"Miss Lauran, come here and write the reaction of ammonia acting as a reducing agent."
Startled, she stood up and walked to the board. Calmly, she wrote the full reaction on the blackboard, chalk gliding smoothly as murmurs spread through the room.
Damn it. I forgot this character wasn't supposed to be good at science — but that's my specialty! Now I've exposed myself. Ugh, I'm terrible at acting, she thought.
Gathering her courage, she turned to the class with an innocent smile.
"Is this correct? Looks like I'm finally starting to understand it. Dad helped me study, and now it's at my fingertips."
The teacher blinked, then nodded, seemingly convinced — for now.
At lunch, Lauran sat near the school pond, scowling at her reflection in the water.
I really messed up. She was supposed to be a dumb kid, not me. But science is my thing — no way I'm pretending to be bad at it. Wait… this is actually perfect. I can become a researcher here! Best life ever. Why were all those transmigrators in other novels so obsessed with just surviving? Just go with the flow and live it up!
Then she sighed.
…Although knowing my luck, I'll probably end up like Cale. No slacker life for me, huh? Fine — but I'll make sure none of the characters go through trauma. I'll save you, big bro Kay.
Later that day, during library period, Lady Haikai started picking on her again.
"Oh, isn't it the rebel? Did you actually get smart by falling down the stairs?"
Lauran ignored her at first, moving to another table. But when Haikai tripped her and then started badmouthing her parents, she snapped.
Lauran stood, strode over, and slapped her hard. The sound echoed through the quiet library, and Haikai's cheek turned bright red just as the librarian came running.
"That's what you get for disrespecting a royal!" Lauran hissed, still held back by the librarian. "If my kingdom hadn't been taken over, you'd already be penalized. Rejoin your etiquette classes — and don't you ever speak about my mother, the former Empress of Ostasia, like that again!"
The librarian quickly separated them and gave Lauran a book on The Legend of Anthius to calm her down.
The director later called Lauran and Haikai in to discuss the incident. After showing the footage to the Count, he apologized to Lauran.
Lauran, still composed, replied:
"Count, you don't need to apologize. She made her choices, but I also hit her, so I'm equally at fault. I apologize for that."
The adults exchanged glances, impressed by her maturity and etiquette.
In the car ride home, she high-fived her parents, who were secretly proud of her.
The next day, Haikai sat beside her and quietly apologized.
"Why are you being so kind to me? After how I treated you?"
Lauran shrugged.
"Everyone starts somewhere. You were under pressure — it's the adults who should be blamed for putting kids in these situations."
Haikai looked relieved and began sticking to her side from then on.
Then came swordsmanship class.
Lauran, dressed in her training suit, noticed she was the only girl. The teachers — an old man and a middle-aged man — welcomed her.
"Miss Lauran, practice your basic slices here," the old man instructed.
She sighed and followed his instructions until she got bored, watching the boys duel instead.
You've gotta be kidding me. I feel like Kuina from One Piece. This is boring.
The middle-aged man chuckled and handed her a towel.
"Annoyed at the old man? He's just trying to keep you from getting hurt."
"I've used real swords before. Mom's training was even tougher," she replied.
"I know. She's strong. Why don't we duel? Maybe you know a little aura manipulation."
Lauran raised an eyebrow — she recognized him as one of Ostasia's knights — but accepted.
When they started sparring with wooden swords, she surprised everyone with her skill and resilience, even when her sword broke under his powerful blows. The boys all wanted a turn to duel her, and one by one they bowed in defeat, returning to practice more determined to beat her someday.
During her final duel — against her cousin — she pushed her limits and collapsed from aura exhaustion. She was carried to the nurse's office, where Kaya rushed in, looking panicked despite trying to act calm.
The nurse assured him she just needed rest, but Kaya knelt by her side and started transferring his aura to stabilize her.
Gary arrived and stopped him gently.
"Kaya, calm down. Don't exhaust yourself — let me handle it. And don't do that again until you're 18."
He patted Kaya's head, and the boy finally burst into tears.
"You're a good big brother," Gary said warmly, stabilizing Lauran's aura.
"Like uncle, like nephew," came Haru's voice as he knelt beside them.
Kaya ran to his father, still crying as he tried to explain. Haru lightly smacked his head.
"It's nothing serious. When someone crosses their aura limit, their body goes into power-saving mode. She'll wake up soon."
"I hate you!" Kaya huffed and buried his face in Gary's shoulder.
Gary stuck his tongue out at Haru.
"I'm his favorite."
"Fine then — I'm going to see nee-san," Haru shot back.
Gary immediately froze at the mention of his wife. Kaya smirked knowingly.
"You're going to get kicked out again."
"Mi amour is scary sometimes," Gary muttered as he and Kaya walked out.
Sure enough, they were both scolded by Allura as soon as they left the room.