Chapter Sixty-Four: The Strange Sorcery of the Scarlet Queen’s Lineage

...When the many Foxes supported those unfortunate souls who had already fainted and hurried back to the Repeaters’ Lounge, they discovered the room teeming with people—everywhere were patients afflicted by curses and those working to break them.

It seemed quite a few had fallen today.

In the center of the lounge stood a tall human man and a burly, pockmarked Fox. The pockmarked Fox wizard wore a furious expression as he directed everyone to flip through books, brew potions, and lift curses. The human, however, remained calm, orchestrating the Fox men and women as they wielded their magic.

The benches and chairs surrounding this group were piled high with all manner of voodoo dolls, substitute effigies, curse paraphernalia, and oddities—the battle, it seemed, was ongoing.

Apparently, someone had cursed Louis from the office around noon. When the curse rebounded via the completely imaginary Osicris Magic Mirror, these Foxes—always the instigators, seldom the instigated—felt deeply provoked.

Curses flew in retaliation, brimming with the outrage of those who, when slapped, cannot believe someone dared slap them back.

Obviously, no matter how formidable one person might be, they couldn’t stand against dozens. And so, the midday skirmish achieved its goal—the curses gradually ceased to rebound.

The human wizard and the many Foxes looked up, exchanging meaningful smiles. But none seemed ready to let the matter rest; instead, their efforts grew even more relentless. It was clear they intended to make Louis VI taste the full bitterness of his actions.

Never mind that you’re only a temp—wasn’t even Director Triff, in the end, compelled to come over himself?

Newcomers always failed to grasp whom at Sacred Icon Tree Academy one could provoke and whom one could not. Just because you had a princess for a mentor didn’t mean the others wouldn’t dare touch you. This academy was full of scions from powerful noble houses—each one of whom Osicris herself had to receive with a polite smile.

If you landed yourself in deep trouble and couldn’t win, you’d just drag your teacher into a mess as well. Boys like this—never having stepped outside the academy, ignorant of the wider world—needed a lesson to knock some sense into them.

When Lilith and the others entered, the human wizard and several leading Foxes waved them over with smiles. The girls’ eyes lit up, recognizing that their boyfriends were avenging their grievances. Their hearts swelled with both joy and a trace of wounded pride as they pouted and went to pout and seek comfort.

Lilith glanced around at the chaos and mass of people in the lounge, then sat down and massaged her forehead.

That boy was sure to make a fool of himself this afternoon, yet Lilith found it difficult to take pleasure in the thought. The incident had escalated far beyond expectations, and she had no idea how things would end. If this conflict soured the relations between the Foxes and Osicris, her elder sister’s expression would be anything but pleasant.

But the thought of the five-thousand gold galleon IOU made Lilith grit her teeth in secret.

“Lilith, I heard from Xinia,” the tall human man said gently, sitting down across from her. He reached for Lilith’s hand on the table, as if to offer comfort, but she instinctively pulled away.

Lilith glanced at the fireplace sofa—Xinia was nowhere to be seen, and a faint discomfort welled up within her.

Daniel, that fellow, was clearly dating Xinia, yet always found occasion to flirt with her. Xinia didn’t care—she was only after Daniel’s money and reputation, stringing him along for amusement, never sincerely.

Normally, Lilith wouldn’t have to put on a stern face; after all, Daniel hailed from the House of the Red Queen. His father, the Earl of Red Mountain, was both rich and powerful, respected even by Her Majesty Delphinia—a true noble house, with Daniel himself holding a baron’s title.

But today, she was in no mood.

Daniel paid her reaction no mind—the harder to get, the more irresistible she became to him. He restrained himself, his voice gentle: “There’s no need to brood over this. That boy started it; you were only playing a harmless prank, but he lost his sense of proportion and tricked you all into signing such a hefty IOU. Simply reckless.”

At this, Daniel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was just an Osicris Magic Mirror. Did he really think himself invincible? It might suffice against ordinary wizards, but in the presence of the House of the Red Queen, it counted for little.

These little Fox vixens—so slippery and elusive, always toying with him. Now they were finally in trouble and had come to ask his help.

When that boy’s IOU fell into his hands, if the girls kept making a fool of him, they’d have only themselves to blame when he played rough.

Miss Lilith liked playing at being queen of this new generation, always wanting to be admired and pampered. Well, today she would have her fill.

This afternoon, he’d have that boy on his knees, begging for mercy, and watch as a monkey leaped out from behind him for all to see.

Daniel couldn’t help but smile.

Lilith watched Daniel’s expression covertly, letting out a silent sigh of relief—it would take Daniel’s intervention. The Red Queen’s family magic was unfathomable, so much so that even His Majesty Francesco had once suffered at their hands. With Daniel involved, the IOU was as good as retrieved.

But afterward, she’d owe him a favor... Perhaps it would be better to confess everything to her sister. Yet, always running to her sister was shameful.

Besides, her sister and Osicris were on such good terms that she’d probably drag Lilith along to apologize in person. Now that Helen had defected, nothing could be concealed; that girl had overheard everyone gossiping about Osicris.

If her sister found out, she’d surely thrash Lilith before Osicris herself.

“If word of all this gets out, how could I remain president of the ‘Red Skull’ club?”

“But after this, will Daniel demand my presidency as the price?”

While Lilith foolishly worried over these petty club politics, Daniel had already calculated everything.

Seeing his prize still distracted, Daniel changed the subject, murmuring gentle comforts for a while. As the family’s carefully groomed heir, Daniel was both cultivated and charming; his wit and humor quickly broke the ice.

Afterward, he brought up the pranks they’d played on the boy, making Lilith laugh through her tears.

“He’ll pay for it today, and soon—before the end of the afternoon, I wager he’ll be on his knees, IOU in hand, begging for mercy. And as for Bob, whatever he ate today, I’ll see he pays it back a hundredfold. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get justice.”

Daniel reached for Lilith’s hand again, his tone tender: “Lilith, no matter what, we’ll always protect you.”

Those words, and the “we,” warmed Lilith’s heart. She drew her hand back, but her cheeks were tinged with pink. Sensing things were growing too intimate, she looked away and changed the subject: “Where’s Xinia? Why isn’t she back yet?”

Daniel glanced around in puzzlement as well. “She went to the changing room. Why is she taking so long?”

“Oh, maybe she’s showering—you know, after what Bob did today... Ugh, why did I have to bring that up?” Daniel shook his head, though it seemed almost deliberate. He looked at Lilith and laughed, “Don’t worry, Lilith, you don’t have anything like that on you—you smell lovely.”

Lilith bit her lip, then stood. “Sorry, Daniel, I need to go to the changing room as well.”

As she passed Daniel, her arm brushed his, sending Daniel’s heart fluttering.

Upon entering, Lilith saw that Xinia and the others had just finished showering and changing, even down to their underwear. The six girls exchanged glances, biting their lips as they looked at the undergarments.

Lilith quickly fetched her own clothes, and after her friends finished, washed and changed as well. Her new outfit: a lacy shirt beneath a black-and-white vest, with a neat row of buttons at the chest—crisp and elegant. After donning her white noblewoman’s high stockings, she cast a small spell to fluff her white tail and hair, checked the time—already past four—and tied her hair back, tucking her ears beneath it.

Once ready, the six sisters, spirits restored, returned to the common room to find the wizards uncorking champagne in celebration, laughter ringing out. A few Yordle boys, who had just delivered the champagne, now stood in a line, weeping as they were sprayed with it.

The lively scene warmed the girls’ hearts—the gentlemen, knowing the girls were still sulking, had fetched a few clowns to lighten the mood.

Since Headmaster Oliver, the Yordles hadn’t produced any outstanding young talents for generations; most hailed from families of scholars or wealthy merchants—accomplished in study and trade, but both classes served the Ministry of Magic and the nobility. Thus, in the eyes of the ministry’s elite and the aristocrats, the Yordles were almost inherently a step below.

Especially with the Foxes, whose entire clan enjoyed deep connections within the Ministry—and whose history included the Yordles as their vassals. Thus, relations between Foxes and Yordles at the academy were always delicate.

Then there was that prophecy—that one day, the Foxes would bow their heads before the Yordles—so, in private, the Foxes often bullied them.

Yet Headmaster Oliver, himself a Yordle, turned a blind eye, treating it as childish games. He was even known for saying, “Everything will change this year. Someone will rise to stand up for the Yordle pups.”

This only made some bolder in their mischief.

Many whispered that the headmaster was following the prophecy: that the greatest wizard in the world’s history would enter the academy this year—and he would be a Yordle.

Whether the headmaster had prepared a worthy teacher for him remained to be seen.

When Daniel waved them over, the six little Foxes, putting aside their earlier grievances, joined the crowd. They accepted champagne from the gentlemen and, grinning wickedly, sprayed it over the Yordle boys.

The Yordles only stood there, wailing and unmoving, not even daring to dodge. At their timid display, the little Foxes burst into peals of laughter.

Lilith couldn’t help but imagine the little wizard in such a state—a surge of vengeful pleasure welled up inside her.

After a while, the Yordle boys were ignored, left to stand until they dried—customary punishment.

Lately, though, these Yordles had grown more insolent; one, after being sprayed, didn’t obediently take his place but turned and ran, even threatening to retaliate after classes.

That again...

They’d deal with him later.

The Foxes relaxed, chatting amiably.

“Lilith, it’s all settled,” Daniel said, setting down his champagne and winking at her with an air of mystery.