Since I used one, we have thirteen mana potions left. We each take two, except for Vincent, who insists it’s fine and takes just one to even things out.

  Sure, he has money, but honestly, the guy is a gem. He has principles, a good heart—after all, he took Ronan and me in—he’s a great leader, organized, and on top of that, he’s handsome. Not that I see him in any romantic way, but I can’t deny that the combination of his blond hair and golden eyes is striking. On Earth, he could easily be a supermodel.

  If I keep thinking like this, I’ll end up competing with Mary, I joke to myself.

  I smile.

  Ronan watches me for a moment, then leans in and whispers something—so quietly that I can barely make it out. I really hope no one else hears him. I need to figure out if, as his lady, I can unlock a more discreet form of communication.

  “My lady, I believe he would make a fine ruler under your command.”

  I don’t answer because, at that moment, Vincent turns to face me, his gaze locking onto the two of us. Maybe because Ronan’s mouth is way too close to my ear, or maybe because, with his air affinity, he has some spell active and just heard everything.

  I step away from Ronan and nod toward the prince.

  “Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt. Let’s continue with the loot distribution, please.”

  “I just don’t get why there’s so much whispering with Ronan,” Alistair chimes in. “You’d think you two were engaged.”

  “That’s right, you did kneel before her, Ronan,” Darius adds. “Now that we’re all friends and there’s trust… were you confessing your love?”

  “No, I would never dare do such a thing,” Ronan replies.

  “Oh, come on, Darius, don’t be ridiculous—you know how he is,” I snap, annoyed at the redhead. “And Ronan, I guess it’s my fault for not clarifying, but like the headmaster said, it’s not polite to whisper in front of others.”

  “Were you talking about me?” the prince asks, glancing between us with curiosity.

  “He was just telling me that you have excellent leadership skills,” I reply smoothly.

  “Hmm… I thought I heard something along those lines.”

  He studies me intently. I feign innocence, offering him a perfectly neutral smile. I really, really hope he didn’t hear the full sentence—I don’t want him going from friend to enemy. I like him too much for that.

  (Well, or maybe he'll interpret it as me marrying his brother and not with the intention Ronan meant—that I’m the next demon queen.)

  Vincent turns his attention back to the others, and we continue dividing the loot.

  Next are the eight health potions—Mary takes two, while the rest of us take one each. Then, the key to the second level. Vincent keeps it but promises we’ll all go to the dungeon together. Though that plan is now complicated since we’ve been banned from entering.

  As for the dagger with a dark affinity—granting +1 darkness damage on weapon attacks—Vincent might have taken it if not for its sinister aesthetic. Mary, though it would be useful for her, refuses to wield something so opposed to her own affinity. So, Ronan ends up keeping it since the redheads prefer larger weapons and Theodore favors a knife over a dagger as a secondary weapon.

  Then come the three stone tablets, each containing a one-time summoning glyph for mummy warriors. Mary takes one, Theodore another, and I take the third.

  The rock-shattering maces, which deal double damage to golems, go to Alistair and Darius.

  The gold, jewels, and unwanted items are sold since the academy provides that service to students. Since Vincent had already arranged for everything to be appraised, we know exactly how much we’ll receive. My share comes to a solid 47 gold coins, plus 128 from the materials. Considering I’d only earned a few silver and copper coins selling boars and hides, this feels like a fortune.

  Ronan, who I imagine has never had a single gold coin to his name, carefully tucks away his share—38 plus 128 gold coins. The way he separates them and hides them in different pockets or stashes within his clothing makes me think I need to talk to him. But Vincent beats me to it.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Ronan, don’t worry—there’s a bank at the academy. They can store your money and keep it safe for you.”

  “Really?” he asks, surprised. “And what if they lose it?”

  “They’re backed by the Crown. If anything happened, you’d be reimbursed in full.”

  Ronan thanks him, and I find myself thinking that his education must have been lacking in some areas. He knows a great deal about magic, but when it comes to the practical, everyday aspects of life in this world, he still has a lot to learn.

  Bianca, are you seriously surprised that he doesn’t know what a bank is? I give myself a mental slap. He was locked up in a basement—what kind of education do you think his parents could have given him?

  Theodore goes to find the treasurer to inform him of what we want to sell. Since we’ve moved rather quickly, we’ll even make it to our first afternoon class on time. Without further delay, we head out.

  As we exit the treasury, a guard waiting at the door steps forward and greets me.

  "Lady L’Crom, I’ve been assigned to follow and protect you."

  Oh, right—the guard… because of the sword. I had completely forgotten.

  "Does the headmaster really think this is necessary?"

  "I’m just following orders. If you disagree, you should speak with him or the colonel."

  "Bianca," Vincent says, "if you’re ever in danger, just find me—or anyone in the group."

  I see the others nod in agreement. Some, like the redheads, do so with more enthusiasm than the rest. Mary looks a bit nervous, but she also offers her help.

  "Thank you all. I don’t think it’ll be necessary, but it’s nice to know you’re here if I need you."

  Curiously, Vincent shifts his weight from one foot to the other, looking slightly uncomfortable.

  We continue on our way to class, and because of the guard, I walk at the back so he can keep me in sight. I don’t want to make his job harder by getting between my friends. Ronan approaches me.

  "My lady," he says, speaking softly but without whispering, "my apologies for the earlier murmuring. I didn’t mean to embarrass you."

  "Don’t worry. If anything, it made me realize that you and I need a way to communicate without words."

  His face lights up.

  "Like how I communicate with my skeletons?"

  Uh…

  "Yes, but without having to kill me first," I clarify.

  The guard, who is clearly listening in, stiffens slightly. Great. How exactly am I supposed to sneak off to the goblin village with this guy following me like a shadow?

  Right now, I’d love to ask Ronan if he can give me a hand with the list the goblins requested, but I’m not about to be the one who starts whispering.

  And speaking of the guard… I cross paths with Sol, who is walking alongside my two former friends. She looks surprised to see me with an escort. I can practically read her thoughts: if anyone should have a bodyguard, it should be her, considering she’s the daughter of one of the kingdom’s dukes.

  Well, I hope she keeps thinking it’s a matter of prestige rather than security, because if she finds out about the sword, she’ll be first in line to get rid of me and take it for herself.

  Yeah, I definitely need to get stronger.

  And even though this isn’t really my style, I lift my chin and straighten my posture, as if I were reveling in being important enough to have a bodyguard. I see her mortified expression and hear her shocked gasp which is like music to my ears.

  When I enter the classroom, the guard follows and stands by the door, waiting for me.

  At lunchtime, he walks into the dining hall and takes position against the wall closest to my table. My gosh, not even the prince has a personal guard. The headmaster has gone completely overboard. Everyone is staring at me—since I arrived after Vincent, it’s obvious the guard is mine. My Earth self wants to shrink away; I don’t like this much attention. But the count’s daughter and Sol’s rival that I am now acts as if she’s pleased by the power this attention grants her. Or at least, I try.

  I focus on my friends and our lighthearted conversation, and little by little, people start getting used to the sight and stop looking our way. Since the first class this afternoon is with Catrina, I ask to stay behind and speak with her once it ends.

  The class was held outdoors. The combat professor asks me to follow her to her office and tells an assistant to inform the next professor that I’ll be a little late.

  "You can wait outside," she tells the guard. "She’s safe with me."

  He obeys, and the two of us step inside her office. After closing the door for privacy, she takes a seat—not behind her desk, but in one of the visitor chairs—and gestures for me to do the same.

  "Well, well, Bianca L’Crom, look at the mess you’ve stirred up," she says.

  She’s sitting in a completely informal manner, having turned her chair backward and resting her arms atop the backrest with her head atop them. Her dark brown hair is tied into a braid that drapes over one side of her neck. She’s looking at me with intense interest—too much interest. Sitting across from her with my back against the chair, I feel a little intimidated.

  The truth is, the professor isn’t much older than me, but between her well-toned physique and her commanding personality, she has an aura that has intimidated us more than once—especially when she’s put us through grueling training and refuses to accept complaints. Right now, I feel like a fawn being scrutinized by a hungry wolf before it pounces.

  "Come on, let me see that sword."

  I stand to draw it more easily, move my jacket aside, and offer it to her. She doesn’t try to take it—someone must have told her it’s bound. But she does examine it. I know she isn’t using an identification spell since she lacks air magic. It’s more like she’s carefully observing every detail of both the sword and the scabbard hanging at my waist. I shift my jacket to give her a better view. The look in her eyes tells me she likes the weapon.

  "I hope the weight and balance suit you. It seems like a fine piece. Congratulations, Bianca—you can put it away now." I do as she says. "Now, what’s this about you stealing Faith’s fiancé?"

  She says it with so much delight and amusement that, for a moment, I’m left speechless. Then, the pieces click into place—the otome game.