince."
Henrietta probably didn't hear these comments—
But Dak, with his sharp senses, heard them all like whispers in his ear.
He sighed helplessly and looked toward the stage.
Taking the stage was a blue-haired girl—Tabitha, someone who could be considered half his disciple.
"Mr. Dak, about earlier..."
"Your Highness, let's enjoy this performance for now. It should be quite good. And the next one should be Louise."
"Alright."
Henrietta nodded, though her expression remained distracted.
Clearly, the situation in Albion and Prince Wales's safety weighed heavily on her heart.
Dak could feel her anxiety through his Aura—but didn't pay it too much attention.
He had already decided to accept the princess's request.
But doing so meant Dragon would need to adjust their plans—so Dak needed to talk to him first.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]