Chapter 52 Learn the Magic Shield
Evelyn's POV
Employing the incantation I had only recently mastered, I summoned a semi-transparent barrier before myself. Its surface was adorned with unfamiliar symbols that emitted a gentle, warm light.
It actually worked!
This was defensive magic I cast on my own following the textbook, and it went so smoothly.
I stared at the shield in delight. It stood before me like a protective barrier, keeping all ill intentions at bay.
Kane gazed at me, his eyes full of support. At that moment, the classroom door unexpectedly swung open on its own with a soft click.
The loud talking inside ceased immediately. All eyes shifted toward the entrance, appearing equally taken aback by the door's motion.
Celia hadn't arrived yet, and there were still empty seats in the classroom.
I walked in with self-assurance. Kane remained by the entrance and departed only once he had confirmed that I was genuinely all right.
Once I took my seat, the room, which had been silent moments before, was abruptly filled with a creaking noise that made a shiver run down my back.
To my shock, I discovered that except for the desk and chair in front of me which remained intact, all the other furniture in the classroom—especially the seats of those girls who led the bullying—began shaking wildly as if possessed!
"Ah! What's happening?"
"My desk... my desk broke!"
"Help! My chair is leaking water!"
The entire classroom instantly descended into chaos.
Those boys and girls who had spoken cruelly to me now stood awkwardly on the floor. Their chair legs looked like they'd been snapped by invisible giant hands, some even completely falling apart.
Some desks were even more dramatic—unknown liquid was seeping from their surfaces, giving off a faint acidic smell that soaked and ruined their precious textbooks and expensive potion ingredients.
The girl who had led the coffee-throwing incident now stood on a chair with only three legs left, teetering precariously, her face pale as paper, her screams nearly piercing my eardrums.
I remained still, observing the disorderly situation while struggling to hold back a grin that was trying to spread across my face.
Was... was the academy standing up for me?
This ancient academy with its own consciousness actually had such a "petty" side? It wasn't just protecting me from being wronged—it was getting revenge for me, and in such a "childish" yet satisfying way!
Thinking about this, I actually found this academy, which usually just silently existed, becoming somewhat adorable, like an elder who doesn't speak much but always protects their own child.
Maybe Seraphina was right—it really likes me.
I even felt like the academy had added heating and extra cushioning to my chair, making it more comfortable for me to sit and watch the show. I propped my chin on my hand, barely holding back laughter as I surveyed the mess around me.
All the anxiety I felt before entering, all the gloom from recent days, was swept away by this bizarre commotion. I even felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
Shortly after, Celia walked into the classroom. "Sorry, there was a situation in the office just now..."
Before she could complete her sentence, the sight in front of her caused her face to twitch unwillingly, showing she was clearly taken aback by the clutter that filled the space.
With a stern expression, she recited a complex spell, struggling to stop the furniture's rampage. But the damage couldn't be repaired—she could only make them maintain their current state temporarily.
"Today we'll be learning how to prepare medicine that reduces fever."
Celia scanned the classroom, her gaze finally landing on me. Her eyes held a hint of inquiry and knowing, as if she'd seen through something but chose not to say it.
"I hope everyone can behave themselves and not do things that harm others and themselves."
At that moment, I spotted a recognizable person tucked away in the corner of the room, seated with their head lowered as though attempting to blend into the darkness.
It was Emma.
She actually came back?
Her suspension period hadn't ended yet. How did she manage to come back? It seems she found some way to return so soon.
I withdrew my gaze, no longer paying attention to those irrelevant people, and began preparing to make the potion.Celia was demonstrating a simple potion using ordinary materials; if you simply adhered to the procedure, there was no risk of error.
I calmly took out my herb box and started looking for the materials I needed. But after searching for a while, my brow gradually furrowed. I was missing a key herb—Silvermoon Dust.
I knitted my brow. I distinctly remembered verifying the herbs when I collected them earlier. How could they possibly be gone?
Right as I was feeling confused and preparing to stand up, speak with the professor, and request another supply of Silvermoon Dust, someone stepped in front of me and obstructed my line of sight.
I raised my eyes and caught sight of Sally's spiteful grin. She was the same person who had once flung coffee at me and ripped apart my schoolbook.
At that moment, she positioned herself before my desk, fidgeting with a tiny container of powder that emitted a silver glow.
"Evelyn, are you looking for this?"
She waved the bottle, her eyes showing none of the fear from when Kane had scared her away. "So sorry, I 'borrowed' it to take a look when I passed by."
The people nearby, upon hearing what she said, appeared eager to see the situation play out.
"What's she going to do? Go tattle?"
"Besides, didn't she say 'borrow'? She shouldn't be that petty, right?"
The murmuring all around me still carried to my ears. Internally, I felt amused—they were nothing more than a group of cowards who targeted only those weaker than themselves.
I looked at Sally, at her smug, seemingly victorious expression, but felt no panic inside, not even anger. Because I knew the academy was protecting me, and the defensive magic from earlier was my shield too.
I didn't dodge or scold her. I just quietly watched her, my expression as calm as if watching a boring performance, wanting to see what stupid thing she would do.
When I didn't respond, Sally appeared both upset and irritated, as if she thought I was deliberately disregarding her.
Appearing uncomfortable, she boldly extended her hand, intending to "accidentally" tip the bottle of Silvermoon Dust over on my desk and spoil my work.
"I guess you don't need it anymore, so I'll kindly 'dispose' of it for you."
Having spoken those words, she tipped the bottle over, grinning in anticipation of witnessing my embarrassment.
"Smack!"