Chapter 14

  “What the… that guy… why is Lady Casca…?”

  Rafinya stood frozen.

  Casca Saint-Maximin was talking to Dan as if they were equals?

  And Dan didn’t even seem nervous around someone of Casca’s caliber?

  “Cheated a bit on the exam, but I squeaked through.”

  “Used your real form to clobber the instructor?”

  “He's back to work, no big deal.”

  “Did they do anything to you?!”

  “Do what?”

  “I was a knight scholar too. I know how it is!”

  Casca could tell at a glance how frail Dan was by knight scholar standards. She knew how the Knight Division treated the weakest… and what grades were needed to survive.

  “Tell me now!”

  Casca shook Dan harder.

  Rafinya, hidden behind a pillar, watched, her face a storm of questions.

  Dan spilled everything—training, trials, no secrets held back. And after Casca heard it all…

  Rafinya saw Casca’s face turn terrifying, as if enraged that anyone dared touch Dan.

  “Got it. Come with me.”

  “Where?”

  “I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “What’re you gonna do?”

  “Listen up.”

  Casca pointed at Dan’s face.

  “I won’t let them trample you, no matter what!”

  “That’s why I’m asking—what’s your plan?”

  “To Foden.”

  “For what?”

  “Just follow me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The balcony door swung open. Rafinya, quick on her feet, retreated to the banquet.

  (Party hall noise)

  Casca Saint-Maximin strode back in and headed straight for Professor Foden.

  “Hey, perfect timing, Casca—”

  “Foden, I need a word.”

  “Huh?”

  Casca beckoned, and Foden stepped away from introducing the scholars to elites, instructing senior Chiesa to take over. She followed Casca alone.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Rafinya, standing with the knight students, watched from a distance.

  Two fingers at Rafinya’s side flicked, sparking a faint Red Velvet glow. Her eyes shimmered softly—[Enhanced Sensory Magic], a basic spell for fighters.

  From here, she could hear them clearly.

  “Foden, I’ve got something important to discuss.”

  “What is it, Casca?”

  “I want to sponsor this kid.”

  Casca pulled Dan Burn forward.

  ?!

  The move stunned not only Foden but Rafinya, eavesdropping nearby. And not just Rafinya—seniors Helena, Jenny, and Aaron turned, too.

  “What? You want to sponsor him?”

  “I saw his potential last Friday. Shame about the incident, but I’m serious, Foden.”

  Rafinya, Jenny, Helena, Aaron, Chiesa—all eyes darted between Dan and Casca.

  Dan’s expression suggested disbelief, but Rafinya saw through it—it was fake.

  “Casca, this isn’t the place to discuss this.”

  “I know. Let’s set a meeting later. When’s good?”

  “Wait! Lady Casca! What do you mean?!”

  Before Dan could turn, Rafinya Saint-Pauli stood before him and his wife, breathing heavily, eyes wide with shock, sweat beading on her cheek.

  “You’re joking, right?!”

  Rafinya prayed it was a prank… but no.

  Casca’s face told her she was dead serious.

  “Casca… you know what sponsoring means, right?”

  “It’s not like I can’t do it.”

  Sponsoring meant Casca would fund a student’s education until graduation. Afterward, they’d work directly for her.

  Having a sponsor guaranteed a rosy future. Unlike regular scholarships, sponsored students didn’t need to work for the department—everything was handled.

  It was like a major company reserving a student before they even graduated, covering all costs.

  It was allowed, not wrong, but odd for two reasons: sponsors rarely picked first-years, and a hero like Casca sponsoring personally?

  Everyone knew Casca wasn’t like President Fofana Steeler, who had a fund for sponsoring magic engineering students. This was direct, no middleman.

  For Rafinya and the knight scholars, this was a dream even the top students could only fantasize about.

  But Dan Burn… the weakest student, getting it so easily?

  Unless he was close to Casca—or her actual son, which no one believed—why?

  Why would Casca Saint-Maximin want to sponsor this kid?

  “Casca…”

  Foden pulled the hero aside.

  “Calm down. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but we’re past our hot-blooded twenties. You need to think this through!”

  It didn’t make sense, even to Foden. Sponsoring Rafinya or Chiesa would be more logical.

  To Foden, Dan was the last person anyone would notice, no offense.

  Foden grabbed her arm.

  “His skills are below our standards. His swordsmanship’s decent, but he’s average at best. Your sponsor standards are higher, Casca.”

  “I won’t say it twice, Foden.”

  ‘!’

  “I’m sponsoring this kid. I’ll cover the scholarship costs. He’s with me now. Set a meeting date, because I mean it.”

  The entire Knight Division, including Foden, was speechless.

  Rafinya slowly turned to Dan. The boy, with his awkward demeanor, stared at the flickering candlelight as Casca made her bold declaration.

  “What the… hell… why him…?”

  Senior Jenny stammered, breathing heavily, processing.

  Seniors Chiesa and Helena were just as stunned, exchanging looks before staring at Dan.

  All attention zeroed in on Dan Burn. Whispers spread among those who overheard.

  What? Lady Casca’s sponsoring a knight scholar?

  Who? Who?

  Foden, Casca’s roommate through their academy years, knew when she was bluffing or serious.

  And, astonishingly, this was the most serious Casca she’d ever seen.

  Dan didn’t dare touch another peanut. Glancing aside, he met Rafinya’s gaze… more terrifying than before, so much so he wanted to flee home.

  “Whoops… time’s up.”

  Casca pulled out her silver pocket watch, checking it.

  “Gotta go, Foden, or I’ll miss my train.”

  She added,

  “I’ll send a letter to schedule the meeting.”

  “Casca…”

  “Bye~!”

  Casca waved to Foden, then to the students, before clapping Dan’s shoulder.

  Pat.

  “See ya, kid!”

  “Yes… Lady Casca.”

  She leaned in, whispering,

  (Don’t let me find out anything weird happened at home while I’m gone, or I’ll kill you.)

  (I know, I know, you’ve said it a million times… Go pack and take me with you.)

  (Why?)

  (You don’t see? Look at their eyes. They’ll murder me if you leave.)

  Glances back.

  Turns to him.

  (Oh, crap.)

  (Foden’s right—you’re well past your fiery twenties.)

  (Fine, I’ll escort you as penance.)

  (As you should!)

  “Actually… changed my mind. I’ll walk this kid out. Night’s dangerous, haha!”

  (Not subtle.)

  (Shut it, or I’ll break your legs.)

  Casca dragged Dan along by her side.

  “Later, everyone!”

  Casca left with Dan, leaving jaws dropped. If this were a fishing contest, while the seniors caught colorful fish, Dan landed a blue whale.

  And their body language screamed familiarity, as if they’d known each other forever.

  It floored Rafinya.

  The last thing she saw before the door closed was Dan glancing back at her… then turning away like nothing happened.