Chapter 103: The Fear Dominated by Ruby

Within the tranquil campus, the students who were engrossed in their lessons suddenly heard the crisp sound of hooves clattering nearby. Curiosity urged them to glance out the window, and there they saw a streak of red racing across the playground, trailing a fiery crimson tail like a comet streaking through the sky—too swift and brilliant for any ordinary observer to discern clearly.

That red figure seemed to revel in its freedom, darting in straight lines and sweeping curves, occasionally leaving zigzagging streaks like flashes of lightning. Seemingly satisfied, it abruptly turned toward the soccer field created by Ruby. Just as it neared the goalpost, the hooves struck the ground with force, launching the entire body high into the air. It soared across the field, leaving the students playing soccer utterly bewildered, before landing gracefully behind the opposite goalpost, marking a perfect finale.

“Is that Teacher Ruby? Is that a unicorn he’s riding?”

Only then did the students clearly recognize the silhouette and whisper among themselves as Ruby dismounted the unicorn.

“Can a normal person really ride at that speed?”

“Don’t you know? Teacher Ruby’s nickname is ‘Jack of all Trades.’”

“Sounds pretty impressive.”

“Class, please quiet down. Your priority now is studying. Only through learning can you enter the Magic Corps, marry a wealthy beauty, and reach the pinnacle of life. Envying that mount won’t get you anywhere.”

Seeing his class descending into chaos, Sworth banged on the desk to restore order. Though displeased that Ruby had indirectly disrupted his lesson, he dared not speak too harshly—after all, Rhine Magic Academy was an elite institution, home to many noble heirs with status.

“Teacher Sworth, can you ride a unicorn?”

“No, and that’s precisely why such things are mere noble pastimes… Your primary task is…”

Flushed with embarrassment, Sworth answered the students’ questions. For a mage, riding was hardly essential; the true path was to ascend to a grand sorcerer who could soar freely through the skies on wings of magic. Time spent riding was better invested in memorizing magical runes and accumulating power for advancement. Why couldn’t these students understand?

“Well then, after class we should find Teacher Ruby to learn. That unicorn’s color is really cool.”

The students hushed and resumed their excited chatter, even bestowing upon the pair of Ruby and the red unicorn the dashing title “Crimson Comet.”

“What kind of name is ‘Crimson Comet’? Sounds like some masked vigilante!”

After class, Sworth left the room through gritted teeth, burning with resentment toward Ruby. He stormed into the principal’s office, intent on giving him a piece of his mind.

“Rudolph, you’re something else—bringing in such an excellent person secretly without telling me. Though you normally don’t show it, in critical moments you do care for the academy.”

In the office, Principal Harvey wore a warm smile as he conversed with his honest and earnest vice principal. Thanks to the healing magic of the divine female mage, Harvey’s magical essence had recovered eighty percent. He could even appear as youthful as Sworth if he wished. How could he not be pleased?

And the cause of it all was this sincere vice principal before him. Harvey had initially found it hard to understand why Mayuna, the revered goddess of magic, would come to study at this academy. But after so long, his heart was clear as glass—it was all for a man. Anyone could see the special bond between Mayuna and Ruby. Ruby had come here because this vice principal had accepted him despite his lack of magical power, inadvertently bringing the goddess mage along.

“Principal, you flatter me…” Rudolf’s round face was beaded with sweat. He knew this was a delightful misunderstanding—if the principal discovered he had bent the rules to admit Ruby, he might become the first vice principal to be turned into an ice statue since the academy’s founding.

“You still haven’t outgrown the habit of sweating when nervous. Here, take this ice cube to cool down.”

As Harvey spoke, a floating ice cube appeared before Rudolf’s chest, making him sense that the principal’s power had grown significantly.

“Great-grandfather… Principal.”

When their conversation wound down, Sworth finally had the chance to speak. But upon opening his mouth, the principal’s intimidating gaze silenced him, reminding him that in public he must address him respectfully.

“What is it?”

“I wanted to mention that someone is keeping a unicorn on campus. Isn’t that improper? It often runs loose and disrupts my classes.”

“Sworth, classroom discipline is partly related to a teacher’s own charisma. You should watch how Teacher Ruby conducts his lessons.”

The principal was well aware of the unicorn on campus. Given Ruby’s relationship with Mayuna, he was powerless to intervene. Besides, the unicorn had been a gift from Rhine—there was no way to chase it away.

“But this is the empire’s most prestigious academy. Keeping magical beasts on campus…”

“That’s no different than students who form contracts with magical beasts from childhood. As long as they don’t disturb others, it’s acceptable.”

Harvey waved off Sworth’s complaints. For nobles, acquiring powerful magical beast eggs was common, and raising those beasts from youth forged formidable companions for battle.

“Madness. All madness!”

Realizing he could not sway his great-grandfather, Sworth retreated. Until now, he had never thought he’d envy a powerless person. What sort of enchantment had that man cast over the principal and the students?

Since his arrival, the academy had changed—defacing the playground, secretly raising magical beasts, teaching unnecessary knowledge. Their upcoming extracurricular internship even paired him with his favorite instructor, White Feather. Were it not for the lack of a special bond between them, Sworth might have strangled Ruby in his fury. Fuming, the young teacher took a bottle of fruit wine from his personal storage and began drinking.

Of course, after many years teaching, Sworth was not without admirers. This bottle was a gift from a devoted student who, when asked where it came from, replied, “Bought from Teacher Ruby’s private kitchen… Ruby’s private kitchen… Ruby’s…”

“Damn it! The wine is made by Ruby too!”

Meanwhile, Ruby remained unaware that he had ignited the jealousy of a young teacher. He led the well-exercised Red Bean to a lakeside stable he had personally built near where Aqua resided, providing shelter from wind and rain.

“Now are you happy? You nearly shook all my bones loose.”

Ruby gently brushed Red Bean’s coat, his ample experience making horse care a natural task.

‘Neigh neigh.’

Red Bean nuzzled into Ruby’s arms, seeking affection. Possessing intelligence equal to humans, the unicorn understood how troublesome it was to care for a magical beast, yet Ruby had taken it in and let it run free when it wished. Truly, the best of companions.

“Hey, Ruby, animals really like you.”

Aqua surfaced from the lake, witnessing the scene. The mermaid spoke with a hint of jealousy, admitting she had never clung to Ruby like that.

“You too?”

“No way! I’m a noble mermaid.”

“Since meeting you, ‘noble’ and ‘mermaid’ seem like strangers.”

Aqua’s self-proclaimed nobility nearly made Ruby laugh out loud. He replied dryly to the self-satisfied mermaid before setting down the brush and preparing to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“To fetch something. You two get along well.”

Ruby waved goodbye as he left the grove. Red Bean and Aqua exchanged glances; the unicorn snorted and headed into the stable.

“Wait! Who did you call a dummy?”