Professor Raii finished his lecture and straightened up. Before anyone could relax, he dropped the bomb.
"Next month, your exams start. The syllabus is massive. I've covered everything completely. If any of you didn't keep up, that's not my problem."
He turned toward the door. "My work here is done. Start preparing."
The entire class exploded into panicked whispers. Students turned to each other, faces pale.
"Anhhh! Exams already? What kind of disaster is this? I hope the academy caught fire on exam day!"
Raii paused, smirking over his shoulder. "Keep dreaming. That won't happen. Get to work."
Desperate Study Plans
Mio turned to Horobi, eyes wide with worry. "Horobi, you're so smart. Bet you already know all this stuff, right?"
He shrugged casually. "Yeah. I paid attention in class. Sometimes I did revisions at night too."
Mio groaned. "Ugh! I barely know anything—maybe half. Doesn't matter. I can't fail. Liora, what's your situation?"
Liora laughed lightly. "I've finished the whole syllabus already. Not lazy like some people."
"Haphh! How dare you call me lazy?"
"Just stating facts."
"Now what do I do? Tell me, Horobi!" Mio grabbed his shoulders and started shaking him playfully.
Horobi tried to respond, but Mio kept going. "Mio, stop! Give me a second to think."
"Fine, but make it quick."
"Group study," Horobi decided. "Every day at home for the next month. No breaks."
Mio's face lit up with a sneaky smile. She leaned in and whispered, "Just me and Horobi together? More time with him than Liora gets?"
Liora caught the sly grin immediately. "Not a chance. I'm part of this group study too. No alone time for you, got it?"
Horobi sighed. "Fine. You both have to study then."
"Now we're talking."
Mio shot Liora a challenging glare. "Fine. But you stay behind me."
That's when Mare sneaked up from behind and slapped both of Horobi's shoulders. "Patt! Oii, what's going on here, Horobi? Mind if I join?"
Keal appeared right behind him. "Yeah, count me in too! I'm kinda weak in studies anyway."
Mare smirked. "Kinda? You're completely hopeless."
"What?! Watch it. I'm not that weak. I am Five times smarter than you. Get that through your head."
Liora smacked her forehead in frustration and shouted, "Neither of you is coming! Understand? And Five times of zero is still zero!"
"Don't you dare disturb us. It'll be bad news for both of you."
Mio nodded aggressively. "If you two even wander near our house, I'll bite your heads off."
Keal quickly shoved Mare forward. "Shh, let's go quietly. Brother, you handle this—sudden work came up. I'm out."
"Yeah, me too—got stuff to do."
Horobi just stood there, blinking as the two vanished as fast as they'd appeared.
Study Session Turns Chaotic
Back at home, Horobi patiently explained a tough question to Mio. But her attention wasn't on the notebook at all—her eyes stayed fixed on his face.
Liora noticed immediately. "If you're done staring, maybe start studying? Did you come here to study or flirt?"
Mio puffed out her cheeks. "Just admit you're jealous! Horobi's giving me special treatment. Poor Liora, must hurt."
Liora stood up and marched straight toward Horobi.
Mio panicked. "What now? You mad? Okay, sorry!"
Liora ignored her completely. In one swift motion, she leaped and landed right in Horobi's lap.
"Henn?? What the—?!"
Horobi froze in complete shock. "Li-Liora, what are you doing?!"
"Nothing. Just... I don't get this part. Can you explain it, Horobi?"
"Uh... yeah. Sure. You're looking pretty cute right now anyway."
Mio stood completely frozen. "You just... sat in his lap?! We're here to study, not romance! Those were your words!"
"Doesn't ring any bells."
Mio climbed on top in retaliation. All three lost balance and crashed down together.
Whump!
Books tumbled from the shelf above, raining down on them. Patt! Patt!
"Ahh! Look what you did!"
"Sorry!"
Horobi sat up, genuinely annoyed. The girls stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Horobi? What's wrong?"
"Yeah, Horobi, tell us!"
He grabbed both by the collars, marched to the door, tossed them outside, and slammed it shut.
Thud!
"Fight it out there all you want."
"Sorry Horobi! Please, one last chance! We promise to study properly!"
"No way."
"This is your fault, Liora! If you hadn't jumped in his lap—"
"My fault? You started it and knocked us all over!"
"So you're saying it's all my fault?"
"Exactly."
"Hmphh!"
Horobi cracked the door open. They gazed up with sparkling, apologetic eyes.
"Sorry Horobi. Won't happen again."
The sight hit him like a spell. Damn, they're too cute. How can I say no? "Aah... fine. Come in. But no more nonsense."
A Triggered Memory
A little later, Horobi flipped to a section on water magic. Something about it made his mind drift.
"Water... feels like I'm forgetting something."
"What's up?" Mio asked, leaning closer.
"Yeah... think I forgot something important."
"What is it?" Mio pressed.
"No... no way." Horobi's face suddenly paled.
"Orakshade Village. I promised to Mahi."
Both girls snapped to fury. "How dare you even think about another girl!"
Mio seized his collar. "Looks like someone needs a beating—"
"Mio, at least hear me out!"
"No chance now."
The Shocking Deal
Meanwhile, at Mahi's house, Headman Geri arrived late at night. "Heyy Paul."
"My lord? What brings you here so late?"
"Cut the act. You know exactly why I'm here."
"And what's that, my lord?"
"Time's up." Geri slammed a massive chest of gold coins on the desk. "Take these. Now hand over your daughter."
Paul's eyes widened at the glittering pile. "Wahh! So much gold!"
"Deal made." Paul nodded eagerly. "Let's start wedding preparations tonight."
Geri scolded him. "Absolutely not! A beauty like her deserves a proper celebration."
"I'm thinking of inviting the young master—the future ruler. Even if he skips our little village, it'll show we respect him. Might catch his eye, get me a promotion!"
"Brilliant plan, my lord."
"Heh heh, don't forget me later."
"How could I? You gave me such a stunning girl. It's an honor marrying her off to you."
"Haha! Smart man. Servant of a true master."
"Hahaha! Alright then—I'll write it to the young master immediately. If he replies, wedding that day. If not, still good—he'll know even a small village remembers him."
The Invitation Arrives
Days later, a messenger knocked. Horobi wasn't home.
Mio opened the door. "Yes? What is it?"
"My lady, I'm from Orakshade. Does the Young Master live here?"
Mio's temper flared instantly. "Orakshade?! Who sent you? If it's that girl—"
"M-my lady! No girl! Forgive me—Lord Geri sent me. Invitation for Young Master."
Mio snatched the elegant card. "Fine. I'll give it to him. And tell Geri—Horobi's not coming."
He's just looking for an excuse to visit. "Still... have to deliver it. He'll scold me otherwise."
"Hmm, wonder who's crazy enough to marry that creep."
Mio cracked open the invitation. Her face went white.
"Eek!! Mahi?! No... can't be. She's our age!"
Liora sprinted over at the name.
"Screeech!
Where's that witch chasing our Horobi?!"
Mio shoved the letter at her. "Read it yourself."
"Love letter? Wait—wedding invitation!
Mahi marrying that Geri creep? Impossible! She's our age too!"
"We have to tell Horobi."
Right then, Horobi walked through the door.
Mio thrust the invitation at him. "Here—see what's happening!"
"Hm? What's this—a wedding invitation? From where?"
"Orakshade."
Horobi took it and read slowly,
Headman Geri requests the honorable presence of Lord Horobi Enma at his wedding ceremony.
His casual expression vanished.
Bride: Mahi.
Horobi whispered coldly, "Paul… you sold her again."