Chapter 13 “ royal faction” part 1
After the long torture known as “history class,” the girls in their group somehow looked energized—chatting, smiling, even debating parts of the lecture.
Meanwhile, Nox and Alber dragged their feet like dying soldiers.
Nox muttered, “This is why skipping is better. I swear that lecture shaved ten years off my life…”
Alber groaned, “Nox… if we attend one more class like that, I think my ears will stop working.”
Sisbell snapped her fan shut and glared. “Both of you, stop complaining and try studying for once. Seriously.”
Liora Altia glanced at them with a bright expression.
“I… um… I really enjoyed the lecture. It was interesting,” she said softly.
Scarlet nodded in agreement. “Yes, it was very helpful. Everyone should be grateful.”
The two girls continued chatting, while Liora turned toward Nox.
“I will go to my class now… so let’s meet after that,” she said shyly, her voice trembling a bit.
Nox nodded. “Okay.”
She waved—small and nervous—and the group waved back.
Scarlet stepped forward. “Lady Liora, if you are free later, let’s go somewhere together.”
Liora nodded happily and left.
Meanwhile, Nox and Alber exchanged glances—the silent agreement of two men ready to run for their lives.
Alber whispered, “Nox… I can’t handle another lecture. Let’s ditch.”
But Sisbell’s and Scarlet’s hands grabbed the back of their collars like hunting dogs catching rabbits.
Sisbell’s eyebrow twitched. “Alber. If you even think about running away, stop. We have class.”
Scarlet added sharply, “And you too, Sir Nox. If you skip, Lady Liora will feel bad.”
Nox and Alber protested in unison, “But the next class is another theory class! We don’t want that!”
Too bad for them. They were dragged into the room.
And after another series of endless lectures—repeating things Nox’s father and older sister had already drilled into him—his patience was cracking.
I came here for investigation… not to be tortured by the daughters of marquis families… he thought, dead inside.
Classes finally ended.
Sisbell and Scarlet walked ahead together, talking. Alber trudged beside Nox, looking half-alive.
“Let’s go to the cafeteria and rest,” Sisbell said.
Scarlet nodded and followed.
But Nox’s steps slowed.
Through the window… he saw Liora.
She was surrounded by a group of boys and girls.
And she looked—terrified.
Nox stopped.
No one else noticed.
The group was leading her somewhere hidden.
Nox’s eyes sharpened.
Alber noticed him suddenly running off. “Nox!? Where are you—”
Meanwhile—
Liora was pushed inside a narrow, empty pathway behind the building.
The group cornered her, laughing.
A girl sneered, “You look so pitiful. Like trash. This place suits you.”
A boy flicked her forehead with her own book. “You ignored me earlier. You think being a special admission makes you better? You’re still an illegitimate child.”
Laughter erupted.
Smirks.
Contained giggles.
Cruel amusement.
Liora trembled.
Her lips quivered.
Her hands tightened around her sleeves.
Her legs stiffened as if frozen.
“I… please… leave me alone…” she whispered.
A boy leaned closer. “What? Speak louder. We can’t hear you.”
She swallowed hard, eyes blinking rapidly. “Please leave me alone… or I’ll complain to the Headmaster…”
The group laughed louder.
“Complain? You think we’ll let you?”
A girl yanked Liora’s hair, forcing her head up.
“No one protects trash like you. Let’s teach you a lesson.”
A boy smirked. “Perfect. I was looking for a test subject.”
Crack—
Magic flickered in his hand, lightning dancing across his fingers.
Liora shrank back in terror.
“Stop—please—!”
Before he could touch her—
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Three bursts of water bullets hit their faces—hard.
“Kyaa!”
“The hell—?!”
They staggered, soaked.
From behind them, steady footsteps approached.
Nox walked forward, ignoring the bullies completely, heading straight to stand beside Liora.
The boy wiped his face and snarled.
“Oh? Another special admission? You think you’re better? You’re just a commoner—”
He spat on the ground.
“Know your place.”
Nox ignored the bullies completely and crouched slightly toward Liora.
“Liora, are you okay?”
She didn’t answer.
Her lips trembled, her eyes lowered.
One of the boys clicked his tongue.
“Hey, special idiot! Don’t ignore us!”
He reached out and tried to grab Nox’s shoulder while sparking lightning magic in his hand.
Nox casually caught his wrist.
The boy tried to pull back—
But his arm didn’t budge even an inch.
“W-what the—?!”
Nox released him.
The boy fell backward onto the ground, startled and humiliated.
Nox looked at the three of them—one girl and two boys—expression calm, almost bored.
Even with my magic sealed, these newborn chicks would get hurt if I used anything serious. They’re weak. Alber could beat them with a single spell, he thought.
He sighed.
“Liora, let’s go to the cafeteria. The others are there.”
He turned away.
—Then suddenly punched nox square in the face.
Nox staggered sideways, eyes wide in shock.
“You even know where you are?” the arrogant boy said coldly. “Shut it. Or I’ll give you a real lesson.”
Liora clung tightly to Nox’s sleeve.
“S-Sorry… because of me…” she whispered.
Nox gently took her hand.
“Don’t worry. We need to go.”
They moved toward the exit.
Behind them, the boy’s fists clenched.
Mana gathered in his hand again.
“My, my. Using magic inside the academy is against the rules.”
Scarlet’s voice cut through the air.
Alber and Sisbell stood behind her.
Alber and Sisbell rushed toward Nox and Liora.
Sisbell gasped. “What happened here?! Liora, are you okay?” She quickly checked her for injuries.
Scarlet walked past them and stopped beside Nox.
He sighed internally.
‘Is she a stalker or something? How did she get here so fast? Not that… I was planning to hit those idiots if they attacked first anyway.’
Scarlet whispered, “You don’t look happy, Sir Nox. But we need to avoid trouble first. Think about Lady Liora.”
She moved to Liora’s side and checked her as well.
Alber placed a hand on Nox’s shoulder.
“I know you’re angry, but calm down.”
Nox’s gaze moved to the bullies.
The girl clicked her tongue. “Tch. These noble-faction bastards and bitch are annoying.”
The boy looked them over with a smug grin.
“My, my. What an unusual group. What a disgusting sight.”
Scarlet’s eyes turned sharp—silent, freezing.
The bullies swallowed and shut their mouths.
“Tch. Whatever. We’ll see her next time. She’s in our class anyway,” the boy muttered before leaving with the others.
After a few minutes—
They all arrived at the place where noble faction students usually stayed: Scarlet’s personal garden.
Liora sat on a bench while Sisbell and Scarlet stayed beside her, fussing.
Nox and Alber sat across from them like worn-out counselors.
“Well… we can’t do anything too extreme right now,” Alber said.
Scarlet looked at Nox. “Let me handle her for now.”
Nox had no choice but to nod.
Alber handed him a drink. “Here. Coffee.”
“Thanks… but I don’t have money to pay you back,” Nox said.
Alber waved it off. “Don’t worry. My interest isn’t high. Just drink.”
They both sipped.
Alber leaned closer. “So… you knew she was getting bullied?”
Nox shook his head. “Where? I only saw her under the tree with the cat i hear that she say talk with the cats bully. But I didn’t know it was that bad. I mean… I’m also a special admission, but they don’t touch me.”
Alber raised an eyebrow. “That’s because Scarlet and Sisbell are always with you. And also—no one dares touch the Headmaster’s kid.”
He’s not wrong, Nox thought.
“By the way, Alber… thanks. Not for the coffee. For bringing Scarlet and coming to help.”
Alber flushed red and snapped, “Don’t say that! I only came because I saw you running. Sisbell dragged me to follow you!”
Nox smirked. “You two really look like a couple.”
Alber’s face turned crimson. “Hell no! Stop saying that!”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the garden—
Liora was quietly nibbling at a slice of cake, but she only stared at it.
Scarlet smiled. “This cake tastes good in the sunlight.”
Sisbell added, “And this tea is new. It smells amazing.”
They tried to cheer her up, but Liora only nodded slightly.
“Um… yes…”
Scarlet leaned closer. “If you stay like this, it worries us more.”
“I’m… I’m sorry,” Liora whispered. “Because of me… you all came. I… I didn’t want you to see that.”
Sisbell’s face hardened. “This isn’t your fault. They’re the ones who bullied you.”
Scarlet asked, “Liora… does this happen a lot in your class?”
Liora lowered her eyes and nodded.
Scarlet sighed and suddenly shoved a piece of cake into Liora’s mouth.
“Mmph—?!”
“You’re annoying me, you know. You promised to go somewhere with me.”
Liora chewed with puffed cheeks and shook her head desperately.
Sisbell burst into laughter. “That’s my Scarlet.”
Liora ended up laughing—and crying at the same time.
“Please stop… Lady Scarlet… my cheeks… my makeup’s ruined…” she pouted.
Sisbell laughed again. Scarlet rolled her eyes.
“So what? We’ll just bathe together after this. We’re friends now.”
Liora couldn’t hold it.
She laughed softly, wiping tears.
“Thank you… that was… scary…”
Scarlet and Sisbell exchanged looks—anger simmering.
How could anyone bully such a cute girl?
Liora sniffed. “I… caused trouble for Nox… and you all… I’m sorry…”
Scarlet tilted her head toward where Nox and Alber were arguing like children.
“I don’t think he’s that bothered,” she said flatly.
Liora peeked at them and whispered, “M-Maybe… but still…”
