It had been five days since Alteraz started training under Ansley. Up until now, every session had focused solely on physical training. Today, however, he would finally teach her the basics of magic.
At first, Ansley refused to believe that Alteraz couldn't cast even the simplest spell. Growing up in the family, she should have learned the basics years ago. Thinking she was only making excuses, he jokingly cast an attack at her. The next thing he knew, Alteraz had been sent flying across the training grounds. Only then did he realize she had been telling the truth.
Now, Atila carefully wrapped fresh bandages around Alteraz's shoulders while repeatedly shooting furious glances at Ansley. Feeling guilty, he simply looked away every time their eyes met.
Atila finally finished bandaging Alteraz's arm before standing up. She shot Ansley one last glare as she left, making him scratch the back of his head. Only after she was gone did he look back at Alteraz.
"Hey... don't blame me for that. I honestly didn't think you were serious."
Alteraz didn't answer. She simply stared at him with an expression that clearly reminded him she had already said it more than once.
"Okay... okay. I'm sorry, my lady."
"My lady? Stop calling me that. It's not like you treat me like one."
"I've already apologized, okay?"
"How am I supposed to learn magic if you keep blasting me away every chance you get?"
Without saying a word, Ansley walked toward her.
"W-What are you doing?" Alteraz asked as she instinctively took a step back.
Instead of answering, Ansley placed his hand on her shoulder. A warm surge of energy immediately spread throughout her body. The pain in her shoulders gradually disappeared, followed by the soreness in her back and the bruises covering the rest of her body.
"It... doesn't hurt anymore."
She looked at Ansley, ready to thank him. Unfortunately, he opened his mouth first.
"See? I told you. No matter how many times I send you flying, you'll recover anyway."
The little gratitude Alteraz had instantly disappeared.
This guy really is determined to make me his personal punching bag.
"Enough with this," she said. "Teach me already."
"Alright."
He began demonstrating the basic hand seals while explaining the incantations needed to cast simple spells. Alteraz listened attentively, carefully copying every movement he made. Every now and then she mispronounced a word, causing Ansley to stop and correct her before continuing the lesson. Although it was only the basics, Alteraz listened more seriously than she ever had in school. Magic was the foundation of this world. If she wanted to survive here, she had to learn it.
The two became so immersed in the lesson that neither of them noticed several disciples approaching the training grounds.
"The Second Master has arrived!"
The disciples immediately stepped aside to give way. Alteraz looked up just in time to see a beautiful tall woman with long white hair rushing toward her. Before she could react, the woman suddenly wrapped her arms around her.
"Alteraz, darling!" the woman cried, tears streaming down her face. "How have you been? I've been so worried!"
Startled by the sudden embrace, Alteraz awkwardly looked toward Ansley before carefully pulling herself free.
"I... um... do I know you?"
Before the woman could answer, Ansley and the surrounding disciples bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Second Master Zhuanyin."
The moment Alteraz heard the name, she immediately recognized her.
Dale Zhuanyin de Florencia.
Although she wasn't Zhangxuan's biological sister, she was the daughter of his father's second wife and had grown up alongside him. Their father treated them equally, but Zhangxuan was still chosen to inherit the position as head of the family because he was his biological son. Behind her gentle smile, Zhuanyin secretly resented him.
She was one of the hidden villains in the novel. In the original story, she was also the one who killed Ansley.
Almost instinctively, Alteraz turned to look at him. Seeing him standing there so casually, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Poor guy... he doesn't even know his future murderer is standing right in front of him.
Ansley noticed her staring.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"N-Nothing."
Meanwhile, Zhuanyin continued holding Alteraz's hands as though she were afraid she would disappear.
"Darling... I heard you lost your memories."
"I..."
Alteraz didn't know what to say. She couldn't remember the novel ever mentioning that Zhuanyin and Alteraz were close. In fact, she couldn't remember them interacting at all. Then why was this woman crying so much?
Looking at Zhuanyin's trembling shoulders, Alteraz couldn't help but feel conflicted. This was the first time someone had cried because of her. Seeing Zhuanyin like this, Alteraz couldn't help but wonder if this so-called villain genuinely cared about her behind the scenes. Then Zhuanyin gently wiped away her tears before turning toward Ansley.
"Ansley, may I borrow Alteraz for a moment? I'd like to speak with her privately."
Ansley nodded politely.
"Of course, Second Master."
Without waiting for Alteraz to answer, Zhuanyin gently took her hand and led her away. Curious about what she wanted, Alteraz simply followed. As they walked through the residence, she quietly took in her surroundings. When they finally entered Zhuanyin's chamber, her eyes immediately wandered around the room. Elegant furniture, expensive ornaments, and beautiful paintings decorated every corner.
Woah… she has good taste...
The two sat across from each other while a servant silently poured tea before excusing herself from the room. As soon as the door closed, the atmosphere changed. Neither of them spoke, and the silence continued until Zhuanyin finally picked up her teacup.
"Memory loss?" Zhuanyin let out a quiet laugh. "What a pathetic excuse."
Alteraz immediately sensed something was wrong. The gentle woman from earlier was nowhere to be seen. Zhuanyin, who sat across from her now, felt like a completely different person as she slowly placed her teacup back onto the table.
"Have you forgotten our agreement?"
"I... I don't—"
Zhuanyin suddenly lunged forward. Her hand wrapped around Alteraz's throat before slamming her against the wall.
"Alteraz..."
"Don't think pretending to lose your memories will fool me."
Zhuanyin's grip tightened.
"Don't tell me your real goal is to get close to Zhangxuan again?"
She leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart.
"...do you really think you can walk away from me?"
"Or..."
"Are you planning to tell him our little secret?"
Alteraz's eyes widened as she clawed at Zhuanyin's wrist, desperately trying to break free. No matter how hard she struggled, Zhuanyin's grip never loosened.
She knows...?
A wave of fear washed over Alteraz. Had Zhuanyin somehow discovered she wasn't the real Alteraz?
"I won't let you ruin my plans"
Zhuanyin's grip tightened once more.
"Don't think pretending to have amnesia will erase our agreement."
Alteraz's vision slowly blurred. Just before darkness overtook her, Zhuanyin finally let go. Alteraz collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently as she desperately tried to catch her breath.
"You can't escape me, Alteraz," Zhuanyin said as she slowly crouched before her. "Once you've dirtied your hands, there's no turning back."
Alteraz remained on the floor, replaying Zhuanyin's words in her mind. She initially thought Zhuanyin had discovered she wasn't the real Alteraz. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that wasn't what Zhuanyin meant.
When Zhuanyin entered the room, she never questioned her strange behavior or her memory loss. Instead, she immediately accused her of pretending to have amnesia to repair her relationship with Zhangxuan. If that happened, whatever secret the two of them shared would inevitably reach him. Thinking this through, Alteraz slowly exhaled, the tension in her chest easing ever so slightly. At least her transmigration hadn't been exposed. But that only left another question. Just what had the original Alteraz gotten herself involved in with Zhuanyin?
Damn it...
The novel never mentioned any of this.
Alteraz slowly got to her feet, never taking her eyes off Zhuanyin.
She had no idea what agreement the original Alteraz had made with her or what secret the two of them shared. However, one thing was certain. If she admitted she knew nothing, she wouldn't be leaving this room alive. Looks like she'd have to lie her way out of this.
"You're getting impatient," Alteraz said.
Zhuanyin's eyes narrowed slightly at her sudden change of tone.
"What did you say?"
"If I really wanted to repair my relationship with Zhangxuan," Alteraz replied calmly, "don't you think pretending to lose my memories would be too obvious?"
Zhuanyin remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"If even you saw through it," Alteraz continued, "what makes you think Zhangxuan wouldn't?"
"I haven't forgotten our agreement."
"I've only changed my approach."
"And what approach is that?" Zhuanyin asked.
"I-uh..."
"I'll earn his trust first"
"We're already on bad terms. If I suddenly start acting friendly, he'll only become suspicious. But if I slowly earn back his trust... he'll lower his guard."
Alteraz met Zhuanyin's gaze and continued, "And when that happens…"
"I'll do what we've planned from the beginning."
Zhuanyin carefully studied Alteraz's face, searching for even the slightest sign that she was lying. Alteraz met her gaze without looking away, though inside she was silently praying.
Please... just believe me.
After what felt like forever, Zhuanyin finally nodded.
"So that's your plan."
"I almost thought you were planning to betray me."
"I know better than that," Alteraz replied.
Zhuanyin slowly stepped closer and reached out to straighten Alteraz's slightly crooked collar.
"If that's true," she said with a gentle smile, "then don't disappoint me."
"Because if you betray me..."
"I'll make sure you regret it."
"I understand," Alteraz answered.
Satisfied, Zhuanyin took a step back.
"There."
"That's much better."
Zhuanyin cast a healing spell on her neck. Looking at her now, no one would believe she had nearly strangled Alteraz just moments ago. Seeing her seated again at the table, Alteraz took it as her cue to leave.
"Darling…"
Alteraz stopped but didn't look back.
"Don't disappoint me."
"...I won't."
As soon as Alteraz stepped outside and the door closed behind her, the pretense she had kept up vanished. She leaned against the wall and let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"My god..."
Her legs nearly gave out beneath her. She had managed to fool Zhuanyin for now, but that was all the more reason she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Even so, Zhuanyin's words about her "dirtied hands" never left her mind.
However, there was no time to dwell on it. Now she was caught between Zhangxuan and one of the story's most dangerous villains. As if that wasn't enough, the Ascension of Don Montefeliass was only two days away, followed soon after by a duel with Elshmir's disciple in just a month.
One problem after another.
Don't tell me I've stolen the heroine's role already… she thought, amused by the idea.
She had only been in this world for a few days, and it already felt like every major event in the novel was rushing toward her all at once.
"What kind of terrible luck is this...?"
Despite her words, the grin on her face never disappeared.
After calming herself, Alteraz moved away from the wall and started walking back toward the training grounds, unaware of the figure standing behind one of the stone pillars. The figure watched her leave without a sound before turning his gaze toward Zhuanyin's chamber.