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Chapter 11: You don’t even believe me?

Gradually, the flame in Nanali’s hand transformed into a butterfly that fluttered its wings slowly.

Then the butterfly turned into a little figure dancing a strange dance, which left Rowan speechless.

After that, Nanali concentrated again and the dancing figure morphed into a galloping steed.

After showing those three transformations, Nanali reined in the flame and looked at Rowan silently.

Rowan opened her mouth and finally admitted calmly, “It seems I was narrow-minded. I apologize.”

At that, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Nanali’s face.

Nanali really enjoyed magic; she truly loved magic.

She could accept being isolated or ridiculed.

But the knowledge Ryan taught her had enabled her to master magic and gain a new lease on life.

Although she did not like Ryan, she would never allow anyone to profane the magical theory he had taught her.

After Rowan apologized, the students in the classroom gradually snapped back to reality.

However, none of them expressed any awe or envy at the magic Nanali had demonstrated.

“Doesn’t she supposedly have zero magical talent? How did she suddenly become so powerful?”

“The magic she just showed even Rowan hasn’t seen before, right?”

“Did she secretly study forbidden tomes?”

“She must have read forbidden tomes!”

A somewhat harsh voice sounded, belonging to a girl with golden curls who spoke loudly to those around her.

“What else could explain magic that even Rowan has never seen besides forbidden tomes? What else could make someone with zero talent a genius overnight?”

“She definitely read forbidden tomes. I’ll report this to the Art City Knight Order and have them investigate her properly!”

“Silence!”

Rowan struck her desk, instantly restoring quiet in the classroom.

Listening to the other students’ remarks, Nanali lowered her head and felt her usually unshakeable heart waver once again.

Clearly she had talent and could cast spells, yet still no one recognized her.

Nanali suddenly realized that this joy could not be shared with anyone and would be trapped deep in her heart.

Then it would gradually fade away.

Nanali felt foolish, remembering how excited she had been all night when she first learned magic.

In her mind, Ryan’s image surfaced unbidden.

For some reason, Nanali suddenly felt she desperately wanted to see the man she had only known for a day.

Though she hated to admit it, she sensed that being by his side brought her peace.

He was… her personal butler.

At that moment, the bell rang at Alcot Academy, signaling the end of the torturous class.

Nanali hurried to stand up and leave the classroom to find Ryan.

Rowan called out, “Axi, stay behind; everyone else may leave.”

Nanali’s body trembled but she quietly sat back down.

After all the students had left, Rowan approached and spoke to Nanali in a low voice.

“Axi, tell me honestly, did you really sneak off to study forbidden tomes?”

Hearing Rowan’s words, Nanali froze in shock and looked up at her in disbelief.

After pursing her lips, her childish voice trembled as she spoke.

“Rowan, you… you don’t believe me either?”

“That’s not…”

Rowan panicked and tried to explain, but Nanali stood and hurriedly left the classroom.

Once out of the oppressive classroom atmosphere, Nanali drew a deep breath and stared blankly at her toes.

“Milady!”

At that moment, a familiar voice reached her.

Nanali snapped her head up and saw Ryan standing at the door with his usual faint smile.

Seeing Ryan, Nanali felt as if a string in her heart had snapped and finally lost her emotional restraint.

Tears welled up endlessly in her eyes.

“Milady?”

Ryan was startled by her appearance and quickly crouched before her, asking with concern, “What’s wrong?”

Nanali took a step forward, hugged Ryan, buried her face in his chest, and clutched his butler coat tightly.

“In class… I showed the magic you taught me, but… why… does no one acknowledge me…”

Nanali’s words were choked with sobs, her voice trembling unbearably and evoking pity.

As he listened, Ryan understood what had happened in class.

He also guessed why Nanali had been pretending all along.

Without her façade and emotional numbness, she could not have endured her situation.

Ryan was not one to comfort others; in the Knight Order, if one of his knights cried like this, he would kick them onto the battlefield.

But Nanali was not one of his knights; she was just a little girl.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ryan placed his restless hands on Nanali’s back and spoke softly.

“Because, Milady, your talent is so great that they cannot accept it, so they blind themselves and refuse to recognize you. You don’t need their approval; just be yourself and remain the one who loves magic with all her heart.

Who cares what they think? My great Milady, you’re the best.”

As Ryan gently stroked her back, Nanali’s emotions gradually settled.

“Ryan…”

“Milady, what is it?”

“Let’s go home.”

Nanali murmured, “Let’s go back, okay? I don’t want to stay here… Let’s go home and you can teach me magic from now on, okay? I want to eat the meals you cook…”

… How could I possibly stay by your side forever, my great Milady?

Nanali had suddenly become so honest, but Ryan could not feel happy.

What kind of blow must it have been to turn an innocent little girl into this in an instant?

Rowan, who had wanted to chase after Nanali and apologize, stood at the door and felt guilty seeing her like this.

After all, she was the final straw that broke Nanali.

“Milady…”

After a moment’s thought, Ryan whispered, “Tell me who is bullying you at this academy, okay? Give me their names, every single one without omission.”

Ryan did not know the proper way to solve these problems, so he planned to use his own method to deal with the “problem.”

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