Chapter 10: Faith-Testing Study Session

I stared intently at Elena in the silence of the library—a silence that suddenly felt far deeper than usual.

In my mind, my mental calculator was spinning wildly, weighing the pros and cons of this absurd situation.

If I refused, my image as a villainess might remain intact, but she would keep following me with those pleading eyes. If I agreed... Good heavens! What kind of story was I creating now? A villainess teaching magic to the heroine? The original author would turn in his grave if he knew his story had turned into something so ridiculous!

Still, letting out a long, inward sigh was the only option I had.

I lifted my chin a little higher, adopted an intimidating, haughty expression, and tapped the wooden tabletop with the tip of my finger.

"Sit down," I commanded curtly, my tone icy.

Elena’s emerald-green eyes lit up instantly. Without wasting a moment, the honey-brown-haired girl pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down with an upright, eager posture—looking for all the world like a model student ready to receive the wisdom of a great master.

I opened my magic study notebook and slowly slid it toward Elena.

"The main problem with advanced energy manipulation isn't the amount of raw power you unleash, you idiot—I mean, beginner," I corrected myself quickly, having nearly slipped up by using a casual term from the modern world. "Rather, it’s about the stability of the focal point within your core."

Elena nodded briskly, scribbling down every word I said onto a sheet of parchment with sheer enthusiasm.

"A focal point...?" Elena murmured softly. "So, instead of channeling all my mana into the palm of my hand, I have to anchor it in the center of my chest first?" "Precisely," I replied briefly, trying to sound as elegant as possible. "If that flow leaks even a little, your elemental magic will explode before it even takes shape—just like that stupid incident caused by the second-year students yesterday."

*Although I nearly blew up the arena myself during the exam yesterday because of that spell,* I thought, suppressing a faint, inward smile to hide my guilt.

That secret study session unfolded in an atmosphere very different from what I had expected.

Instead of the dangerous political intrigue between a villainess and a heroine—as depicted in the original novel—that afternoon’s library session felt more like an intensive tutoring course. Elena demonstrated exceptional aptitude. In less than an hour, the tiny spark of fire on her fingertips—previously wild and untamable—began to stabilize, transforming into a crystal of bluish energy.

"Wow... I get it now, Lady Alicia!" Elena exclaimed a bit too cheerfully, causing some library patrons at the far end of the aisle to glance our way.

I immediately shot her a glare, adopting the ruthless, intimidating expression befitting a villainess.

"Lower your voice, Elena Rosehart. This isn't a night market," I hissed coldly.

Elena instantly covered her mouth with both hands, offering an awkward, apologetic smile with eyes full of admiration.

*Oh, no...* I panicked, massaging my suddenly throbbing temples. *This girl isn't afraid of me at all.* If you keep acting so sweet, how am I supposed to play the cruel villain everyone is meant to hate?

Outside the library windows, the sun was beginning to set, casting a reddish-orange hue that slowly faded into the western horizon, marking the end of this exhausting yet baffling day.