The tuition did not go as Iris expected. She taught well, for she had consolidated her experience into her papers since the past week, and Tundra was hardworking, talented. Even though the topics were eye-opening, Tundra quickly absorbed the information, digesting and applying it to other fields of study.

Nevertheless, halfway through the lecture, Iris tried to tease Tundra and ask about the layout of the Royal Magic Academy. She hinted at her interest in becoming a professor there, and Tundra lost it.

The lesson turned into a sales pitch as Tundra, flustered, introduced every part of the Royal Magic Academy, praising its advanced technology, magic formations, and faculties. If not for her reservation, she would have gotten on her knees and begged Iris to become a professor at the academy.

Though surprised, Iris did not mind the explanation. After all, she could see that she had gone a little too far with her flirts; her charms captivated Tundra; she underestimated Tundra’s heart.

I may have been too careless. Not everyone around me can resist our innate charms. I might have bent Tundra's heart. This is worrying. If I become a professor, this blossoming love won't be well received.

The student-teacher relationship is a forbidden love, an alluring temptation, a dangerous one. I must deal with it delicately. Either I break away from her, or I keep her so entranced she’ll desire nothing else.

While musing, Iris also attentively listened to Tundra's presentation. She learned that the Royal Magic Academy had a few buildings in its vast land.

During her free time, Tundra would stay in the dormitory zone or head to the Academy Library. Aside from that, she had to study in the Lecture Hall and sometimes practised her spells or tested her hypothesis in the Research Lab.

Lastly, though she had never been inside it before, she passionately spoke about the Alchemy Warehouse, where the academy stored their precious ingredients and materials, and the Mystic Tower, the state-of-the-art laboratory.

"Lady Iris, if you become a professor of our academy, you'll get to enjoy the benefit akin to nobility," Tundra said. "You won't have to spend your effort gathering ingredients or funds; the academy will take care of them all! There are also a lot of connections you can tap into with the help of other professors."

"Your enthusiasm is terrific, Tundra." Iris chuckled. "If I hadn't known you before, I would have thought you a representative of the academy. I wouldn't be surprised if you revealed that they sponsored you."

"Ah. I'm sorry. My excitement is getting ahead of me." Tundra nervously gestured her hands, but she couldn't find an excuse to defend herself. "I just wanted you to grasp this opportunity. Your lesson is enlightening; I want to learn more from you."

"What if I get into the academy?"

"That would be—"

"Don't be too rushed to answer. If I become a professor, our time together will lessen." Iris mischievously tilted her head. "The Academy Library is much more advanced than Auburn Leaf Library, right?"

"Ah. No. I mean, yes, but . . ." Tundra looked at Iris with the saddest eyes she could make. Her trembling body was ready to collapse in front of Iris and hug her legs. "The Academy Library isn't as quiet and comfortable as Auburn Leaf Library. There are many visitors, so the librarian and the other staff won't have enough time to tend to each visitor. It'll be harder to find your desired books there."

Watching the teary librarian, Iris reached out and petted her. I wonder, if I express my feeling now, will she abandon her restrain and embrace me? I want to try it, but she is too delicate.

"You silly girl, I'm not going anywhere," Iris said. "I said I wanted to teach you. How can I break my promise? What I read is can be found in both libraries, but only this one has you. Why should I choose the Academy Library?"

"Then, why did you?" Tundra sniffed. "I hate you, Lady Iris. I really hate you!"

Iris stood up and grabbed the books. "Alright. If you hate me that much, I'll disappear now. Goodbye, Tundra."

Tundra slammed her hands on the table and jumped up, but her embarrassed face froze when she saw Iris's smirk. She wanted to stop Iris, yet she could not bring herself to do so. Iris was playing her, and she must not let her get away with it.

"Then, please let me send you off," Tundra said, her voice professional. "Thank you for your patronage, Lady Iris."

"I haven't brought any book home lately. Which one should I bring?" Iris pointed her fingers randomly until it stopped at Tundra. "Can I borrow you home? I promise I'll bring you back in the same condition, untouched and on time."

"Unfortunately, I'm not on the list." Tundra shook her head as she picked up the scattered books and put them back in their places. "I hope you a pleasant evening, Lady Iris."

"I thought you would like to visit my house, but alas, I'm getting ahead of myself. Our relationship is but illusionary." Iris faked wiping her tears. "Please don't see me out, for I might weep during my walk home. Also, read the notebook well. I put my heart and soul into it. There are secrets waiting to be discovered!"

Smiling, Iris walked to the reception counter, noted down her departure, and took back her hat and jacket. She glanced back at the stunned Tundra, winking, then left the library before Tundra had a chance to say anything.

She really left.

"Lady Iris?" Tundra blinked, confused. "Did I misinterpret her action? How could she leave so suddenly? I didn't hurt her feeling, right?"

Such a thought gave Tundra a chill. She held Iris's notebook close to her chest and lowered her head, denying the conjecture. Iris would not have left behind the notebook if she hated her.

Tundra eyed the library entrance, hoping to see Iris's returning, and found something amiss. Outside, the sky had already darkened, the moon rising. The number of pedestrians further decreased as they gradually made their way back to their residences.

"It's already this late?" Tundra turned to the clock. "It's closing hour already. Wait, you played me again!"

While grumbling, Tundra quickly cleaned the tables, arranged the books, and closed the library. She promised herself to finish Iris's notebook tonight, or there would be no sleeping. She had to prepare more topics, for she must not let Iris slip away so smoothly next time.

...

Iris strolled through the quiet street, passing the few pedestrians who would briefly pause to admire her temperance before resuming their activity. Unlike the other nights, where she would ride a carriage back home, she decided to change her pace and immerse herself in the mundane yet refreshing ambience.

Tundra, you should have figured out the truth by now. Please don’t be upset, but I feel bad for teasing you without reciprocating your feeling. If I stay too long, I might commit something evil, something irreversible. You are still too young.

Sigh, if it were another Monster Girl, she would have drowned Tundra under the ocean of desires, twisting her humanity. It's her luck to meet and fall for me.

Iris smiled. Since when have I been this snobbish? Stop thinking about love, Iris; you have a more urgent matter to plan. While I'll be joining Prime Archive soon, I should put some effort into joining Royal Magic Academy too. A stable source of income and legitimate funding for research will aid me in establishing my identity.

Moreover, the Mystic Tower is something I would like to visit someday. Rumour has it that there are prototypes of futuristic technology in its depth. Maybe I can understand the boundary of the science of this world more. After all, the Divine seems to stifle civilisation progress.

If allowed to flourish, will this world become like my last? If the two worlds fight, discounting the power of the transcendent, this world won't stand a chance against the galactic empire of the Lord. Even though the magic here seems more diverse and abundant, it can't bridge the gap of the planetary annihilation fleet.

Maybe I'm too biased. After all, I haven't seen the true extent of this world's secrets. If they can utilise interplanar movement, they can conduct unavoidable strikes from undetectable places. This plane is also a strange celestial body. If it's a planet, it's much too big compared to the size suitable for life. It's almost like this is an infinite plane.

Whatever, I've been thinking about useless thoughts for too long. This walk is quite effective at clearing my mind, but it is rather longer than expected.

Iris looked around the street, her eyes jumping from one storefront to another. Though she usually rode a carriage home, her powerful perception allowed her to remember the layout and path leading to her home.

The place she walked into was unfamiliar.

She frowned as she slowed her pace. While admiring the unfamiliar street and stores, she stretched her right arm up and covered her mouth with her left hand, yawning. As she exhaled, her azure Corruption Power embedded a simple, tiny formation on her palm. It rotated its components and sank beneath her skin, merging with her body.

A rush of refreshing sensation washed over her, rejuvenating her mind. Though she hadn't detected anything strange, she still tensed up.

For me to walk into an unfamiliar place, either someone influenced me to take the wrong path, or they shifted me to this set location. Both scenarios are dangerous. I can't be careless. Retracing my steps means risking exposing my intention. Even if I escape to the hideout, I'll reveal my connection with the Court.

Iris looked down. Underneath her disguise, the Shadow Heart Core remained still. Her instinct didn't warn her. Either she wasn't in grave danger, or the threat was all-encompassing, far above the range in which she could sense.

It can't be. I've just met an Evil Goddess, a trace of her will. I can't be meeting another Evil Deity on the same day, the same day that I also had just encountered a powerful member of the Churches, as well as an assassination attempt from the Order. Am I cursed?

Anxiety oozed out of Iris's eyes as she concentrated her senses. Her perception of time slowed, dragging down the movement around her. She caught a faint, indescribable discomfort. Someone was staring at her back, from everywhere, at all times.

Even when she turned around, pretending to browse through the items on sales, the persistent gaze lingered behind her, no matter how fast she turned.

What is happening?

Iris shivered. She wanted to cast multiple protective spells around her, but she had a feeling that she wouldn't have a chance to do so. Her enemy was invisible, untraceable. They might be standing beside her right then, aiming their unknown weapon right on top of her heart.

She desperately looked for the signs around the street, hoping to pinpoint her location. She went through a few blocks, but the gaze painfully remained fixed on her, with no intention of doing anything else.

Am I getting paranoid, or are these people conspiring against me? Why hasn't the Grand Formation done anything to this outrageous display of power?

Iris rigidly walked while scanning the others. She had a feeling that all eyes were on her. When she wasn't looking, everyone would turn their heads to her back, blankly staring.

By not doing anything, the unknown enemy created endless pressure. At this rate, Iris would succumb to her fear before her enemy did anything at all. She knew this well and searched for something that might help her. Any information she gleaned from the surrounding would increase ever so slightly her chance.

Something is strange. There aren't many people on the street, but they seem to be in a trance, mumbling something when I don't stare at them. They also looked at me, but they weren't the source of my apprehension.

Through the corners of her eyes, Iris peeked at a couple holding each other's arms. They shamelessly flirted as they passed Iris, but when they left her sight, their eyes drooled; their movement grew sluggish. Despite the pain, they tilted their heads, threatening to break their necks, and stared.

"You stand before his eyes," they repeatedly mumbled, their voices lifeless.

Not just them, but all the pedestrians who walked past Iris cracked their bones to place their sights on her back.

Everyone was looking.