“So Sister Liana, you knew too?” Erinna was a little frustrated. “I thought that after saying those things that day, you were going to keep a certain distance from me, thinking I was a strange pervert and not wanting to get close to me.”

“I did think that,” Liana admitted generously. “But that’s not a reason for me not to see you. I’ve said it before, I will look at what you do with complete fairness, as if we’re starting over.

“The reason I didn’t see you was mainly because there were still things that needed to be handled. Besides, aren’t you very busy too, having to manage the affairs of the Venus Dukedom? But I’m back now. If there’s anything you need help with, just say the word. I can help you openly now,” Liana said.

“These are my affairs. I will handle them myself. If people were to see their lady seeking help from others not long after taking office, wouldn’t I be laughed at?” Erinna said.

“What’s there to laugh at? You’re already doing an excellent job at your age. There aren’t many who can achieve what you have. You could be said to be the youngest family head in history,” Liana said.

The history here also included the previous kingdom. To become a family head at the age of sixteen was already an achievement that was difficult to surpass.

“But people more outstanding than me are standing right in front of me now, aren’t they? And there are two of them. Princess Mephilia is also very outstanding. It is precisely because she is so outstanding that she was able to snatch you away from me since we were children.” Erinna’s resentment towards Mephilia was still very strong.

“Ahaha...” Liana laughed a little awkwardly. It was much better for her to say it out loud than to keep it bottled up inside.

“Both you and Princess Mephilia are very outstanding people. Just being as I am is far from enough. I have to be even more perfect,” Erinna said, holding herself to a high standard.

Because in every aspect, whether in looks, skills, or status, she had no advantage. The only thing she could do was work hard.

“You’ve already worked very hard. I can see it all.”

Liana knew that Erinna was now practically using one day as if it were three.

Ever since she had learned that Liana had come to the Ibett Magic Academy, in order to balance her studies and the management of the Venus Dukedom, she had basically been squeezing her own rest time.

After handling the affairs of the dukedom, she would rush to the academy. But even so, she hadn’t had many opportunities to see Liana.

“You should rest for a bit. Don’t wear yourself out,” Liana said with some worry.

“I know.”

“Mephilia isn’t as perfect as you think. Besides, the reason I like her isn’t for that, although it does have some influence, it’s definitely not the main reason.

“Mephilia also has many stubborn moments. She can have a bit of a temper, and sometimes she fools around. But it’s precisely because of these flaws that I can feel how real she is. And it’s because of some of her reckless actions that I can see her cute side,” Liana said.

“I see.” Erinna nodded thoughtfully.

“There’s no need to put pressure on yourself because of me. Everyone makes mistakes. I prefer the original you,” Liana said.

“I understand,” Erinna nodded.

“You still have to pay more attention to your health. You’re the Duchess of Venus. It would be very troublesome if you got sick.”

“Okay,” Erinna’s tone was a little sad.

“After all, you’re my cutest little sister. I’d be sad too,” Liana said with a giggle.

And just like that, she didn’t seem so sad anymore.

“But, more than this, let’s consider what to do now. Should we watch from the back? Or take the initiative to attack?” Liana asked.

If she were alone, she would definitely choose the former. After all, she didn’t have a reliable person to watch her back. But now that she had Erinna, she could consider another option.

If they dealt with the enemy sooner, they could leave this place sooner, saving Mephilia and Loraviel from worrying for so long.

“An executor-level demon?” Erinna fell into thought.

If it were an executor-level enemy, she was confident she could take them down. But if the opponent was a demon, her inherent magic wouldn’t be of much use.

“It depends on what you want to do, Sister Liana. I’m fine with either,” Erinna said.

“Then let’s go and have a look first.” Liana was in no hurry.

When Liana and Erinna arrived at the plaza, the students had already been divided into several small teams.

There weren’t many people participating in the trial this time, only about ten, which proved that the difficulty was not very high.

Or, some people were secretly hiding, preparing to fish in muddy waters1浑水摸鱼 (húnshuǐmōyú), an idiom for taking advantage of a chaotic situation for personal gain. to get through this trial.

This was one of the difficulties of the trial, you never knew how many people were participating. The unknown was always one of the most troublesome things.

“Isn’t that Her Highness Liana?” Someone recognized her.

“What is it? Do we have a grudge, or do you want to compensate me?” Liana looked at the other person, a completely unfamiliar face.

“I am a mage from the Darriss Territory, Ang. I didn’t expect Your Highness to be able to use magic. It’s truly a surprise.”

Upon hearing his name, Liana instantly lost interest. The Darriss Territory, a bunch of arrogant mages.

“Don’t be so cold, Your Highness. Our Darriss [N O V E L I G H T] Territory has a unique understanding of magic...”

“Then how come you couldn’t figure out that spell chants could be altered? How come you couldn’t cure my illness? Do you really understand magic better than I do?” Liana gave him no face at all.

“You?!” On this matter, they indeed had no grounds to challenge her, provided that what Princess Mephilia had said was true, that spellcrafting was really her discovery.

“What is it? Do you have something to say?” Liana was not the least bit polite to the people of Darriss.

Since Crown Prince Hodwen had already left the Lisat Kingdom, the Darriss Territory, which had cooperated with him, would surely have other ideas.

Besides, Liana already disliked this group of arrogant fellows. Coupled with this reason, it would be a wonder if she had a good attitude.

“Nothing. I was just a little curious what kind of decision Your Highness would make when facing this trial,” Ang said.

“It’s just an executor-level demon. It should be more than enough for you all to deal with.” Liana didn’t want to be used as a pawn.

“Your Highness is the one among us who understands demonkind the most. It was you who told us their weaknesses. None of us want to leave the Ibett Magic Academy, and we don’t want any accidents to happen. So, we want to hear your opinion,” Ang said.

He gave Liana enough face and also used everyone present to pressure her.

But Liana wasn’t falling for this trick. “So you do know.”

“Of course I know very well...”

“Then do you still need me to make a move? What is the meaning of a simulation? Is it to just gawk and let others finish? Stop joking, will you?!” Liana found a chair and sat down. “If the demons really invaded our homeland, would you also expect others to solve your problems for you?”

“But if something were to happen, we would have to leave the Ibett Magic Academy. This is something none of us want to happen,” Ang said, biting the bullet.

“So?”

“Does Your Highness wish for one of us to leave the academy?” Ang was good at pinning labels on people.

But Liana didn’t care about any of that. “I find that you have quite the sense of humor. Worried about not understanding the demon race at a time like this and losing your place at the academy? Then if you really encounter the demons, what you’ll lose is your life. If you don’t fight in a simulation against them now, when you really encounter them, are you going to use knowledge from a book? Put away your foolish thoughts. In actual combat, the demonkind will only be dozens of times stronger than what’s in the books.”

Liana gave Ang no face at all.

“Besides, according to historical records, the simulations of the past could really lead to death. Now, just the price of leaving the academy is already considered significant. Then when you face death, are you just going to surrender? But I regret to inform you that the demon race doesn’t care whether you surrender or not. In their eyes, you are just food.”

Being humiliated by Liana like this, Ang also knew that she would not fall for his trick.

“Since Your Highness is so experienced, I hope you will be able to face the demons as calmly as you are now when you encounter them,” Ang said.

Liana could clearly hear the passive-aggression in his voice, but she couldn’t be bothered with him. A guy like that could die in some corner and no one would know.

Erinna raised her hand, her fingers swiping gently in the air.

A lock of Ang’s hair was cut and fell to the ground. “What did you mean by that just now?”

Erinna’s expression was a little grim. If she had wanted to, she could have sent Ang out of the trial just now.

“Nothing. I just wanted Her Highness to be able to remain calm at all times. Weren’t you a little too impulsive just now, Duchess of Venus?” Ang wasn’t worried at all that Erinna would attack him. For the lady of one territory to attack someone from another was a very serious matter.

“Okay.” Erinna’s hand swiped gently.

Ang realized something and suddenly knelt before them.

“You really are afraid of death.”

“Erinna, what is the meaning of this?!” Ang had just felt that if he had knelt a moment slower, his body would have been cut in half at the waist.

“What is the meaning of what?” Erinna asked, feigning ignorance.

“Are you going to kill me?”

“Aren’t you alive and well?”