Free Web NovelVieya looked at the two women beside her, both grinning like foxes, and after a brief silence, she quietly stepped away from them. Her expression—flat and unreadable as always—seemed to say, I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Her departure only made the two maids laugh harder.
But that had nothing to do with Vieya. Her gaze, like everyone else gathered to watch, was fixed entirely on the platform.
Battles between magicians always erupted without warning. Jasmine stayed tense, watching every subtle movement of her teacher. To her, victory in this duel was crucial—it wasn’t just about whether she could officially graduate, but whether she would embarrass her mother in front of everyone.
With so many people watching...
I can’t make Mom lose face. Absolutely not!
Suddenly, Jasmine saw her teacher raise her hand—just slightly, barely noticeable—but Jasmine caught it instantly. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
She knew her teacher could unleash thousands of attack spells at once, a storm covering the sky, but today was just her graduation assessment.
“Be careful,” Anna warned softly, her blue eyes narrowing. “A battle between magicians is never a game. If you can’t handle skirting the line between life and death, you’d better switch to being a priest.”
As soon as the words fell, several sharp earthen spikes burst from the ground, aiming straight for Jasmine’s heart, abdomen, and head—swift and merciless.
“Whoa—!”
The crowd erupted in excitement, cheering in waves. For them, today wasn’t just about watching Rekaria Magic Academy’s graduation ceremony—it was a chance to learn, to observe and refine their own magic and combat skills.
Even many ordinary townsfolk who didn’t practice magic were there. They had children of their own, and they wanted to get a look at the place where their sons and daughters might one day study.
Living in this border town beside the Monster Forest, most people here had an unusual passion for battle—whether for warriors or magicians.
The stronger the teacher, the more gifted the student, the more spectacular and fierce the duel—the more it fueled their admiration and pride in the academy.
“Miss Vieya, your daughter’s spellwork is very unique, and you can clearly see her talent.”
The headmaster of the academy, a middle-aged man, had somehow appeared beside her, watching the fight with her.
“And that teacher you recommended is truly remarkable—her power far exceeds that of our regular staff...”
His tone carried both admiration and a hint of probing.
After all, the white-haired Sword Saint, standing right next to him, was a mysterious figure—recognized by the Holy Sword itself, acquainted with several Named Heroes, and powerful enough to defend an entire city from two Demon Kings.
A person of that caliber was often eccentric and difficult to approach. Yet the white-haired Sword Saint before him, apart from being a recluse, seemed nothing more than a doting mother.
However... she didn’t react to his words at all. Those green eyes of hers stayed fixed on the arena, where the battle was reaching its peak.
So he switched topics. “Miss Vieya, what do you think the result of this exam will be? Heh, from the looks of it, your daughter is handling her teacher’s assessment with ease. I’d say after today, she’ll stand proudly as a full-fledged magician, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Perhaps...”
Vieya’s voice was soft, her gaze distant.
Maybe when her daughter grew up—truly independent—she would one day leave her, return to the world that belonged to her, to the Demon King’s castle where she was born, and reclaim all that had once been hers.
Children always grow up, don’t they...
And what about me? Vieya’s thoughts drifted, but only for a moment. The haze vanished from her eyes.
Yes—once Jasmine could live well on her own, she could finally put her mind at ease and fulfill her own wish.
Flaviel... wait for me.
I will find you. No matter what.
...
Night had fallen.
To celebrate Jasmine’s successful graduation, Vieya had splurged on a banquet at the best restaurant in town.
“Mom, Mom, look—!” Jasmine raised her hand proudly, showing off a small badge. Her bright eyes curved like crescent moons. “This is the badge of a certified magician! It’s only beginner rank, but with it, I’ll get ten gold coins every month from the Magicians’ Association!”
“That’s amazing!” Vieya # Nоvеlight # smiled and ruffled her daughter’s hair affectionately. “You’ve accomplished something even your mom couldn’t do...”
“Hehehe!”
“If you two aren’t eating, then I won’t be polite, meow!” Helcat sniffed the aroma of fish and meat, her eyes gleaming as she reached eagerly toward the dishes, practically drooling.
“This is Jasmine’s celebration dinner and teacher’s banquet. Show some restraint,” Elizabeth said gracefully, lifting her wineglass, elegance radiating from her every motion.
“Teacher Anna, thank you!” Jasmine grinned, pouring Anna a glass of fruit juice before shyly sitting back down beside her mother. With a small sigh, she added, “Too bad the elf sister isn’t here... she would’ve been so happy.”
“Aislin, you mean?”
Vieya reached into her pocket as if remembering something and pulled out a four-leaf-clover bracelet. “Jasmine, she sent this along in her last letter—said if you passed your exam, she wanted you to have it.”
“A high-grade Magic Amplification Necklace,” Anna remarked after a glance, sipping her juice with a mix of admiration and envy. “That elf sure is loaded. Unlike me—poor as dirt. I couldn’t even buy you a staff, had to pass down my old one instead.”
“Oh my, everyone’s giving gifts already? Then I suppose I should, too,” Elizabeth said in mock distress.
Jiele Xiyin nodded. “By human custom, that would be appropriate. Fortunately, I came prepared...”
“?”
Helcat froze, her eyes darting everywhere.
Then she realized that everyone except her had brought a gift. The delicious fish in her mouth suddenly felt tasteless.
Heavens! A bunch of despicable adults!
This cat hates your worldly social games the most!
“H-hey, what’s wrong with you all!”
The catgirl panicked, sweating bullets as she looked back and forth between Jasmine and Vieya, completely flustered.
“This makes me look poor and stupid, meow! You can’t do this—no gift-giving during meals! Take them back! Take them back, meow!”
“Our Jasmine was born among demons! Demons don’t follow these human customs, meow! Don’t follow them, meow!”
At her words, laughter rippled through the room, filling the banquet with a bright, joyous atmosphere.
After several rounds of food and drink, as the feast drew to a close, Anna called out to Vieya—who was at that moment happily being fed garlic shrimp by her daughter.
“Boss Vieya, I’ve got something to discuss with you...”
Anna’s blue eyes gleamed with meaning. Seeing White Fur unmoved, she pressed on impatiently, “Come on! It’s about what you asked me to investigate!”
