Schwi Heiron had always been an ambitious person. From the earliest days of her childhood, she had harbored high expectations of herself, and those around her had equally high expectations for her future.


    Her remarkable talent and keen intellect set her apart from her peers, and she consistently pursued excellence in all her endeavors.


    The des she received from her father served as her ever-present driving force. Schwi''s life was marked by perfection, not by the ident of fate but by the sheer willpower she possessed.


    She was the embodiment of relentless dedication, working diligently to maintain her status and reputation.


    Schwi had apromising attitude that made her willing to join forces with anyone or anything that could help her achieve her goals.


    She was a pragmatic and realistic person who would choose the necessary evil if it brought her closer to sess.


    Understanding the pros and cons of any situation was Schwi''s forte, and this ability often tilted the scales in her favor, ensuring she got the best oue from any given situation.


    Despite never truly needing to prove herself, Schwi had an unshakable desire to be the very best. She yearned to show her father that she was his most valuable and wless asset.


    It was a drive rooted in her childhood, a time when she felt the weight of her father''s high expectations. From a young age, she believed that to earn his approval and admiration, she had to be unrivaled in every way.


    This relentless pursuit of perfection wasn''t just a quest for personal greatness; it was a daughter''s endeavor to fulfill the dreams her father had envisioned for her.


    Her efforts were a testament to the unspoken promise she had made to herself and to him—to be exceptional, to be extraordinary, to be the best, before her time ends.


    And the best she became so much so that it became her end.


    Tragically, Schwi''s life came to a premature end during her term as student council president


    …..


    "I have a proposal for you, Adrian. Would you be interested in working with me on a project?"


    I raised an eyebrow, curious about what she had in mind. "Project?"


    Schwi''s smile widened, and she seemed genuinely eager about the idea. "Fufu, it''s a rather simple one but also a rather ambitious one" she said. "Have you heard that the great sage Haiter is visiting the academy soon? They say he''s here for the Staff of Estelle, he''s probably here to buy it"


    The Staff of Estelle is a magical artifact so precious that the academy considers it its number 1 treasure. It was the very staff used by the arch mage Estelle herself when she first founded the academy. It serves as one of the school''s seven relics, as well as its pride and joy


    "No, I hadn''t heard about that."


    Schwi chuckled softly. "I guess so, it''s hidden news, after all."


    This girl was revealing information that wasn''t avable to the public, but as someone who had read the novels, I already had some knowledge of the situation.


    "It''s such a precious treasure for the academy, and yet they''re going to sell it to a random sage? Tell me, Adrian, why do you think they''re doing something like that?" Schwi inquired with a charming smile.


    "They have no money?" I responded, my answer stemming from the most logical assumption.


    p! p! p!


    Schwi gave a triumphant p and said, "Yes, exactly. But you''re only half right. You see, in the near future, the Heiron family is nning on building a newmercial district near the northwestern side of the academy."


    Her exnation shed light on the broader context of the situation. "But it is not without its opposition. Even if the Heiron family has a significant say in academy matters, when the project was proposed at the school, the principal and other school heads, as well as faculty members, were quick to oppose the idea. The northwestern location is where the school''s training forest and slums are located Afterall"


    Schwi borated further on the power dynamics between the Heiron family and the academy. The academy, despite its reluctance to allow the Heiron family to interfere with its internal affairs, found itself in a challenging situation.


    The financial support provided by the Heiron family, coupled with their influential merchant operations, yed a crucial role in maintaining the academy''s financial stability. The academy had be increasingly reliant on their resources, making it difficult to oppose their ambitious projects.


    The Heiron family''s economic contributions were a lifeline for the academy, and they knew it. Thus, even though the academy''s staff and faculty might resist their influence, they ultimately had to tread carefully to avoid jeopardizing the financial support that kept the institution afloat.


    This was a delicate bnce that allowed the Heiron family to gain a considerable say in academy matters, despite the opposition of some of its members.


    "Right now, we are at a standstill between those who support the Heiron family and those who side with the school. Once the sage takes ownership of the staff, that standstill will be broken"


    "Once the sage gains ownership of the staff, his power over the academy will also heighten. The principal is probably going to try and sway him onto her side once he''s done with the purchase. I mean, she deliberately tried to hid the Sage''s arrival in the academy. It was a good effort, but it seems she can''t control her subordinates well enough because all it took was a few gold coins to make them talk." She chuckled softly.


    "So, you believe that by obtaining the Staff of Estelle, the Heiron family will gain the leverage needed to move forward with theirmercial district project, effectively silencing any opposition?" I asked, summarizing the intricate web of politics and power dynamics she hadid out.


    "Yes"


    In the novels, Schwi had also asked Tristan as well as the other main casts to help out with the Heiron project, but her request was quickly rejected by Tristan and the others once they heard the project''s location. After all, once the construction started, the poor people of the slums would have nowhere else to go, unless, of course, the Heiron duchy provided for their relocation.


    Tristan as he is, had been genuinely concerned about the fate of the discement of these individuals and had even asked Schwi what they would do to all the people who would lose their homes.


    "People? Don''t tell me you actually believe those useless slum rats are actual people, do you?" Her voice had remained chillingly nonchnt even though she spoke of such a dark thing. This disagreement ultimately led to the strained rtionship between Schwi and Tristan.


    Schwi needed Tristan''s strength and influence over the student body as the top student of his department to support her cause, so what exactly is her reasoning for calling me out instead of him?


    "Why do you need me exactly?" I inquired, trying to understand her motives.


    Schwi smiled in response. "Simply because you''re a Tellus."


    "So, you need another Ducal family to support your project that will bring about change in the academy?" I asked for rification.


    "Mm hmm" she confirmed.


    "You could''ve just asked my older sister, you know? My standing in my family isn''t really that significant," I pointed out.


    Schwi chuckled. "Haha, do you think your so-great older sister would even bother talking to me? Even though we''re both princesses from ducal families, the difference in status between the ''Flowers of the Empire'' and an ordinary business woman like me is like heaven and earth"


    "Your brother and little sister are just useless in my opinion" The honesty in her words was both surprising and refreshing, and it made me chuckle.


    "Wow, you''re really not mincing your words, are you? Well, I''m not really mad because I also think the same"


    "Besides, even though you say you''re not that significant in the family, I''m pretty sure your older sister doesn''t think of you that way. After all, she''s quite obsessed with you, am I wrong?" Schwi said with a knowing smile.


    It was evident that she had gathered information about me and my sister, including Lilliana''s obsession with me.


    "Once everything is done, I can guarantee you..." Schwi began, but before she could continue, Adrian interjected with a yful exhtion and some unusualments.


    "Woo," I breathed out, seemingly amused.


    "So, everything is exactly the same as in the novels, huh? haah, I was afraid things would be slightly different because you called for me instead of Tristan, and quite early as well, haha."


    Schwi looked at him curiously, trying to understand his words. "Excuse me?" she asked.


    With a carefree smile, Adrian dismissed his earlierments, "Oh, it''s nothing. Alright, I ept," he said as he extended his right hand for a handshake.


    "Okay?" Schwi responded, still perplexed by Adrian''s strange reaction. Nevertheless, she reached out to shake his hand


    [Authority: Touch of the Crying Doll: {Activated}]


    Schwi''s eyes turned dark..


    ...


    "#######"


    "I didn''t take too long, I just wanted to confirm something first"


    "##@!@###!"


    "Yeah, yeah"


    I looked at the dazed Schwi, her beautiful blue eyes were now shrouded within darkness.


    "Now then how should I make use of you?"


    "????"


    Suddenly, I sensed the presence of something – a mana wave that was trying to get in contact with me. I extended my senses to perceive it better.


    While mana waves typically dispersed in all directions, this particr mana wave was directed towards me intentionally, as if someone were trying to send me a signal.


    Upon closer analysis, the mana wave felt strangely familiar. I recognized it as simr to the mana signature that permeated the grounds of Kaksan Forest.


    ...


    "Hey Meralda wake up"


    I shook Meralda awake, her cheeks feeling soft against my fingers as I tried to rouse her from her slumber. She had been sleeping on my bed, even though the sun was high in the sky.


    "....Eugnyaaekk!!" Her drowsy mumbling turned into a strange, unintelligible word as she slowly woke up.


    "Master...?" she mumbled; her voice heavy with sleep. After her encounter with my sister, her soul had been slightly broken, so I''d allowed her to rest and even sleep on my bed. However, it was clear she was taking advantage of her already healed body to bezy.


    I insisted, "Wake up, Meralda. We''re going somewhere."


    Her eyes shot open, and all traces of drowsiness vanished. She looked serious and alert as she sat up.


    "Where?" she asked.


    "To Kaksan Forest," I replied.


    Meralda''s eyes immediately widened, and her gaze intensified, banishing any remnants of drowsiness that had clouded her vision. Her focus sharpened, as she sat up with a newfound alertness.