Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 96 Flaming Lessons and Shadowy Glares

Liria found Enara lounging against the Academy's grand staircase, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised in clear irritation. Ananara hovered beside her, looking bored as ever, though his spiky pineapple form somehow managed to radiate condescension.

"You're late," Enara said sharply, her midnight eyes narrowing. "What happened? Did Seraphis turn you into a pile of ash?"

Liria shrugged, plastering on a nonchalant grin. "Nope. Apologies were made. Bridges were—well, not built, but maybe patched with duct tape. It's fine."

"She didn't make you her apprentice, did she?" Enara asked suspiciously.

"Not a chance," Liria said, shuddering. "I'd rather be eaten by a Hellbeast."

Ananara snorted. "Frankly, that would have been a more dignified outcome."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Talking Fruit." Liria shot him a glare, which he ignored entirely.

Enara rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Let's just get to class. Professor Kaelith doesn't tolerate tardiness, and I'm not in the mood to be on the receiving end of one of his death glares because of you."

"What's so scary about a glare?" Liria muttered as they headed toward the lecture hall. Stay connected via empire

"You'll see," Enara said ominously.

The magic lecture hall was as grand as ever, with towering bookshelves crammed with ancient tomes, glowing sigils etched into the walls, and an enormous chandelier made of crystalline orbs that floated midair, casting shifting patterns of light.

Liria barely had time to take her seat beside Enara before the doors slammed open with a sharp crack. A chill swept through the room as Professor Kaelith entered, his indigo skin almost blending into the shadowy tendrils of his hair that swirled as if alive. His molten gold eyes flickered briefly over the students, and Liria felt an uncomfortable shiver crawl down her spine.

"Good morning," Kaelith said, his deep voice laced with an edge that made it clear he did not tolerate nonsense. "Today's lesson will focus on a subject many of you may never master. However, the royal family has graciously allowed us to explore it briefly: the art of black flames."

The room collectively tensed, the significance of the words weighing heavily in the air. Black flames were more than just a magical technique—they were a symbol, a mark of power and dominion exclusive to the royal lineage of demons.

And yet, Liria Silverthorn, an anomaly from another world, could summon them.

Kaelith's molten gold eyes lingered on Liria for a fraction longer than necessary. The entire class seemed to shift uncomfortably in their seats, as if silently acknowledging the unspoken question hanging between them: How is she capable of wielding them?

Liria felt the weight of their stares but kept her expression neutral. Internally, however, she was anything but calm.

Great. Black flames. The royal family's signature magic, she thought, her fingers tapping nervously on the desk.

[You can handle this,] the system chimed in her mind, its tone smug. [You've done it before. In fact, you're better at it than half these clowns.]

That's not the point, Liria snapped internally. I shouldn't be able to do it at all. It's supposed to be exclusive to the demon royals. You know, like their entire identity?

The dig was subtle but unmistakable, and Liria felt her jaw clench.

As the lecture continued, Kaelith began demonstrating various techniques for summoning and controlling black flames. The class watched intently, some trying to mimic his movements, though most failed miserably.

Enara, of course, managed to produce a small but steady flame, her midnight eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Kaelith nodded approvingly.

"Well done, Princess," he said.

When it was Liria's turn, she hesitated, her heart pounding.

"Miss Silverthorn," Kaelith said, his tone icy. "Perhaps you'd care to remind us why you're an exception to every rule."

Liria took a deep breath, raising her hand. She concentrated, summoning the flame from within a skill she had somehow mastered in this bizarre world despite having no rightful claim to it.

A flicker of black fire appeared in her palm, growing into a steady, swirling flame. The room fell silent again, the other students watching in awe and unease.

Kaelith's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

"Well," Liria said, breaking the tension. "I guess I'm just full of surprises."

"Or full of something else," Ananara muttered from his perch beside her.

Enara smirked, clearly enjoying the moment.

Kaelith, however, was not amused. "Your control is adequate, but your arrogance will be your downfall, Miss Silverthorn," he said sharply. "Power without understanding is a dangerous thing."

"Yeah, I've been told," Liria muttered under her breath.

As the class came to an end, Kaelith dismissed the students with a final, stern warning about the dangers of black flames.

"Remember," he said, his golden eyes sweeping over the room. "These flames are not toys. Treat them with respect, or they will consume you."

Liria filed out of the lecture hall with Enara and Ananara, her mind buzzing with frustration.

"Well, that was fun," she said sarcastically. "Nothing like being publicly called an anomaly to brighten my day."

"Get used to it," Enara said with a shrug. "You're not exactly subtle about being weird."

Ananara snorted. "If anything, Kaelith was being polite."

"Thanks, guys," Liria said dryly. "Your support means everything."