Chapter 18 : Moving Forward
“When the world casts you into the abyss, a knight’s honor lies not in never falling, but in choosing to swing the sword upward after every fall.”
—The Silver Griffin and the Last Princess, Prologue.
You have to keep moving forward.
Aurora’s words and the knight novel’s famous quote echoed relentlessly in Ailiya’s mind.
But how do I move forward?
She lay on her small bed, the room still a mess, the empty cake box sitting on the desk.
I’m suspended from classes, and the entrance exam is less than three days away.
The rumors on the bulletin board are spreading, and the whole school sees me as a shameless villain.
Lady Liliane… she doesn’t believe me either. I’m completely alone.
She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow.
What can I do? Explain to everyone?
“I didn’t do it, I’m not like that, please listen!” Who’d believe me?
They’d just think I’m making excuses and hate me more.
Or should I just endure it? Wait for the storm to pass?
But will it pass? What about the entrance exam?
Even if I somehow pass, will I have to live under this stigma, pointed at and whispered about forever?
No… that’s not right.
She sat up abruptly, her gaze landing on The Silver Griffin and the Last Princess on the desk.
In the story, when the princess was slandered and attacked with rumors, what did she do?
She didn’t hide in her castle crying or wait for rescue.
She donned armor, took up her sword, sought evidence, exposed her hidden enemies, and silenced her critics with the truth.
I… may not have armor or a sword, but I can’t just sit here waiting to be crushed!
A long-dormant spark of defiance reignited in her chest.
Right, moping here solves nothing.
I have to do something.
The person who posted that notice… they must be smug about causing such a stir. Maybe they’ll sneak back tonight to admire their “masterpiece.”
Or… they might post new, even nastier rumors.
I’ll keep watch.
I have to see who’s behind this!
In the dead of night, moonlight bathed St. Freya’s courtyard like liquid silver.
Ailiya, like a clumsy detective, crouched in the dense bushes across from the magic bulletin board.
So sleepy… She stifled a yawn, tears pricking her eyes.
Should’ve napped more during the day.
But for my innocence, this sacrifice is worth it!
She clutched a long-poled net—a butterfly-catching tool scrounged from the dorm’s storage, the only “weapon” she could find.
As her head bobbed with drowsiness, faint, almost imperceptible footsteps approached.
Ailiya snapped awake.
She saw a figure moving unhurriedly toward the bulletin board.
There they are!
Her heart pounded as she gripped the net, crouching lower.
The moment the figure neared the board, she leaped from the bushes, shouting with all her might:
“Stop! You despicable rumor-monger!”
But when she saw the figure’s face in the moonlight, she froze.
It was a woman, about thirty, with an amused, playful smile.
…A thirty-year-old woman?
The one spreading rumors about me is an auntie?
Ailiya’s mind spun with confusion.
“Miss Ailiya Winston,” the woman spoke first, her voice languid and melodious. “What are you doing here so late?”
Ailiya noticed the badge on her chest, glinting in the moonlight, marking her as faculty—Vice Principal.
Her brain buzzed, and she nearly bit her tongue in panic.
She hurriedly hid the net behind her, but its long pole made the round net comically visible.
Vice Principal Melissa pointed at it, teasing: “What’s that—”
“Ha!”
In a panic, Ailiya snapped the wooden pole with a loud “crack,” breaking it in two.
Hiding the broken net, she laughed awkwardly: “N-nothing! Just picking up trash to help keep the academy clean!”
Melissa didn’t press, merely giving her a curious glance before turning to update the bulletin board.
Her fingers glowed with soft mana, and the venomous rumors faded like ink washed away, replaced by a new announcement about tomorrow’s class schedule.
Ailiya watched her fluid movements, inwardly screaming:
So, the vice principal herself changes the board’s content?
“Normally, the news club prepares the content, and they update it,” Melissa said, as if reading her thoughts, continuing her work. “But I had some time today, so I lent a hand. Once this is done, I’m off for the night.”
Off for the night…
Ailiya’s mind raced.
“Um, Vice Principal,” she mustered the courage to ask, “what’s the process for updating the board?”
Melissa answered without pausing: “Simple. Use a specific faculty badge to unlock permissions, then apply a magic scroll with the new content.”
Soon, the board was updated, pristine and new.
Before leaving, Melissa removed her white silk gloves and asked: “You’re investigating those rumors about you, aren’t you?”
“Y-you know something?” Ailiya’s eyes lit up.
“As the board’s overseer, I had to look into it,” Melissa said. “Someone exploited a simple system glitch to bypass permissions and alter the board. But…”
She trailed off, her tone shifting.
“The glitch was basic, but the execution was highly skilled. I can confidently say no student here could’ve done it. Probably hired a ‘black market merchant’ from the capital—someone who’ll do anything for coin.”
“And then?” Ailiya pressed. “Did you find out who hired them?”
“No further leads,” Melissa said, spreading her hands helplessly. “You know, Ailiya, this is St. Freya—full of noble daughters. Digging deeper could implicate a powerful family, and even I’d be in trouble. It’s for the academy’s stability, you understand?”
Some things weigh little until they’re measured—then they’re heavier than a thousand pounds.
From her robe pocket, she produced a palm-sized, compass-like device and handed it to Ailiya.
“But I can give you this.”
“What is it?”
“The one who tampered with the board was careful but left a trace of their mana in the system’s core. I stored it in this compass,” Melissa explained. “Activate it, and it’ll lead you to the person who left that trace. But don’t tell anyone.”
Ailiya took the cool compass, thanking her earnestly.
As she turned to leave, Melissa called out, pointing at the broken net: “Don’t forget to toss your ‘trash’ in the bin.”
Ailiya’s face flushed red, nodding awkwardly.
Watching Ailiya hurry off with the compass, Melissa’s lazy smile faded.
What an interesting girl.
In a dire situation, she didn’t cry or give up but fought back like a bristling kitten with her tiny claws.
Melissa glanced at the moon above.
Work late every night?
Please, I’d die of exhaustion.
She was here because she wanted to see what this enigmatic girl, brought to the academy by Liliane von Winter, would do in such a crisis.
And so far, Ailiya hadn’t disappointed her.
Let’s see, Ailiya Winston.
This is your crisis—and the opportunity I’m giving you.
With a mysterious smile, Melissa vanished into the night.