The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 25

“Judging from the traces of magical energy, the spell used to tear this textbook apart was earth magic. Like this—”

On the professor’s desk lay a stack of blank papers.

I gathered my magic, and in the next moment, the papers were shredded to pieces.

A dull-colored knife remained in the aftermath.

It was the same magic Kai had used during the entrance ceremony duel.

“Earth magic can extract metal from surrounding materials, harden it into a blade, and attack the target. It’s a form of transmutation magic.”

The torn edges of the shredded paper closely resembled the damage on Floria’s textbook, leaving no doubt that the same magic was used.

The headmaster and both professors nodded.

“Now, here’s where the contradiction lies.”

Once again, I gathered my magical energy.

This time, I extended it outward like invisible fingers and grabbed another stack of paper.

Then, I tore it apart without touching it.

“If the goal was to rip the textbook from a distance, directly manipulating it with magic would be more efficient and precise than using transmutation magic.”

“Indeed,” Professor Forselis muttered.

“If transmutation magic was used, the caster would need a direct line of sight to the target for accuracy. While training could mitigate this, it would still be less reliable than direct magic.”

The headmaster nodded in agreement.

“Direct magic allows one to sense temperature and texture from the point of contact.”

Their quick understanding was helpful. As leading scholars in magical research, this was only natural.

“There are several ways to remotely destroy a textbook, but earth magic—”

I smiled.

“—is the least suitable option.”

Professor Glouff scowled but nodded reluctantly, regaining some composure now that other students were involved.

One of them, Al, presented the item I had requested.

A fist-sized rock.

“And that is?”

“A stone found in the dueling grounds.”

Next, Leo pulled out a parchment and held it up for everyone to see.

“This is the analysis of the magical energy traces found on this stone.”

Professor Forselis’s eyes widened.

“The last duel held in the arena was on the entrance ceremony day—between Lilietta Rosenford and Kai Elden.”

“Exactly. According to the analysis, this stone carries traces of Lily’s earth magic.”

Indeed, the parchment confirmed it.

“This is why the culprit deliberately used earth magic.”

Floria’s textbook and the stone from the dueling grounds—both bore the same magical residue.

Which meant…

“You’re implying that the traces on the textbook were fabricated?”

Professor Glouff’s expression hardened.

“That’s impossible! There’s no known way to transfer magical traces to another object!”

Correct.

No known method existed.

However—

“…By human standards, that is.”

The professors gasped.

“You’re saying a monster was involved?”

“Yes. Monsters use magic beyond human understanding.”

At that moment, I noticed Floria’s expression growing uneasy.

For her, this had been nothing more than a conflict between students. The sudden mention of “monsters” changed everything.

“If the goal was to frame me, then it’s entirely possible that a monster was involved.”

Professor Forselis nodded.

The headmaster and the professors were aware of the previous student abduction case, as well as the serial attacks from years ago.

They knew I was being targeted by monsters and that both monsters and human traitors lurked within this academy.

My deduction was based on solid evidence.

That was why Professor Glouff hesitated.

“But Floria Ainsworth saw you tearing her textbook apart!”

Floria flinched at the sudden mention of her name.

“Isn’t that right?”

Tears welled in her eyes.

“I… I…”

Her voice trembled, and a teardrop fell.

She was just a normal five-year-old girl with magical talent.

Being questioned like this by an intimidating professor was overwhelming.

Of course, I had anticipated this.

I exchanged a glance with Al.

He smiled.

A sweet, gentle smile—like spun sugar.

“Floria, take a deep breath. It’ll be okay.”

His soothing voice made her blink in surprise.

Her cheeks flushed as his warm smile reflected in her eyes.

“No one is blaming you. No matter who the real culprit is, you’re a victim in this situation.”

His gentle reassurance made her shoulders relax.

“I’m sorry for bringing you here. But we needed to confirm the truth.

Can you help us?”

Al tilted his head slightly, gazing at her with deep blue eyes.

(Aren’t you overdoing it a little?)

I mentally sighed but quickly reconsidered.

This was the best approach.

Sure enough, Floria, now completely entranced, nodded vigorously.

With Al’s encouragement, she turned to face Professor Glouff.

“I did see her.

I saw Lilietta standing by my desk, doing something. But I was outside the classroom, so I couldn’t see her hands clearly.

When our eyes met, she hurriedly left.”

If they made eye contact, then the chance of mistaken identity was slim.

She truly had seen me.

“Then that proves you’re the culprit!”

Eyewitness testimony carried weight. Along with the magical traces, the case against me seemed airtight.

“This also explains why earth magic was used! If she was directly in the classroom, then using earth magic wouldn’t be strange at all!”

“Would it, though?”

I interrupted, meeting Professor Glouff’s sharp gaze.

“If I had direct access to the textbook, wouldn’t it be more natural to simply cut it with a knife?

Since I knew about magical residue analysis, wouldn’t it be illogical for me to leave traces behind?”

Professor Glouff fell silent.

“Besides, I was with Al, Leo, and Kai during lunch. Many students saw us together.”

If I were the culprit, I would have had to destroy the textbook remotely.

But that would contradict Floria’s testimony of seeing me in the classroom.

“If someone was trying to frame me, everything makes perfect sense.”

This deduction show was reaching its climax.

“The culprit first tore the textbook manually, then transferred my magical traces onto it.

Next, they used illusion magic to make Floria believe she saw me committing the act.

Finally, knowing that the professors would analyze the traces, they ensured I would be found guilty.

Even with minor contradictions, magical residue is considered irrefutable evidence. The school would have no choice but to punish me.”

Their goal was to isolate me at the academy.

That’s why they had spread rumors about me bullying others.

If I were suspended over this incident, even the professors would begin to despise me.

(But I won’t let them have their way.)

I had foreseen this possibility.

“Your deduction is logical.

“However”

Professor Forselis narrowed his eyes.

“As long as the magical traces remain, your theory is just speculation.”

Indeed.

However—

“I can prove that this evidence was fabricated.”

I smiled.

A graceful, noble smile.

“The culprit used traces of the earth magic I wielded in my duel.

However—”

I pointed at the two parchment reports on the desk.

“The magic I used in that duel… was not earth magic.”

A stunned silence fell over the room.