Anjie took in her expression completely, her lips curling into a malicious smile, while her voice remained sickeningly sweet.
"Don't worry, dear. I bet you'll leave with so wonderful All Souls Festival mories... We're almost there!"
Saying this, she finally managed to pull Ilana into a relatively quiet corner. There, three other girls wearing blue Mage robes had already been waiting for so ti, led by the high-nosed Miss Lassitina, whose golden ponytails swung like straight drills.
"Lassitina, I've brought Ilana!" Anjie eagerly pushed Ilana in front of everyone, introducing her as if showing off a prized achievent, "She's Master Colin's prized student. With her here, our tactical analysis is sure to be spot on!"
Pushed to the forefront, Ilana seed a bit at a loss, she nervously bowed to everyone and softly greeted, "Hello, I'm Ilana... For this trial, please lend your guidance, seniors."
Lassitina didn't respond imdiately; she simply folded her arms, observing this so-called "rival" up close for the first ti with a scrutinizing gaze.
Countless tis she had imagined this rival's ugly face in her mind, thinking she would be a cunning, enchanting witch adept at using her beauty to charm n... However, the Ilana before her was nothing like she had imagined.
She wore a simple apprentice robe, devoid of any excess decoration. Her thin figure emitted a chilly aura, along with a trace of naive detachnt.
Especially those eyes, clear as lake water beneath an ice glacier, without a trace of impurity, not to ntion arousing n's desires; instead, they inspired a surprising sense of purity.
This... was the woman who had captured Prince Colin's entire attention?
For the first ti, Lassitina felt a subtle tremor in her heart; clearly, this was only a bookworm intent on reading.
Was bullying soone like her even fun?
However, this mont of wavering was fleeting, quickly replaced by a stronger surge of jealousy—
Who knows if it's just an act to lure n?
Especially since so n fall for that!
Lassitina gritted her molars sharply.
Though she belonged to the nobility with questionable character, she was still raised with principles. Bullying the weak was not noble; winning couldn't give her true satisfaction unless the opponent truly deserved it according to her bullying aesthetics.
Simply put, she needed a justification to place herself on the side of justice, no matter how flimsy the reason.
Lassitina's expression alternated between somber and conflicted, making Ilana worry if she was too weak, causing Anjie trouble.
Anjie frantically winked at Lassitina, concerned her attitude might scare away the already captured duck, promptly turned back to the anxious-looking Ilana, saying.
"Ilana... Haha, Miss Lassitina is just not much of a talker, she's actually a really nice person, don't mind her."
Lassitina quickly reacted, squeezing out a forced friendly smile, trying to nd the situation, and reached out her right hand.
"Welco, Ilana, I've heard your na... Having you join us truly makes our team stronger."
Before, she would never allow a re commoner to touch her, even if they were from the Imperial holand.
Ilana took her cold hand, nodding politely and humbly.
"I dare not... Magic and combat experience are my weak points; I must learn more from you as seniors."
"Alright, let's dispense with pleasantries, the trial is about to begin."
Lassitina let go of her hand, shaking the ponytail resting on her shoulder, then turned to the two followers behind her.
"How prepared are you?"
The two Mage girls grinned, one whistled, the other toyed with her magic wand, loosening her stiff shoulders beneath the Mage Robe.
"Everything's ready, Miss."
"I'm ready too!"
Clearly, their status was slightly higher than Anjie's; they seed the kind to send her to Artisan Street for snacks.
"Excellent."
Lassitina's lips curled into a smile, she then cast her gaze towards Master rk on the distant raised platform, saying happily.
"I can't wait for the trial to begin!"
As three long chis resounded across the bustling snowy plains, the previously noisy crowd at the gathering point slowly quieted down.
Everyone's eyes gathered on the temporarily constructed high platform at the entrance, where Master rk had appeared.
He wore a ticulously arranged Source Magic School Master's robe, his expression stern, eyes like a hawk scanning every young face below.
A hint of softness crossed those sharp eyes.
Once upon a ti, he too, like these young apprentices, was pure-hearted, his eyes filled with the ideal of exploring the essence and truth of Strength.
Sigh, youth is precious.
He cleared his throat, dispelling the stray thoughts that filled his mind, and spoke.
"Young Mages, welco to the annual All Souls Festival Maze Trial. I am in charge of this trial, rk."
"You might have heard my na, or maybe not, but that doesn't matter. You just need to rember one thing—"
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