Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

Today was a special training day for the special class students, and every single one of them was out in the training field, which was buzzing with energy as students engaged in their usual combat drills. Some sparred in pairs, while others practiced mana control or sharpened their weapons. The instructors supervised, barking occasional corrections, but there was no indication that anything was amiss.

Bridget watched the students train from her arched windows, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. Although she was staring at the students, her gaze was vacant.

"This changes everything," she mumbled to herself, trotting back to her seat with a resigned expression crossing her features. "I guess I'll have to fulfill my part of the deal if I really want them to help me."

She narrowed her eyes and thought back to the conversation she had with the representative from the Lich Order.

Five years ago, after successfully recruiting Nox to the Vermilion Royal Academy, a mysterious figure had shown up on her doorstep.

It was not the first time this figure had appeared before her. The first time was several years back, long before she became headmistress.

It was a woman—pale-skinned, with dark, flowing hair that was well-groomed, and piercing, forced-friendly dark eyes that belied a chilling coldness.

"Hi, how have you been?" the woman asked with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Bridget stiffened slightly as she channeled mana into her fingertips, ready to act at any moment. Even as an Expert-ranked Awakened, she remained extremely cautious around this person.

"What are you doing here?" she growled, shooting a deadly glare at the woman, a stark contrast to her usual mischievous and flirty personality.

Not faltering or showing any sign of weakness, the woman raised both hands in the air. "I'm not here for a fight," she claimed. "Neither am I here to recruit you."

"Then why are you—"

"Because of the boy named Nox."

The murderous gleam in Bridget's eyes faltered ever so slightly, replaced by a blend of confusion and curiosity.

"What about him?" she asked. Bridget eased up a bit, and the woman also lowered her arms.

"The Queen has a deal for you," the woman said, getting straight to the point. "We want you to protect the kid, Nox."

"Protect Nox? Why? How?" Bridget said, perplexity gleaming in her purple eyes. The confusion soon morphed into a frown, and she couldn't help but ask in an angry tone, "Wait… how did you guys know about my connection with Nox?"

The woman's smile didn't waver, but something in her dark eyes glinted with amusement. "Come now, Bridget," she chided lightly. "We both know the Lich Order has eyes everywhere. Did you really think a talent like his would go unnoticed?"

Bridget's grip on her mana tightened instinctively. She knew about the influence of the Lich Order. That they knew of her connection to Nox—something she had kept carefully concealed—was deeply unsettling.

"And if I refuse?" she challenged, crossing her arms.

The woman tilted her head, still exuding that forced friendliness. "Then we part ways, and you'll have no quarrel with us. But..." she let the word hang, her voice dipping into something almost conspiratorial, "you would also lose a rather golden opportunity." Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

Bridget's eyes flickered and narrowed. "What opportunity?"

The woman's smile widened. "We know what you want, Bridget. We know that despite your title as headmistress, you have ambitions far grander than overseeing a bunch of students. We know your connection to the royal family. We know what they did to you and how tainted you were. We know you want to pay him back… We know you desire the throne."

Bridget stiffened. The audacity of the claim sent a spark of irritation through her, but she didn't deny it. She was only curious about how the Lich Order had found out all this. How did they know she desired the throne? Unlike the case with Nox, this was her personal thought—one she had never shared with anyone.

At that moment, a sense of dread rose in Bridget's heart as she realized that the Lich Order was more frightening than she had imagined. Did they possess some type of mind-reading artifact?

"If you agree to protect Nox," the woman continued, "we will ensure that the throne falls into your hands. Our Queen will back you. That is a promise."

A heavy silence stretched between them. Bridget's fingers twitched slightly as she weighed the offer. She should refuse. It was dangerous. It was reckless. It entangled her with a faction considered the outcasts of society.

And yet…

Her gaze flickered toward the courtyard, where students were training, completely unaware of the intricate power plays happening beyond their understanding.

Then she realized something.

As the head of the academy, it was only natural that she protect every student in the academy.

Accepting this deal wouldn't change anything. And besides, Nox was a frightening talent she couldn't afford to let slip by.

However, Bridget was smart enough to know that for the Lich Order to suggest something like this, it could only mean one thing:

People were after Nox, and they wanted something from him.

Bridget wasn't naïve. The Lich Order was not a benevolent force—they didn't act without reason. Their interest in Nox wasn't out of kindness or some moral obligation to protect a rising star. No, there was something about him that they needed.@@novelbin@@

Her mind raced through possibilities. Was it his talent? His lineage? Or something even more esoteric, something only they could see?

The woman watched her in silence.

Bridget exhaled, steeling herself. "Fine," she said at last, her voice firm. "I'll protect him. But in return… I want your Queen's full backing. I won't accept half-measures."

The woman's smile didn't change, but there was a flicker of approval in her gaze. "Of course. A fair trade."

Bridget wasn't foolish enough to take those words at face value. But for now, she had no reason to refuse.

Present Day

"They also told me about this Flaming Rose and the possibility that they might be after him. Should I be happy that he's away, or did they send someone after him as we—"

Before Bridget could complete her thoughts, a piercing scream echoed from the training ground.

Her body moved on autopilot as she rushed over—only to freeze mid-step, her eyes widening in surprise.

Below, one of the special class students had attacked another, killing them on the spot.

The attacker was none other than…

Blake.