Flick. Flick—!
“….”
Astrid sat quietly in her seat, feeling herself slightly losing interest in the play. It wasn’t particularly remarkable.
Forty minutes in, the play had mostly showcased Elise’s daily life with her adoptive noble family and her struggles to fit in at high school.
A full-blooded commoner, now a noble, it was easy to see why she kept pushing herself.
“….”
Astrid could easily see how self-deprecating Elise was.
It didn’t help that, in her three years of high school, her relationship with her adoptive younger brother, Siegmund, had only slightly improved.
Their interactions remained limited to casual exchanges.
Had he accepted her into the family?
——Why are you so mean to me, Siegmund?
Not at all.
The play itself wasn’t extraordinary. Astrid could see even the audience losing interest.
If it weren’t for the innovative special effects and Charlotte’s captivating performance, some would’ve risen from their seats by now.
——Should we just go?
——No, wait. His Highness, Franz is still here.
Oh, and also because her brother was still here.
——Because you’re so annoying!
Astrid flicked her attention back to the stage. Elise and Siegmund seemed to be quarreling.
——You…. because of you, Father and Mother have practically abandoned me!
Siegmund was lashing out at his adoptive older sister.
——Is that how you really feel?
——Yes! You’re suffocating! Why did you have to show up out of nowhere?! Is it because Father and Mother are disappointed in me?!
——….
Elise remained silent, her expression subdued.
A voice recording soon played in the background, narrating Elise’s internal monologue.
[Is this how Siegmund has always felt? That I was competition? That I was taking his future away from him?]
——Do you want to know why I’m here, Siegmund?
——No! I want you to go—
——It’s because your parents want everything for you.
——What…
Siegmund froze, rendered speechless by Elise’s sudden statement.
[I was merely adopted for Siegmund’s sake. Because the game of aristocracy is a game of snakes. That lesson was drilled into me the moment I began my etiquette lessons.]
——I was adopted for your sake, Siegmund.
——What are you….
——I am not here to rival your rights to the Aiselle Family. I was adopted to be your….
Elise paused, as if she was pondering on the proper words to say.
——….Your protector.
Protector.
[That seemed like the right word to use for now. I don’t know how he would react if he learned that I’m also expected to become his fiancée in the future.]
Since that confrontation with Siegmund, the boy had started avoiding Elise less. He was still strict, of course, but their relationship had improved significantly compared to before.
Progress was progress.
——Checkmate.
——What?! How are you so good at this, Elise?!
They had just concluded their third round of League of Spirits, with Siegmund losing every single time.
It was clear from his expressions and the subtle cues in the narrative that this still bothered him. Elise seemed to excel at everything he tried, and that lingering frustration hadn’t completely faded.
Though they still quarreled occasionally, it was never as intense as the heated argument they’d had in the past.
The second act continued to showcase key moments in Elise’s high school years.
Throughout the scenes, the audience couldn’t help but have certain thoughts.
‘Aren’t her parents kind of toxic?’
Such questions filled their thoughts.
While it was a common dynamic in noble households, some parents in the audience found themselves having hypocritical reactions, silently judging while recognizing similar pressures they placed on their own children.
[Finally, after all those sleepless nights, my hard work finally paid off.]
A prodigy in magic, she eventually graduated as valedictorian of her class.
——Congratulations, Elise.
Her adoptive parents greeted her with flowers at the graduation ceremony. Siegmund, now fourteen, avoided eye contact as he silently handed her a bouquet.
——Thank you.
——Yes, whatever. Congratulations.
Despite his tone, the gesture wasn’t lost on Elise.
Later, when they returned home, Siegmund retreated to his room while Elise was summoned by her adoptive parents.
[Yes. My hard work really did pay off.]
Her mother smiled at her.
——Being valedictorian is an impressive achievement, Elise. This will be recorded in the Aiselle Family’s history.
Elise’s heart swelled with pride for a moment.
——However….
But then came the inevitable follow-up.
——That salutatorian from the Vanchesse Family—I heard he was only two grades behind you.
[..,.My hard work.]
——Had you been unlucky, you could’ve been second. And second place, Elise, means you lost.
Elise lowered her gaze, feeling her efforts disregarded.
——I’m sorry. I promise to do better.
——We’re investing everything into you. We’ve clothed you, provided for you, and given you opportunities most people could only dream of. I expect you to aim even higher in university.
Those words from her father pressed down on Elise like a heavy weight.
——….Yes, Father.
[They weren’t wrong…. But still….]
Flick—!
The lights dimmed gradually. The audience could feel every ounce of emotion reflected in Elise’s face as she later sat in the library, slumped over a desk, forcing herself to study.
[I’ve never voiced it out. I’ve always been the good daughter… No, in the first place, it’s my mistake to think I ever was their daughter.]
Drip. Drip…!
Tears streamed down Elise’s face, falling onto her notebook.
The formulas she had just written down were far beyond high school level.
——Seriously? Studying even after graduation…. You should take a—
Elise froze at the sudden voice.
——….
From the entrance to the library, Siegmund stood, watching her.
Momentarily frozen, he saw something he had never expected.
His prodigious adoptive sister, the girl who always seemed untouchable, looking vulnerable and broken for the first time.
The audience felt a mixture of empathy and frustration.
They were ready to chastise Siegmund for his insensitivity toward Elise throughout her entire time at the estate when suddenly, a monologue began to play.
This time, it wasn’t Elise’s voice.
[That’s when I realized…. The reason I couldn’t accept her. The reason why, despite all her efforts to get along with me, I couldn’t acknowledge her.]
It was Siegmund.
[Because I was slowly falling for her.]
Thirteen-year-old Siegmund, nearing his fourteenth birthday, recognized the truth of his feelings.
The infatuation had seeped in quietly, though he forced himself to mask it as he couldn’t acknowledge such feelings in the first place.
The older girl, who didn’t share a drop of blood with him.
The older girl, who had always tried reaching out to him, offering to help with his studies, to teach him, to understand him, had unknowingly captured his heart.
Ever since that day, Siegmund had been noticeably kinder to Elise.
Flick. Flick—!
Once more, the scene shifted. The monologue returned to Elise’s voice.
[Despite it being summer break, I spent the entire vacation holed up in the library, studying lecture materials in advance.]
The stage showed Elise’s room, scattered with crumpled notes and papers.
[I didn’t neglect my other lessons either. Etiquette, private tutoring, eloquence. I even used my own money to attend a community tutor center.]
Flick. Flick—!
The scenery shifted again as the monologue continued.
[I didn’t want to disappoint them. Maybe it was foolish. Maybe I was overworking myself. But…. family. They’re all I have. At least, the closest thing I have to the concept of family. Even if I wasn’t their real daughter…. even if they treated me like…. a tool.]
If the audience had lost interest earlier, they were fully engaged now. Interested by this new perspective.
‘Perhaps.… is this how our children feel too?’
Naturally, the question arose. Was the play meant to convey this kind of message to them?
[Eventually, despite everything, I managed to pass the ESAT Examination, placing second overall.]
And then, inevitably….
——Second, huh? At least you get the chance to enroll in Silver Tower University. Good job, Elise.
But their tone betrayed their words. They were anything but pleased.
[No matter what I achieved, they would never be satisfied. I had learned to be numb to it. What hurt more was the realization that, despite my efforts, I couldn’t excel the way I used to. There really were monsters in this world. I was just a fish in a small pond.]
The scene shifted once more.
[Nevertheless, my first year as a university student began. Maybe…. just maybe, things will change here.]
Flick. Flick—!
The lights flicked off.
End of Act Two.
* * *
The Third Act began after a short break. The Drama Club had been fully aware of the slow buildup in the earlier acts, but it served the foundation for the audience to sympathize with Elise.
Now?
They had the audience’s full attention.
The play resonated with everyone. Parents, students, even alumni—who had experienced the struggle of academic pressure during their time in school.
Astrid, seated quietly, watched with interest. Just as she became absorbed in the scene, a voice spoke from beside her.
“Astrid, what do you think of the play so far?”
It was Franz, her brother.
“Did you feel that sort of pressure from our family as well?” he asked.
Astrid blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She hesitated, then replied slowly.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the same… but I suppose there were moments,” she admitted. “It was more like… I put the pressure on myself, rather than you, Sister, or Father.”
Franz leaned back, nodding. “Self-imposed expectations, then. I suppose that’s something we’ve all dealt with in our own ways.”
Astrid gave a small nod. “Yes. I wanted to meet the standard that everyone seemed to expect without being told. It wasn’t easy, but it felt necessary.”
Her reasoning was simple.
She wanted to fulfill the promise she had made to her late mother.
Perhaps that promise had become a curse. A curse that constantly urged her never to settle for less.
After the brief conversation, Astrid’s eyes shifted to Professor Vanitas. Despite his sister being the star of the play, his expression remained oddly lukewarm.
“….”
At that moment, Astrid reconsidered her earlier thoughts. It was the first time she had seen Professor Vanitas show such a strong reaction ever since meeting him.
A grin spread across his face as he leaned forward slightly, clearly amused by the scene unfolding on stage.
Curious, Astrid shifted her attention to the performance.
[This professor…. He seems really scary….]
“Ah?”
Astrid’s gaze alternated between Vanitas and the stage.
He was still grinning like a caveman witnessing fire for the first time. On stage, a new character emerged.
——I am Professor Valen.
It was Professor Valen, portrayed by her classmate, Silas Ainsley. His appearance wasn’t surprising. Astrid already knew he was the writer of the play.
What she didn’t expect, however, was the role he played.
For some reason, the character he played bore an uncanny resemblance to Vanitas.
Astrid blinked, glancing back at him.
“….P-Professor?”
Vanitas turned to her. “Yes?”
“….”
Astrid found herself at a loss for words. His current expression completely took her breath away.
But just as quickly as the moment came, his expression softened. Vanitas reached out and gently placed a hand on her forehead, causing Astrid to instinctively shut her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, checking her temperature. “Do you have a fever?”
“….”
* * *
[On the very first day, I’ve already been scolded. What the heck?]
“Pfft.”
“Hahaha~!”
Laughter erupted from the audience. It seemed many of them could relate to the experience.
Meanwhile, Elise was still bewildered. She had never encountered anything like this before. All she had done was follow the task given by Professor Valen.
——Like I said, no modifications. You will follow the formula as it is.
On his first day, Professor Valen had already made a terrible impression. His strict, no-nonsense demeanor put the entire class on edge.
Later, he casually propped his boot on the table, silently waiting for time to pass. Finally, when the clock hit zero, he stood and made his announcement.
——Time’s up. Submit your papers in under ten seconds. Late submissions will not be accepted. No magic. Submit it yourself.
——What?!
The students panicked, scrambling toward the podium to hand in their papers as quickly as possible.
——Three. Two. One.
——Ah!
Elise, shoved in the rush, tripped and fell as her paper slipped from her grasp. Professor Valen glanced down at her briefly, then took the stack of papers and turned to leave.
——Professor, here’s—
——Late papers will not be accepted.
With those words, he walked away, leaving Elise behind with her unsubmitted paper.
——….
[For the first time in my life, I’ve never wanted to kill someone so badly. What’s wrong with this professor?!]
The audience burst into laughter again.
“Haha!”
“I totally get it!”
It was clear the scene resonated with many in the crowd.
[Day by day, I think I’m in the Professor’s target list.]
——Stand up, Elise.
——Your answer is correct. But that’s all it ever is. Correct by the textbook. No creativity. No originality. If you always stick to the book, you’ll never surpass expectations.
Elise clenched her fists at his words. The room was dead silent. Even her classmates, who had also experienced Valen’s harsh teaching style, watched nervously.
[What does he want from me? I’m following the rules exactly as he said!]
“Exactly!”
“What’s wrong with that Professor?!”
“What he said doesn’t even make sense!”
Mixed reactions erupted from the audience. When one of the staff prompted them to hush, the audience fell silent again as they watched intently.
——You want to succeed here? Then stop thinking like a student afraid of mistakes. You’ll never grow otherwise.
The professor’s words struck a nerve, leaving Elise both frustrated and confused. He turned and dismissed her with a simple hand gesture.
——Sit down. Next time, give me something worth evaluating.
The scene continued with Elise lowering herself into her seat.
[He’s the most infuriating person I’ve ever met…. but for some reason, his words keep replaying in my head.]
An honor student like Elise, who had always been praised and admired by her teachers, found herself scolded for the first time by someone outside her family.
Professor Valen was different….
He was someone who didn’t hold back and harshly criticize others, even to the point of bringing students to tears, unable to retaliate.
For the first time, Elise couldn’t help but wonder…
[Is this the kind of education I need?]
She had always been praised, yet she never managed to rise beyond a certain point.
To her, it didn’t make sense. But perhaps this professor saw things from a perspective she couldn’t.
A kind of criticism that could open her eyes, and push her to finally reach the top.
Flick. Flick——!
Over time, Elise experienced the full spectrum of success and failure. She excelled, stumbled, and even broke down in tears.
——What happened to you, Elise?
Her adoptive parents were at a loss. They could hardly believe it.
Elise’s grades, while still respectable, had declined significantly compared to her flawless high school performance.
It wasn’t a complete failure, but to them, it was disappointing nonetheless.
——I’m sorry…. I’ll do better.
——I’ll do better…. I’ll do better…. You’re starting to sound like a broken record. Better won’t cut it anymore.
Elise felt those words cut deep in her chest. She knew their expectations of her were already waning.
By her second year, the university allowed students to apply as assistants to professors. It was an opportunity to build experience and strengthen their résumés.
One afternoon, Elise made her decision.
——Professor.
——Not now, Elise—
——I want to apply as your student assistant.
——Huh?
Flick. Flick—!
The play reached the one-hour and twenty-minute mark, signaling the end of the Third Act.
…..
In one of the seats, a man stood briefly before sitting again. His interest in the play was almost nonexistent. He wasn’t here for entertainment. Nor was he here to support Charlotte.
He had come for one reason.
To observe the Imperial Prince, Franz Barielle Aetherion—a man who was usually out of reach.
But now, here he was, watching the play, seated beside the only professor the man respected.
The sight of him infuriated him deep within. He was certain this was the man responsible for his parents’ deaths.
The man had already dealt with one lead. The first thread—a man named Wesley Han, someone he had seen at the scene of the tragedy during his childhood.
Wesley was gone now, killed by his own hands.
Killed by his ability that awakened that day.
But this festival….
This festival was a divine opportunity. Franz was here. He was within reach. As if fate itself had handed him a shortcut to his revenge.
He could kill him.
“….”
But not yet.
For now, he waited, observing the vicinity as he pretended to focus on the play.