In the morning, Takumi met Sophia in the hallway of the academy. With a warm smile, he greeted her. "Morning, Sophia."

Sophia smiled back, but something was different. Her gaze was uncharacteristic, and there was a clear sense of awkwardness. "Morning," she replied briefly before continuing on her way.

Takumi stood transfixed. "What's wrong with her? Did I do something last night?" he wondered. "Maybe that head rub made her uncomfortable?"

Sophia walked away, leaving Takumi in confusion. He decided to think about it later, hoping the situation would improve.

Break Time

In the dining room, Takumi joined his friends as usual. However, before he could sit down, Sophia suddenly stood up.

"I have something to do," she said before leaving without waiting for a response.

Elena stared at her departure in confusion. "What the hell was that? It's not like usual."

Takumi sighed. "Maybe she didn't like me petting her head?"

Elena immediately seized the opportunity to mock. "Ale? You petted her head? How dare you, Takumi~ Haha!"

Edric, who was usually calmer, thought for a moment. "Maybe she's just embarrassed. That's all. Don't think about it too much."

Takumi tried to accept that explanation. "It's probably true. I'll talk to her later."

Elsewhere, Sophia was walking down the corridor with some books. Clara, who happened to be passing by, noticed Sophia's glum expression.

"What's wrong? You don't look like your usual self," Clara asked as she walked beside her.

Sophia hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "... I saw Takumi petting saint Ellizabeth's head in the garden. I don't know what they were talking about."

Clara was surprised. "Takumi? This is strange. Doesn't he like you?"

Sophia nodded slowly, but her expression was still full of confusion. "I don't know. But it feels... uncomfortable to see that."

Clara tried to calm her friend down. "Maybe it was just a normal stroking. You know, Takumi wouldn't hurt your feelings."

Sophia let out a long breath, trying to think positively. Clara added, "Why don't you meet him and ask him directly? It's better than guessing."

Sophia thought about the suggestion and finally nodded. "You're right. I should talk to him."

Meanwhile, Takumi sat by the classroom window, looking at the sky blankly. Edric, who was actually Elliz in mimicry, approached him.

"You don't usually daydream like this," Edric said in a casual tone.

Takumi sighed. "I'm just confused. Sophia has been looking strange lately. I want to make her feel better, but I don't know how."

Edric smiled slyly, though his face looked calm. "Flirt with her? Show her how much you love her. It's simple, isn't it?"

Takumi is silent for a moment, thinking about the suggestion. "Maybe that could work."

Edric patted him on the shoulder. "Trust me, girls love attention. You just need a little courage."

Takumi nodded, feeling a little more confident. "I should try something. I don't want our relationship to become more awkward."

Behind Edric's smile, Elliz hid her true intentions. "Let's see, Hero, how far you'll go in my game."

After talking with Edric, Takumi gets the urge to meet Sophia. "She's probably in the library, studying as usual," Edric said as he about to leave. "Good luck."

Takumi found it helpful, even though he knew flirting wasn't his forte. "What should I say?" he thinks. After pondering for a while, he decides to go for it.

In the corridor

Elliz, who was leisurely walking in the corridor, saw Sophia heading towards the library. Jackpot, she thought with a sly smile.

Elliz quickened her pace and greeted Sophia in a soft voice, "Ara~ what are you doing here, Sophia?"

Sophia was startled, almost dropping her book. "Saint Ellizabeth?!"

Elliz chuckled. "Relax, just call me Elliz. Didn't I tell you?"

Sophia nodded nervously. "W-what's wrong, Elliz? Why are you suddenly meeting me?"

"Hmm, I was just curious. You look brooding. Is something bothering you?" Ask Elliz

Sophia bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before finally saying, "I... I was just thinking about Takumi. Last night I saw him petting your head..."

Elliz tilted her head, pretending to be confused. "Petting my head? Oh, that." She smiled softly. "We just happened to meet, and I was confiding in him about how hard it is to be a saint. Takumi's a good person, you know? You're very lucky to have him."

Sophia was startled and her face turned red. "Eh? Lucky? So... your relationship with Takumi is just...?"

Elliz smiled more gently, but with a teasing tone. "Ara~ you think I'm going to take your husband? Of course not, Sophia. I don't even have time to look for a partner. After all, I'm only 12 years old."

Sophia finally felt relieved, although her face was getting redder and redder. "I understand... but about that pat..."

"Oh, that?" Elliz pretended to remember. "Maybe it was just a reflex? I didn't expect her to do that either. Like I said, we just happened to meet, and she asked me something, so I just vented."

Sophia nodded, beginning to understand the situation. "So it was just a misunderstanding."

Elliz added in a joking tone, "Maybe I can make or find a relic to make Takumi love you even more~."

Sophia grew even more embarrassed, her face turning red like a tomato. "E-eh?!"

Elliz laughed softly. "Huhu~ you're really adorable when you're embarrassed like this."

Sophia looked down, trying to hide her flushed face, while Elliz enjoyed the moment with a triumphant smile, wondering how their relationship would develop.

Takumi walked towards the library with the intention of resolving the misunderstanding with Sophia. However, he stopped when he saw something that made his blood boil.

Before his eyes, Sophia appeared to be talking to a man. "Who is he?" thought Takumi, his heart starting to burn.

Elliz, who noticed Takumi's arrival, grinned inwardly. "Time to play~" With perfect acting, she approached and suddenly hugged Sophia.

Sophia was startled. "Eh? Elliz, w-what's going on?"

However, in Takumi's eyes affected by the illusion of mimicry, it looked like Sophia was hugging another man. Takumi gritted his teeth and approached with heavy steps.

Elliz, with her perfect acting as Sophia, greeted in a cheerful tone, "Oh, Takumi, what's wrong?"

Takumi immediately gave her a sharp look. "Since when have you two been together?"

Sophia, who was under an illusion and appeared as another man in Takumi's eyes, was confused. "What do you mean, Takumi?"

Elliz tilted her head, pretending not to understand. "Eh? What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Takumi said in a disappointed and angry tone. "I thought our relationship was special!"

Sophia, who was still confused by this situation, tried to approach to explain. "Takumi, what are you talking about?"

However, Takumi, burning with jealousy, pushed Sophia away. "Get off!"

Sophia fell to the floor, staring at Takumi with eyes full of confusion and pain. "Why did he push me?"

Takumi, who was still seeing the illusion of Elliz as Sophia, looked back. However, the illusion began to fade, and he saw Elliz standing where Sophia had been. His eyes widened.

Then, she looked at the man nearby who turned out to be Sophia. "What exactly happened?"

Elliz continued her acting with a worried tone. "Sophia! Are you okay?" She approached Sophia, pretending to check on her.

Sophia, who felt confused and hurt, just stared at Takumi with a blank expression. "Why is he doing this?"

Takumi fell silent, guilt starting to hit him. However, before he could say anything, Elliz looked at him with a gentle smile, as if to say, "Look what you've done."

Takumi looked at Sophia who was still sitting on the floor with a regretful expression. He tried to get closer, reaching out a hand to help her up. However, Sophia firmly dismissed his hand.

"I don't need your help," she said in a low but firm voice.

Takumi fell silent, feeling devastated by that reaction. Sophia stood up shakily, then looked at Elliz. "Please excuse me, Saint Ellizabeth."

Elliz, with a gentle but meaningful smile, nodded. "Of course, Sophia. Get some rest."

Sophia walked away without turning around, leaving Takumi standing stiffly in place.

When Sophia disappeared from sight, Elliz looked at Takumi with a cynical expression. "Ara~ look who's having a domestic conflict? You're really making things interesting~."

Takumi looked at Elliz angrily. "What have you done?"

Elliz just shrugged with a sweet smile. "Well, I don't know. You made this mess yourself, didn't you?" she said in a joking tone.

Takumi's anger was rising, but the whispers from the surrounding students kept him from acting further.

"What the hell did he do to a girl?"

"I thought he was a nice guy, turns out he's an asshole."

"What a disappointment."

The comments stabbed Takumi like daggers, making him feel even more cornered. Frustrated, he decided to leave and catch up with Sophia, hoping to explain everything.

Elliz just smiled contentedly as she watched him leave. "Good luck, hero~" she muttered in a mocking tone.

Takumi opened the classroom door, hoping to talk to her. However, he was surprised to see Victor, Edric, Elena, and Clara gathered there, trying to comfort Sophia who looked devastated.

All four turned to Takumi with cold, disappointed expressions.

"Takumi..." Elena said in a sharp tone. "Get out of here! You damnit!"

Takumi tried to explain, "Elena, wait. This is all a misunderstanding. I didn't-"

Edric cut him off with a cold voice. "Misunderstanding? That excuse is too trite. You pushed Sophia in front of a lot of people. Do you think that's something that can just be forgiven?"

Takumi looked at Sophia, hoping for some understanding in her eyes. However, Sophia just looked down, not wanting to look at him.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Seeing the situation getting worse, Takumi felt he had no choice but to leave. He turned around with a heavy heart, leaving the room.

Behind him, the sound of whispering continued to be heard. Takumi's relationship with Sophia and his friends was now severed.

That night in his dorm, Takumi wondered what had happened, "Was I under an illusion? But since when?" He wondered if the necklace that Elliz gave him was a trap.

He immediately pulled the necklace and smashed it, he was so upset that he didn't expect Elliz to play cunningly, "she wants to play? Then lets play..." he said with annoyance

The next morning Takumi walked in the corridor and met Sophia, but Sophia turned her face and continued walking, Takumi could only see that and continued to leave to find Elliz

Meanwhile Elliz saw Clara in the backyard who was immersed in her magic book, she smiled sarcastically maybe she could use Clara for a weapon.

Elliz approached and greeted gently asking "hello Clara~ reading a book?"

Clara was surprised and stood up in a hurry to bow but Elliz immediately said "There's no need to be formal, I've said it so many times" Elliz said in a soft tone

Clara was very nervous then asked "E-Elliz, what do you need from me?"

Elliz looked down at the book she was reading "You really like magic, huh?"

Clara smiled and nodded, "I hope one day to become a powerful wizard" she said

Elliz asked, "Clara, what star are you in magic?"

Clara answered, "only 3 stars and it's very very difficult" she said while scratching her head feeling proud of it

Elliz smiled gently, "wow you're so great, you must be very talented"

Clara felt blushed then asked "what about you, Elliz? What star of magic are you in?" She asked curiously

Elliz answered, "5 stars"

Clara was shocked, "Saint Ellizabeth at the age of 12 turned 5 stars? That fast?" She thought with surprise it was quite hard to believe

but Elliz just laughed softly, "it's not an easy sacrifice you know...to become strong...you have to sacrifice something or endure the pain, I honestly feel it's also painful but this is the result" she said softly

Clara thought and tried to imagine it, it must be very painful. Elliz was rumored to be a prodigy anyway but she didn't expect it to be that hard for her too

"Don't give up, Clara will definitely become a powerful wizard one day, I'm sure" said Elliz trying to encourage Clara

Clara felt motivated about that and thanked her "I can teach you magic if you want" offered Elliz

Clara felt very excited, "practicing magic? With saint Ellizabeth?! It's like a dream!" Clara thought excitedly

"Please be quiet for a moment, let me give you something special" Elliz said sarcastically

Clara felt confused, then Elliz pointed to Clara's forehead and a small red light appeared. Marionette wishper was implanted, the skill of mind control and creating artificial scenarios in her mind

Clara suddenly fell silent and stared blankly at Elliz

Elliz tested "raise your hands" Elliz ordered and Clara raised both hands

Elliz smiled sarcastically then was confused about how to use it until she felt her Magic locator sensing someone approaching, "oh it looks like the hero is coming~" she said with the thought of the game to be played next

Elliz immediately prepared a new drama by creating a small knife. Takumi who had just arrived saw Clara from a distance and Elliz held the knife "damn! Don't think you can kill her!" He shouted and then immediately moved quickly to pull out his sword.

Elliz saw that with a smile "protect me" she ordered, Clara immediately moved to block her. Takumi's slash, which was supposed to stop the threat, wounded Clara instead. She collapsed on the ground, leaving Takumi transfixed with a deep sense of guilt Takumi saw it staring with regret, "why...clara protected her",

Elliz immediately played her role by pretending to heal Clara, "Aaaaahh! Clara!? Hang in there!" Elliz shouted hysterically making the surrounding students hear her

Elliz's hysterical shout attracted the attention of many students. In an instant, a crowd gathered, curious about what was happening. Several teachers arrived, and when they saw Clara lying on the ground and Elliz trying to heal her, their eyes immediately fell on Takumi.

"He did it!" one of the students shouted, pointing accusingly at Takumi.

Takumi tried to explain, his voice full of anger and frustration. "No! This was all Elliz's plan! She- " However, Elliz, with tears that seemed genuine, kept playing her part. The teachers present gave Takumi no chance to defend himself. "Enough!" one of them exclaimed. Takumi was restrained, both arms grasped tightly.

As he was led away, the students in the corridor looked at him with disgust. Whispers could clearly be heard:

"He cut down Clara... what a monster."

"How could she dare to hurt Saint Ellizabeth?"

"I think she's just jealous that saint Ellizabeth is more talented."

In the middle of the crowd, Victor appears, his face full of anger. Without warning, he punched Takumi hard in the face. "You son of a bitch! You cut down Clara?! Go to hell!"

Takumi staggered, but didn't fight back. Elena, who was standing a short distance away, joined in his scorn. "You're such a disgrace, Takumi. I can't believe I ever considered you a hero."

One of the teachers quickly restrained Victor before the situation got any worse. "That's enough! This will be handled by the principal."

As Takumi continued to be led away, his gaze met Sophia's. Sophia's gaze was cold, full of disappointment. His heart broke seeing that, but he didn't have the strength to explain.

the principle office

Lord Raynard Alveric sat in his chair, his face full of anger. "You are one of the most talented students in this academy. I had high hopes for you, Takumi. But apparently, your heart is rotten"

Takumi tried to defend himself. "This was all Elliz's plan! She-"

"ENOUGH!" snapped Lord Raynard, cutting Takumi off. "You cut down your own friend, and now you're blaming Saint Ellizabeth? Are you jealous that she's more talented than you?"

Takumi fell silent. Lord Raynard's words were like a hammer that crushed all his hopes.

"You're expelled from this academy. Leave, and never come back," Lord Raynard said in a stern tone.

Takumi just bowed his head. He knew that no one believed him. With heavy steps, he left the room, leaving behind everything he once had.

Takumi returned to his dormitory, his eyes full of anger. With trembling hands, he began to pack up his things, his mind filled with hatred.

"Damn Saint! So this is your plan?!" he shouted as he punched the bed, crushing it in one blow. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "I have the blessing of the Goddess. I can deal with it!"

That night

Takumi snuck into the academy, his eyes scanning every corner. His steps led him into dark hallways until he saw Elliz's figure walking towards the basement. Cautiously, he followed her.

There, Elliz was planting a magic circle on the floor. A sardonic smile graced her face as she said without turning her head, "Ara~? Weren't you banned from coming back?"

Takumi drew his sword. "I'll kill you here and now!"

Elliz chuckled, provokingly. "Oh, Takumi, you're so pathetic. Even the heroine Sophia has turned her face away from you."

Takumi's anger peaked. He attacked quickly, his sword lit up by Holy power. Elliz activated her Mana Shield, but the attack was too strong, sending her flying into the wall.

"Wow... the blessing from the Goddess is amazing, huh," Elliz said, standing up with a gasp.

Takumi pointed at the magic circle. "What did you implant there?"

"Explosive magic," Elliz replied in a casual tone. "Don't you want to see the fireworks from the academy that threw you away?"

Takumi moved faster and faster, his attacks coming in thick and fast. Elliz could only defend by dodging and parrying with her sword aura. Even though her body was injured, it continued to regenerate with her Calestial regrowth.

"Where's your arrogance now, huh?!" Takumi exclaimed with emotion.

Elliz smiled despite gasping for air. "You're really impatient, aren't you?"

As Takumi used Mana Blast, Elliz tried to protect herself with a layered Mana Shield, but the blast destroyed her. Her body was thrown far away, crashing into the wall until it shattered.

Elliz stood panting trying to focus on regenerating

"Why didn't you fight back?" Takumi asked with curiosity and caution

"What? You're giving me time to blow up this academy? Explo-" said Elliz mockingly until suddenly Takumi moved to slash, Elliz tried to dodge but it still hit her slashing her mouth until it was torn making her unable to speak and blood flowed

Elliz who was already badly injured, fled using Fly. Takumi chased after her, not giving her time to recover. On the roof of the academy, Elliz seemed cornered.

"You can't run anymore, Elliz," Takumi said in a triumphant tone. Elliz, her mouth almost recovered, jumped down and stopped in the middle of the front yard

Takumi quickly caught up using Dash to point his sword at Elliz

Elliz smiled calmly, blood still flowing from her wounds. "Cancel," she said softly.

Instantly, the magic circle underground shattered, and it suddenly became morning. The students were already walking here towards the academy.

Takumi, who was already attacking with his sword, didn't have time to stop his attack that was already several inches away. Elliz dodged slightly, but the sword still pierced her stomach.

The screams of the students could be heard below, bringing Takumi to his senses. He looked at Elliz in confusion. "What are you doing...?"

Elliz smiled despite the blood flowing from her mouth. "You're... Done," she said softly before her body fell before everyone.

Takumi who was standing in the courtyard with his sword still stuck in Elliz's stomach didn't realize that he had been caught in a huge illusion created by Elliz's magic circle.

The Illusory Veil skill, the magic circle created an area illusion that affected everyone's perception differently. Takumi saw the world still dark, as if the night had not passed, while the students and people at the academy saw Saint Elliz greeting the morning with a gentle smile in the center of the academy's courtyard.

Takumi, confused by this situation, tried to look around. However, before he could think further, the sound of heavy steps could be heard approaching.

Cassandra, running quickly, slammed Takumi to the ground brutally. She held him down with one hand, while Aurelius drove his sword into Takumi's neck, warning him not to move.

Takumi struggle, trying to break free, but Seraphina appeared from the other side, stomping on his hands until he couldn't move. Her spear was pointed at Takumi's face. "Stop moving, or I'll finish you right here!"

The academy teachers rushed over. They brought in healers to treat the severely injured Elliz. Ezekiel, immediately rushed to use high-level magic to stop Elliz's bleeding.

Takumi shouted loudly, "Elliz is the villain! She planned all of this!"

However, before he could continue, Cassandra punched him hard in the face, silencing him. "Enough! You're only making yourself look more pathetic!"

Seraphina, fed up, pointed her spear at Takumi, preparing to finish him off. Gideon, however, stopped her with a single hand gesture.

"Stop it, Seraphina," he said coldly.

Gideon approached Takumi, looking at him with a hateful gaze. "You made my sister, Sophia, cry. I've been patient enough to forgive you for that. But now, you're trying to kill Saint Ellizabeth? You really have no brains, you bastard!"

With one hard punch, Gideon smashed Takumi's face until blood flowed from the corner of his lips. "Take him to prison. Make sure he doesn't get out before he gets the punishment he deserves."

Takumi was dragged away roughly by the guards. The students who witnessed the incident could only whisper with disgusted looks.

"He tried to kill Saint Ellizabeth... What an ignorant bastard."

"He really deserves to be imprisoned!"

Takumi could only grit his teeth, holding back his pain and anger. In his heart, he vowed, "Elliz... I will repay you. I don't care how long it takes."

Night, underground city prison

Takumi sat on the cold cell floor, the handcuffs in his hands feeling heavy. The sound of footsteps approached, and the cell door opened. Takumi looked up, his eyes widening at the sight of Sophia.

"Sophia?!" he shouted, hopeful. "Why are you here?! Please help me!"

However, before he could continue, a hard kick hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Takumi looked at Sophia in confusion, but as red mana enveloped her body, Sophia's face changed to Elliz who smiled sarcastically.

"Yo~ Look who's here. The hero in prison? Oh, you're really pathetic," Elliz said in a mocking tone. "Looks like that goddess-given title was just a display, huh?"

Takumi gave her a hateful look. "Why are you here? And why are you still alive?!"

Elliz approached casually, her hand touching the wound on her stomach that had healed. "Oh, you're so cute. Your attack was only on the stomach, dear. I can still regenerate."

Takumi tried to break the cuffs with his remaining strength, but Elliz laughed. "Stop, dear~ You'll only make it worse by fighting back."

"The goddess will save me! I'll kill you, Elliz!" Takumi shouted, full of rage.

However, Elliz only laughed harder. "Goddess? Oh, you're really naive. You were given really big power, but you don't even know how to use it. A happy life as an academy student? That's just a dream, you fool~."

Takumi fell silent, doubts beginning to haunt his mind.

"Where's your favorite goddess now?" Elliz continued in a sarcastic voice. "She's just watching from up there, not caring about you. Gosh~ a discarded hero. What a sad ending, isn't it?"

Elliz kicked Takumi in the stomach so hard that he coughed, his saliva hitting Elliz's shoes.

"Geez, my shoes got dirty," she said in a disgusted tone, then kicked Takumi in the face again. "You really are trash."

Having had her fill of mockery, Elliz turned around and walked away. "Good luck, hero~" she said in a mocking tone, leaving Takumi speechless, doubting everything.

City Court

The next morning, Takumi was brought to the city court hall by force. The hall was filled with important people, including Arelith mayor Valen Tier, academy head Lord Raynard Alveric, and of course, Elliz.

The mayor stood up, starting the hearing. "Today, we gather to decide on the punishment for the crimes committed by Takumi."

Lord Raynard spoke in a heavy tone. "Takumi has committed unforgivable acts at the academy. Attacking students and even attacking Saint Ellizabeth, who is also the queen of the new kingdom, Melavonia. Therefore, the final decision is left to Saint Ellizabeth."

Elliz stood up gracefully, her gaze cold. "As Saint and queen, I decide that the appropriate punishment for Takumi is his penance... death."

Takumi tried to resist, shouting that it was unfair. However, the knights held him back fiercely.

Elliz explained, "As a saint, I may not like this punishment, but I am worried that Takumi will threaten the public since he attacked his own friend."

Raynard looked down, feeling guilty. "Then...this decision is valid. Takumi has crossed the line. As the head of the academy, I didn't expect him to come back and do something like this."

Elliz turned to him with a gentle smile. "Lord Raynard, this is not your fault. It's all Takumi's fault. You have nothing to feel guilty about."

Raynard nodded, feeling relieved though still heavy-hearted. "Thank you, Your Highness. Your wound... has it completely healed?"

Elliz nodded. "It's already an important duty of mine. Don't worry."

Meanwhile, Takumi could only stare blankly as he was dragged out of the hall, this was over.

Night, prison

In a dark corner of the prison, Takumi sat leaning against the cold wall. The handcuffs on his wrists feel heavy, reminding him of the defeat and humiliation he has just experienced. His breathing is slow, barely audible.

The sound of footsteps echoed, breaking the silence. Takumi raised his head slowly. In front of the cell, Elliz stood with a characteristic sardonic smile.

Elliz stepped inside, letting the cell door close behind her. "Been waiting long, Takumi?" she asked, her tone full of mockery.

Takumi averted his eyes. "Is it true... that goddess threw me away?" he asked hoarsely.

Elliz lowered her head, coming closer until her face was almost level with Takumi's. "Yeah, that's what she is," she replied lightly. "She's a bastard who you can imagine turning her face into mashed potatoes."

Takumi chuckles, bitterly. "This world... the isekai I dreamed of. But why is it like this?"

Elliz didn't answer directly. She just looked at Takumi with an expression that was hard to guess. After a moment, she asked, "Any last words?"

Takumi looked at her. "Please... protect Sophia for me."

Elliz chuckled, her tone full of contempt. "Geez, already broken up and hated, but you still care? It's not wrong of me to call you a pathetic trash."

Takumi smiled bitterly. "If... there was no you, my life wouldn't be like this."

Elliz stood up straight, looking at him with cold eyes. "Unfortunately, I was here before you."

Takumi frowned, confused. "First? What do you mean?"

Elliz didn't answer and charged forward with her sword drawn. "Just end your suffering" Elliz said in an indifferent tone.

Without hesitation in one swift motion, her sword slid out, cut off Takumi's head. His body fell to the floor, blood flowing down the cold stone floor.

Elliz stared at the body for a moment before use Essence devourer to absord, she turn around and a small smile still gracing her face. "One problem solved," she muttered, stepping out of the cell.

Outside, the night was still dark. But to Elliz, this was just the beginning of a bigger game. "Let's see...what kind of toys that bitch goddess will bring again~"

To be continued...