CHAPTER 259: FOREVER YOURS

"Henie!"

The moment she saw Henie, Erica felt a surge of joy.

She hadn't seen Viktor's little teaching assistant since the academy's last break.

She had heard that Henie had become an associate professor,

And Erica had been happy about it for quite a while.

But she was also somewhat surprised.

Because Henie had jumped directly from teaching assistant to associate professor, skipping the lecturer level.

Though her knowledge was sufficient, did she have the corresponding power?

Erica was a bit worried.

Then, she saw Henie staring at the magic book's contents and raising her hand.

Magical energy slowly rose from her hand.

"This is a very simple spell."

"Like this."

Several curved streams of energy suddenly appeared from Henie's hand, swirling in the air several times before gradually merging.

Finally, they formed a multi-colored curved ring that kept rotating in the air.

The entire dim room brightened under the ring's illumination, the dazzling light almost too bright for Erica to keep her eyes open.

[Second-Tier Magic: Triple Law Arc]

Erica was utterly shocked seeing the magical arc appear in Henie's hand.

This, this, this couldn't be right?

This spell, which she had studied for so long without understanding its principles, Henie could cast after just a glance?

Could it be... she actually knew it all along?

At this moment, Henie pinched her fingers, and the arc in the air shattered into tri-colored starlight.

The starlight gently fell to the floor before gradually disappearing.

"Just as I said earlier, you just need to understand the principles."

"Actually, this was my first time using this spell."

"Would you like to try?"

Erica blinked in confusion.

From Henie's words, she couldn't help but feel the gap between people.

However, following Henie's guidance, she tentatively raised her hand.

The magic array gradually formed, carrying thick magical energy.

Soon, a similarly multi-colored curved arc began rotating in the air.

Success!

Erica stood frozen, not knowing what to say.

She was convinced.

Henie's knowledge thoroughly convinced her.

It wasn't that Henie's knowledge base was more profound than those old mages.

Rather, it was because Henie had her own unique insights into magic.

Through her teaching, magic became more easily understood.

Erica had to admit that Henie would certainly become an excellent lecturer.

But as for being an associate professor...

Wait a minute?

The spell recorded in this magic book was second-tier magic.

But Henie had cast it?

Erica turned back with a puzzled face to look at Henie:

"Henie, you..."

Henie smiled and nodded to her:

"As you can see."

A second-tier mage.

The academy break was only two months.

In two months, Henie had gone from an ordinary person to a second-tier mage.

What exactly had she experienced?

Erica couldn't understand.

She had thought her own progress was already quite fast.

But looking at this, in reality, wasn't Henie's talent the most ridiculous?

Erica came to her senses, thinking of how Henie could understand the principles with just a glance at the magic.

Perhaps what she thought might actually be true.

Bewilderment, shock, confusion...

Various emotions mixed together like a wave crashing over Erica.

When Erica finally recovered from her chaotic emotions, she realized something.

Wait, why was Henie at her house, and even in her bedroom?

Since Henie was here, didn't that mean...

The Professor was here too!?

She couldn't help feeling excited and surprised, and was about to get up to go downstairs to look.

However, Henie put her hand on her shoulder and shook her head.

"The Professor is discussing something important, let's wait a while."

Hearing Henie's advice, Erica sat back down.

She stared blankly at Henie.

It felt like... the current Henie, compared to before, had changed quite a lot.

Previously, Henie had seemed like a small teaching assistant who knew nothing except studying.

When she first substituted for Professor Viktor's class, she had even appeared very nervous.

She had even... needed Erica's help.

But now... she seemed completely different from before.

She was like a very mature big sister, proper in speech and conduct.

And that gentle charisma that made people unconsciously want to rely on her and stay by her side.

"Henie..."

"Hmm, what is it?"

Henie blinked her fluorescent yellow eyes, looking seriously at Erica.

Erica came to her senses and quickly waved her hands.

"Ah, it's nothing, nothing."

"I just remembered I have several parts I don't quite understand, could I ask you about them?"

Henie just smiled easily and said:

"Of course."

Erica turned to flip through the magic book, while Henie stood behind her, seriously looking at the questions.

"This is an uncommon composite magic, you need to combine two elements and runes..."

Erica seemed unable to hear the later words.

She secretly glanced at Henie's profile with her peripheral vision.

She felt somewhat dazed.

Henie was no longer timid like before, the change was so great she almost couldn't recognize her.

In just two short months...

When would she be able to become as reliable as Henie?

Erica didn't know.

She gradually came back to her senses and quietly listened to Henie's special tutoring session.

Study time always passed quickly.

Even Erica herself didn't know how much time had passed when finally, a light knock sounded at the door.

A servant stood outside, saying to them:

"Miss Henie, Count Viktor is looking for you."

"The Count says it's time to go home."

Hearing this, Erica was slightly stunned.

However, Henie had already straightened up and said to Erica:

"If you have any questions, ask them after school starts."

With that, Henie waved to her and turned to walk outside.

The servant led Henie away from the door, leaving only Erica blinking.

"Huh? What?"

What did the servant just say?

Henie, time to go home?

Which home?

She suddenly came to her senses, seeming to have learned something utterly shocking.

Henie and Professor Viktor... lived together!?

She hurriedly ran to the window and poked her head out to look downstairs.

After a while, a figure walked out the door.

It was her father, Levi.

And following behind him, the man wearing a black coat was Viktor.

Then, behind Professor Viktor, the person wearing an ill-fitting loose robe.

Obviously, that was Henie.

Levi escorted Viktor and Henie to the carriage at the door.

Erica watched as the two got into the horseless carriage together.

Her mind went blank.

She no longer had any thought of studying, as if wanting to know something extremely important.

She hurriedly pushed open the door and ran downstairs.

...

In the carriage, Viktor looked through the window at Levi, who was now standing at the door.

"Then, please keep an eye on those 'believers,' Your Grace."

Levi nodded, his tone casual:

"Of course, their appearance in the Empire is my negligence."

"It's getting late, I won't see you off too far."

Viktor nodded.

As if thinking of something, Viktor inquired:

"Also, I don't seem to have seen any butler in your household?"

Duke Levi blinked, as if somewhat confused, and couldn't help responding:

"As you can see, we've never hired a butler."

Viktor was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand."

"Please go rest, Your Grace."

As if deliberately pointing at something, his gaze passed over Levi to look behind him.

"Don't let your daughter worry too much."

Levi started, turning his head.

At the mansion's entrance, Erica was standing there.

She looked hurried and was slightly out of breath, as if she had just run out.

Behind her, several servants were frantically chasing after her.

"Young lady, it's cold at night, please put on some clothes!"

Viktor saw Erica and gave her a faint smile.

Then, the curtains automatically closed.

The wheels turned, grinding against the cobblestones, making clattering sounds.

Erica just stood there, blankly watching the carriage gradually leave.

Levi walked over and draped his coat over Erica's shoulders.

Erica looked up, her gaze turning to her father.

Her expression carried some confusion and helplessness.

Levi looked at his daughter, his eyes showing some heartache.

"That's why I told you from the beginning, Erica."

"Don't get too close to Viktor."

There were far too many girls around Viktor.

Even Her Highness the Princess was among them.

His Majesty had always tacitly approved of Viktor's interactions with her.

Even knowing Viktor had a fiancée.

In such comparison, Erica had no advantages.

Levi sighed.

Similarly, Viktor was definitely not the type to carelessly play with others' feelings.

This visit wasn't purely about the Calamity.

His fiancée, Gwen Delin, had been unconscious for two days.

And the reason was those so-called 'believers.'

These people had long been old acquaintances of Levi's.

Thinking of this, Levi narrowed his eyes, feeling some anger rise in his heart.

'Cultists.'

'How many more of your companions must I kill before you understand.'

'The Empire will never be a place for filth like you.'

...

In the carriage, Viktor and Henie sat facing each other.

Henie lowered her head, not daring to meet Viktor's gaze.

No matter how much she had grown, once alone with Professor Viktor, she would become extremely flustered.

Just smelling the Professor's scent made her body slightly warm.

She wanted so much... to tightly embrace the Professor.

To become one with the Professor...

At this moment, the crow flapped its wings, the fluttering sound bringing Henie back to her senses.

She looked up, only to find Viktor's gaze directly on her.

Henie couldn't help but blush.

Thinking of the scene in her mind, she became even more afraid to look directly at the Professor.

But then, Viktor's voice sounded.

"Take a few days off recently, come with me somewhere."

Henie was slightly stunned, seemingly not having reacted yet, when she heard Viktor continue.

"I've been thinking, I have indeed neglected you lately."

Hearing Viktor say this, Henie's cheeks instantly reddened several shades, and she hurriedly said.

"No... no no no, I would never think that, Professor!"

"I know you're very busy, so I would never say anything... ah no no, I wouldn't dare say... no, that's not right either..."

She became somewhat incoherent, very much wanting to express her meaning, but unable to adjust her words.

Until she was almost about to cry from anxiety.

A hand was placed on Henie's head, gently stroking.

"Don't be anxious, I told you, I will always use you."

"Until you're completely broken."

Henie was slightly stunned, her eyes somewhat moist.

Viktor's gentle voice sounded by her ear:

"So, do it for my sake."

"Professor..."

Henie raised her head, her gaze carrying some intoxicated devotion.

She reached out with both hands, grabbing Viktor's hand that was on her head.

Placing it on her cheek.

Like autumn waves stirred by a gentle breeze, raising ripples of tenderness.

I am forever yours.

Forever, belonging to you.

"Yes!"