Putting aside her stray thoughts, Elena took it upon herself to submit the group registration form for all three of them. After a short break, the next round of classes began.
Eden Academy wasn't the kind of extreme magic school that obsessed solely over Arcane research. It emphasized holistic education, aiming to cultivate well-rounded talent.
As such, after Arcane class came literature, history, arithmetic, and other general subjects.
Unfortunately, the newly formed study group… crashed gloriously.
Linen leaned back lazily and zoned out. Hysteria didn't even try to hide her disinterest—she just straight-up collapsed on her desk and pretended to be dead. Only Elena remained diligent, dutifully taking notes and listening attentively.
The teachers, of course, could only seethe in silence.
Masters like Gust were few and far between in Eden's faculty. Some instructors weren't even Arcane Mages—they were simply skilled in their specific disciplines and had been brought on cautiously.
And now, seated front and center, were two infuriating freeloaders—one of whom might well be a future crown prince from a rival empire, and the other... was their own.
Every time a teacher hit their stride mid-lecture and then looked down to see these two slacking in broad daylight, a wave of despair would wash over them.
But then they'd see Elena's sparkling, determined gaze and find the strength to carry on.
Linen, of course, noticed all of this—and couldn't help but admire it a little.
No wonder they called her the "Witch Who Heals Hearts" in the original story.
Even nameless NPC teachers are getting swept into her orbit without effort.
I've got to be careful around her.
When the time comes to backstab Elena, I can't afford to hesitate.
"Linen-kun, here."
During the break—while Hysteria had momentarily stepped out—Elena approached Linen with a sweet smile, holding out a neatly bound notebook with both hands.
"What's this?"
Linen blinked, puzzled.
"It's the notes I took from today's lectures. You seemed a little distracted earlier—probably still tired from Arcane class, right? So I thought this might help."
"Thanks, but I'm good."
Linen gently handed the notebook back.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Elena-san. I'm the type who never rewrites notes. Everything I need is already up here." He tapped his head.
"Ah—no, that's not what I meant."
Elena quickly waved her hands, realizing he'd misunderstood.
"This isn't just a loan—it's for you. A gift."
"A gift? Then what will you use?"
"I've got another one~"
Blushing a little, she pulled an orange-covered notebook from beneath her desk.
"Actually, the teachers explained things so clearly today that I made three copies. One's for Shia too, hehe~"
Guh!
In that instant, Linen felt as if a sacred arrow named Morality had pierced his cold, scheming heart—filled, as it was, with thoughts of betraying her.
Wait—maybe I can't go through with it myself...
But that doesn't mean someone else can't do it for me.
After all, he wasn't the only villain in the original story.
Linen Norton had allies.
In this class, if he was the biggest stepping stone…
Then the second-biggest had to be—
"Linen-kun, Ken-sensei would like to see you in his office."
A soft female voice, emotionless and magically generated, appeared in the form of a pale blue message floating in front of him.
A smile tugged at the corners of Linen's lips.
Speak of the devil.
The second stepping stone was walking straight into his trap.
He rose without hesitation and walked out of the classroom.
On the stairs, he brushed past Hysteria, who had just returned.
Linen didn't notice her, but her signature red ahoge twitched as she immediately sensed where he was heading.
That loser again. Class is about to start—where the hell is he going?
Her curiosity flared. After a brief pause, she followed him without hesitation.
"Not like I care where he's going or anything," she muttered to herself. "I just don't feel like going to class."
...
"Ken-sensei, I heard you wanted to see me?"
It was class time. The staff office was empty save for Ken.
Ken's expression darkened immediately.
Linen hadn't even knocked—just pushed the door open like he owned the place. The surprise had genuinely startled him.
Any other student acting this arrogant would've been thrown out on the spot.
But none of them had an Empress for a mother.
Adjusting his demeanor, Ken forced himself to remain composed.
"Linen-kun. I'm well aware of your background. You're not the only one—in fact, most of your classmates come from unusual lineages. Outside these walls, I'd probably be bowing to you."
"But in Eden Academy, I ask that you respect the rules and cooperate with faculty."
"'Cooperate'... and what exactly does that entail, Ken-sensei?"
Linen casually flopped onto the leather couch opposite the desk, eyebrows raised.
"That's not funny."
Ken's tone grew cold.
It was clear now—he thought Linen's casual insolence was the result of yesterday's fake-friendly flattery. The prince must have mistaken him for someone weak and easy to manipulate.
"Funny? Oh, I'm being very serious."
Linen shrugged.
"After all, anyone who's managed to embed themselves in Eden's tightly sealed core can't possibly be a nobody."
"…What are you implying?"
Ken's expression didn't shift, but beneath the desk, his hand slid open a hidden drawer and closed around a magic scroll.
"If I were you, I wouldn't waste the effort," Linen said casually. "You know as well as I do—Eden's main building has at least a hundred ways to disable teleportation scrolls."
"...You—"
Ken's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Linen to know even that.
"There's no need to be surprised. In fact, you should be relieved."
"After all, the one visiting you today is Linen Norton—not an agent of the Shadow Knights."
"…You really know everything?"
Ken's face relaxed, the shock fading into a tired, bitter smile.
"Of course I do."
Linen leaned back, legs crossed, his lips curling into a pleased smirk.
He bought it. He really bought it!
Of course it was a bluff. The Empress barely gave a damn about him, and Eden Academy would never suspect they had a mole inside their most secure walls.
But it made sense. Ken hadn't infiltrated the academy to become a spy—he'd become a teacher first. Then he'd been recruited.
And with an identity like that—well, who could say no? No Arcane Mage alive would refuse the offer he'd received.
Everyone else was playing the game normally.
Linen was the cheat code.
Because he had read the script.
Realizing the game was up, Ken finally dropped the pretense.
He placed his right hand on his left shoulder and gave a respectful bow.
"The Tower of Chronomancy sends its regards, Prince Linen."
"No need to be so formal, Ken-sensei. And I'm sure you've already figured out why I'm the one who came to you—not the Shadow Knights."
"Or shall I rephrase it more clearly?"
"You wouldn't want them to know you're a member of the Tower of Chronomancy, now would you?"
"…Understood. What can I do for you, Your Highness?"
Ken let out a long, bitter sigh.
"Smart man. I like that."
Linen snapped his fingers.
"It's simple. There are a few people who've annoyed me. I'd like your help in teaching them a lesson. And if we can get them expelled from Eden, even better."
"I'm sure you've already guessed who I mean—Elena Kenway, and Hysteria Baier."
"You want me to go after my own students?!"
Ken wore a mask of righteous fury.
He's probably thinking: "Wait, for real? I can do that?"
Linen smirked.
He's definitely thinking: There's a deal this sweet?!
Ken's heart: There's a deal this sweet?!
Thank the gods!