BLACK SOUL

"Really...? Who am I?... I am... the witch's daughter."

"I don't think it's necessary to know my name.. Call me 'the witch's daughter' as the others do."

She answered simply while lying on her single bed in her small room surrounded by four white walls. Appreciation certificates were hung on the wall, and the room contained a study desk in the corner with a computer on it, its screen illuminating a website for registering in a mental arithmetic competition.

"Ah.. Miss.. You cannot use titles to register, we need your real information.. I hope you will cooperate.."

The employee answered from the other end of the phone call, his voice carrying some doubt and tension as he listened to her strange words. She pressed firmly with her thumb and index finger on the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes for a few seconds without speaking, still lying down, to remind herself that she was in an official phone call, not casual chatter or a speech to herself. After a few moments, she answered in a low, heavy voice with a subtle hint of embarrassment in her tone.

"Yes.. You are right. I was confused.. My name is..."

..

"Marilyn."

After finishing the application and ending the call with the employee, she sighed exhaustedly and threw her phone aside. She was accustomed to participating in such competitions and securing first place, and in some competitions, she received monetary prizes. Even though she was a witch's daughter, she was good at mathematics, yet she still believed she could do better. But.. What was the story behind this "witch's daughter" title? Marilyn stood up from her bed, brushed the thoughts away, and headed toward her small study desk. The desk contained a small shelf holding numerous notebooks and a mirror hanging on the wall. Even her notes and books were organized on the shelf, where the small notebook in which she had written her story rested.. That story which, in her eyes, was not worth reading, and that notebook which ought to be burned. Before heading toward the shelf, she stood in front of her mirror and looked at herself in silence. She wore small prescription glasses, her black, medium-length hair pulled up, and her bangs parted and scattered due to her previous lying on the bed. Her eyes looked exhausted from constant studying, and the dark circles under her eyes were clear from lack of sleep and insomnia. She moved away from the mirror, stood in front of the desk, and placed the small notebook on the table to open one of its pages and read silently.

"...My mother is a witch. Even though she was extraordinarily beautiful unlike me, she was hated because she loved everything related to magic... She always loved reading everything about magic and about...

'ability world',

that suspicious legend, or whatever she called it. When my father found out about this.. he abandoned us. My mother was devastated at that time, but she managed to get over it and stand tall again, for my sake and for her passion for magic. My mother gave up the love of her life for the sake of magic, and even with all this.. she still loves me and takes care of me with all her love... Everyone always told me that I would become a witch like my mother one day. When I think about it, I cannot accept it, but they keep repeating that damned sentence.

'The girl grows up to be like her mother.'

But now.. all my resolve has collapsed. I believe that I will never be anything else in this world except a witch's daughter."

Marilyn finished reading the page and turned to another one she had written the previous day. The tear drops that had fallen on the paper were still clear; they had dried, but they left an unerasable mark in her notebook.. and in her heart. She would always remember what she wrote on this page.

"On this date..

21 / 5 / 2022,

My mother decided to abandon the house.. and me.. to go to another city just to soar after her dream of exploring the depths of magic, leaving me alone in this desolate house. But... what about her daughter whom she promised to always hold close and care for...? What will become of me...? Today, I lost everything I had left in this world."

Now, having finished reading her memories, Marilyn sat outside the house her mother had left behind for her—devoid of any soul, containing only meaningless furniture and cold, flavorless food. It was now midnight. She sat on the curb of the sidewalk, watching her diary burn silently and staring at it with hollow eyes; this notebook held no meaning anyway, carrying nothing but pain and the truth she was trying to get rid of. She spent the entire night watching the notebook burn, observing its ashes as they ended up floating into the air, carrying all the bad emotions she had poured into it. Yet those feelings remained strongly bound to her, unwilling to leave her easily. The next morning, Marilyn entered her academy with a tired and exhausted face, which was evident from the dark circles beneath her eyes. She walked silently with heavy steps toward her locker. As she searched for her locker key in her bag, she could hear some girls on the other side whispering among themselves and casting fleeting glances at her from moment to moment. Marilyn tried hard to ignore them. She was supposed to be used to it, but it was difficult to get used to the harsh words of human beings. Humans had always been like this. No matter their lineage, race, origin, or homeland.. they all possessed those "black souls" inside them, urging them toward bad actions and words, stabbing those closest to them, harbor hatred, jealousy, and various other things. Marilyn thought to herself with regret,

"Is it not possible to get rid of those black souls using the magic my mother abandoned me for...?"

She pulled out her key quietly and unlocked her locker. She continued arranging her belongings while listening to their hurtful conversation about her.

"Why does a girl like her have to come to our school..?"

"She is really... ugly.. There isn't a shred of beauty in that gloomy face."

"What's up with those terrible glasses? Disgusting.."

Marilyn slammed her locker door shut forcefully, producing a loud noise, and glared at them in annoyance. Realizing she had heard their entire conversation, the girls froze in place and shut their mouths instantly, until one of them whispered to the rest,

"Let's leave before she casts a curse on us with her mother's magic."

The girls withdrew silently, looking back at her one last time. Marilyn stood there, unable to move or speak. What that girl said might seem ordinary at first glance, but it hurt deeply. Features of heartbreak and sadness were painted across her face.

"Do they really have to act this way..? Just because I'm a witch's daughter."

In the afternoon, Marilyn returned home with heavy steps, barely able to stand on her feet, exhausted while carrying the pain of loss and loneliness within her. As she headed toward the stairs leading up to her room, her eyes caught a glowing blue light coming from down below in the basement. She looked down there with curiosity. Indeed, she remembered.. her mother had always used that basement for magical work and experiments.. Perhaps that was the last thing her mother made before leaving. Unable to suppress her curiosity, it dragged her to descend step by step into the basement, taking cautious footsteps while the stairs emitted a light creaking sound with every step down. She stood in the basement in silence, her eyes widening in astonishment as she looked at the wondrous portal before her. It was huge, glowing with a blue light that fully illuminated the basement. Where did this portal lead to..?

"Perhaps.. behind that portal lies a better world..? Or maybe hell awaits me.."

Marilyn hesitated to enter and took a cautious step back, looking with indecision, but curiosity completely took control of her mind. She drew closer to the portal, still hesitating, and extended her hand inside to see what might happen. But at that very moment, the portal pulled her inside forcefully. She had no time to pull back or even realize what had occurred. Darkness deepened around her; everything was pitch black and she could see nothing, unable to move or even wiggle a single finger. She felt as though she were flying through the air, yet there was no scenery except blackness. Perhaps her life had ended here, and she had died due to her mother's magical deeds. An ironic thought, yet painful at the same time. But light appeared once again, and she emerged from the portal to find herself beneath a red sky with smoke filling the area, before realizing she was in a desert. She fell from the sky toward the ground and crashed into it, but she was not hurt—mysterious forces she had briefly sensed seemed to have protected her from harm. She opened her eyes slightly to see a girl standing before her, looking down at her with a face covered in wounds and disfigured, blood covering her body, and her eyes half-open, devoid of any light indicating she was alive. Her arm was severed and dripping with blood, her clothes tattered and soiled with desert dust and blood

perhaps not her own and bruises were visible on her leg. Marilyn's breath hitched at that moment, her mind refusing to believe the image before her. Everything happened in a single instant and was difficult to comprehend; she tried to open her mouth, but words were too difficult to come out, leaving her unable to utter a single word. However, the girl before her spoke on her behalf and said in a faint, exhausted voice,

"Are you... human...?"

No sooner had she uttered those two words than Marilyn fainted from the severity of the shock. The girl knelt before her on one knee and reached out her intact hand to brush Marilyn's hair back, taking a close look at her unconscious face, addressing herself to confirm the matter,

"She really is human..."

She moved her hand away slowly and cautiously from her face, reaching to grasp Marilyn's hand on the ground. She gripped it tightly, and a bright light appeared around their hands as she began siphoning energy from Marilyn's body to feed on it and take full control over her. After a few moments, her wounds began to heal gradually starting from the least severe, until she reclaimed her severed arm. She sighed in relief, then stood up, moving one hand to Marilyn's back and the other beneath her knees; with a single movement, she lifted Marilyn as if she weighed nothing, saying in a low voice to an unconscious body unaware of its surroundings,

"Let's take you home now.. human."

The following period passed in complete tranquility, and hours slipped by in loud silence. With a slow motion, Marilyn fluttered her eyelids and opened her eyes slowly and cautiously until the light reflected into her exhausted eyes. She adjusted her head to stand straight and felt a sharp neck pain, trying to move her head left and right with difficulty and pain. Her vision was blurry, and she wasn't wearing her glasses, making it hard to see, but she managed to discern the place—it was a house basement. She was tied to a chair in the middle of the basement, her feet tightly bound and her hands tied behind her back firmly and tightly, causing redness and swelling in her palms. Marilyn tried with difficulty to untie the bindings, but failed. Before she could realize what was happening, she heard the sound of the basement door lock turning and a faint creak coming from opening the door, but she couldn't see anything—the door was behind her with stairs leading down to where she was, and Marilyn could barely move her head. She heard the door slam shut sharply, causing her body to tremble, and in the next moment, she heard slow footsteps coming down the stairs, along with the echo of shoe heels clicking on the steps. Within seconds, the same girl Marilyn had met hours ago appeared, but looking different. She was now standing in front of her with a small smile on her face that was far from gentle; rather, it looked as though she were about to devour a feast. She inspected Marilyn's entire body from feet to head, one hand on her waist and the other free. Marilyn looked at the girl with caution and curiosity through weak eyes, feeling an intense exhaustion where she could barely keep her eyes open, while the girl in front of her was adorned in complete elegance: possessing long, silky black hair, with her bangs and hair tips colored in an elegant copper orange. The girl decided to break the silence between them and spoke in a voice filled with confidence,

"I am minji."

Marilyn stared at her silently without answering. minji seemed to have more to say, then leaned down to Marilyn's eye level and spoke in the same tone, adding some harshness,

"And you... are my prey."

Marilyn continued to look, her eyes filled with confusion and anxiety. Where was she? Who was this minji? And what was that ominous feeling surrounding this basement? And this minji... All these thoughts swirled in Marilyn's mind without stopping until they gave her a headache. Marilyn murmured in a weak, bewildered voice,

"Where am I... and what are you..?"

minji's smile widened further in a cunning manner, and she answered simply as if talking about today's weather,

"I am a curse.. and you have fallen into the ability world."

Marilyn tilted her head to the side as she processed the words coming out of minji's mouth, repeating her words as if memorizing the name on her tongue,

"ability world...?"

Marilyn remembered.. this world was always her mother's main topic. That was why the name sounded familiar at first glance. With a swift movement, minji straightened up with that suspicious smile still on her face, and called out loudly like an entertainment show host,

"Correct answer!"

She said, raising a finger toward the sky, then leaned toward Marilyn again with both hands on her waist, speaking mockingly,

"You really know nothing.. like a six-year-old child discovering the meaning of life."

Marilyn blinked in surprise and declared, trying to avoid eye contact,

"I possess some information about this world.."

minji's eyes widened in surprise and delight, and she clapped her hands cheerfully so that the collision of her hands echoed in the basement, exclaiming enthusiastically,

"Share with me what you know!"

Marilyn looked toward a random corner of the basement, her eyelids lowering slightly as she organized the words in her mind, and began explaining,

"Well... in this world, there are five kingdoms: the Demon Kingdom, the Angel Kingdom, and the ability kingdom. These possess energy and ability. On the other side are the Curse Kingdom and the Djinn Kingdom, and I recall they possess energy and power... Also.. some angels and demons live peacefully in the ability kingdom, unlike the ongoing hostility between the two kingdoms."

minji interrupted Marilyn, who was immersed in her explanation, and placed her prescription glasses onto her face, bringing Marilyn back from her daydream. minji then added before allowing Marilyn to speak,

"To be precise.. all kingdoms are in hostility and hatred with one another."

A few seconds of silence passed before minji asked,

"So, what was your name?"

Marilyn answered in a single hesitant word,

"Marilyn..."

minji's suspicious smile returned once more as she confirmed,

"I knew you were smart, Marilyn.. That was evident from your appearance."

Marilyn looked on in bewilderment and did not dare to comment, thinking to herself with intense curiosity and astonishment until bewildered expression appeared on her face,

"You called me ignorant just a few minutes ago..."

With a swift motion, minji stood up straight and appeared lively, startling Marilyn for a moment. minji then concluded their brief conversation, saying,

"So, my smart prisoner.. sit here politely and don't try to do anything foolish."

minji delivered her last sentence in a warning tone akin to a threat behind a mask of playfulness, then returned to her energetic tone and continued,

"I'll be back in a few hours with a delicious light snack!"

Before Marilyn could utter a word, minji walked away, her shoes making loud footstep sounds as she hummed a song to herself. Marilyn watched her in silence and perplexity, expressions of confusion and surprise appearing on her features, wondering how strange this curse could possibly be.

The next half hour passed agonizingly slowly as Marilyn sat tied up, watching the floor beneath her, thinking to herself silently,

"Perhaps minji has left the house.. I don't hear any loud footstep sounds, nor do I sense her ominous energy around me..."

Marilyn sighed in exhaustion and spoke to herself in a low voice,

"ability world... Who would have thought that my mother's fictional stories would become my fate?"

Marilyn scanned the basement with her eyes, searching for anything that might help her escape, but the basement was empty of everything except a small table beside her, and a high, closed window reflecting faint sunlight; she could hear the sound of movement outside the window frame, and it clearly led to the exit easily. Marilyn's head leaned back in fatigue as she breathed slowly. Meanwhile, her hands felt something in her back pocket, and using her bound hands, she extracted it from her pocket with difficulty. It was a small knife she had forgotten in her pocket since art class earlier. She gripped it tightly until her fingertips turned white, attempting to cut the rope binding her hands. The rope was thick and extremely durable, but she did not stop, continuing while holding her breath firmly. Minutes of continuous effort passed until she exhaled heavily and the rope fell to the ground.

"Finally... I thought it would never snap."

Marilyn looked at her hands; rope marks encircled them, painful to the touch and burning when brushed. Marilyn massaged her hands in pain, then moved to cut the rope binding her feet to the chair. Once she was finally free of her restraints, she stood up straight, the knife still held firmly in her hand as if it would vanish if she lowered her arm. Then, a severe headache washed over her, and a suspicious stench filled her lungs coming from the basement. Marilyn inspected the basement once more with greater scrutiny, but there was nothing that could aid her escape. She refocused her attention on the window and found it closed with a rope tied tightly around the handle. Marilyn narrowed her eyes, thinking,

"This curse uses ropes for everything."

Minutes of deliberation passed, after which Marilyn found a way to reach the window. She lifted the small wooden table in one go; it was heavy and rough to the touch, but she managed to bring it near the window. Next, Marilyn jumped onto the table, but she still couldn't reach the window.

"Am I really this short?"

She muttered mockingly as she looked up at the window, her sole refuge for escape. Turning her head, she found the chair she had been tied to moments ago. She slipped her knife back into her pocket, stepped down carefully from the table, and picked up the chair. It was lighter than the table but rougher; she placed it on top of the table and climbed up again, now standing directly across from the window. Before cutting the rope, she noticed the world outside around her—it was a residential neighborhood with very large houses and spacious gardens, likely a residential area for the wealthy. Marilyn wondered as she watched the street outside about the kind of people this minji belonged to. Marilyn regained her focus, pulled out her knife, and set to work cutting the rope. After several attempts, she managed to untie it, then pushed the window with all her strength, producing a rushing sound as the panel opened, and cold air from outside struck her skin. It felt comforting at first glance, unlike the predicament she was currently in. She grabbed the window sill with both hands—it felt metallic—clinging to it tightly, looking back at the empty basement one last time before returning her gaze outside. The height wasn't too great, so she jumped without hesitation until her feet hit the ground firmly, making an impact sound as dust scattered around her. She stumbled backward but regained her balance before falling, pulling her hood over her head as a precaution. Raising her head to the sky, she saw it was red with a mix of dark orange, and as soon as she saw the sky, she remembered her mother's words from long ago:

"Marilyn, do you know what the sky of the Demon Kingdom looks like?"

Little Marilyn had answered with innocent curiosity,

"Is it blue like the sky of our world?"

Her mother laughed softly and corrected her,

"No, it is a blend of red and orange."

Marilyn recalled this memory until she realized she was now in the Demon Kingdom. The cool kingdom air caressed her fingertips and skin, contrasting with the red atmosphere of the sky, and the refreshing scent of tree leaves tickled her senses as she walked quietly and cautiously. Marilyn continued walking for about half an hour until she reached the main street: the loud sounds of car engines, conversations of people around her, and the scent of baked goods from nearby bakeries. Life was no different here; it was like walking in her world on a random day, but this place was more advanced. Marilyn watched in awe, unable to believe her eyes, continuing her walk while trying not to draw attention or arouse suspicion, until she stopped in front of an academy building crowded with people. Marilyn tried to step away quickly before anyone noticed her, but as soon as she moved, a man in a formal uniform emitting the scent of luxury perfume stopped her, a small smile gracing his features. He stopped right in front of her, holding a clipboard packed with a stack of papers hugged against his chest, his other hand carrying a ballpoint pen. He began speaking formally,

"Young lady, you look to be about 17 years old. Have you decided which academy you will attend?"

Marilyn looked on in confusion and realized the flow of the conversation—he worked for this academy. She answered slowly and hesitatingly, looking around hoping not to see minji,

"I am 18 years old, and I am not from this kingdom."

The man nodded his head in understanding and continued,

"That is clear; I felt your somewhat unfamiliar energy."

Marilyn stared with curiosity, trying to remember the meaning of 'energy', but she didn't dare to ask. Instead, she asked something else while looking away in embarrassment,

"I do not have a place to stay.."

The man looked on curiously and his smile faded, but he quickly regained it and waved both hands reassuringly,

"Is that so? Do not worry about this. If you apply for the test, you will receive a place to stay in the academy dormitory, and if your profile is full of honors, the academy will cover your expenses as well."

Marilyn thought about his words for a few seconds and answered,

"What if... I don't have a personal profile..?"

The man's expression turned stern, looking at her with suspicion, his voice sounding broken and hesitant to continue the conversation,

"Then... how..?"

Marilyn answered simply,

"It was stolen..."

The man's eyes widened as he stared in surprise, then he smiled gently, tapping his pen on the clipboard,

"That's fine.. The academy's magic department can assist you.."

Marilyn placed her hand beneath her chin, pondering his offer, until the man interrupted her thoughts,

"You truly possess remarkable energy.. Do not worry about a profile or anything like that; as soon as the academy directors see your energy, they will approve immediately."

Marilyn's eyes gleamed with a sliver of hope, and she breathed a sigh of relief,

"When can I register..?"

The man's smile widened and he replied enthusiastically,

"Right now!"

He handed her the clipboard and pen, pointing to the signature spot on the paper, saying formally,

"Just sign here along with writing your name, and you can enter to register."

Marilyn held the pen, her hands hesitating over the board before giving in and signing. As soon as she finished, the man read the name on the paper: (Marilyn luran). He then gestured with his hand toward the academy doors, indicating for her to enter first,

"Miss Marilyn, please step inside this way."

As Marilyn followed the man, walking quietly behind him while he continued talking about the academy's features, mentioning its name,

"Marchel Academy for Girls"

Marilyn didn't care about any of this; what truly occupied her mind was the speed with which the man agreed to everything she said without hesitation. Through his behavior, a feeling of suspicion and caution crept into Marilyn. She slipped her hand into her jacket pocket containing the knife, ready for any sudden movement, even while knowing she wasn't good at fighting, yet prepared to protect herself until she found her way back to her world. The man's voice awakened her from her thoughts as he pointed toward a large door, saying,

"This is the administration office. You must wait at the waiting benches, and then they will call your name and ask you a few questions. Good luck!"

Marilyn nodded her head and watched the man retrace his steps to resume his work, while she took a seat on one of the benches in front of the office. Marilyn sat quietly looking at her hands, feeling nothing but curiosity.

"Where will my next destination be?"

This was the only question occupying her. She raised her gaze to observe the students around her. Nervousness was evident on everyone: a girl clutching her folder so tightly she nearly tore it, another biting her lip until a thin thread of blood trickled out, while another girl tapped her shoe heels against the marble floor continuously in a rhythm reflecting her anxiety. Time passed slowly until Marilyn remained the last student alone in the hallway. Then a woman's voice came over the nearby loudspeakers calling out the last student's name,

"Marilyn luran.. The administration is waiting for you."

Marilyn stood up, exhaling as she gathered herself, and entered the office. She opened the door slowly, looking inside; the room was spacious, and in the center sat three directors with stern expressions—two men and one woman wearing large prescription glasses who appeared the most rigid. They sat behind a long table with a single empty chair reserved for the student facing them. Marilyn closed the door behind her and walked hesitantly toward the chair. Their eyes studied her every step, jotting down notes on everything they saw and thought. The atmosphere in the room was heavy and filled with negative energy. As soon as Marilyn sat down, she looked down at her hands resting in her lap, trembling. One of the directors broke the silence, saying sharply,

"Marilyn, where is your student file?"

Marilyn did not answer immediately, looking at them anxiously with her head still bowed down.

"I don't have it..."

Their eyes widened in surprise and they looked at each other before the other director asked,

"Could you clarify further?"

Marilyn bit her lip before answering in a low voice,

"It was stolen from me.. and I am not from this kingdom..."

The three looked at each other in confusion and began taking notes again before one director spoke,

"Do you expect us to accept you without any information?"

Marilyn looked down and answered slowly, carefully, her shoulder tensing,

"I have no residence or anyone here to help me.. My future depends on this academy..."

The female director interrupted Marilyn's words, answering sternly while adjusting her glasses,

"Do you think we accept students out of pity? That is not our system, Marilyn."

The director sitting in the middle rested his arm on the table, placing the back of his hand under his chin, asking calmly,

"You truly possess interesting energy. Marilyn, do you choose intellect or power?"

The other two directors looked at him in surprise, while a glimmer of hope returned to Marilyn's eyes as she looked at him, considering his question carefully. This question was what would determine her fate in this academy. Marilyn thought back and remembered.

"My mother asked me this question once...

Intellect... where I choose studying, developing my mental skills, and earning scholarships at prestigious universities.

Power... is training ability, enhancing energy and capacity to become stronger, becoming an ability user who protects their kingdom."

Marilyn took a breath and answered,

"Intellect.."

The three were astonished by Marilyn's choice. She possessed high energy capable of slaying curses and djinn in the blink of an eye, yet she chose intellect? The director hesitated to continue, but addressed her decision,

"You indeed have high energy, why do you prefer intellect over power?"

Marilyn froze in place, thinking of a way to answer—how could she lie and get away with it as she had done previously, when she lied about a file she didn't possess and being a human in a world she was forbidden to enter.

"I... cannot control my ability well, but I am skilled in science and mathematics.. That is why."

After seconds of silence, the female director stood up from her seat, walked toward a drawer, and pulled out a test paper. She returned and stood before Marilyn, placing the paper in front of her, saying with a sharp gaze,

"If you answer this test completely correctly, we will approve your admission, and your missing file will be considered an exception."

Marilyn read the contents of the test. Before her were only three questions on Olympiad geometry, number theory, and combinatorics—all complex topics requiring deep thought. But Marilyn had already studied all of this. Marilyn gathered her confidence and looked at the director with assurance, smiling enthusiastically,

"I want the test."

The female director smiled, her features softening into satisfaction. She handed Marilyn a pen and a booklet for solving, standing before Marilyn while placing a countdown timer on the table,

"You have 90 minutes to complete the three questions."

She then pressed the start button, and the test officially began. Marilyn held her pen, her face showing no emotion. She took a slow breath, her grip tightening on the pen. She didn't begin writing immediately. She spent the first few minutes staring at the first problem as if rearranging it inside her mind. She knew that the first mistake could lead to a whole chain of errors. She wrote down a single line and paused. She reviewed the idea, crossed it out, and wrote a different solution. Minutes passed in heavy silence, broken only by the friction of pens and the ticking sound of the timer beside her. As for the three directors, they did not take their eyes off her for a single moment, observing her way of thinking more than her answers. After finishing the first question, she moved on to the second without hesitation, with less than an hour remaining. Marilyn read the next question multiple times. It was about number theory. Marilyn thought for a long time before writing the first steps, then paused and bit the end of her pen, deep in thought—an old habit she used to do whenever contemplating a math problem. Marilyn took the full 90 minutes, lost in her thoughts, pouring all her effort into the three problems before her. Mathematics had been Marilyn's passion since childhood; she used to study it all the time until it became part of her daily routine. As soon as she completed the three problems, 5 minutes remained before time ran out. The directors were still in front of her, scrutinizing her every look and movement. Marilyn re-read the questions, reviewed her answers, and smiled with confidence, knowing full well her answers were correct—she had solved these exact problems many times in the past. Now, one minute remained before her test ended, so Marilyn presented her answer booklet to the female director with confidence. The director looked on with curiosity and focus,

"You have one minute left."

Marilyn shook her head, still smiling,

"It's alright.. I'm already done."

The female director's eyes narrowed before accepting the booklet from Marilyn. She returned to her seat and began reading the answers with the other directors beside her, their eyes widening in shock. This strange girl before them was full of surprises. They had assumed she was lying about her math expertise, but she was telling the truth. Every step of her solution matched the model answers perfectly, without a single error in any step. The three looked at her before looking back at the answers. It took them 15 minutes to discuss among themselves while checking the solutions. Then, they redirected their attention to Marilyn. The female director adjusted her glasses once more and spoke,

"Marilyn luran.. Well, despite not possessing your student profile, we were amazed by the precision of your answers on the test, so we apologize.."

Marilyn's heart sank, her expression freezing before the director finished her sentence.

"Are they apologizing for rejecting me..?"

That was what went through Marilyn's mind at that moment. The director cleared her throat and continued,

"We apologize for doubting your abilities earlier; we thought you were a homeless person trying to waste time."

The male director clapped his hands and smiled gently at Marilyn,

"You have been accepted into Marchel Academy!"

Marilyn smiled happily, her eyes gleaming,

"Really! Thank you so much!"

The director interrupted Marilyn's joy, saying,

"We will request our magic department to rewrite your file. Since you mentioned earlier that you have no residence, the administration will cover your housing in Marchel Academy's dormitories, as well as your expenses."

Marilyn nodded in agreement with overwhelming joy. Later, Marilyn arrived at the dorm location with the help of a staff member. The dormitory was a few minutes' walk from the academy. Marilyn stood before the receptionist, a pleasant young woman who smiled warmly at Marilyn while Marilyn waited to receive her room keys. The receptionist searched her computer for Marilyn's name, and upon finding it, said in a gentle voice,

"Marilyn, your residence is room 402 on the fourth floor."

She said this while handing Marilyn her key, which also bore her room number. Marilyn took the key with a small nod, and as she turned to head to the elevator, the receptionist called out with a warm smile,

"If you feel hungry, there is a dinner designated for students on the first floor."

Marilyn stared tiredly and said in a low, hesitant voice, feeling cautious of the woman's kindness,

"Thank you.."

Upon reaching her apartment, Marilyn turned on the lights and was shocked by what she saw—she had expected a cramped room, but this residence was on another level. Entering, she was greeted by a short hallway, and walking a bit further, she found a small open kitchen facing a spacious white sofa with a television in front of it. On the other side, she found three rooms distributed. The first was a bathroom, and the other was just an empty room. Marilyn thought about the possibilities of what she could do with this room in the future, excitement appearing on her face.

"Oh, I can definitely build my own library here!"

Marilyn headed toward the last room. It was her bedroom. It was small but very suitable. There was a single bed, so she clearly didn't have a roommate in this apartment. She sat on the bed and felt its softness; facing her was a desk with a modern computer, and beside it a wide wardrobe with small drawers. Marilyn lay down comfortably on the bed, surrendering to fatigue. It was only one day, but packed with events.. Marilyn thought as she stared at the white-painted ceiling.

"Life here seems easier than in my world... With just one test, I got a residence."

Marilyn sat up straight, pulling the knife from her pocket along with an envelope containing her money for her first month at the academy, which she had received from the staff member earlier after her acceptance. She opened the envelope, took out the money, and began pondering her next step,

"I will receive $500 every month.. This academy is suspiciously generous.. Tomorrow I must go to the academy for my first day. I'll head to the library; perhaps I'll find something to help me return to my world..."

Marilyn rose from her bed and opened the wardrobe, astonished to find sleepwear, her school uniform, and everything neatly folded and arranged.

"This academy is fully equipped..."

She said sarcastically while pulling out her sleepwear from the closet. As she did so, a thought struck her, bringing her to a halt.

"How would my mother react if she knew I was here... in the world she always dreamed of...?"

Marilyn began imagining in her mind the image of her mother smiling happily and excitedly, involuntarily smiling herself until she remembered that her mother had left their home before her sudden fall here. Marilyn hugged her sleepwear and thought silently,

"If I leave this world... could it be... maybe I will find my mother waiting for me there...? She'll hug me tightly and tell me she's sorry for leaving without me... We could go together anywhere she wants.. just.. together..."

Time passed until a ray of morning sun crept through the academy windows. Marilyn was walking through the academy hallways silently by herself in her new school uniform—an elegant black school shirt, a dark blue tie, and a stylish short blue skirt. Along the way, Marilyn accidentally discovered that this was the second semester of the current academic year. Nevertheless, a feeling of relief washed over her; here, there was no one looking at her with disdain or speaking ill of her behind her back, nor would she hear the title "witch's daughter" anymore. Crossing her path was a tall girl whose smooth black hair fell over her shoulders in a breathtaking manner, her features resembling a work of art, and her eyes a vibrant, breathtaking orange. Marilyn's lips parted in astonishment at the girl before her; she froze, forgetting how to pronounce words. The girl smiled softly, both hands clasped behind her back, speaking in a sweet voice,

"Marilyn, you are the new student, correct?"

Marilyn took a step back, clutching her books tightly in her hands with a hint of anxiety and tension, nodding quickly in unconscious agreement while staring in admiration at the girl before her. The girl laughed at Marilyn's reaction and continued,

"I am Beatrice barret. I will be your classmate and your guide around the school for a short while."

Marilyn agreed to the brief tour with Beatrice. As the two walked together, all eyes were on Beatrice, so Marilyn asked in a curious voice audible only to Beatrice,

"All the girls here are staring at you.."

Beatrice looked at some of the girls around her and smiled with clear confidence,

"Everyone believes I am the epitome of a successful woman here. And to be clear, I am number one here."

Marilyn stared in admiration mixed with awe. She began to greatly admire the girl walking beside her, who was indeed her classmate. Marilyn felt an intense excitement she could barely contain inside, but this excitement broke the moment another girl joined them. Both Marilyn and Beatrice stood watching the girl run toward them, her olive-colored hair flying in the air with her speed. She stopped right before them, leaning forward with her hands resting on her knees as she caught her ragged breath, her cheeks flushed red from the exhaustion of running. Beatrice smiled with satisfaction, placing her hand over her mouth as a soft laugh escaped her while watching the girl before her. In contrast, Marilyn appeared concerned for the girl, her hand hovering as she attempted to pat her to calm her down, but she pulled back before doing so, returning her hand, then said to Beatrice in a low voice,

"Eh... I think this girl is on the verge of death here..."

The girl replied between her ragged breaths, her bangs falling over her face,

"No... this.. this is.."

She stood up straight quickly, looking at Marilyn firmly with flushed cheeks, saying with determination as she clenched her fist tightly,

"No... this.. this is.."

She stood up straight quickly, looking at Marilyn firmly with flushed cheeks, saying with determination as she clenched her fist tightly,

"This is part of my training!"

Marilyn looked at her hesitatingly, her hands hovering in the air unsure of what to do, then asked bewilderedly,

"Training for death?"

Beatrice laughed at her comment, looking at Marilyn with the affectionate gaze of a mother watching her child,

"She is training her physical fitness."

Marilyn's gaze shifted between Beatrice and the girl in realization, whereupon Beatrice realized she had forgotten to introduce them to one another, stepping forward to stand in the middle,

"I actually forgot to introduce you two."

She looked at Marilyn, smiling her usual smile while pointing toward the olive-haired girl,

"Marilyn, this is hana rokwartz, a classmate in our class and also my trusted personal assistant."

Her gaze then turned toward hana,

"hana, this is Marilyn. Take her on a tour around the school grounds and treat her well."

Beatrice gave her an authoritative and firm look, and hana nodded like a bodyguard, her eyes meeting Marilyn's. Marilyn looked at her curiously, trying to memorize her face, while hana looked on with caution and a great deal of suspicion. Beatrice interrupted their glares, saying,

"Well, I'll leave you two together and head off; I have work with the student council."

Marilyn's eyes widened slightly and she wanted to stop her, but pulled back before doing so. Both hana and Marilyn watched Beatrice walk away. Marilyn asked curiously, trying to learn about the academy grounds while her eyes remained fixed on Beatrice,

"So, does Beatrice work in the student council?"

hana crossed her arms, watching Beatrice,

"No, Lady Beatrice doesn't work in the student council, but she manages our class affairs, which is why we must appreciate the effort she puts in for us."

hana said the last part with her hand on her chest, glorifying Beatrice excessively, great admiration shining in her eyes. Marilyn looked at her in confusion, smiling nervously, unable to contradict this immense appreciation. Beatrice indeed appeared to be a grand leader figure. The atmosphere began to turn awkward while hana continued admiring Beatrice as she vanished down the hallway, so Marilyn decided to break the silence before it became more embarrassing,

"Can we start the tour?"

hana looked toward Marilyn, her previous expression of annoyance and apathy returning, answering listlessly as if speaking were a burden,

"Right, I forgot about that part.. Let's begin your tour."

hana turned and began moving forward away from Marilyn, expecting her to follow. Indeed, Marilyn accompanied her, walking side by side. hana helped Marilyn explore the academy and get her bearings well, despite her grim expressions. After walking for a while, they reached the place Marilyn had desperately wished to see: the academy library. Marilyn asked excitedly, as if a prize awaited her inside,

"hana, what kind of books does the academy library contain?"

hana stopped in her tracks before opening the large white library door, looking at Marilyn thoughtfully,

"Ah, well..."

hana pondered her question, her thumb under her chin, then answered,

"Curriculum books, certainly, and there are books about the history of the ability world as well, and I believe there are novels and scientific books. It's a huge library containing a lot; it's the largest library among all kingdoms."

Marilyn's excitement grew upon hearing this information. As soon as the two entered, Marilyn's eyes widened at the grand scale of the library—it resembled a museum, but instead of artifacts, it held something far grander: Books! Every corner contained a different section of books. The library consisted of two floors and a massive area filled with shelves, along with white sofas for resting. The library was decorated entirely in white and green plants.. a sight soothing to the eyes. hana shattered Marilyn's awe and admiration, saying,

"It is said that borrowing some books here is forbidden, such as magic books."

Marilyn looked inquiringly and asked,

"Then why do they keep them here?"

hana answered as she strolled through the library, speaking in a low voice so as not to distract the other students,

"They were placed here because it is considered a safe place. No one can enter the academy except students and administration. But magic books are locked with a lock that can only be opened with its specific key."

Marilyn took a few moments to organize the information in her mind while her eyes wandered over the massive, high shelves, the scent of oud wafting through the library, filling Marilyn's senses in a comforting way. Then, out of curiosity, Marilyn asked,

"Why are you telling me this?"

hana looked at her in surprise, hesitating to answer. Deep down, she held suspicion toward Marilyn, having already noticed the strange energy emanating from her. She answered while avoiding eye contact,

"Well.. I thought maybe you might be interested in books.. something like that..."

hana waved her hands in the air as if brushing the topic away, saying in a tone carrying sharpness and annoyance,

"Forget it, I can say whatever I want.. Let's go to the training room before the lesson starts."

Marilyn felt the aversion coming from hana and how she immediately changed the subject, causing a feeling she had previously tried to bury in the past to creep back into her: anxiety and a sense of not belonging to her surroundings. Her head bowed down, and she looked away, speaking in a low voice mixed with disappointment,

"I am here for education.. not for training..."

hana quickly realized that Marilyn had noticed her annoyance. hana possessed sharp eyes that caught the finest details, and her body shuddered at the tense atmosphere. Rather than justifying her stance, she turned and left the library with heavy steps, saying, expecting Marilyn to follow her,

"There are no theoretical lectures on the first day."

Marilyn hesitated to follow her, but she had no other choice. She began walking behind hana in silence, avoiding bothering her. Marilyn's mind replayed a past memory: Marilyn used to walk behind her mother in silence whenever her mother was annoyed with her. Marilyn was accustomed to these traits, unaware that she was repeating these actions now unconsciously, yet she continued walking behind hana silently, her head bowed with a sense of guilt. The path to the training room was awkwardly quiet. Upon reaching the door, hana stopped and looked at Marilyn over her shoulder,

"Marilyn, be careful of what awaits you inside."

Marilyn's eyes widened in curiosity, and suddenly she felt excitement coursing through her blood. At that very moment, loud noises echoed from inside the training room—sounds of iron clashing fiercely and impacts that began shaking the room's iron door. hana's face twisted mockingly as she looked at Marilyn,

"Inside.. they are like wild creatures."

Marilyn looked at her while maintaining a steady mask, trying not to laugh. As soon as hana opened the door and stepped in, Marilyn followed her very cautiously. She stood before the doorway, her mouth agape in shock at the scene before her. Marilyn's eyes couldn't focus on the vast area around her; instead, they locked onto the figure right before her. There were three girls—two against one training before her very eyes, yet it looked like a battle between monsters. What caught her attention was the blue-eyed girl fighting alone against the other two. She glared sharply at her opponents, seeming to anticipate their moves before they even initiated them; their strategy was completely exposed. She was the one controlling the fight with her refined movements and agility, and the way she held her sword looked as though she were prepared to kill rather than merely train. When one of the two girls stepped forward and swung her sword to attack her, she parried it forcefully, pushing them back and throwing her to the ground until her sword fell to the floor. Taking advantage of the distraction, her partner decided to attack from behind with her metal claw, but with a swift motion, the blue-eyed girl turned and blocked the attack, pinning her opponent in place and preventing her from moving. She spoke in a stern, firm tone, appearing displeased with the two girls' weakness,

"Your reaction is slow; you should have moved earlier."

The other girl with the claws was wincing in pain from her hands, which were controlled by the blue-eyed woman's sword, keeping her immobilized. If she made a wrong move, her opponent would finish her off. Then, with a shocking move, the blue-eyed woman used her foot and kicked the girl with great force, throwing her far back until she crashed into the wall. She fell to the ground, unable to move from the pain in her back. The blue-eyed woman advanced toward her, ready for the finishing blow, her immense energy overwhelming the already vast training room to the extent that Marilyn felt tiny inside this room, like a mouse about to be devoured by a lion. As the blue-eyed woman stood over the girl lying on the ground, preparing to swing her sword and stab her, the girl looked up at her weakly, speaking in genuine fear and a desperate voice,

"Please, linda! I surrender!!"

linda... Marilyn heard the girl's words and realized. This mysterious girl with blue eyes and features resembling a ruler of her realm.. her name was linda... linda stopped, crossed her arms, and looked down at her with a glare less harsh than before, complaining grumpily,

"You surrender? I haven't reached the good part where I stab you to death..."

The blood froze in the girl's body, her skin turning pale as she muttered in fear,

"How terrifying can you get..."

Then her partner, who was lying on the ground unable to even grip her sword, spoke up,

"I'd rather fight a curse than face linda in such harsh training..."

linda glanced back at her with annoyance, rolling her eyes indifferently to their fatigue. All she saw before her were weaklings, and she insulted them in a low, grumbling voice,

"A bunch of scum..."

linda's gaze wandered toward hana and the new girl beside her, but she quickly ignored them and went back to scolding the girls before her. hana looked at Marilyn, seeing the intense amazement and admiration in her eyes. To hana, looking at her was like watching someone who had lived at the bottom of a hole, unaware of the world around her, so she asked with suspicion and confusion clearly visible on her face,

"Is this your first time watching training?"

Marilyn looked at her and nodded with great enthusiasm, clenching her fist,

"I didn't expect to see something this amazing!"

hana's suspicions about Marilyn deepened further, and she asked with greater perplexity,

"Which kingdom did you come from exactly?"

Marilyn's expression turned nervous, her hand hovering behind her neck,

"I.. perhaps I was a recluse before coming here."

Her lie was obvious—from her body language to her tense tone. In hana's eyes, Marilyn was the worst attempt at a liar she had met up to this moment. She sighed, looking toward the noise of the girls, and before either could speak, they heard the voice of one of the girls who had trained with linda calling up toward the balcony,

"Hey minji! Did you record all the training?"

minji...? The echo of this name remained stuck in Marilyn's mind. Could it be the same crazy curse..? Or was it merely a coincidence in names...? Marilyn's troubled thoughts were interrupted by a voice from above the balcony overlooking the wide training arena.. a familiar voice.

"I recorded everything, in high resolution."

Marilyn dared to look up, her hands trembling toward the source of the sound. minji stood up there, holding a camera. She had been standing there the whole time, documenting the training with that camera. She looked down at Marilyn with her distinct orange and red eyes. Her eyes narrowed and gleamed with malice as she smiled, speaking slowly with clear bad intentions toward Marilyn,

"I record every single move.. with high precision."

Marilyn's eyes widened, her face darkening completely, and she took a step back in panic. hana noticed the panic on Marilyn's face and tilted her head to the side, observing her.

"Hey you.. Do you know the Big Three of this academy?"

Marilyn looked at her in panic, unable to think of anything except the disaster before her,

"Hu- Huh?"

hana said while looking at linda, who stood with the rest of the girls,

"We have linda arshlan here; she is competing with my Lady Beatrice barret for first place this semester as the best girl in this academy. But last semester, she was the one occupying first place while my Lady Beatrice was second. And in third place..."

...

hana paused, looking up toward minji, whose eyes were piercing through Marilyn's soul, then hana completed the final part

"minji malone..."

- End of chapter -