Bab 16: [Chapter 16] Bad Girl
The children's gazes turned to Neris, and she smiled slightly.
"Of course, I was wondering when to mention it anyway."
"Lucky for us."
Megara looked relieved.
Diane narrowed her eyes, finding it ridiculous. It was clear that Megara's intention was not to clear up any misunderstanding.
Neris had indeed left her seat during the basic magic class, but she said she had gone to the bathroom.
Why would anyone pay attention to what Neris was doing when everyone was busy with the practical lesson?
Graham looked at Neris calmly. From Graham's perspective, it was true that Angrad, who had already caused trouble with theft, was more suspicious than Neris, who always acted like an adult.
Moreover, if Neris was the culprit, she wouldn't be so calm when accused.
However, Graham couldn't ignore the possibility. The missing item was extremely valuable, and if necessary, she might have to inspect everyone's belongings.
Graham looked at Angrad first. Angrad, who had been staring at Neris with a wet face, blinked when her eyes met Graham's. Her expression was genuinely indignant.
Considering the two girls' social status, it was clear who should be questioned first. Graham spoke gently to Neris.
"Bring all your belongings here, Neris. Everyone else, please close your eyes."
Neris did as she was told. Graham was impressed by how efficiently Neris carried her practical uniform and bag, despite being smaller and thinner than her peers.
This child had exceptional magical talent, application skills, and theoretical understanding. She was even better than some of the graduating students.
If she faced difficulties entering the social circle due to her humble background, it would be great to have her as a teacher at the school, some teachers would say.
"Here, Graham."
Graham checked all of Neris's belongings. There was nothing in her bag except for textbooks and stationery for advanced classes.
Since Graham had seen Neris empty her desk drawer, she didn't suspect anything and smiled.
"Okay, you can go back to your seat."
"Yes, Graham."
Neris gathered her things and returned to her seat. Graham called out to Angrad in a noticeably heavier tone.
"Angrad, bring all your belongings here. Everyone else, keep your eyes closed."
Even with their eyes closed, the children could sense the situation through the sounds. The atmosphere became tense.
Megara's lips trembled slightly, but no one noticed. The other children had their eyes closed, and those who were looking didn't pay attention to her.
Angrad tried to come forward with only her bag. Graham spoke in a voice that was not too scary for the child, being careful not to intimidate her.
"Everything. Bring everything, including what's in your desk drawer."
Angrad's round eyes were wet with tears and kept sparkling. She came forward listlessly, holding out her belongings, and muttered.
"I... I didn't do it."
It was not an impossible story, but the possibility was low.
Once the class bell rang, students without a teacher's pass could not roam the corridors. The reason this system was maintained was that the school's supervisors patrolled each building to catch students without a pass. So, it was unlikely that the thief was a student from another class.
Could it be a servant? School employees or servants hired by students had more freedom of movement and could certainly roam the corridors, but how would they dispose of a large emerald?
During practical lessons, everyone was told to take off their accessories, so if they wanted to steal something, it would be better to take something like a simple gold ring or a silver button, which would be easier to sell and less likely to be detected.
Moreover, if they wanted to make a lot of money, how would they know which drawer the treasure was in?
"Yes, the teacher believes Angrad. Whatever happened, it was just a mistake, so don't worry."
"No, I... I really didn't do it."
Angrad started sniffling again. Graham inspected Angrad's belongings, which were more miscellaneous than Neris's.
Most of the items were cute and showed that the Nain baron was not very wealthy, but he had spent money on his only daughter, who was far away.
Among those items, a bright golden light flashed near the bottom of the bag.
Graham sighed as she pulled out the emerald bracelet from Angrad's bag, just as Lianon had described. Angrad's eyes widened like a lantern.
"Oh, no, I really didn't steal it, teacher! Why is it in my bag? I didn't do it!"
To the children, who had perked up their ears, her words were like a confession.
Before Graham even gave the order, Lianon's eyes snapped open, and she gritted her teeth. Graham sighed again.
Who else could it be? It was unlikely that Neris had stolen it and put it in Angrad's bag.
"For now... let's return this to Lianon, and Angrad, you'll stay behind after the next class."
The children had already opened their eyes. Angrad froze in place, receiving cold and piercing gazes.
Neris narrowed her eyes as she looked at Angrad's expression.
***
The long, narrow staircase led to a room bathed in the quiet glow of sunset. This small space, with only a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, was the only place where Neris could freely express her sorrow. She used to have a secret place, but now it seemed like she couldn't go there anymore.
Neris put down her bag full of books and sat on the bed, hugging her knees. The silence comforted her trembling shoulders.
Ren was right. Neris was really lucky today. If she hadn't deliberately checked the classroom today, it would have been the end.
When she put Lianon's bracelet in Angrad's bag, Neris Truede, who had died once and come back to life, crossed a line.
A line of determination to take revenge, no matter the danger or the evil.
"Bad girl."
Neris said something, but it was unclear who she was talking to. The words were directed at many people: Angrad Nain, Megara Lycanthros, Lianon Berta... and most of all, herself, Neris Truede.
***
In the northeast of Katena, there was a large lake.
In the spring when flowers bloomed, in the summer when it was hot, in the autumn when the leaves changed color, and in the winter when the water froze, students would visit the lake to participate in activities suitable for each season.
The lake was famous for its clear water and beautiful scenery, and even after graduation, it remained a place of pride for students. When the weather was good, teachers would often take the initiative to hold outdoor classes with students.
Today was one of those days.
The students who attended etiquette class by the lake had rosy cheeks like flower petals and wore woolen coats. Brave boys had already picked flowers and given them to the girls they liked.
"This flower looks like your eyes."
As usual, Megara already had more than three flowers in her hand.
The boy who picked the flowers for Megara had tried hard to find one that matched the color of her eyes, but when the environment didn't cooperate, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Megara accepted the flower, which was roughly purple, and smiled with her beautiful eyes.
"Thank you, Albert. Are my eyes really this pretty?"
"Y-yes!"
When Megara accepted the flower, Albert Lisham beamed with joy and stuttered.
"Actually, your eyes are even prettier. You're really... really..."
The children watching them couldn't help but smile mischievously at Albert's passionate tone.
Megara was popular among both boys and girls, and perhaps that's why no one showed any signs of jealousy. Albert was cautious and kind, and several girls already had a good impression of him.
Iadalia, who was standing next to Megara, smiled peacefully.
As they were both daughters of the same marquis family, they often spent time together, and in Iadalia's opinion, Megara had a stubborn and selfish side, but her good qualities far outweighed her flaws.
With her doll-like face and happy smile, Megara seemed to brighten up the surroundings, and she also had many relatives in the upper-class social circle. Megara would be someone great in the future, maybe even marry a duke's son.
Iadalia's face suddenly darkened slightly.
She wasn't interested in whether or not the silly boys in her class liked Megara. Those boys weren't a match for either Megara or Iadalia anyway. The high nobility only associated with each other.
However, people who were a match for Megara would naturally like her, and that was the problem.
The Maindlandt Grand Duke family was at the forefront of the Vistian Empire's high nobility, but in reality, people preferred the Elantria Duke family. The Maindlandts were too distant and kept to themselves, and they weren't descendants of the three heroes.
So, excluding the somewhat intimidating Crown Prince Abellus, the most eligible and handsome noble of suitable age for Megara would be Nellucian Elantria.
Iadalia was afraid that Nellucian might like Megara.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone