The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 76

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 76
“That can’t be right!”
Rachel’s voice rose sharply. The thought of practicing the Waltz with any man other than Lucas was unimaginable.
“It will absolutely never happen!”
Only then did she realize her voice had grown too loud, and she clapped both hands over her mouth.
“I’m free tonight if it suits you. Simply tell me when you’re available.”
“You’re far busier than I am, Your Highness. Please tell me what time works for you.”
It made no sense to choose one’s schedule while learning the Waltz from someone as important as the Crown Prince. Rachel deferred to Lucas entirely, as though she had no preferences at all.
Lucas offered her a smile that seemed painted on his face.
“Then shall we start as soon as I change clothes?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful.”
Rachel smiled brightly and rested her head lightly against Lucas’s shoulder.
‘I’ve lost my mind!’
The thought startled her, and she pulled away.
“What’s wrong?”
Lucas asked, puzzled. Rachel hesitated, looking away.
“So many eyes are watching. I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Let them watch.”
Lucas’s warm hand moved toward Rachel’s head. With casual indifference, he drew her back against his shoulder.
“Rachel, I wish you’d be a bit more greedy.”
“Greedy?”
“Flaunt your connection to me. Use it to claim what you want.”
……
“Letting go of ambition is one thing, but reaching for it is easy.”
He murmured softly. Rachel could only draw a shallow breath.
“I’m not sure I’m in a position to do that.”
“Position?”
“I’m just a minor nobleman’s daughter from the borderlands. Standing beside Your Highness the Crown Prince only risks tarnishing your name.”
“Then if something could erase that stigma of being a minor nobleman’s daughter, that would suffice?”
“I beg your pardon?”
That wasn’t what she’d meant at all. The conversation had taken an odd turn.
“If you were my betrothed, I think no one would dare touch you.”
Lucas’s hand cupped her face gently.
“I find myself wanting to ask something.”
……
“Would you consider desiring this position for yourself, even once?”
He spoke with such casual ease.
Offering her his betrothed’s place, asking if she’d dare to want it.
“I… I…”
What was the right answer here? She had no idea.
But one thing she was beginning to understand: he meant every word.
“You can answer me later. I’ll be waiting.”
Lucas replied gently. Rachel’s confusion bloomed into a faint blush across her cheeks.
* * *
Rachel moved with purpose. She needed to earn recognition during her apprenticeship at the Magic Tower, and she couldn’t afford to skip her evening reviews at the Separate Palace.
A week. Seven days was never a long time for her. She poured herself into study, cutting sleep each night.
‘I’ve never studied like this since the Civil Service Examination.’
At least she was keeping pace. At first she’d wondered how she’d manage, but somehow she’d scraped together enough to mimic what the others were doing. After reviewing at the Separate Palace, she could master the material completely.
‘I’m just grateful this is within my reach.’
Her real challenge was controlling her Mana. Her Mana reserves were more than sufficient—nearly excessive—so everything hinged on control.
‘Keep your mind at peace.’
The Magic Tower Master’s advice never changed: calm your mind, and Mana flows correctly through serenity. But for someone as impatient as Rachel, executing that advice was anything but simple.
‘How am I supposed to keep my mind at peace?!’
On the final day of her week-long trial, Rachel walked toward the Magic Tower, her heart as troubled as ever.
Her anxiety was almost unbearable as she entered the tower. She had to perform well today. The fear that she wouldn’t was overwhelming.
‘Don’t be nervous. Don’t be nervous.’
Today, Lucas was also coming to observe. If her enrollment in the Magic Tower fell through before his eyes, it would be beyond mortifying. Rachel steadied her breathing, determined to keep her wits about her.
“The Crown Prince honors us with his presence. Show proper respect.”
The Magic Tower Master spoke. The mages of the tower bowed respectfully toward Lucas.
Lucas, accepting their greetings with ease, smiled at Rachel. She bit her lip hard, trying to still her trembling body.
“Separately from that matter, I’ll be making a decision today on whether Rachel Swan will be admitted to the Magic Tower. Miss Swan, would you please come forward?”
Rachel rose slowly from her seat. Then she walked toward the front. With each step, the weight of every gaze pressed down on her shoulders.
“Miss Rachel Swan. You need only demonstrate one of the techniques you’ve learned thus far.”
The Magic Tower Master spoke in a gentle tone. Rachel swallowed hard. There was no way to know if this would work, or if she was simply being reckless.
“I—I would like to channel Mana beneath the Chandelier.”
At the word “Chandelier,” every mage in the Magic Tower stirred. There was only one Chandelier in the entire tower.
“If that is your wish, proceed.”
The Magic Tower Master stepped forward first. The mages murmured and followed him.
“Rachel.”
“Yes, Lucas?”
Rachel answered immediately to Lucas’s quiet call.
“You’re not planning to do what I think you are, are you?”
“I probably am.”
Rachel offered an awkward smile. Lucas looked at her with concern etched across his face.
Everyone gathered beneath the Chandelier. Rachel looked up at it.
‘That’s right. I won’t gain their approval with anything ordinary.’
Simply changing the color of the Magic Stone would never earn the mages’ recognition.
Rachel clenched her fists, confident her reasoning was sound.
“I’ll begin now.”
As Rachel slowly raised her hand, the letter from Henry that had arrived yesterday flashed through her mind—a message stripped of all cold rationality, containing only what she longed to say to someone precious, infused with sincerity.
[Miss, I cannot presume to imagine what trials you face at the Imperial Palace. Yet of this one thing I am certain: you will overcome whatever hardship befalls you. I believe in you. As I always have.]
‘That’s right. I can overcome any adversity.’
She didn’t want to disappoint not only Lucas standing before her, but Henry as well.
‘Cast aside this anxiety. Settle your heart.’
Rachel took several deep breaths. Then she slowly lifted her right hand.
“I intend to make the Chandelier…”
Everyone held their breath at Rachel’s words.
“…move dramatically.”
The moment she finished speaking, Rachel clenched her fist. Simultaneously, light began to flow into the Chandelier.
What is this? It’s basic technique.
Who can’t make a Chandelier glow?
Is this all?
Criticism erupted from various corners directed at Rachel. In that instant, she felt the fragile equilibrium of her composure shatter.
‘It’s all right.’
But as she steadied herself, she began to pour Mana in earnest.
“Wh—what—?!”
The mages, who had been standing with indifferent expressions as if bored, let out involuntary gasps.
The massive Chandelier was slowly descending.
Rachel concentrated harder. Pouring Mana with every fiber of her being, she fed more and more into it. The Chandelier began to rotate clockwise, casting tens of thousands of shades of light.
The rotation accelerated. The Chandelier descended until it spun directly above the mages’ heads, and its threatening presence became unmistakable.
“Stop!”
At Rachel’s cry, the Chandelier halted its rotation. As she poured strength into both her hands, the metal frame split apart and the Chandelier divided into two.
Boom!
The Magic Stones of the Chandelier shot toward the ceiling.
It was at that very moment that the Magic Tower Master raised his hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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