A patch of snowy white emerged first from the teleportation gate.
A delicate foot like a blooming lotus stepped forward, its flawless toes painted with sleek black nail polish. Next followed a woman clad in a tight black dress, emphasizing the graceful swell of her chest and the slim curve of her waist and hips. Brushing back her violet bangs, she offered Linen a faint smile:
"Good evening, Linen Norton—or perhaps, should I say, Your Highness?"
"Good evening, Master Orlando."
Linen stood politely from the sofa, nodding respectfully, and shifted slightly to the side, clearing a spot beside him.
Due to the temporary nature of classrooms on the academy's top floor, the furniture was sparse, with only a single long sofa for guests.
Holly's elegant brows knitted briefly. Ignoring Linen's silent offer, she raised her hand, conjuring a purple, slime-like mass that quickly reshaped into a comfortable-looking seat. With natural ease, she sat down gracefully.
Witnessing this, Linen said nothing, maintaining his perfect smile while calmly setting down his tea.
A good start, Holly noted.
Indeed, everything was proceeding exactly as Holly intended. She had deliberately selected this office, creating this subtly awkward and chilly atmosphere on purpose. She wanted Linen to sense that she was difficult to approach, laying the groundwork for him to withdraw willingly from the mentorship.
Yet Linen's reaction exceeded her expectations. Despite her intentionally aloof demeanor, the prince showed no hint of annoyance—already making him far easier to deal with than his brute of a mother.
As a high elf naturally averse to males, Holly had to admit Linen's exceptional appearance and refined manners made him far less repulsive than she'd anticipated.
She wondered, What is he thinking now?
While Holly was busy devising a graceful yet firm method to prompt Linen to give up on the mentorship, Linen's thoughts were engaged in an entirely different form of brainstorming:
A dress this tight, but no visible outline? Is she seriously going commando?
"Ahem—"
Finally, Holly broke the silence.
"Your performance during today's final test was impressive, Norton. I assume you understand what the exam's true purpose was?"
"Yes, Master Orlando. But I want to say—"
"I am asking the questions. Just answer me directly, without expressing additional opinions."
Holly interrupted curtly, brow furrowing slightly.
"Understood, Master Holly."
Linen maintained his perfect composure, replying with a gentle smile.
This reaction made Holly feel somewhat guilty, even regretful.
Due to her profession, Holly had encountered countless "young, promising nobles," but their gentlemanly facade usually cracked quickly under her cold demeanor—most became visibly flustered, while the rest, though composed, emitted an unpleasantly artificial aura.
Linen was different. Even after Holly had rudely interrupted him twice, he remained impressively calm—an effortless, mature composure that she rarely saw even among experienced nobles.
Moreover, she noticed that her natural aversion toward him had surprisingly diminished.
When she'd previously observed Linen's clever performance from afar with Sorgana and the Empress, she'd felt a vague curiosity mixed with instinctive disgust. She'd anticipated that their face-to-face meeting would only amplify her aversion. Unexpectedly, the opposite happened.
In person, Holly found that she wasn't repulsed by Linen at all. Instead, his polite charm and inexplicably magnetic presence seemed able to bypass even her innate prejudices.
If Linen had been female, Holly would have instantly accepted him as a disciple. Unfortunately, he wasn't—and a vague, newfound approval wasn't sufficient reason for Holly to abandon her principles.
Still, Linen's status as royalty and her earlier public promise complicated matters, preventing her from simply retracting her offer.
Ideally, Linen himself would voluntarily give up the position.
Sticking to her original plan, Holly prepared to make things increasingly uncomfortable.
Her delicate brows tightened as she produced a list stamped with the academy's seal:
"Linen Norton, as the top performer on the Artificer's Exam, your name is indeed on my attendance sheet—but…"
She flipped the attendance record to face Linen. Most names were neatly marked with perfect attendance, testament to Holly's prestige as an instructor.
Except for one glaring exception: Linen Norton's name, followed by an entire row of striking red X's.
"You haven't attended a single one of my lectures. It seems you're quite the rare guest in my class, aren't you, Norton?"
She raised her gaze slightly, a dangerous pressure in her playful smile:
"Do you have some kind of issue with me?"
At last, Linen's perpetually unruffled expression betrayed the awkwardness Holly had been waiting for.
"I apologize, Master Orlando. I assure you, it was never because of dissatisfaction. There's a reason I never attended."
He seemed genuinely panicked as he explained himself.
Holly was prepared to push back no matter his excuse—but Linen's next words completely caught her off guard:
"The truth is, I have absolutely zero talent in artifact-making."
"What did you say?"
Holly frowned deeply, doubting her own ears.
"No talent in artifact-making? Then how did you manage to get first place in the Artificer's Exam?"
"It was only because I provided minor assistance to the Shadow Knights during the exam incident," Linen quickly explained. "Due to the sensitive nature of that operation, Headmaster Sorgana gave me the first-place title as private compensation. It was considered a secret within the academy, hence you were never informed."
After hearing this, Holly found herself nodding slightly. Though absurd, it did sound exactly like something Sorgana would do.
She didn't care about empire politics or personal dramas, but she had noticed fewer unfamiliar faces from the Artificer's Guild recently. Linen's explanation made sense.
Still, another question arose naturally:
"If you had no talent, your absence from class makes sense. But why bother participating in this final test at all? Also, if this was such a secret, why tell me so openly? Aren't you afraid I'd leak this information?"
Linen hesitated a moment, then shook his head firmly:
"No, Master Orlando. Because I fully trust you. You aren't that kind of person. It's safe to share this with you."
"As for why I participated today's test…"
Linen smiled apologetically.
"Actually, I did it purely for the credits. Passing your exam awards substantial credits, after all. My goal was simply to earn more points."
The explanation sounded perfectly reasonable and matched Linen's exam behavior.
Yet Holly only responded with a cold laugh.
Now Linen was behaving just like those typical nobles she so disliked—pretentious, elusive.
"You're lying, Norton. If you won't tell me the real reason, our conversation can end here."
"Wait—please wait."
Linen's carefully maintained composure finally cracked slightly. Holly seized the opportunity, leaning forward slightly, crossing her legs elegantly, and pressuring him playfully:
"If you tell me your real motive now, I could still—"
"It's because of you, Master Orlando!"
Linen suddenly blurted out.
"Ah, it was because of me… Huh?!"
The quiet office plunged into an odd silence.
Linen balled his fists nervously in his lap, head lowered deeply, words tumbling out like a waterfall:
"I apologize, Master Orlando. Long before this, I'd heard that the Empire's greatest Artificer—the 'Violet Miracle Worker' Holly Orlando—was not only incredibly talented but also an extraordinary woman. Knowing my own terrible talent, I didn't dare attend your classes and disturb you."
"But when I thought I'd forever miss this chance to meet someone as admirable as you up close, I just couldn't accept it."
Linen turned away, ashamed:
"Forgive me, Master Orlando. Initially, I intended only to glimpse your esteemed presence and then quietly leave. I sincerely apologize for polluting your sacred classroom—please punish me however you wish!"
Of course, Linen faced no punishment.
Holly was too stunned by his earnest confession to react.
She had experienced countless elegant declarations from brilliant admirers, and had easily brushed them off every time. Yet now, inexplicably, her practiced response—"grateful, touched, but no thank you"—felt strangely difficult to say.
Even her instinctive dislike seemed curiously absent.
For the first time, Holly felt flustered—as if she were a villainous older woman who'd playfully teased a younger boy, only to become unsettled by his straightforward sincerity.
"Ahem."
Holly composed herself with difficulty and adopted a solemn tone:
"Your Highness, I appreciate your admiration, but at your age…perhaps it's better if you pursued relationships with young women closer to your own age."
It was a stiff excuse, but the best she could manage.
Yet, unexpectedly, Linen's previously flushed face suddenly looked puzzled:
"Huh? Wait, Master Holly, what are you saying?"
Now Holly froze:
"But didn't you just—"
Linen shook his head with amused helplessness.
"I was simply expressing my admiration as an Eden Academy student. I'm not interested in becoming your disciple—wait…"
He suddenly gasped in exaggerated realization:
"You didn't just think I was confessing to you, did you?"
Holly: ??
"Or rather," Linen paused, eyes narrowing with a mischievous smile,
"Were you perhaps… expecting something more?"
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T/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHH GOTCHAAAAA