Ethan walked with Violet and Sylvain toward the classroom. While they chatted lightly, his focus was elsewhere. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning for anything unusual. He knew the chances of someone trying to kidnap Violet in such a crowded, open environment were slim, but he couldn't shake the tension gripping him.

In his previous life, Ethan had been a Class C nobody, barely noticed by anyone. He hadn't known the details of how Violet had been kidnapped or who was involved. All he remembered was the date—it was supposed to happen today.

The lecture hall buzzed with the usual chatter of students settling in. Today's schedule was lighter than usual, with only half the normal number of lectures. The rest of the day was reserved for the resumed competition, including the much-anticipated fight featuring Kaelith, Ethan, Esdeath, Maruti, and Violet.

Ethan kept his head low but his mind sharp. "In my past life, by this time, monsters and even demons had already invaded the academy grounds," he thought, his brow furrowed. "The competition never fully resumed because of it. But now… something's changed."

The realization struck him. The monster waves hadn't come this time, and the academy remained safe for now. He let out a soft sigh of relief. "Fewer lives lost… that's something to be grateful for," he thought, momentarily easing the tension in his chest.

His gaze drifted toward the last bench in the middle row of the classroom. It was completely empty. Usually, Maruti, Kaelith, and Esdeath sat there together. Ethan couldn't help but frown.

"Maruti and Kaelith seem decent enough," he thought. "But Esdeath… she's different. She always gives me the chills. Why would they stick around someone like her?" He shook his head, deciding it wasn't worth overthinking.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the academy, a meeting was taking place in a dimly lit chamber. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive even, as if the room itself held its breath.

At one side of the long table sat figures of immense power and authority—Principal Elara, Vice Principal Lilith, Princess Ravenna, and several other nobles and royals. Their faces were solemn, their presence demanding.

On the opposite side, a far less intimidating group sat—Maruti, Esdeath, a few academy teachers, and a handful of second-year students. Despite their ordinary appearance, their expressions carried a quiet confidence, though Maruti fidgeted slightly, clearly uncomfortable under the weight of so many powerful gazes.

The dim light flickered, casting long shadows across the room. The stillness felt like the calm before a storm, as though a judgment was about to be passed.

The silence in the room was finally broken by a royal man seated at the far end of the table. His face was red with anger, and his voice carried a sharp edge.

"I would like to reconfirm the situation," he began, his tone heavy with frustration. "This brat Maruti used some unknown demonic method to defeat our princess. We must investigate this matter further and check historical records. Such a move must surely be illegal!"

It was evident from his words that he was still fuming over the competition. He had been one of the royal guests in attendance and clearly held a bias.

The meeting was focused on one thing—determining whether Maruti had cheated during the competition and deciding who should truly be declared the winner.

The air grew thick with tension until a cold, chilling voice shattered the stillness.

"From my perspective, it's actually the opposite," Esdeath said, her tone calm yet cutting. "Our dear princess was the one who cheated."

Her words hung in the air like a sharp blade, cutting through the room's tension.

The room fell into utter silence.

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"W-What absurd nonsense is this?!" the royal man stammered, his composure cracking.

Principal Elara, seated at the head of the table, glared at Esdeath with a gaze so sharp it could pierce through steel. His tone was cold as ice.

"Student Esdeath, do you even know the weight of your words? To falsely accuse a princess is a grave sin!"

But Esdeath didn't falter. If anything, her smirk grew more pronounced, a wicked edge curling at her lips.

"Hmph... Everyone saw it," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "The princess used some unknown method to knock Maruti unconscious in mere seconds. As someone with a Rank C essence stone myself, I can identify such things clearly."

She paused for effect, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.

"Of course, using a Rank C essence stone isn't illegal," she added, her smirk growing wider, "but we all know the princess isn't strong enough to wield one. That means someone must have helped her. And *that* is clearly cheating."

Her words sent a ripple through the room.

Esdeath's boldness held weight not just because of her confidence but because, as a noble herself, her words carried some authority. If she had been a commoner, her accusations might have been dismissed outright.

The royal man who had spoken earlier began to sweat. A single bead of perspiration ran down his forehead as he struggled to respond.

"What rubbish are you spouting?" another voice chimed in, this time from a noblewoman seated across the table. She lifted her chin arrogantly, her tone filled with scorn. "Do you have any proof to back up such outrageous claims?"

"Yeah!" another royal, a man clad in platinum-colored armor, added. His tone was threatening as he glared at Esdeath. "Don't think you can just walk away after throwing out such baseless accusations!"

The tension in the room thickened as Esdeath's smirk remained unwavering. But before she could respond, Maruti suddenly spoke up, her voice brimming with confidence.

"Proof? Of course, we have proof," Maruti said, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward Princess Ravenna.

The princess's expression darkened, but before Maruti could elaborate further, another voice broke through the heavy silence.

"I saw it too," said a mesmerizing yet commanding female voice, deep and unwavering.

All eyes turned toward the back of the room.

There, standing casually, was Kaelith, her silver hair catching the faint light in the room. Her gaze was sharp and piercing, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"I saw it clearly," Kaelith continued, her voice calm but firm. "Princess Ravenna used an unknown essence stone. It wasn't ordinary—it was in liquid form."

Gasps rippled through the room.

"Kaelith!" Lilith's voice roared as she shot up from her seat, slamming her palm onto the table. The loud thud echoed, adding to the already tense atmosphere.

Lilith's fiery gaze burned into her daughter. She was clearly furious that Kaelith had spoken against the princess, someone she was clearly allied with.

But Kaelith, as always, remained unfazed. She rolled her eyes dramatically, her nonchalant demeanor almost taunting her mother.

The turn of events was something no one had predicted—not even Maruti or Esdeath. Kaelith's sudden testimony against Princess Ravenna was shocking enough, but now an opportunity presented itself, one that could be used to their advantage.

Maruti's lips curled into a small, sly smile as she leaned back in her chair, her expression carefree yet calculating. "Of course, we have other proof as well," she said, her voice calm but laced with confidence.

The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes fixed on Maruti.

"What proof could she possibly have?" people whispered among themselves.

Maruti's gaze shifted to Princess Ravenna, and she spoke again, her tone dripping with mockery. "Just ask the princess whether she cheated or not. That's it. Let her answer."

Her statement sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

"Why would anyone admit to their crimes?" most people thought, their disbelief evident on their faces.

All eyes turned to Princess Ravenna, who sat rigid in her chair. Her face was pale, her lips trembling. There was no trace of the proud, graceful demeanor she usually carried. Instead, her expression was grim, her pink eyes clouded with fear and guilt.

But what came next shook everyone to their core.

"Y-Yes," Ravenna stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her head, unable to meet anyone's gaze. "I cheated…"

Her words, though quiet, thundered through the room.

Shock. Utter and complete shock.

The princess—the princess—had actually confessed to cheating?

Gasps erupted, followed by murmurs of disbelief.

"Princess, what are you saying?!" one of the royals shouted, rising from his seat. He pointed accusingly at Maruti and Esdeath. "Did those two threaten you? Tell us the truth!"

But the situation had already spiraled out of control.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Ravenna suddenly screamed, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands clenched into fists on the table as she glared at the royal who had spoken. "I've had enough of this! I don't want to lie anymore!"

Her voice cracked, and she choked back a sob. "I didn't want to lose! I was so afraid of losing that I chose to cheat. And now… now I can't lie to myself any longer!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening like dew as they fell onto the polished wooden table. Her sobs grew louder, shaking her slender shoulders. Despite her emotional breakdown, her beauty remained undeniable—her tear-streaked face was as captivating as ever, her pink cheeks flushed with emotion.

For the first time, Princess Ravenna wasn't hiding behind lies. She wasn't justifying her actions for the sake of the kingdom or her pride. This time, every word she spoke came straight from her heart.

"I don't want to deceive myself anymore," she whispered between sobs, her voice heavy with regret.

The room was silent, save for the sound of her crying. The royals and nobles were stunned, unsure of how to react.

In the midst of the chaos, Esdeath watched the scene unfold, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction. A faint smirk played on her lips, but she kept her expression composed, hiding the amusement bubbling inside her.

"Hehehe… this settles it," Esdeath thought to herself, her mind racing with triumph. "I knew this princess would make a perfect chess piece."

To everyone else, it seemed like Ravenna had broken down under the weight of her own guilt, confessing her wrongdoing out of genuine remorse.

But the reality was far more sinister.

This wasn't an act of redemption—it was manipulation.

Esdeath had orchestrated the entire situation from the very beginning.