The two-hour Magic Theory class felt like two decades.
Throughout the lecture, I couldn't concentrate on Professor Gilbert's explanation of *mana* flow patterns at all. How could I focus when every time I moved my hand to take notes, the green eyes beside me glanced over with unadulterated adoration?
*‘The way Lady Rosel holds her quill is so elegant... Her handwriting is so neat... Ah, her profile is a true masterpiece...’*
*Please, Chloe! Turn off your thoughts! I can hear them live in my head!*
Every time Chloe's thoughts crossed the system screen, the comment section in the corner of my vision went wild.
[User_YuriSimp]: "Chloe is so down bad LOL! She's not listening to the professor at all, just admiring Rosel's beauty!"
[User_OlympicShip]: "Come on Chloe, pretend you don't understand the material so Rosel has to give you private tutoring!"
[User_LocalObserver]: "Rosel's face is like a brick wall, but her mind is screaming in terror. Peak comedy!"
I held back a heavy sigh. If this kept up, I would get dragged into a Yuri route that wasn't on the original map. I had to put an end to this madness right now.
"Alright, students," Professor Gilbert's loud voice interrupted my thoughts as he clapped his hands twice. "That's enough theory. Now, let's head to the Practical Magic Grounds to test your elemental attributes and *mana* capacity!"
The announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from the students. I exhaled in relief. Practical magic! This was my golden opportunity to fix the plot!
In the original novel, during practical training, Chloe struggled to control her healing and light magic due to pressure from the nobles. Then, Crown Prince Leo stepped in like a hero, helped her balance her *mana*, and they exchanged their first romantic glance.
*Great. I just need to play spectator in the corner and let history take its course.*
The Practical Magic Grounds was a spacious open arena covered in special green turf protected by a translucent magical barrier. In the center stood several *Mana Crystals* used to measure student power.
"We will begin with basic elements," Professor Gilbert announced. "Step forward as your name is called!"
Several noble students took turns stepping up. Some generated small flashes of lightning, others sparked flames, and some created bubbles of water.
"Next... Miss Chloe von Valois!"
Chloe flinched slightly when her name was called. She walked nervously to the center of the arena. Mocking whispers from the noble students began echoing around the field.
"Look at that scholarship girl..."
"Her *mana* is probably barely enough to light a candle."
"Why is a commoner allowed in our academy anyway?"
Chloe's hands trembled violently. She stood before the *Mana Crystal*, closed her eyes, and attempted to channel her magic. However, due to anxiety and social pressure, her *mana* flow became unstable. The crystal in front of her flickered dimly before fading away completely.
"Is that all?" one of the noble boys sneered.
Chloe's face paled. She hung her head in deep embarrassment.
*Yes! This is the moment!* I thought enthusiastically. *Go Leo! Step up now! This is your stage!*
I glanced toward Leo, who was standing nearby. Sure enough, the Crown Prince began walking forward with an arrogant smile, preparing to play the savior.
However, before Leo could call out Chloe's name, my eyes accidentally locked with Chloe's tearful gaze.
The pink-haired girl was looking at me. Not at Leo, not at Professor Gilbert, but at me—as if I were her sole beacon of hope in this place.
*Ping!*
[Reading Chloe von Valois's Thoughts...]
*‘Lady Rosel... I am so weak. I humiliated myself in front of her... She must hate me even more now...’*
*Gulp.*
An overwhelming surge of guilt stung my chest. Why did I feel like I had just kicked an innocent, starving kitten? I wasn't the real Rosel, but seeing this gentle girl publicly humiliated reignited my protective instincts as a former adult man.
*Screw the original plot!*
Before my brain could process the consequences, my body moved on its own.
I stepped forward with graceful yet firm strides, cutting directly across Leo's path and leaving the Crown Prince frozen in place with a bewildered expression.
"What is with all this noise?" My cold voice echoed through the field, cutting off all the whispering nobles.
The entire student body fell dead silent. Rosel von Arcadelt had a reputation for being extremely dangerous when annoyed.
I walked through the crowd and stopped right next to Chloe. Without looking at her, I crossed my arms over my chest.
"You nobles who claim to be so talented... are your eyes just for decoration?" I said with an icy, biting tone. "This girl isn't lacking in *mana*. Her magic flow is blocked because the air in this arena is polluted by your senseless chatter, ruining her concentration."
"R-Rosel?!" exclaimed one of the nobles who had been mocking her. "Are you defending a scholarship student?!"
"Defending?" I let out a soft sneer, flipping my golden hair. "I simply hate wasting time. Chloe, touch the crystal again."
Chloe stared at me in disbelief, tears welling up in her eyes. "L-Lady Rosel... but I..."
"Don't make me repeat myself," I cut her off flatly. "Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Ignore every voice around you and focus only on my instructions."
Chloe nodded hastily, wiped her tears, and placed both hands back onto the *Mana Crystal*.
I stood directly behind her, whispering instructions near her ear. "Imagine your *mana* as calm, flowing water. Don't force it. Let it stream out naturally..."
Chloe squeezed her eyes shut. She inhaled deeply, taking in the warmth and rose scent enveloping her from my position behind her.
*WHOOSH!*
Instantly, the *Mana Crystal* in front of Chloe exploded into a dazzling burst of golden light! A high-density wave of healing magic washed over the entire field, creating a gentle breeze that stroked everyone's faces.
Not only did it light up—the crystal radiated a pure radiance far brighter than any of the nobles' attempts earlier!
"M-Marvelous!" Professor Gilbert shouted hysterically. "High purity and high capacity *mana*! Outstanding!"
The surrounding students gaped in utter shock.
Chloe opened her eyes, looked at the brilliantly glowing crystal, and turned to me with a beaming face. Oblivious to noble decorum, she tightly grabbed both of my hands.
"Lady Rosel! I did it! Thanks to you, I did it!" she cried out joyfully.
*Ping!*
[Female Lead's (Chloe) Affinity increased drastically to 60%!]
[Comment Section Exploding!]
[User_YuriSimp]: "HOLY MOLY! THEY'RE HOLDING HANDS IN PUBLIC!"
[User_OlympicShip]: "Aaaaa Rosel my hero! Leo is completely upstaged LOL!"
[User_OrangeCat]: "Look at Leo's face, his prince ego just took a massive hit!"
I glanced back at Leo, who was standing frozen a few meters behind us.
The Crown Prince's face was bright red. He stared at our interlocked hands with eyes burning with anger... and something that looked suspiciously like intense jealousy.
[Reading Leo von Grandia's Thoughts...]
*‘Rosel... how dare you touch someone else so gently right in front of my eyes?! You're doing this just to make me jealous, aren't you?! Fine... if a cold war is what you want, I'll play along!’*
I facepalmed in my mind once again.
*Failed again... Instead of fixing the plot, I just shattered it into even smaller pieces!*