"So you tortured him?"

After reading the last part of the page, Art didn't know what to feel and simply spoke his mind.

"Yes... I was rather energetic back then."

As far as challenges went, killing Sunbringer had been easy—but weakening him had taken three grueling days. She had to remain undetected, track his movements, note everything he consumed, and meticulously administer a specialized vampire poison into his food. Then came the hardest part: contacting his plaything, injecting her with the poison so that each time he fed, more toxins seeped into his system.

Doing all of that unnoticed was stressful enough. But what truly pained her was that once he discovered the poisoning, he killed the girl—leaving Grim with a guilt that fueled her brutality.

"He was evil, but I won't deny that if I hadn't weakened him back then, I wouldn't be here."

"What about now?" Art asked.

"Could you beat him without trickery?"

"Yes." She nodded without hesitation. " A single hit is all it would take."

Back then, she had no techniques, no understanding of intent. Now, she had both—and far more. Sunbringer from the past wouldn't even stand as her equal.

"This is a conversation," Art remarked, watching as a prompt flickered across his screen.

[Grim has attained the status: Disciple]

[Corresponding rewards will be given via feat]

[Basic Dagger Arts learned]

[Aura Circulation learned]

[Grim's emotional meter: Interest Lvl. 3]

"It's smooth!" she responded.

"Of course, depending on the context, you don't have to overthink it," Art explained. "Friends talk about trends or hobbies. Partners might discuss something romantic. Colleagues? Similar to friends."

"I think I understand what you're getting at,"she said, nodding. "All this time, because of my background, I've been too conscious of what to say—too worried about how others see me. It made me tense."

"Pretty much!"

In essence, Grim's struggles were all in her mind. The fact that she could teach without issue proved she had no problem communicating—she was just paranoid when it came to personal conversations.

"One thing I'd suggest," Art added, "is learning more about your colleagues. Not as an assassin, but as a normal person."

"Observation?" she inquired.

"No—ask. Their likes, dislikes, things like that."

"Okay, so what do you like, then?"

Just as he expected, she adapted quickly. With a few tips, she'd excel at this.

"Well, I like swords and games. What about you?"

"Money and coffee."

" No wonder she has those dark circles under her eyes", Art thought.

"How about dislikes?" This time, it was Art who posed the question.

"Killing and Abyssal creatures."

Art was slightly disappointed by how standard Grim's dislikes were. Most people—himself included—disliked killing, something he'd probably grow accustomed to soon. And Abyssal creatures? Universally despised for good reason.

"What about you, then?"

"Witches and kisses!"

He answered without hesitation, his tone sharp enough to make Grim flinch.

---

"Lady Trish, why are you sitting beside me?"

Valeria glanced at the blonde beauty beside her, voicing her complaint—only to be met with a smile. A terrifying smile.

"One has to keep their friends closer!"

"Stop twisting that saying."

Valeria paled, realizing the girl saw her as an enemy. But why?

She didn't remember doing anything to earn Trish's dislike. No childhood feud, no past grievances. They'd been strangers minutes ago—yet now, Trish had marked her as a rival.

She had no idea what kind of logic ran through the girl's mind, but one thing was clear: Trish was petty.

"Are you thinking anything bad about me?"

"No."

Lowering her head, Valerie responded, exhaustion creeping in. It was only her first day at the academy, and she was already drained.

As she contemplated the grim future ahead, the lecture hall doors swung open. A beautiful woman with a tired expression stepped in, followed by a handsome young man clutching a longsword and dagger. Their presence was overwhelming, commanding the attention of the entire class.

"Is he a new teacher?"

"Probably. I've never seen him before!"

"I heard Professor Villeir had a handsome assistant from a friend in the magic course... Wow, she wasn't exaggerating."

The blonde lecturer drew the most attention, especially compared to the green-haired professor. Just as Valerie expected, Trish's gaze lost all focus, fixated solely on him.

But it wasn't just admiration—there was something deeper in her stare.

"What does she see?"

Confused, Valerie sneaked another glance at the blonde lecturer—only to lock eyes with him instead.

"..."

Caught off guard, he quickly regained his composure, flashing a charming smirk that sent a blush creeping across her face—and many others in the room. Even Trish, now beet red, covered her face with her hands.

"Tsk... arrogant playboy!"

A black-haired male student beside her scoffed—only to shrink under Trish's horrifying glare.

Oblivious to the chaos he'd caused, the blonde lecturer took a seat at the front beside a sleeping pink-haired elf in a sweater, while the professor stepped up to the podium to begin class.

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