Lina held her son close, allowing Claude to wrap his arms around her neck and bury his face against her shoulder in fragile peace. She knew that as long as he remained within her embrace, Claude felt safe.
"Actually, those aren't scales," Lina said flatly. "They are old burn scars. You must have seen them incorrectly."
As her words drifted outward, microscopic particles of magic blended seamlessly into the air. When inhaled, they subtly altered perception. The memory of ominous black scales gradually warped into the image of a long-healed wound. Doubt slowly surfaced among the crowd. The angry whispers faded and suspicion dulled. Sympathy began to replace hostility.
Witnessing the shift, Lina felt a quiet disgust—not toward them, but toward how easily the human mind could be bent with the slightest nudge of magic.
Still, she released a small breath of relief. At least now the large man had no reason to continue cornering her son.
"In that case," Milo's father declared loudly, unwilling to retreat, "you still owe me compensation. My wife fainted when she heard that Milo was seriously injured."
Lina's gaze sharpened. She had already anticipated he would not let the matter go so easily. "What compensation do you want?" she asked evenly. She was perfectly capable of paying any sum he demanded.
The glint in the man's eyes made Lina's stomach tighten in quiet revulsion. "Just come to my workplace later," he said with a smirk.
"No," Lina interrupted firmly. "State your demand right now, in front of everyone. If you cannot say it openly, I will assume you do not truly want compensation."
"You don't have the right to negotiate with me," he snapped arrogantly.
Lina exhaled slowly, her patience thinning. "So you are determined to make things difficult for me?"
"I am. And what can you do?" he sneered boldly. "You don't even have anyone backing you up. Who will protect you?"
The principal lowered his gaze slightly to hide the irony. A Sword Master and a True Mage did not require protection. Except perhaps from the gods themselves, there was no existence in this world capable of defeating her.
"I will give you one final opportunity," Lina said quietly. Her eyes grew colder, and her voice softer but far more dangerous. Those who knew her gentle façade instinctively shivered. They had never seen this side of her before. "Are you determined to make things difficult for me?"
His pride answered faster than his intellect. "Yes."
The next second, Milo's father collapsed abruptly onto the ground. His large body convulsed violently for several moments before going completely limp.
"This…" The principal felt a flicker of concern. If Milo's father died, it would create new complications.
"Don't worry," Lina said calmly. "He has only fainted."
In truth, she had been tempted to end him. For months, she had noticed the lecherous way his eyes lingered on her. But he was merely a mortal. He did not deserve death at her hands.
"Principal," Lina said gently, shifting her tone, "may we speak privately for a moment?"
"Of course. This way, please."
This time, the principal's demeanor was no longer casual. His tone and gesture were filled with respect toward the ordinary-looking mother.
Inside the principal's office, Lina quietly placed a sealing spell over Claude's ears so he would not overhear their conversation. She then constructed a soundproof barrier around the entire room to ensure absolute privacy.
"I apologize for bringing trouble to your school," Lina said politely.
"No," the principal replied honestly. "It is I who feels honored to stand before you. Please rest assured... I will not reveal your identity. You may continue living here in peace."
Lina slowly shook her head. "I have already summoned my contracted beasts. I have also released part of my aura. The Flying Sword sect—and my enemies—will sense it if they're around the city and trace me here. I can no longer remain here."
She gently brushed a hand over Claude's hair. His eyes were swollen from crying earlier.
"I will cast a large-scale spell tonight. No one in this town will remember today's events. There will be the sect's disciple—or my pursuers—who arrive soon to investigate. It will be safest if no one remembers my face." She paused thoughtfully. "I will offer you a choice. Do you wish to retain your memories… or to forget me as the others will?"
The principal contemplated briefly before giving his answer. "It pains me to lose such knowledge," he admitted quietly. "However, I choose to forget this encounter." Even as a mortal, he understood the dangers of memory extraction. If someone searched his mind through his soul, Lina's whereabouts could easily be revealed.
"I understand," Lina replied. She dispelled the sound barrier and removed the spell from Claude's hearing. "Claude," she said gently, "say goodbye to your principal. We will be leaving."
"Are we really going?" Claude asked softly.
"Yes, my dear. We cannot remain here any longer."
Claude slipped down from her embrace and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for teaching me patiently while I studied here, Teacher. I will always remember your lessons."
The principal smiled warmly. Having such a bright and polite student had always brought him quiet pride. Now, knowing the boy's true heritage, that pride deepened.
"You are a good child," the principal said sincerely. "I believe your future will shine brilliantly. One day, you will become strong and radiant—just like your mother." He patted the little boy's crown gently as he continued his parting words. "But you must learn to control your temper. You are usually very patient. However, when someone insulted your mother, you lost control immediately."
Lina listened silently, intrigued by what she had heard. After further explanation, she learned what had truly transpired between her son and his friends.
Milo had initially mocked the black scales. When Claude gave no reaction to his provocation, the larger boy insulted Lina instead.
Unable to accept someone insulting his mother, Claude became angry and started a fight. Because Milo was physically larger, the boy grabbed both of Claude's wrists to overpower him. Yet somehow, Claude had broken free with unexpected strength and pushed Milo with full force.
No one had anticipated that a seven-year-old child could produce strength comparable to a grown adult shoving a heavy safe.
"Defending your mother is admirable," the principal continued. "But if anger blinds you, it may not only create enemies, but it may endanger the very person you wish to protect. Didn't you say you wanted to grow strong to protect your mother?"
Lina felt her chest tighten. The thought that her son wanted to grow strong to shield her stirred her heart profoundly.
"I'm sorry," Claude said earnestly. "I won't get angry so easily again. I will grow stronger!"
The principal smiled faintly.
"Actually," Lina interjected softly, lifting Claude once more into her arms, "he does not need to become strong for my sake. I am more than capable of protecting him."
The principal gave a gentle sigh. "I know it is not my place, but please allow me to say this—overprotection can hinder a child's growth. Even a mother bird must eventually let her fledgling fall in order to learn how to fly."
Lina fell into quiet thought. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you."
The following day, no one in the small town remembered Lina or Claude. Even the shattered wall of the school building had been perfectly restored, as though the destruction had never happened at all.
Unexpectedly, an anonymous donation arrived at the principal's office. It contained enough gold to repair the school facilities and establish scholarships for families struggling to afford tuition.
The town—its name easily forgotten by travelers—returned to its peaceful rhythm.
A few unfamiliar strangers arrived soon after, drawn by faint traces of Lady Lunar Frost Sovereign's aura. But since no one recognized her face… they eventually left empty-handed.