Veronica stood frozen, eyes locked on the approaching fireball. Okay, calm down. Think. Move. Do something! Her body, unfortunately, did the opposite of all that. She just stood there like a stunned duck.
A few servants had gathered nearby, whispering and pointing like it was some live drama. A few were even giggling. Were they… enjoying this?! She resisted the overwhelming urge to facepalm.
Just as the fireball closed in, she jolted into action and made a clumsy dodge to the side. "Hah! Take that, Cedric..."
BOOF.
The fireball missed her body... but unfortunately not her hair. A strange smell tickled her nose mid-victory pose. Burnt… chicken? No, wait...
Sniff. Sniff sniff.
Her eyes widened in horror. "Why does it smell like something's burning?"
She turned slightly and caught a glimpse of a tiny flame flickering at the end of her hair. "NO WAY...!"
Screeching, she slapped at her hair with both hands. "My hair! My beautiful curls!"
"System, do something!" she shouted, spinning like a malfunctioning ballerina.
<< System 5060 has entered sleep mode. Try again later. >>
"YOU FUCKING PIECE OF...!"
Panicked, she dropped to the ground and started rolling. "Am I doing it right?! STOP. DROP. ROLL!"
Cedric blinked, frozen in place. "Is she... rolling on purpose?"
The servants standing around couldn't hold it in anymore. They burst into laughter, pointing at her like she was a freaking clown.
When the fire finally sputtered out, Veronica slowly sat up, panting hard. Her once silky hair was now half-burnt, sticking out in crispy, pathetic tufts like overcooked instant noodles. Lovely. Just what she needed on her first day out of bed.
At least she had been smart enough to roll before the flames roasted her face. She dusted off her singed dress and shot Cedric the deadliest glare she could muster. The little monster was smirking proudly, arms folded across his chest like he had just won a grand tournament.
This stupid brat. Didn't he know how to respect his elders? Even if she looked eighteen now, she was twenty-three on the inside!
"You… you...!" Veronica stammered, her finger trembling with righteous fury.
Me what? Cat got your tongue? Cedric's smirk deepened, his expression practically screaming mockery.
Before she could strangle him, a tall, impeccably dressed butler entered the hallway. Instantly, the servants scattered like startled mice. The butler bowed gracefully. "Young Master, Young Miss. The Lord has summoned you both to the lounge."
His eyes flicked up to Veronica's scorched hair. A faint twitch betrayed his struggle not to comment, but he wisely kept silent.
"I will let you off this time," Veronica huffed, flipping her half-burnt hair like she was doing him a favor. With as much fake confidence as she could gather, she turned on her heel and began walking away...
—completely in the wrong direction.
"Young Miss, the lounge is this way," the butler said calmly, pointing behind her.
Veronica froze mid-step. Her face twitched.
Of course. Just her luck. "I knew that," she lied, lifting her chin with a touch of fake pride. "I was just… testing your awareness. Good job."
Cedric choked on his laughter. The butler remained stone-faced, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. Veronica sighed inwardly and spun around, quickly following them down the right hall.
She trailed behind, muttering, "Honestly, how big is this house?"
Cedric glanced back. "You have lived here your whole life."
"I have memory problems, okay?" she grumbled.
They stepped into the lounge, and Veronica instantly felt like a student called into the principal's office. The room was grand, the kind of place where serious things were said, walls paneled in dark oak, a fire crackling in the hearth, tall windows letting in beams of sunlight. Bookshelves lined one side, filled with scrolls and dusty old volumes.
Leonard Ravenshire sat in a large armchair near the fire, arms folded, his gaze sharp and unreadable. His aura was quiet but commanding, the kind of silence that filled the room without effort, making it hard to breathe.
He didn't speak right away. Instead, his piercing gaze swept over her burnt, frazzled hair with mild disapproval before landing on Cedric, who stood rigidly beside her like a soldier awaiting orders.
"You are late," Leonard finally said, his voice deep and measured, like thunder before a storm.
Late? But they just came as soon as the heard. Veronica fought the urge to shrink. She straightened her back and gave a small, awkward curtsey, pretending the smell of singed hair didn't follow her like a curse. "My sincerest apologies, Father. I was… delayed."
On the nearby couch, Lilith, Leonard's second wife and Veronica's mother leapt to her feet the moment she got a proper look at Veronica. Her eyes widened in horror.
"Heavens! What happened to your hair?!"
"Oh, this?" Veronica chuckled dryly, running her fingers through what was left of her dignity. "I was trying out a new hairstyle. It didn't quite agree with me."
Lilith opened her mouth, words stuck somewhere between disbelief and critique, but nothing came out.
Cedric turned to Veronica, blinking. She wasn't blaming him? Not a single exaggerated sob or accusatory word? This wasn't the Veronica he knew. The old her would've screamed, wailed, and made sure he got locked in the cellar for a week.
Instead, she stood there awkwardly but silently, smiling like a burnt toast trying to look appetizing.
Leonard cleared his throat and tapped a finger on two thick cream-colored envelopes sealed with an elaborate golden crest. "These arrived by express courier this morning. Draconveil Academy has extended formal invitations to two members of this household."
Veronica felt her breath catch. Even she, who hadn't been born in this world, recognized the name. Draconveil Academy was more than an elite school, it was where the most talented and dangerous young nobles, and a few selected gifted humans were sent to harness their abilities. The academy's graduates shaped the realm's future.
Cedric's expression didn't change, but the stiffness in his shoulders gave him away.
Leonard continued, "Evangeline's acceptance is confirmed. She is expected to report at the end of the month. As for you, Cedric…"
He pushed one envelope toward his son.
Cedric swallowed, then placed a hand over the envelope without opening it. "I'm honored, Father, but I can't accept."
The words settled in the air like a dropped stone. Veronica blinked.
Leonard arched a brow. "You refuse? You understand what you are turning down?"
"With respect," Cedric said, his voice steady but soft, "My place is here. I have no ambition to play politics or parade my magic. I would rather stand beside you at the forge and learn to strengthen this family's name the way you did."
This moment was playing out exactly like the original webtoon. Just like before, Cedric flatly rejected the invitation to Draconveil Academy. His reason? He wanted to stay behind and help his father at the blacksmith shop. Simple, loyal, and predictable just like his character arc in the early chapters.
And that was when the original Veronica pounced.
Draconveil Academy wasn't just any academy. It was the most elite, ancient institution in the entire realm where only the most talented, magically gifted young supernatural beings were accepted. It was considered the gateway to prestige, power, and survival for humans in a world ruled by dragons and demons. For a human to get in? Practically a miracle.
The academy's policy was strict: no invitation, no admission. But original Veronica didn't let that stop her. She had forged her way in.
Yes, she cheated.
A rigged magical aptitude stone, some bribery behind the scenes, and a few favors called in by her father, and voilà, Veronica had miraculously "passed" the entrance test. No one questioned it too deeply because of her family's growing influence… but her presence at the academy caused a stir.
People doubted her. Mocked her. Some even tried to expose her. But somehow, she survived.
Now standing in the lounge room History was beginning to repeat itself.
Just then, a soft ding echoed in her mind. A familiar translucent panel appeared before her eyes.
[Task 1: Successfully enter Draconveil Academy]
Reward: +25 Exp Points
She blinked at the glowing letters. The system had finally stopped playing dead.
"Father," Veronica began softly, taking a tentative step forward. "Let me go to Draconveil Academy in Cedric's place."
Silence dropped over the lounge like a weighted blanket.
Everyone turned to her as if she'd just announced she wanted to marry a troll. Even Cedric blinked, clearly wondering if she'd hit her head harder than expected during the fireball incident.
Leonard stared at her, brows furrowed. Then, after a long pause, he said firmly, "No."
"But..."
"No, Veronica," he snapped, slamming the letters he held onto the desk. The sharp sound made her flinch. His usually calm expression was carved in stone, the weariness of years heavy in his voice. "Draconveil is not some noble finishing school. It's an elite institution for warriors, mages, and those born with power. You have none."
Veronica lowered her gaze, but didn't retreat.
"You will be torn apart the moment you step through those gates," he went on. "Even the weakest students there can manipulate some form of energy. Wind. Fire. Earth. Healing. Anything. But you..."
He gestured at her with frustration. "You have shown nothing. Not a spark. Not even during your affinity test years ago."
Her voice dropped, desperate now. "I won't die. Just… give me one chance. Just one."
"Don't delude yourself!" Leonard snapped, his voice sharp as a whip. "This world isn't kind to the powerless. And Draconveil Academy especially that place doesn't tolerate weakness. They will break you, Veronica. I won't send you there just to watch you fall apart."
Veronica's fists curled at her sides, nails digging into her palms. "So that's it? You're just giving up on me like everyone else?"
Leonard's anger dulled, replaced by fatigue. His shoulders sank slightly. "I'm not giving up," he said quietly. "I'm protecting what little you still have."
Cedric looked at her, stunned. "You... actually want to go to the Academy?" He blinked like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Since when did you care about anything beyond yourself?"
Lilith, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "This is the first time Veronica's ever shown she wants to change. Why not let her try?"
Leonard's eyes narrowed. "She's been coddled enough, Lilith. That's why she turned out like this, spoiled, reckless, and unprepared for reality. She should focus on living a proper life. Get married. Settle down. Not chase a fantasy she can't handle."
Then he turned sharply to the butler. "Go inform Evangeline to start preparing. She's the one who will attend Draconveil."
Veronica's voice cracked as she forced out, "So Evangeline gets to go, but I don't? What makes her so different from me?"
"I will not discuss this any further," Leonard said firmly, his tone final and cold. His words shut down the conversation like a slammed door.
Veronica froze, her lips parted slightly. For a moment, it looked like she was about to break down. Her eyes shimmered as she lowered her head and bowed stiffly. "I understand, Father," she whispered.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the lounge, her head hung low, the burnt ends of her hair making her look even more pitiful. Even Cedric, who had just fought with her earlier, couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of guilt.
But what they didn't see was the shift that happened the moment Veronica stepped out of the room. Her teary face dried in seconds, replaced by a calm, calculating look. Her shoulders straightened.
'Just as expected,' she thought.
In the original webtoon, Leonard had said the same words refused in the exact same way. But after some gentle coaxing from Lilith, and because of that soft spot he had for his second daughter, he eventually gave in. He hadn't expected her to actually pass the entrance exam anyway.
But Veronica was determined to succeed—no shortcuts, no dirty tricks. If the glitch was hiding anywhere, Draconveil Academy was her best chance of finding it.
She clenched her fists. One month. That's all the time she had before the entrance exam.
Unlike the original Veronica, who shamelessly cheated her way in, she would pass fairly. She had to. In the webtoon, the cheating scandal later became a tool the protagonist's used to ruin her. That couldn't happen again.
Draconveil Academy wasn't just a school. It was where the real plot began, the slow unraveling of the villainess's fate, the start of Veronica's downfall.
It was time to get serious