Evil Goddess (2)

The sound of papers crashing onto the table reverberated through the office. Master Reyn, my Homeroom Teacher fixed his glasses and tried to calm himself down with a long sigh. The other teachers in the room exchanged surprised glances, taken aback by the noise that disrupted their peaceful surroundings. It was clear that Master Reyn had reached his limit with me.

"Enough games, Princess Cellia. I need you to be honest with me. You're cheated, right?" Master Reyn asked, cutting straight to the point.

I brushed it off awkwardly, "M-Master Reyn, please! How could you accuse an innocent student like me of cheating?"

The lines on Master Reyn's "spacious" forehead deepened as he squinted his eyes, "Then explain to me how you have managed to achieve a perfect score on every single exam for the past three years. It's impossible!"

My mind raced, searching for an answer that could appease his doubts. Saying the truth would only complicate things. The exams were just too easy! The standards were far below what I had expected. They were merely tests of rote memorization, hey, even a toddler could do it. And as for the math exams, well, if your mind functioned like a calculator 24/7, there would be no challenge whatsoever.

Suddenly, I remembered what Cleo said to me, " ...But have you ever thought about those who do?"

I let out a sigh. Cleo had a point. Being the Heir of Noctis was hard, but that didn't mean my life was any easier. Everyone faced their circumstances and challenges.

I took a small bottle from my pocket and turned around. Hiding it with my grasp, I carefully opened the bottle and bask the content in my eyes. Time to use my ultimate weapon, The Diamond Tears!

"Master Reyn. Please, I told you already. I'm not cheating, it's my hard work. After my Princess duty, I always studied late at night/ Every day, I woke up at 4 AM, just to review. I'm doing my best...," I said and then turned to him with teary eyes, "Why... Why can't you trust your student?" I continued.

The Teacher's eyes widened, and he looked away, "No, i-it's just, this score is not-" he glanced at me who almost started crying and suddenly had a chance of heart, "A-Alright, i-it's my fault. Sorry for accusing you even though I don't have any evidence."

"T-Thank you, Master Reyn. Thank you for trusting me, "I smiled sincerely.

As I left the office, I smirked, heh, works like magic! Master Reyn, you underestimated me too much. It seemed you had to study more about girls. We lied as we breathe! Do you think this wasn't the first time I was accused of doing something wrong?

During lunchtime, while other students enjoyed their meals from the cafeteria, I grew tired of being accused of taking more food than my share. Because of that, I asked Daddy to make me a lunchbox so I could eat in peace. But that wasn't enough!

When something was missing from the class, the very first thing people thought was Celli stealing things! Hell no! I grew tired of trying to prove my innocence, so I sought solace in the library, distancing myself from the trouble that seemed to follow me. But even then, I was accused of ruining books with bread crumbs or ketchup stains. Feeling trapped, I sought refuge in the restroom, only to be accused of smoking there.

"Why always me?" I sighed while walking in the hallway.

Not long ago, I helped a lost child and took him to the nearest police office. But instead of receiving gratitude, I found myself falsely accused of kidnapping. The incident further tarnished my already damaged reputation. Now, I couldn't walk the main streets or engage in simple activities like shopping at the market. As a result, my once-promising career as an Alchemist crumbled before it had a chance to blossom.

I touched my cheek, reminiscing about the sting of pain from that day. Rather than asking me for an explanation, Mama slapped me right away in the Police Office. Yet it wasn't her slap that cut deep, but rather my realization that even my family didn't believe me. Somehow, it made me feel so empty inside, like, what's the purpose of me living, if I didn't have a home that protected me?

"Stop joking around, Celli."

This pain was too much for me to bear. But what good it would bring if I show it to the world? Would someone care? No, they were too focused on themselves, that was why I could easily deceive them with just a little illusion. The happy-go-lucky Celli was a facade, created to change people's perception of me. It magically worked. Yet, the more I wore this mask, the more bitterness settled within me.

Gazing out of the hallway window at the sunset, I shrugged, a bitter smile forming on my lips., "It seems the world just one-sidedly decided that I'm evil, huh? I wonder why."

I smiled, realizing that perhaps Cleo was right. I should stop joking around and take it seriously. Maybe it was time for me to embrace what the world expected of me. To become an Evil Goddess.

"Huh, wait, what is that guy doing?" My eyes captured a man standing on the edge of the roof. Strange, he shredded paper from a book and let it fly in the sky, probably thinking he was some sad protagonist of a romance novel. But then he jumped!

G-Geez, that stupid guy!

"Awaken!" I shouted. At that moment, my eyes ignited with a fiery red glow, and my golden hair transformed into a striking shade of white. A surge of power coursed through me, shattering the glasses from its impact. Focusing everything on my leg, I shoot myself through the window, taking a daring leap toward the man.

Time seemed to slow as I soared through the air, thinking how stupid I was, trying to save a man I never met before. But I was surprised. Instead of showing fear or desperation, that guy smiled as he drew his sword. I was taken aback by his smile, as he drew his sword. And then, he vanished into thin air.

"Raven Style: Blossoming Lotus!"

The man's voice echoed through the air, accompanied by the swift sound of his blade slicing through the air. In a magnificent display of skill, he effortlessly shredded the flying pages into countless pieces. The wind blew, swirling the paper. Together they formed a wing-like figure behind the man's back, giving an impression of an angel soaring in the sunset sky.

His fierce eyes, burning with determination, captivated me. In this life-and-death situation, he looked so composed. As if he was used to battle, risking his life every day. But then, panic flickered across his face as he finally realized... he was falling!

"Dammit, don't die on me, stranger!" I yelled desperately.

Luckily, I reached out and caught him just in time. "Hold on!" I shouted. However, I barely use my Divinity so I still couldn't control it properly. I closed my eyes as our bodies collided with a loud crash as we smashed through the classroom wall, leaving a gaping hole there and the students screaming.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the man's protective embrace. He had shielded me from the impact, taking the full brunt of it himself. Yet, despite bleeding and probably bone racked everywhere, the guy was looking at his hand and smiling.

"Yes, finally! Finally, I got it!" he shouted and showed me the crest of a king piece on his hand, "Look, Princess! The Progenitors finally blessed me with Karma!"

"E-Eh? K-Karma?" I jumped back instinctively, trying to distance myself from that crazy man. Even though blood was spurting form his head, why did he smile like that? It sent a shiver down my spine!

The man nodded eagerly and said, "With this, I can finally say it to you, right?" Standing still and clenching his fish, he took a deep breath. Finally, his gaze locked with mine, and he shouted with all his might,

"I love you! Please go out with me!"

"H-Huh?! NO WAY! Not even in a million years!" I ran away, confused by the sudden confession. My head overheated, trying to make sense of everything. But I couldn't!

G-Geez, w-what the hell is that guy thinking?!