Margaret believed that someone without adaptability couldn't possibly learn magic.

What Celitia had just said was nothing more than some heretical theory she'd heard from somewhere—not worth mentioning at all.

Margaret was deliberately asking this question only to build Celitia up before brutally knocking her down.

"Miss Margaret misunderstands."

Celitia remained calm and composed, completely unconcerned by Margaret's petty schemes.

As she had said before, what others thought of her was never within Celitia's consideration.

"I have no magical power and cannot cast magic. At most, I can use spell formations to set up some simple auxiliary magic, so I'm naturally not any kind of powerful wizard."

The watching students were quick to ask: "You mean you can't use magic?"

No wonder they felt confused—Celitia had presented them with far too many puzzles.

Generally speaking, people without magical power found it difficult to understand the essence of magic.

Yet when someone understood the essence of magic and comprehended the generation and application of magical power, the problem of having no magical power shouldn't exist.

Celitia had just explained the fundamental theories in an easy-to-understand way, even covering the use and control of magical power.

But she claimed to have no magical power herself—could all of this have been imagined out of thin air?

"That's right. Researching magical theory and spell formations is my personal hobby. I myself can't really be said to know magic."

Celitia didn't want to explain the difference between "not knowing magic" and "being unable to cast magic."

After all, to others, these were basically the same thing, so she simply nodded straightforwardly.

All the surrounding students were stunned and looked at each other.

Right, Celitia had no attribute adaptability, meaning she had no affinity for elements whatsoever. Not knowing magic would actually conform to common knowledge.

So what was all that stuff she had just talked about...

Could it really be insights from practicing dark arts?

Even with Sophia and Colton vouching for Celitia, the scales in everyone's hearts gradually tipped to the other side, and they looked at Celitia with eyes full of doubt and wariness.

"You're still being too modest, Celitia. I believe your abilities should be more than what you claim."

Celitia's denial didn't stump Margaret. Her eyes rolled as she thought of a solution.

"As far as I know, the academy will hold a team competition among new students at the end of this month, both to test the new students' abilities and to better discover those with potential and excellent talent. You should participate then and properly display your abilities to everyone. If you really are excellent talent, the Principality of Mist would certainly welcome you. Besides the olive branches from various lords, the rewards are quite generous too. This was something Princess Sophia strongly advocated for—you wouldn't refuse to participate, would you?"

No matter what kind of person she was or what her background was, a test in competition would reveal everything.

Moreover, such activities would be more convenient for her to interfere behind the scenes.

Margaret coaxed persuasively, almost certain that Celitia would agree.

Celitia couldn't help but glance in Sophia's direction.

There was a competition too?

Was this really a standard feature of every academy?

Sophia didn't want to pick up Margaret's thread, but when asked about the competition, she reluctantly nodded:

"There is such a thing, and the rewards are quite generous—both money and honor."

When she heard the word "money," Celitia's heart truly skipped a beat, but she quickly recognized reality.

"No need."

Celitia declined outright. "My health isn't good, I have no magical power, and I don't know any martial techniques at all. This kind of activity isn't suitable for me, so I won't participate."

Moving her mouth was one thing, but if she had to take action, that would really be the death of her.

Such activities should be left to young people.

Margaret was completely stunned.

She actually refused?

She hurriedly emphasized with increased urgency:

"For people like you, this might be a chance to enter high society, and the monetary compensation is generous enough to buy a property in Cassia!"

The more anxious Margaret became, the more Celitia suspected there was some trap waiting for her, and she became even calmer:

"Thank you for Miss Margaret's kind intentions, but I really don't have that ability."

Being refused by Celitia again, Margaret ground her teeth in anger.

How could this person still be so impervious to persuasion? Could she really be so desireless to this extent?!

Impossible. She didn't believe it. As long as someone was human, they definitely had weaknesses!

"Don't be so quick to refuse. Even if you don't care about those rewards, you should consider your friends. You should be clear in your heart how much suspicion those unreasonable aspects about you have attracted. If you can't prove your innocence, when things come to light and the Church intervenes to investigate, your two friends, and even Princess Sophia, will all be implicated by you!"

Margaret was very confident.

The Brienne family had good relations with a certain bishop of the Church. If she applied pressure through him, such things could still be accomplished.

However, just for targeting a small viscount's daughter, Margaret didn't want to use this connection yet.

Listening to Margaret's words, Celitia slowly raised her eyes.

Her usually hazy purple pupils seemed to have all mist cleared away, cold light flashing as incomparable sharp intent burst forth:

"Are you threatening me with them?"

In that instant, killing intent overflowed. Margaret felt her entire body plunge into an icy cave, her fingertips trembling involuntarily, even forgetting to breathe for a moment.

All her remaining words were stuck in her throat. Margaret couldn't say half a word, only the violent sound of her heartbeat echoing in her ears.

"Margaret!"

Sophia could bear it no longer and suddenly stood up, facing Margaret directly.

"If you have any dissatisfaction, come at me! Don't drag Celitia into this!"

Her outburst actually broke the atmosphere that had dropped to freezing point.

Margaret snapped back to her senses, finally remembering to breathe, hastily taking large gulps of air as her chest rose and fell continuously.

Her mind was still completely blank, and she had forgotten everything she had wanted to say just moments before.

Seeing Margaret's lack of response, Sophia softened her tone and turned to Celitia:

"Lily, don't fall for Margaret's tricks. These matters started because of me, and I'll find a way to handle them. Don't worry."

Celitia closed her eyes slightly, concealing the fierce cold light within them, and her entire aura softened.

"Alright," she lightened her tone. "I'll listen to you."

The classroom door suddenly opened, and Teacher Roshan, who was responsible for the class, walked in with measured steps. Looking at the scene before her, she showed a puzzled expression:

"Class is starting. What are you all still watching?"

___

Author's note:

This is a small explanation about the political system. Those with questions can take a look, and those not interested can skip directly to the next chapter~

Today I saw readers asking questions like why a duke's daughter dares to target a princess, which made me realize I haven't really explained the political system much. Everyone might not understand it well, so now I'm here to explain.

I mentioned before that this story's system references to the European medieval system, somewhat like our Western Zhou feudal system. The king directly controls very little territory, with the vast majority of land consisting of various large and small vassals.

Vassals have their own territories, taxes, and armed forces. In peacetime they pay some taxes to their lord above, and in wartime they provide some troops, fulfilling their vassal obligations.

Compared to China's centralized system after the Qin dynasty, Europe's feudal system was quite loose. Even kings couldn't really control their vassals.

In the setting, the Principality of Mist is the largest duchy. Margaret's father is the Duke of Mist and also the regent minister, so he really has the capital to not care about the princess.

Now let's talk about inheritance. This story also adopts the European system, which can basically be summarized as "male-preference primogeniture."

Sophia is the king's only child, so without sons she is first in line, but she's not the only heir (I wrote this wrong before—that's not what I meant to express, I'll modify it later, kneeling in apology).

European noble family marriages are very complex, with situations where a country has no heir and the throne falls to someone from another country. It's not like China where only the emperor's family has inheritance rights.

In the setting, the ducal family has long intermarried with the royal family, so the duke himself also has inheritance rights, just not very high in line.

The king cannot govern, with the duke serving as regent. The first-in-line princess is underage and lacks the prestige to command respect. This situation is actually very dangerous.

There would probably be two outcomes: assassinate the king, put the princess on the throne, then use a strong claim to wage war and seize the royal title, or directly declare independence.

So Margaret not taking Sophia seriously is really very normal. Politically, it's a precarious crisis...

That's roughly the background setting. I'm explaining it to everyone. Also, I don't plan to write detailed political intrigue. Although what I love most when reading is various historical fiction, my brain isn't good enough to write it, and I believe everyone doesn't want to read it...

About the frustrating parts, I'm sorry. This is part of the emotional journey, and I'll give everyone outlets for catharsis~