She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 14

“Lady Eltrinde, welcome. We are honored by your presence.”

As the headmaster bowed deeply, a silver-haired girl strode confidently into the academy. Her very presence exuded both elegance and an unapproachable coldness, as though the air itself froze upon her arrival.

“A-As I was saying, allow me to give you a tour of the school. First, we shall—”

Before the headmaster could finish, Eltrinde interrupted in a voice as icy as her demeanor.

“First, I will observe Professor Asto’s class.”

“Professor Asto…? I’ve heard you’ve taken an interest in him. Are you well acquainted?”

“Is that something you need to know?”

The headmaster faltered for a moment, clearly taken aback, but quickly recovered.

“My apologies. Right this way.”

As Eltrinde began walking down the corridor, a woman silently appeared behind her—Anbie. The headmaster went pale at her sudden presence but noticed that Eltrinde’s expression remained unchanged.

“Professor Anbie…? Are you Lady Eltrinde’s attendant?”

“I am Lady Eltrinde’s shadow. If necessary, I will eliminate threats and clear her path.”

“R-Right…”

The headmaster was visibly flustered. Eltrinde let out a small sigh, mildly chiding her companion.

“Anbie, I told you to stay inconspicuous.”

“Forgive me. However, I deemed it prudent to reveal myself to the person in charge to instill caution and avoid unforeseen incidents.”

“Fine. Let’s continue.”

Following Eltrinde’s directive, the headmaster led her toward Asto’s classroom.

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★★★

Still unsure how to handle her arrival, I stood in the hallway awaiting Eltrinde. Nearby, Professor Rosalie clutched a stack of documents with trembling hands, staring toward the headmaster’s office. The moment she saw Eltrinde, her eyes sparkled like stars—pure adoration.

The expression on her face was unmistakable—that of a girl in love.

“L-Lady Eltrinde!! I—I’m Rosalie Castris! I became a magic teacher after reading your thesis ‘Theory and Practice of Curses’!”

Rosalie’s voice cracked from excitement. Eltrinde responded with a blank expression, her gaze briefly flicking toward her before she looked away, seemingly losing interest.

“I see. Thank you… Rosalie, was it?”

“Your curse theory is revolutionary! Especially your concept of ‘Remote Binding Without the Target’s Bl00d,’ your ‘Rite to Amplify Curse Energy’, and above all—your ‘Curse to Evoke Intense Emotion in Oblivious

Relatives’—simply groundbreaking!”

“Professor Rosalie, please calm down. You’re overwhelming Lady Eltrinde.”

I gently placed a hand on Rosalie’s shoulder to stop her rambling. Eltrinde had always been wary of strangers, and upsetting her could lead to serious consequences.

“How… familiar of you.”

As expected, Eltrinde’s eyes glinted sharply for a moment—but oddly, her gaze seemed fixed on my hand touching Rosalie’s shoulder. Was it my imagination, or did the air just get colder?

Oblivious to the tension, Rosalie continued, her cheeks flushed.

“Ah, sorry! But meeting you like this—I even used one of the special beautification curses you developed last night! I don’t know if it worked… but do I look more attractive to you?”

“Uh… yes, I suppose you do look attractive.”

Eltrinde seemed momentarily bewildered but answered without expression.

“Your passion for magic is commendable. If you could direct that enthusiasm toward your students, it would be greatly appreciated.”

“Yes! Of course! And—if you’ll accept it—I’d like to offer you a lock of my hair infused with strong curse energy. It would make a fine magical catalyst!”

Overcome with emotion at being praised, Rosalie teared up and pulled out a small pair of scissors.

“Professor Rosalie! Please calm down! That’s going way too far!”

Panicked, I grabbed her wrist and took the scissors away.

“What are you doing?! If Lady Eltrinde would use my hair in her magic, I’d gladly shave my head!”

“You’re obviously freaking her out! She’ll think you’re crazy!”

As Rosalie struggled to get the scissors back, her ample chest kept bumping into me—causing no small amount of guilt on my part as I did my best to restrain her.

Eltrinde today was no longer the girl I used to know—she was the Cold-Blooded Princess from the game. Angering her could be dangerous.

“Hmm… you seem far more familiar with him than reports suggested.”

A black sigil on Eltrinde’s left arm briefly pulsed, and the light vanished from her eyes. She was glaring—at me.

“Anbie, look into that woman’s background.”

“Understood.”

Eltrinde muttered to Anbie, who stood at her side. Then, after clearing her throat, she turned back to Rosalie.

“While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I must decline the hair. Thank you.”

“Y-Yes! I’m terribly sorry!”

Eltrinde’s words finally snapped Rosalie back to her senses. She bowed deeply in apology.

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I entered the classroom ahead of them, noting the tense expressions of the students. When Eltrinde entered, the tension visibly escalated.

“Today’s lesson will be a special one. We’ll be practicing basic defensive magic.”

It was understandable—they were nervous. Even I could hear the slight tremble in my own voice, though I gradually calmed down.

“First, we’ll create a simple mana barrier. Follow my lead.”

I stretched my hand forward, and a faint glowing wall appeared. The students followed suit, summoning walls of various colors throughout the room.

When I glanced over, Eltrinde was watching with a blank expression—but something flickered in her eyes. Was it… nostalgia?

It brought back memories—memories of when I taught her how to use magic, back before she lost control of her power.

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★★★

“I can’t do it like you, Brother!”

A young Eltrinde puffed her cheeks, clutching a parchment with a magic circle drawn on it.

“It’s okay, Eltrinde. Just breathe. Relax.”

I gently took her small hand and guided it over the circle.

“Magic responds to emotion. Don’t rush—slow and steady.”

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. A soft glow began to form at her fingertips.

“It’s working! Look, Brother—I did it!”

A tiny sphere of light hovered above her palm. I smiled and patted her head.

“You’re amazing, Eltrinde. You really do have talent.”

Her cheeks turned red as she threw her arms around me with joy.

“It’s all thanks to you! I love you, Brother!”

“I love you too, Eltrinde. Remember—mastering the basics is the key to becoming the strongest.”

“Yes! I’ll remember that!”

I held her gently as she smiled, her face glowing. Around us, magical light danced in the air.

“I’ll always stay by your side. Promise!”

“Yeah… it’s a promise.”

Ah… those were the days.

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★★★

But that warm memory was shattered by the sudden slam of the classroom door.

“Pardon me! Lady Eltrinde, please attend my class as well!”

Arnold barged in, shouting, his face flushed and dressed in flamboyant formalwear.

“Professor Arnold, I’m in the middle of—”

I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen.

“Surely someone of Lady Eltrinde’s caliber finds basic magic dull. My advanced magical theory class would be far more—”

“Silence.”

With a single word, Eltrinde froze the room.

“Why are you abandoning your own class? Do you not have responsibilities?”

“My apologies, but I simply wished to provide her with—”

“Are you attempting to override the class I chose to observe?”

Her sharp gaze bore into Arnold, who began to tremble under the weight of it.

“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”

“And interrupting another teacher’s class—have you no sense of professionalism?”

Eltrinde’s voice was glacial. Arnold’s face turned pale, and he took a step back.

“I-I’m terribly sorry…”

But he quickly regained his composure and offered a smug grin.

“Lady Eltrinde, I only wished to show you the finest magical education. This Professor Asto is just a rookie hired through connections. His lessons are a waste of your time.”

Gasps filled the classroom at his insult. Some students tried to defend me, but I motioned for them to stop. He was still technically their superior. I couldn’t let this escalate.

What would Eltrinde say…?

“I see. So, this is Arnold…”

Her gaze shifted to me—and I shivered. I recognized that look. It was the same look she gave our enemies during the Demon King’s war. The same look she had when confronting a succubus who tried to seduce me.

It was… terrifying.

“Very well. Then let’s settle this.”

“Settle…?”

“You and Professor Asto will compete. Show us your skills. If you’re truly superior, prove it.”

Arnold puffed out his chest with confidence.

“Gladly! My elite-level spells will make the difference between us painfully clear!”

“Lady Eltrinde, this isn’t—”

“Professor Asto, will you accept my request?”

There was a flicker of hope in her eyes as she looked at me.

I sighed and nodded. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but to keep my identity hidden, I’d just hold back and let him win…

“Very well.”