The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Well, there were too many things that happened, and the three of them ended up sticking together more often without realizing it themselves. But sure, Amberine and Elara still occasionally quarrel as they always did.

Maris leaned forward excitedly, her brown hair bouncing as she spoke. "Okay, hear me out, Elara. My thesis is going to be about the perception of reality through illusions. I've been thinking, you know how people see what they expect to see? Like, how illusion magic manipulates not just what they see, but how they see it?

I want to explore how illusions can be so real that they mess with the mind on a deeper level. What if you could create an illusion that not only looks real but feels real too? That it could change the way someone thinks?"

Elara looked at her, her calm blue eyes blinking slowly as if processing every word. She sipped her tea quietly, then finally said, "You mean, like tricking their brain to think something is true, even if it's impossible? Sounds like a dangerous path."

"Exactly!" Maris said, almost bouncing in her seat. "But not just in a battle sense. I'm talking about healing trauma, helping people face their fears. What if I could use my magic to give someone peace by letting them confront their past in a controlled illusion?"

Elara tilted her head, considering the idea with the same detached precision she applied to everything. "Interesting. But isn't there a risk? If someone starts living in their illusions, how do they know what's real anymore?"

Maris nodded, a little more seriously now. "That's what I want to explore. How far can illusion magic go before it starts becoming harmful? Where's the line? I think there's a lot of potential there."

Elara's lips curved into the slightest smile, a rare sight from her. "You're braver than you look."

Maris grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Well, you've got to be brave with a teacher like Draven. I think I've grown a thicker skin just from surviving his classes."

Elara's gaze shifted momentarily, and her tone became softer. "It's good to see how far you've come, Maris. You've always had the talent, but now you have the courage too."

Maris flushed at the compliment, but quickly shifted the conversation, not wanting to dwell on herself for too long. "What about you, Elara? What's your thesis going to be?"

Elara sipped her tea again, her movements graceful and deliberate, as always. "I'm focusing on my family's lineage. We have an ancient ritual that combines elemental magic with celestial forces. I think there's a connection between our golden mana and the stars—something deeper than what's been explored before."

Maris's eyes widened in awe. "That sounds... beyond me. But amazing! Are you thinking about using star magic? Like astrology, or—"

"Not quite," Elara said, cutting her off with a soft smile. "It's more about tapping into the energy of celestial bodies—stars, planets—and using that to strengthen elemental spells. I've only scratched the surface, but there's a resonance between the water element and the stars, especially in the Valen lineage. It's ancient, older than most records we have."

"Wow..." Maris breathed. "So, basically, you're going to become some kind of celestial water goddess by the end of this."

Elara gave her a side glance, lips curving just slightly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Their conversation paused as the door to the cafeteria opened with a loud creak, and a familiar figure strode in—Amberine, her fiery red hair catching the light, face set in a permanent scowl as she marched toward the food line. Maris shot Elara a quick glance, clearly excited.

"Elara, let's ask her what her thesis is going to be. Maybe she's finally got something."

Elara smirked lightly. "Do you really think she's thought about it yet?"

Amberine seemed to overhear them as she made her way toward their table, tray in hand. She dropped into the seat with a loud sigh, poking at her food with a frustrated grimace.

"So, Amberine," Elara started, her tone calm but teasing. "Any ideas for your thesis yet, or are you still planning to just wing it?"

Amberine shot her a glare that could melt steel. "I'm working on it, okay? It's not like it's that easy, you know."

Maris leaned forward, eager to encourage her friend. "Oh, come on, Amberine! I'm sure you've got something in mind. You've always got that fiery spirit—maybe it could be something about Ifrit? You know, controlling spirits?"

Amberine bristled at the suggestion, her temper flaring up. "I'm not writing a thesis on controlling Ifrit. It's bad enough he shows up whenever he feels like it."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "You do know the thesis is due soon, right? Draven's not exactly going to be gentle if you walk in there with nothing."

Amberine groaned, slamming her head onto the table with a loud thunk. "Don't remind me. I haven't even had another meeting with him since the last one... and you know how he is."

Maris and Elara exchanged amused looks. Draven was infamous for his perfectionism, his sharp gaze and biting remarks that made even the most confident students doubt themselves. For Amberine, the prospect of sitting in his office again without any progress was clearly looming over her like a dark cloud.

"What's stopping you from meeting with him?" Maris asked gently. "I mean, he can't be that scary."

Amberine lifted her head slightly, glaring at Maris. "Oh, he's scary, alright. Every time I walk into that room, it's like he can see right through me. And it's not just his eyes—it's the silence. He just sits there, watching, waiting for you to say something stupid."

Elara stifled a chuckle. "You mean like last time, when he asked if you were planning to burn down the entire university with your fire magic?"

Amberine groaned again, louder this time. "I can't even tell if he was joking. It's like everything with him is a test, and I keep failing."

Maris reached out, touching Amberine's hand softly. "Hey, you're not failing. You're just... not there yet. You've got time."

Amberine looked at her friends, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and frustration. She didn't want to be the weak link in their group, the one who was always lagging behind while Elara mastered ancient rituals and Maris perfected her illusions. But every time she thought about facing Draven again, the pressure built until it felt like it would suffocate her.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to focus on," she muttered, more to herself than to them. "Everything feels... out of reach. I'm supposed to be strong, to control my magic, but the more I try, the more I feel like I'm slipping."

Elara leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening just a bit. "You're thinking too much. Magic isn't about control, not the way you're trying to force it. It's about finding the rhythm that fits you. You're fire—maybe you need to let it flow, instead of trying to lock it down."

Amberine's eyes flickered with a hint of vulnerability, something she rarely showed. "And what if I can't? What if I just burn everything down?"

Elara smirked. "Then at least you'll make a memorable thesis presentation. You could also perhaps have a joint research with the professor in one of his ongoing research?"

That earned a small, reluctant laugh from Amberine, breaking the tension that had been hanging over them. "As if he wants me to destroy his research," she snorted. But she then stopped for a moment. "Wait, I guess it's been a while since he published his last research as well," she uttered to herself.

Maris chimed in, trying to lift her spirits further. "Honestly, I think if anyone could pull off a fiery explosion as a thesis defense, it'd be you."

Amberine sighed, a little of her usual fire returning to her expression. "Yeah, well, if I don't come up with something soon, I might just end up exploding out of frustration."

As the laughter faded, Amberine's thoughts wandered back to Draven. It had been weeks since their last meeting, and the longer she avoided him, the heavier the weight of expectation became. She could imagine the cold, piercing gaze he would give her if she walked into his office without a clear plan. She could almost hear his voice in her head: sharp, calm, and infuriatingly precise.

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"Amberine," he would say, "you can't rely on raw talent alone. You need direction. Focus."

She shuddered at the thought. There was no escaping him. Sooner or later, she'd have to face the reality of her situation, but for now, all she could do was push through the haze of uncertainty.

"I'll figure something out," she said finally, her voice firmer. "I have to."

Elara nodded approvingly, though her eyes remained sharp. "Just don't leave it until the last minute, or Draven will tear you apart."

Amberine rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "I know, I know. I'll get it together. Eventually."