Chapter 29 – The So-called Outlier
Teresa hadn’t ford any real connections among the new students, so every face in the Divine Princess Hall was unfamiliar.
A faint herbal scent rose from a beast-headed incense burner woven from golden threads and agate. In one corner of the classroom stood a griffin statue—not just a decorative piece, but one that contained a drinkable alchemical solution inside. It had been prepared by a master-level alchemist of the academy, was harmless to the body, and had a sweet, refreshing taste. It was offered free to Divine Princess students for its primary effect: stimulation and refreshnt.
Luxurious red fabric with golden trim gave the hall a warm, majestic glow. Silk curtains veiled the view of the campus outside, making it feel less like a classroom and more like the royal chamber of a palace.
One couldn’t say the Divine Child and Mage halls were shabby, but in terms of scale and attention to detail, they certainly couldn’t compare to the Divine Princess Hall.
Everything inside the hall—from the platform to the steps and chairs—oozed opulence. Even the free alchemical drinks were high-end luxuries, far beyond what Divine Child or Mage students would have access to.
The mont Teresa stepped into this lavish classroom, she understood why most Divine Princesses were so arrogant and self-important. As the saying goes, a land shapes its people—an environnt like this would naturally cultivate generation after generation of so-called “Heavenly Dragons.”
Seriously, could anyone reasonably expect nobles born with golden spoons in their mouths—given top-tier resources, education, and surroundings from the start—to look at commoners as equals? Even thinking with your toes, you’d know the answer was no.
The atmosphere in the Divine Princess Hall was very different from the Divine Child Hall. What filled the space here was a kind of "nobility" Teresa found herself unable to integrate with.
“Miss Annie, this lovely scent of gardenias suits you so well. Did you switch to a new shampoo~?”
“Pfft, Miss Irene, you flatter . It’s just a fairly common brand. But your perfu—if I’m not mistaken, that’s the latest release from Master Alchemist Aiden, isn’t it? Quite the trendsetter, I see.”
“You’re the real trendsetter, Miss Annie. To recognize it so quickly, you must’ve used it long ago!”
“Hehe...”
Their conversations ranged from the latest masterpieces of master smiths and alchemists to famous shampoos, perfus, and luxury jewelry. The topics were varied, but without exception—Teresa couldn’t join a single one.
From the mont she entered, she had the distinct sense that although these fellow Divine Princesses were close by, they existed in a different world altogether. She couldn’t join their discussions, nor could she step into their world.
It was a divide shaped by upbringing and worldview—ford from childhood—that made true communication virtually impossible.
The new Divine Princesses weren’t yet required to wear uniforms in class, so the hall’s occupants were dressed as if for a royal banquet. Teresa alone wore coarse fabric clothes with simple wrapped shoes—just based on appearance, she was completely out of place.
Scattered throughout the spacious and resplendent hall were small social circles, each chatting gracefully about their own interests and experiences. Their words were polished, their diction refined—as if determined to showcase their sophistication from every angle.
In this kind of environnt, any Divine Princess who failed to join a group would eventually be isolated, becoming a nobody in the class—soone no one knew or noticed, like a forgotten pebble.
Though the students hadn’t officially been assigned to classes yet, many were already brimming with ambition for the Freshman Crown Tournant, carrying themselves with a “that championship is mine” kind of air.
It was to be expected. These Divine Princesses, raised in endless praise and admiration, all believed themselves to be extraordinary—destined to stand out in any group.
This excess of self-confidence and sharp, unrestrained pride was the truest reflection of the fresh batch of Divine Princesses.
To be honest, Teresa actually admired them—all of them.
In any small group, when one person introduced a topic, soone had to pick it up. And to pick it up, that person had to know what they were talking about. If soone tried to fake it, they’d be quickly exposed and mocked by the rest of the group.
For soone like Teresa—who was even a little socially anxious—that was unimaginable. Or maybe she wasn’t anxious, just... disinterested. She simply didn’t believe that nonstop chatter was a sign of genuine friendship.
Rather than wasting ti discussing her personal experiences, she’d rather spend ti gaining experiences. Even reading a book seed more aningful than all this.
So, knowing she couldn’t fit in, Teresa didn’t try to force herself into their conversations. Quietly, she chose a seat and sat down with a book in her hands.
Even as she sat, she could feel the gazes sneaking over.
No, to be precise—they weren’t looking at her. They were looking at her rough clothes and the scar on her face.
Outliers—no matter where they go—are always the center of attention... and also the most awkward.
After the initial curiosity and confusion passed, the others averted their gazes again, having drawn their conclusions.
Wearing tattered civilian clothing and bearing an unsightly scar across her face—this golden-haired ugly duckling’s identity was clear.
A Wild Divine Princess.
And not even a particularly successful one.
Everyone knew that Wild Divine Princesses had to put in even more effort to gain others’ recognition. That included their clothing and personal presentation. Wild Divine Princesses tended to carry an innate sense of inferiority compared to proper Divine Princesses, and so they would do everything they could to disguise themselves as "normal" in order to blend in.
But soone who couldn’t even manage that... likely didn’t have the ans to begin with.
A Wild Divine Princess like this—shaful background, no evident talent—was nothing more than a stain on the na “Divine Princess.” Naturally, no one present would even spare her a second glance.
Reviews
All reviews (0)