Gardenia's Heart

Chapter 57: Monsterology

Walking along the stage, the beautiful woman with rabbit ears twirled the black brush between her fingers.

"I know not all of you have spent your entire lives within the walls of Caligo. However, I can’t help but think that, at least once, each of you has come into contact with a monster in some way."

Selene studied the faces of her students as she spoke. Whether it was sadness, fear, or anger—though they were young—everyone in that room bore a significant memory tied to a monster.

"I can't begin to imagine the situations you've faced or the kind of feelings that might have been seared into your hearts. But if you wish to become mages, your path will eventually lead you to face a monster, and when that day comes, I must ensure you’re ready."

Without approaching the blackboard, Selene began moving her brush through the air. Some students furrowed their brows in confusion, wondering what she was doing. However, their doubts didn't last long. Within moments, a greenish ink-like substance began to flow from the tip of her stardust brush.

Up and down, side to side. Her sweeping motions, both bold and graceful, made it clear what was happening.

She was painting a picture—without a canvas.

With effortless skill, her fingers guided the brush with elegance and speed, and now, covering the entire stage area was a three-dimensional painting of a forest.

The artwork wasn’t hyper-detailed to make the viewer feel as though they were physically there, but it stirred a profound sense of reality in anyone who gazed upon it.

With a subtle motion, Selene tucked the brush back into her waist. As she stepped down from the stage, she walked along the front row of desks. Within the floating, ink-drawn forest, a small rodent scurried through the leaves, carefully

Sighing softly, Selene shook her head, her gaze steady.

“Explain a bit further,” her clear, commanding voice echoed through the classroom.

Raising an eyebrow at the demand, the silver-haired girl let out a faint sigh, her fingers intertwining atop her desk.

“Monsters are irrational creatures capable of following only basic instructions. They lack something like a mind or personal identity, which means they can’t create spells.”

A sharp whistle escaped Selene’s lips.

“You’re absolutely right. The reason monsters can’t use magic is that they are beings incapable of thought.”

As the question no one had dared to answer was finally resolved, the entire class turned to stare at the girl who had given the correct response. Murmurs spread rapidly across the room, with students whispering questions about her name or year. The beautiful silver-haired girl, however, remained as expressionless as ever, seemingly unbothered by the attention.

“That was an excellent answer, especially given how niche this field of study is. It’s only been a few years since the subject was brought into academic discussion, so it’s rare to see someone take such an interest.”

Step by step, Selene made her way through the classroom toward the last row of desks. Her smile widened, and her golden hair swayed gently, reflecting the growing amusement in her heart.

“However, I’ve never come across any studies supporting the idea that monsters receive instructions from any kind of source. The way you say it makes it sound as if there’s a higher entity commanding them to act as they do.” Selene stopped beside the girl, both eyes fully focused on her.

As if no one else in the room was allowed to speak, the entire class remained silent, hanging on to every word exchanged between the two women.

“If monsters are beings incapable of thought yet still manage to claim vast forest territories or explicitly guard labyrinth interiors, isn’t it obvious to deduce they follow some kind of order?” the girl responded coldly, almost bored, her voice devoid of emotion. “To run, gather, surround, or kill. Whether the instructions are simple or complex doesn’t matter—they will follow them, and that’s why they pose such a threat, despite being even more savage than beasts.”

Selene listened silently. Even when the girl finished speaking, the rabbit-eared woman remained thoughtful for a few moments before the corners of her lips curled slightly.

“The way you speak... it sounds less like research and more like you’ve heard such instructions yourself before.”

Selene’s pink eyes narrowed as she studied the emotionless face of the silver-haired girl. The tension in the air was almost palpable, but the girl didn’t so much as flinch.

“When you have to fight so many monsters just to survive, it’s only natural to learn a thing or two. I expected the same from you, but it seems I was wrong.” The silver-haired girl sighed, meeting Selene’s gaze for the first time.

The two long rabbit ears atop Selene’s head perked up to their fullest, and faint blue mana began to ripple irregularly from her body.

“Could you tell me your name?” Selene asked, her smile remaining but failing to reach her eyes.

For the first time, the silver-haired girl didn’t respond immediately. She shook her head slowly as if weighing the question, her eyes closed in thought.

“Lily.” Her tone was flat, yet if one listened closely, there was a subtle trace of emotion hidden in her voice—an almost imperceptible hint of delight.

Upon finally hearing the girl’s name, Selene twirled her pointer brush between her fingers.

“You seem quite confident in your magic, Lily. How about helping me with a little practical lesson? It’s been some time since I’ve given the students a combat simulation—this could be an excellent learning opportunity.” Selene’s pink eyes narrowed further as if daring the girl to refuse.

“If my help will be useful.” The same monotonous voice returned, stripped of all traces of emotion once more.

“Everyone, it’s a bit late to mention this, but we’ll be changing today’s lesson location to the arena.”

Clapping her hands together, Selene redirected the entire class’s attention. The once puzzled and thoughtful expressions of those trying to understand the situation shifted into an eruption of excitement as they realized they’d get to see a mage of Selene’s caliber in action.

“No way—a combat lesson with the Headmistress!?”

“Quick, let’s run to the dorms and wake those idiots who skipped the afternoon class!”

“Come on, we need a spot in the front row!”

Various voices mixed together as the students rushed out of the classroom toward the arena. It didn’t take long before only Selene and Lily remained in the room. The sunlight filtering through the mist grew weaker as night approached, soon replaced by the bluish glow of the lampposts outside.

“You can find the arena even though you’re not a student here, can’t you?” Selene said, winking before stepping out of the room, her red dress and twin tails swaying with each step. “Ah, right, tell the two hiding in the hallway they’re welcome to come watch as well.”

With one last smile, Selene left the classroom, and seconds later, two figures rushed inside.

“What are you thinking!? Weren’t you listening to me, Lady Lily? She’s a two-star mage, just like Velmont! You can’t just go around challenging people to fights like this!” Abelia said desperately, almost tempted to grab the girl’s shoulders and shake her.

“If you were listening from the beginning, you’d have noticed she’s the one who invited me to the practice, not the other way around.” Lily—or rather, Nia—replied in her usual monotone voice, the need to interact with so many people other than her wife becoming more of a nuisance by the second.

“That’s sophistry! We couldn’t hear everything clearly, but I’m sure you provoked her! What will we do? What if she refuses to listen to us?” The noble tone Abelia had been using vanished, her obsidian eyes wide with worry as she imagined what could happen to the girl in front of her.

“I’ll make sure she listens.” Speaking in a low voice, Nia stood up. Though still wearing the school uniform, a black cloak materialized around her neck and shoulders, now that her disguise was pointless.

Seeing the silver-haired girl heading toward the door without another word, Abelia considered running after her again. However, before she could, her shoulders were gently held by Cleomel.

“Calm yourself, Lady Abelia. I may not fully understand what’s happening, but considering all our past attempts, this might be the only way to make Lady Leontar listen to us.” Cleomel’s gentle restraint made her intentions clear—she understood Abelia’s feelings all too well.

Hearing even her beloved knight agreeing with the silver-haired girl’s plan left Abelia with no further arguments.

Sighing to steady her breath, Abelia placed her hand over Cleomel’s on her shoulder and turned to face Lily.

“Lady Lily, I am not a mage like you. I can’t feel mana or cast even the simplest spells. But I know how strong you are, and I know people’s hearts well enough to see how much you’re still hiding.” Her free hand pressed firmly against her chest, eyes intense as they focused on the black cloak of the girl before her. “Be honest with me—if you two fight, what will happen?”

Before leaving the room, Nia tilted her head slightly at those words. Her next response was delivered in the same flat tone, as though stating the most obvious fact.

“I win.”