Chapter 40. I’m Not as Low-Class as You
When Riley arrived at the lecture hall, it was unusually noisy.
It was always loud to some extent, but today felt different—restless, strange. Hilla spotted Riley and waved her over.
“Over here. This way.”
Riley sat down beside Hilla, tilting her head.
“What’s with everyone?”
“You know her, right? The famous Rivne Lianster. The twin sister of the Horizon Mage Tower Master.”
“Of course I do.”
How could she not?
“She’s coming here soon. That’s why everyone’s making such a fuss.”
“Why?”
“Why else? She’s taking this class.”
“……She attends here?”
“You didn’t know? She’s a Horizon student and practically guaranteed to become the next councilor. It’s basically already decided. She also owns a significant share of the Horizon Academy. Her brother has the Mage Tower, and she has the Academy.”
“……I had no idea.”
“They say Rivne Lianster is the only one among the common courses who actually failed Basic Magic: Theory and Practice. Apparently, she didn’t retake it and kept postponing it until now. Looks like she finally registered to retake it this time.”
“……Failed? Why?”
“Something about insufficient attendance. I don’t know the details either. There must’ve been circumstances. Anyway, she enrolled early, then kept taking leaves of absence, and just returned this term. It was a huge topic for a while—people saying, ‘So even Archmage Jung’s disciple can fail.’”
“Isn’t there only one disciple of the former Mage Tower Master? The current one?”
“He’s the favorite disciple. There were several others. Most of them now hold key positions at Horizon. That’s why it was such a hot topic—why, out of all those disciples, the Mage Tower was entrusted to the youngest and least experienced, Gibnen Lianster.”
They were the same freshmen, yet Hilla somehow knew everything.
“Where do you even hear all this?”
Hilla gestured toward a group of students in the lecture hall.
“They’re talking nonstop.”
So the source was the already-clustered central aristocrats of Blestige.
Well, that made sense. Even if they were freshmen too, they were different. Having debuted early in high society, their information network must have been on another level.
“I also heard that the former Mage Tower Master, Lord Jung, passed down his knowledge and mana to the Lianster siblings.”
“Passed down?”
“It’s a kind of magic only mages can use—transferring their mana and knowledge to someone else.”
“That’s possible? That’s amazing.”
“That’s why everyone’s desperate to find a good master. Just having the right teacher guarantees your future.”
It seemed Gibnen and Rivne were far more extraordinary than they looked.
“They say the siblings are insanely popular. Everyone wants to bring them into their family or become their disciple.”
Riley felt inexplicably tense.
Rivne didn’t seem to like her very much, and in any case, sisters-in-law were inherently awkward. As Riley anxiously fidgeted, the door opened, and all eyes turned in one direction.
Rivne—just as famous as Gibnen—entered the lecture hall with unhurried grace.
“Wow… she’s really beautiful.”
Hilla whispered in awe, and Riley nodded in agreement.
She truly was beautiful. Born into nobility, immensely capable—she didn’t even need beauty, yet she had that too. Her existence, like Gibnen’s, was almost unfair.
Basking in everyone’s attention, Rivne completely ignored the gazes directed at her and scanned the room for a seat. At that moment, a group of Blestige central nobles approached her.
“Lady Rivne, my father said he saw your family in Ingsignia recently. Is it true you had a formal meeting between families?”
Riley flinched.
She hurriedly covered her mouth to suppress a startled hiccup.
“They said it was a betrothal meeting—are you getting married?”
“…….”
“But the other family seemed completely unfamiliar. If they were from Blestige, we’d know them. Which family is it? Or is it from Duke Gibnen’s side?”
“You’re always so curious about other people’s business. Consistently so.”
“When have we ever been ‘just acquaintances’?”
The apparent leader of the group laughed lightly and linked arms with Rivne.
“Sit with us, Lady Rivne.”
It was surprising to see someone who usually ruled the lecture hall like a queen acting so ingratiating. Rivne, however, looked thoroughly displeased.
She hurriedly searched for an empty seat—and then stopped.
Riley stopped as well.
Their gazes met in midair. Rivne stared at Riley in surprise, then broke into a grin and walked straight toward her, plopping down beside her.
“Lady Rivne? Why sit there?”
“I like this spot.”
“…Do you?”
The woman who had been acting friendly toward Rivne stepped up to Riley and tapped the desk.
“Hey. Could you move?”
It was the same situation as the first day.
Though she wasn’t the same person who had picked a fight then, the condescending eyes and tone were eerily identical.
Riley hesitated.
She didn’t want to get on their bad side. Making a scene would only make academy life exhausting.
Her master had said it too—endure when you can, ignore it when possible. Don’t get involved. Arguing would only put her at a disadvantage. And besides…
Sitting next to Rivne—the genius sister-in-law—was honestly overwhelming.
After exchanging glances with Hilla, Riley was just about to stand when—
Rivne grabbed her hand and pulled her back down.
“Why move? Sit here.”
That was because she didn’t want to get dragged into unnecessary trouble—
As Riley hesitated, the noblewoman spoke again.
“Lady Rivne, why are you defending someone from the outside?”
“Someone from the outside?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? She’s not from Blestige.”
“So?”
“So—does it make sense for a Blestige noble to associate with an outsider?”
“And why wouldn’t it?”
“It lowers your status.”
Rivne narrowed her eyes at the woman, then leaned back with her arms crossed and let out a soft scoff.
“Are you in any position to talk about status in front of me?”
“…What?”
“And do you think you’re on my level?”
The woman’s face flushed bright red.
“L-Lady Rivne! How could you say that?!”
“By your logic, you’re saying your family is on the same level as mine.”
“We’re both Blestige nobles!”
“The same? You and me?”
“…….”
“I’m not as low-class as you.”
Rivne smiled sweetly as she delivered the blow with elegant precision.
“Horizon is a place where everyone receives equal education regardless of status. Naturally, discrimination based on birth should not exist. And yet, instead of setting an example as a Blestige noble, you openly talk about ‘levels’ to someone’s face. Where did you learn such disgraceful manners?”
“Th-that’s not—”
“Not what? You just committed a serious insult toward this lady. On top of that, you’ve tarnished the honor of Blestige nobility. Instead of setting an example, what exactly do you think you’re doing? It’s so disgraceful I’m embarrassed for you.”
The woman couldn’t respond. Her face burned red like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Though clearly furious, she forced her lips into a strained smile.
“I was short-sighted, Lady Rivne. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Good. Then return to your seat. I’ll be taking this lecture beside her.”
Once the woman left, the lecture hall fell deathly silent.
Just moments ago it had been unbearably loud—now it was quiet enough to think the professor had already started.
As Riley sat there blinking in a daze, Rivne spoke.
“Is it okay if I sit here?”
“Oh—yes. Of course.”
“Let’s sit together for this lecture every time.”
“…….”
“You don’t like that?”
“No, that’s not it, but… didn’t you dislike me?”
“I did?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well…”
Because you caused chaos in the mansion, wrecked a door, and left.
“Ah. That time.”
“…….”
“What I said then wasn’t because I disliked you. It was sincere advice—I was genuinely worried. But it doesn’t matter now. I dislike my brother, not you. Seems you misunderstood. If that made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“No—no, it’s fine.”
Hilla stared at the two of them, utterly bewildered. Unbothered, Rivne opened her textbook and sat properly, waiting for the professor. Riley did the same.
Just before the professor arrived, Riley spoke quietly.
“Um… thank you for earlier.”
“For what?”
“For what just happened.”
“That wasn’t helping. I just said something because I found it unpleasant to watch.”
“I see.”
“Don’t go around shrinking yourself. Say you don’t like something—firmly. What’s so scary that you have to bow to people like that?”
She wasn’t bowing. She just didn’t want trouble. She was tired. She hated noisy conflicts.
“Let’s begin the lecture.”
The professor arrived.
The conversation ended. Riley stared at her textbook, thinking.
She had wanted to attend the academy quietly, without drawing attention—but it seemed that was already impossible.
The occasional glances made her uncomfortable.
Who is she?
Curious stares.
…Yeah. Quietly keeping a low profile was probably no longer an option.
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“I’ll see you next lecture.”
When class ended, Rivne left with just that remark, not even looking back. The moment she was gone, Hilla’s eyes sparkled.
“You know each other?”
“…Yeah. Sort of.”
“Wow, that’s amazing! And she’s even cooler than the rumors. Did you see that earlier? That is what a noble is. A true example of someone everyone admires. Noble blood really does make a difference—her elegance, the way she shut her down so gracefully. That was incredible!”
Riley agreed—Rivne was truly impressive.
Honestly, she had been deeply moved.
So people like that really exist.
No wonder she was Gibnen’s sister. The siblings were equally extraordinary.
Smiling softly, Riley suddenly froze.
The woman who had been humiliated earlier was glaring at her with burning eyes.
Riley looked around, confused, then realized that gaze was aimed at her.
“Why is she looking at me like she wants to kill me…?”
When Riley tilted her head, the woman ground her teeth and stormed out.
Seeing this, Hilla snorted.
“Ignore her. She got humiliated badly, but she can’t take it out on Rivne Lianster, so she’s venting on you instead. Outsiders are easy targets. Honestly—she clearly didn’t absorb even half of what Rivne just said!”
Riley felt wronged.
She hadn’t done anything, yet she’d been made an enemy. The feeling left her unsettled.
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The last lecture ended around four in the afternoon.
After packing up, Riley left the lecture hall and sat in the park. She considered heading straight back to the mansion, but she hadn’t understood today’s material, so she planned to ask Arpeggio about it.
He complained a lot, but he explained things well.
She decided to kill some time in the park before heading to the Mage Tower. The academy and the tower were close—about a thirty-minute walk.
As she sat there relaxing—
“Excuse me.”
A man stood there, carrying two boxes that looked extremely heavy.
“I’m sorry, but could you help me for a moment?”
“?”
“These are really heavy. Could you carry one of them with me? They’re magic tools for a practical class.”
He looked genuinely exhausted.
Refusing felt difficult. And besides, helping those in need was the right thing to do. People at the Eadalin mansion often mocked or ignored requests for help—and that had always hurt.
“Sure. Hand it to me.”
“Thank you.”
Riley took one box and followed the man.
Though it looked heavy, it wasn’t as bad as she’d expected. After walking for a while, they reached a secluded building.
There wasn’t a single person around. The building looked abandoned—overgrown vines covered its exterior.
So this was the storage warehouse for magic tools? With so many trees blocking the sunlight, the place felt eerie.
“Is this it?”
“Yes. Thank you for your help.”
The man set his box down, and Riley did the same. Then the man grinned broadly.
“I brought her.”
He spoke to someone.
Before Riley could react—
Several people poured out of the warehouse.
All unfamiliar faces—except one.
That’s the woman who was humiliated by Rivne this morning. The one who glared at me…
She was glaring just as fiercely now.
As Riley stared blankly, the woman shouted to the others.
“That’s her! She’s the one who humiliated me!”
…What is she even saying?
