13: A Failure

"TODAY'S lesson is about magic control, specifically for the Supreme Emperor to notice you during the Centum, you can call me Madame Lunafreya." The instructor announced the following day. She was not the same demon who taught the etiquette class, rather a young and beautiful demoness proudly displaying her perfect face and body.

'She's so pretty, I wonder if she's hiding inside a glamor… wait, did she say magic control?'

Nesca almost curse upon hearing it. She instantly stopped scrutinizing the new instructor.

'Oh, damn! These brats will surely enjoy mocking me once they find out I suck at doing magic,' Nesca thought.

Unlike the royal etiquette and history where his knowledge was tested, today's lesson focused on something Nesca feared the most.

Magic!

Rows of young demon nobles stood proudly. Their expressions were confident because magic was something they had learned since childhood. Just like the humans in Lumienar, magic was their pride.

However, for Nesca, it was a reminder of everything she lacked.

'It's okay, I'll get through this…' Nesca toughen herself up.

"Today's class will test your control over elemental demonic energy. You will not be judged by the strength of your magic but by your precision." Madame Lunafreya raised her hand, and a small ice crystal flower appeared above his palm.

"The task is simple. Create an ice flower."

Murmur spread across the room. All was smiling ear to ear with confidence, while Nesca's expression remained stoic. She could hear her classmates bragged about their magic attributes,

"An ice flower? That is too easy." Elvina giggled. "I learned this when I was five."

"My family's ice magic is famous throughout Darantha. This test will be nothing," said the other noble lady.

Nesca lowered her gaze. Of course, it would be simple for them. But not for her.

The instructor continued. "The ice flower must have twelve petals, it must remain stable for twelve breaths, and contain your own demonic signature."

Madame Lunafreya glanced at her students. "Begin. I will explain later why you need to master this magical craft."

The moment her words fell, the room filled with flashes of magic.

Lunafreya told everyone a story while the students were busy on the task. "According to the ancient legend, the Supreme Emperor likes a twelve-petal ice flower as it was a symbol of his yearning to his mate who died. If he received such gift from you, and he accepted it, it means you gain his favor."

The ladies carefully crafted the ice flower upon hearing about the legend involving the Supreme Emperor.

"Remember ladies, you must not lose to the tributes from the neighboring realms. The competition is fierce for the coming Centum," Lunafreya reminded everyone.

The students gasped. While Nesca couldn't do anything but watch them in awe.

Blue lights appeared around the palms of her classmates. Tiny crystals formed in the air, slowly transforming into beautiful twelve-petaled ice flowers.

One girl created a flawless crystal rose. While Elvina created a blooming ice lotus with twelve petals.

The students watching applauded.

"Beautiful!"

"Lady Elvina's control is incredible! As expected from the daughter of the chancellor."

Nesca watched silently, as her turn was approaching. Her palms became sweaty in anticipation.

She had trained her body, hunted strong monsters, and increased her strength. But magic? She could not even wield the lowest type even in her previous life.

Then the instructor called her name. "Princess Nesca? Where is your output?"

She smiled awkwardly. "Well…"

Elvina joined the conversation. "Madame Lunaferya, haven't you heard that the seventh princess couldn't wield magic?"

The noble ladies scowled at her direction.

Lunafreya smiled warmly. "It's okay, you may do it in your own pace. You may begin."

Nesca took a deep breath. She followed Madame Lunafreya's instruction, but as expected, she failed.

Elvina came at her. "Instructor, perhaps we should not expect too much from someone who never trained."

Her friends giggled.

"True. Magic requires talent." Another girl looked at Nesca that seemed to enjoy mocking her.

"She should leave magic to those who can wield it," Elvina said.

The room filled with laughter again.

"Princess, focus on your demonic energy," Madame Lunafreya urged her, smiling.

Nesca closed her eyes and tried. She imagined energy flowing through her veins. She remembered the moments when she absorbed the essence of trees in the Cloud Forest since her essence absorption has level up. She thought perhaps there was a hidden power inside this body waiting to awaken.

But nothing came. In her consciousness, she saw a massive golden door that was heavily locked.

'System, is there any way to activate my magic?' she asked in silence.

She waited.

The system responded after a moment, the glowing notification appeared.

[Analyzing the host's condition.]

[Result: Host currently lacks sufficient experience and foundation to unlock this ability.]

Nesca sighed and whispered. "Of course, at least in the future I can."

She had hoped the system would suddenly give her an easy solution, perhaps a reward or a special skill that would allow her to shock everyone.

But reality was different. Her body was still recovering. The years of neglect had taken a toll on her physical body. Her magical channels were probably damaged, and it needs time to properly recover.

She could not force something that was not ready.

Lunfreya cleared her throat. "Princess Nesca has failed to demonstrate magical ability."

Another wave of laughter came from the crowd.

"That's okay, even if magic is not her strong suit, she is still extraordinary," Lunafreya gently patted her back.

"Lady Elvina, congratulations on your successful test. You aced this one," one of Elvina's underlings said.

Elvina smiled proudly before turning her attention to Nesca. "How unfortunate. A disgrace to the royal family."

Nesca looked at her calmly and she smiled, "No matter you strong your magic is, your bloodline is way below than mine.

It took Elvina a while before she could respond. "A demon noble without magic is nothing. Even common demons have more worth if they possess talent."

Nesca laughed. "It doesn't matter, I can relearn magic even if it takes time. But you, you can never be a daughter of the Demon King Regent."

Nesca's clapback shocked the entire class. She'd never let herself down again, if in her previous life she lets them mock her and did nothing. This time was different.

She'd never back down without a fight. Growth required patience, and she was not the same person who died because of trusting the wrong person and let herself be used because of her naivety.

As expected, Elvina got the highest recognition while her noble underlings didn't stop mocking Nesca until the instructor's voice thundered.

"Ladies, that's enough. Class is dismissed!" Madame Lunafreya announced.

The hall was suddenly quiet. But Elvina refused to back down, her face was red in anger.

"You will never get the favor of the Supreme Emperor during the Centum, the Demon King will be a laughingstock." Elvina clenched her fist.

Nesca chuckled. "Who cares? Listen Elvina, everyone shines at a different time. A moon that rises later is still a moon. And who would dare to laugh at the Demon King? Well, unless you have a death wish."

Elvina chose to remain silent because she was aware of the repercussions of defaming the Demon King.

"See? Did I hit the spot?" Nesca chuckled. She might not have magic today. But she had survived death, not once but twice.

Nesca had a second chance. And one day, everyone who laughed at her would witness what the she had become.