"Likewise."

Sophia retorted to Margaret without thinking, "The duke's daughter is as flamboyant as ever today."

Margaret rolled her eyes in displeasure.

Given her usual style, she would normally continue to verbally spar with Sophia for a few more exchanges.

This time, however, Margaret deliberately said in a boastful manner:

"Never mind, I'm in a good mood today, so I won't quibble with you. Let's go, Charlotte."

Charlotte followed closely behind Margaret as they entered the classroom together.

"Charlotte?"

Sophia couldn't help but call out.

She could hardly believe her eyes, staring at Charlotte with a shocked expression that gradually transformed into disappointment.

Sophia had vaguely sensed this might happen.

Charlotte had insisted that she choose between the two of them, and she hadn't chosen Charlotte.

Given that, Charlotte was certainly free to choose someone else, such as Margaret.

Understanding was one thing, but emotionally, Sophia still found it difficult to accept.

She was unable to hide her dejection and no longer had the energy to argue with Margaret.

Seeing that her move had achieved the expected effect, Margaret was quite satisfied, leading Charlotte toward the front rows.

Charlotte followed in Margaret's footsteps, her gaze evasive, wanting to look at Sophia yet not quite daring to.

Discovering that Celitia and the others were sitting in the back rows, far from Sophia, Charlotte felt a surge of joy.

Then, seeing Sophia's expression, she immediately began to regret cooperating with Margaret.

"Sophia..."

Charlotte almost wanted to walk toward Sophia, to apologize for the matter with Margaret, swearing that she had only been momentarily blinded.

However, from the crowd surrounding Sophia, someone shouted: "Miss Margaret!"

The crowd surged, surrounding Margaret, effectively cutting off Charlotte's path.

"The Principality of Mist is currently recruiting excellent knights and mages," Margaret cast a proud glance at the stunned Sophia, smiling as she addressed the crowd. "Any talented individuals are welcome to join."

The people who had surrounded Sophia were equally enthusiastic toward Margaret, the duke's daughter.

In just a moment, Margaret became the center of attention, chatting animatedly with everyone.

"Excuse me, let me through."

Sophia silently gave Margaret a glance, then turned and squeezed out from the remaining crowd.

Along the aisle, Sophia walked to the back rows and sat down in the empty seat beside Celitia.

From the moment Sophia appeared alone, Celitia had guessed that her talk with Charlotte must have gone poorly.

The subsequent appearance of Charlotte and Margaret together was almost within expectations.

Celitia sighed inwardly.

"They're deliberately stealing your spotlight," Celitia's voice sounded softly. "Aren't you going to counterattack, Sophia? Those hearts should belong to you."

"What do you mean by 'should belong'?" Sophia gave a bitter smile. "Playing along with them, winning hearts through promised benefits isn't secure at all. With the slightest disturbance, they'll scatter everywhere."

Even Charlotte, whom she had thought was her friend, would part ways with her over certain disagreements.

"But that's normal," Celitia looked at her, her pupils increasingly clear and penetrating. "Pursuing benefits is human nature."

Pursuing benefits, seeking results.

In Celitia's view, everyone was like that.

"I know it's normal, and important," Sophia replied glumly, "but I don't like it. I hope those who choose me do so sincerely..."

She turned her head, her deep blue eyes like a boundless clear sky, staring unblinkingly at Celitia.

"Like... did you approach me for benefits? Are Shanie and Benita staying by your side for benefits?"

Celitia was slightly stunned.

After a long while, she still couldn't respond.

Charlotte, forced to remain by Margaret's side, kept her eyes following Sophia's movements.

When she saw clearly that Sophia had walked to the back rows and sat down beside Celitia, flames suddenly ignited in her eyes, filled with jealousy and hatred.

Why?

This woman had only known Sophia for a few days. How could she push her aside and shamelessly stand by the Princess's side?

And Celitia's calm, unruffled gaze, in Charlotte's eyes, was full of disdain for her.

Charlotte clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost drawing blood from her palms.

Indeed, choosing to cooperate with Margaret was the right decision.

Even if it disappointed and hurt Sophia, she would definitely drive that hateful woman away completely!

○

When the teacher arrived at the classroom, the first Magic Theory class began amid this atmosphere of varied thoughts.

The dry theoretical knowledge made Celitia feel somewhat drowsy, and she couldn't help but randomly write rows of alchemy formulas on her paper.

Ever since seeing that fake magic diamond made from glass beads at the jewelry shop, the idea of making money through alchemy had grown increasingly strong in Celitia's mind.

The only money she had at her disposal was the living expenses she had squeezed out of her stepmother when she left home. Once that was gone, it would be difficult to get more.

Moreover, solving current living problems was only a short-term concern. In the long run, she needed startup capital to take Luna and Rebecca away and open a shop in Cassia...

Unconsciously making long-term plans in her mind, Celitia's handwriting became increasingly messy.

After she had filled an entire sheet of paper, the teacher announced a short break, and the classroom atmosphere relaxed accordingly.

"Lily, what are you writing?" Sophia leaned over, curiously staring at Celitia.

Sophia noticed that Celitia had actually listened to her and hadn't untied the azure ribbon on her right fingertip.

The ribbon was clearly somewhat in the way. Although Celitia had tucked it behind her hand, its end still gently scraped against the paper, making small, delicate sounds along with the pen tip.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound was very light, as if scratching at Sophia's heart, creating a slight ticklish feeling at its core.

Realizing she was distracted, Sophia quickly cleared her throat, trying to disguise her slightly heated ears.

"Ahem... it looks like a materials list. What's it for?"

Some of the words she recognized, while others she had never even heard of.

Seeing Celitia writing so earnestly, Sophia couldn't help but feel curious.

"Nothing special, just writing randomly."

Celitia casually placed the handout over it, covering the writing on the draft paper.

It would be difficult for her to explain to others where her knowledge came from, but fortunately, Sophia hadn't asked yet.

"Waaaaaah!!"

Shanie suddenly let out a series of miserable cries beside them, messing up her pink hair into a bird's nest, her face full of suffering.

"Lily, how can you still have the mind to write all this random stuff? Did you completely understand everything taught in class?"

Shanie's interruption made Sophia forget all about the ribbon and draft paper.

"Uh," she fell into an awkward silence for a moment. "Shanie, did you not understand?"