What’s it like to be caught talking about someone behind their back?

Luo Wei froze as she turned and met Sebastian Noel’s eyes as he stepped out from behind the tree.

His gaze brimmed with accusation, as if she’d committed an unforgivable crime.

“Junior,” Sebastian pressed a hand to his chest, wounded, “does my handsome face mean less to you than a guinea pig worth remembering?”

…What a narcissist.

No wonder he bickered with Theodore—two overconfident types were bound to clash.

If she weren’t in the wrong, Luo Wei would have snapped back. As it was, she could only abandon her conscience for a moment. “Senior is handsome, guinea pigs are adorable; as a guinea pig, Senior is both handsome and adorable—fine features, outstanding temperament.”

The one who reacted hardest wasn’t Sebastian, but Theodore.

They’d known each other half a year and she’d never praised him like that!

Why? How was Sebastian better than him?

Theodore scrutinized Sebastian critically. Aside from being taller and paler—nothing special.

“Senior Guinea Pig,” he deliberately used the nickname, provoking, “isn’t it rude to hide behind a willow and eavesdrop?”

“Junior, how can that be eavesdropping?” Sebastian drawled. “I came with you. You were all just so absorbed you failed to notice me.”

“Oh, so you followed me!” Theodore exclaimed theatrically.

“Wrong again.” Sebastian stepped closer. “We were all headed here for a meeting. I simply shared the path.”

“Hmph!” Theodore lifted his chin. “If you hadn’t tailed me and overheard us, how would you know we’re meeting here?”

Sebastian looked plaintively at Luo Wei. “Junior, judge this. As teammates, I saw him rushing lakeside and worried, so I followed. Was I wrong?”

“Ha!” Theodore pounced. “You sneaky guinea pig—you admit you followed me!”

Luo Wei stared up at the sky. What karmic debt forced her to listen to two children argue?

Hol had had enough too. He caught the agitated Theodore and urged, “Seniors, could you calm down and argue after the meeting?”

Sebastian spread innocent hands. “I’d love to be quiet, but Octopus Junior seems to enjoy noise.”

Everyone’s heads snapped toward Theodore.

His eyes bulged. “How do you know!”

Sebastian chuckled. “Last year, the day the Holy Knights visited Siria, I ran into you in the cafeteria. That reek of salted fish—unforgettable.”

Smart minds converge.

Just as Luo Wei deduced his race from masking his scent with pungent fish, Sebastian could too.

People with their own secrets notice oddities in others—and suspect.

Besides, Theodore was flamboyant. Ask around and you gathered plenty; sift the details, and you reached his identity.

The kraken-like giant octopus race was infamous, its members brazen. Theodore’s personality matched perfectly—if he wasn’t a giant octopus, what was he?

“And this junior.” Sebastian shifted his gaze to Gladys. “If I’m not mistaken—you’re a werewolf, right?”

Gladys’s eyes rounded. How did he know!

Sebastian read it easily. “At the Holy Knight banquet midday, you wore a wolf‑fur coat, and you’re from the Ice Plains.”

Gladys gave a tiny nod, then promptly ducked behind Luo Wei.

Scary senior—he’d known then and waited until now to say it. Not a good sign!

Sebastian smiled and looked at Laura. “And this junior—should be a cat beastman?”

Laura asked, startled, “How did Senior know?”

Sebastian’s eyes curved. “I’ve worked on a farm outside. Many times I saw an orange kitten slip into the coop and haul out a chick.”

“I—I didn’t notice.” Laura’s face flushed scarlet. “The chicks I took were ones I’d put in— I didn’t steal…”

“I know.” Sebastian nodded. “I heard you once raised chickens in the dorm; after the headmaster’s ban you sent them away.”

Hearing Sebastian focus on Laura, Theodore grew wary. He yanked Hol forward to block the line of sight and cleared his throat. “Since you’re so good at guessing, what beastman is Hol?”

Sebastian lifted a brow, not falling for it. “This junior isn’t a beastman. I’d say—lich.”

Theodore’s jaw dropped. “How do you figure this stuff out?”

Sebastian gave a mysterious smile. “I’ll answer that later.”

He turned to Hessel. “Senior Hessel—you’re Black Dragon clan, correct?”

Hessel lifted dark, heavy eyes. “You saw that day.”

“Yes,” Sebastian admitted frankly. “I followed you.”

“You investigated us.” Sharp light flashed in Hessel’s gaze.

“If I offended anyone, I apologize,” Sebastian said solemnly. “My purpose was only to see whether you were the ones I’ve been searching for, not to use this to threaten you.”

“Searching for what?” Luo Wei, who had been listening, spoke.

Sebastian’s expression turned grave. “Have you ever heard a Prophecy of the Hero?”

A prophecy about a Hero?

The six exchanged looks, all shaking their heads. “What is it?”

Sebastian began. “Ten years ago, in Exile City, I met an old man who claimed to be a prophet…”

The old man told him: south of the Ice Plains, in the central Western Continent, stood a magic academy called Siria that had produced many commoner mages.

He prophesied that within that academy a great Commoner Hero would arise—one who would overthrow the Church’s rule, overturn the world of the followers of Light, and shake the entire Star of Galan.

“He also told me to come to Siria to aid that Commoner Hero—that only by doing so could I receive redemption and a new life.”

“At the time I was eight— I didn’t believe him. Then he gave me another prophecy: seven years later I would awaken magical talent and receive a recommendation to enroll at Siria Magic Academy.”

“Three years ago, I did awaken elemental affinity, and Professor Stanbeck brought me here.”

He paused, smiling bitterly. “Sorry—I forgot to introduce myself earlier.”

Luo Wei said, “It’s not too late now.”

“True.” Sebastian nodded to them all. “I’m Sebastian Noel. Human. Like the lich race, my ancestors were cursed by the God of Light.”

“The Moon God cursed us—wherever we pass, calamity follows; generation after generation shall meet no peaceful end. So we sought the God of Misfortune. Blessed by Him, I gained the ability to manipulate misfortune.”

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