Gosh, These Heroines Are Impossible!

When class finally ended, I practically bolted out of my seat. I grabbed my belongings and headed to my next class, moving quickly through the grand halls of Arcanis Academy. I wanted to stay ahead of the crowd and, more importantly, avoid any further interactions with Camille. Her lingering glances and warm smiles were already making this day far more complicated than I wanted it to be.

As I approached the next lecture hall, my mood darkened. I remembered who the next professor was. Vivienne Roselle.

Vivienne Roselle was bad news. She wasn't just a teacher, she was an influential figure in high society. Rich, beautiful, and frighteningly intelligent, Vivienne was the type of person who could see through lies with a single glance. Her reputation for being close with the families of all the heroines didn't help my situation either. If she decided to involve herself in my affairs, there would be no escape.

I was resolved to keep my head down and avoid drawing her attention. But then, just as I reached the entrance of the lecture hall, a realization struck me like a thunderclap. This class wasn't just another lecture.

It was the class where I'd encounter the second heroine.

Diana Hayes.

A chill ran down my spine. If I thought Camille was a problem, Diana was on an entirely different level. In my opinion, Diana shouldn't even be considered a heroine. If anything, she was more of a villainess than the original Sera Vandren ever was.

Diana Hayes was dangerous. Manipulative, cunning, and charming, she wielded her beauty and wit like weapons. Where Camille was sweet and serene, Diana was calculating and ruthless. She didn't just know how to get what she wanted, she excelled at it. And she didn't rely on brute force or overt displays of power to achieve her goals. No, Diana was a master of psychological warfare. She knew how to twist words, exploit weaknesses, and manipulate people into doing her bidding without them even realizing it.

In other words, Diana Hayes was terrifying.

I clutched my bag tightly, feeling the weight of my predicament settle on my shoulders. Out of all the heroines, Diana might be the worst one to encounter. I didn't understand why the author decided to make her a heroine in the first place. She didn't fit the mold at all. Her charm wasn't warm and inviting, it was cold and calculating. Her beauty wasn't angelic, it was sharp and imposing. And her personality? Let's just say she wasn't winning any awards for kindness.

She might even be a psycho heroine.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room, keeping my expression neutral. The lecture hall was just as grand as the previous one, with intricate chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished wooden floors and rows of ornate desks. I scanned the room, hoping to find a seat far from both Vivienne and Diana.

But luck, it seemed, was not on my side today.

There she was. Diana Hayes, seated near the center of the room. Her golden-blonde hair gleamed under the light, cascading down her shoulders in soft waves. Her piercing green eyes scanned the room with the precision of a predator assessing its prey. She was dressed impeccably in her black-and-emerald-accented uniform, her poise and elegance radiating an almost regal authority.

And as if sensing my presence, her gaze snapped to mine.

For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I froze. A small, knowing smile curved her lips, sending a shiver down my spine. It was the kind of smile that said, I've already figured you out.

This was going to be a nightmare. 

I quickly scanned the room for an alternative, any other seat that wasn't within ten feet of her. But the room had filled up fast, and luck clearly wasn't on my side today. There was only one seat left, and of course, it was the one directly next to her.

Great. Wonderful. Just perfect. ^̮^

Steeling myself, I took a deep breath and forced my feet to move. Every step toward that seat felt like marching to my doom. Diana's eyes followed me, her smile deepening slightly as I approached. I could almost hear her thoughts, probably something along the lines of, Oh, this is going to be fun.

I slid into the seat as gracefully as I could, keeping my expression neutral and my movements restrained. If Diana noticed my discomfort—and I was certain she did—she didn't say anything right away. Instead, she turned her attention back to the front of the room, where Vivienne Roselle was preparing to start the lecture.

"Hello, Sera," Diana said softly, her voice like velvet yet laced with an undercurrent I couldn't quite place. It wasn't threatening, but it wasn't exactly friendly either. It was... measured.

I tensed slightly but kept my composure. "Hello," I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant. No need to give her anything to latch onto.

"You're even quieter than I expected," she mused, tilting her head slightly to study me. "I was under the impression that the infamous Sera Vandren was more... spirited."

I clenched my jaw but managed a small smile. "People often exaggerate," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I'm just here to learn."

Diana chuckled softly, a sound that was both disarming and unsettling. "Of course," she said, her green eyes gleaming with amusement. "A model student. How refreshing."

Before I could respond, Vivienne's voice filled the room, commanding attention. "Settle down, everyone. Let's begin."

Relieved to have an excuse to avoid further conversation, I focused on the front of the room. But I couldn't shake the feeling of Diana's gaze lingering on me, like she was sizing me up, dissecting my every move.

This was going to be a long, long class.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Diana leaning slightly closer to me. Her movements were deliberate, fluid, like a predator closing in on its prey. My shoulders tensed instinctively. Great. What did she want now?

"Sera~ What do you think of Ms. Roselle so far?" Diana's voice was soft, playful, and dangerously charming. "Her specialty in ice magic, it suits her, don't you think?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "Uh… yeah. I think it's… pretty cool," I said, the pun unintended but unavoidable. I avoided meeting her gaze, instead focusing on the notes I wasn't actually writing. Just keep it vague, Sera, I thought. Maybe she'll lose interest.

Then I felt it—her hand on my arm. I froze. Her touch was light, almost casual, but there was an underlying purpose to it. Diana didn't do anything without reason.

"Sera," she said, drawing out my name like it was some kind of secret she'd uncovered. "What about me, then? What type of magic do you think I specialize in?"

Her smile was teasing, but her eyes told a different story. They were sharp, focused, as though she were testing me. It was a smile I recognized all too well—the kind that made you feel like a mouse caught in a trap.

I knew the answer, of course. Diana Hayes specialized in healing magic. The irony was almost laughable—a healer who could manipulate people so effortlessly that she felt more like a villain than a heroine. A psycho heroine, to be exact. Seriously, what was the author thinking? Healers were supposed to be selfless, nurturing, the moral compass of a story. Instead, we got this.

But there was no way I could let her know I already had that information. Playing dumb was my safest option.

"Hmm…" I placed a finger on my chin, pretending to think. "Wind magic?" I ventured, keeping my tone casual.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and she shook her head. "Nope! You got it wrong," she said, her voice laced with mock disappointment. Then, to my horror, she pointed her finger at me, slowly making circles in the air like she was casting a spell. "Should I punish you for guessing wrong?"

"What? ◉_◉" I blurted, startled by her unexpected words. My face must have betrayed my confusion because she laughed—a melodic sound that sent another chill down my spine.

"I'm joking, of course," she said, leaning back into her chair with an air of satisfaction. But her gaze lingered on me, as if she were savoring my reaction.

For a moment, I didn't know whether to relax or stay on guard. Diana's presence was suffocating, her playful demeanor masking an intelligence and cunning that left me unnerved. I had a feeling she wasn't going to let me off that easily.

As Vivienne continued her lecture at the front of the class, my thoughts were consumed by the girl beside me. How was I supposed to navigate this? Diana Hayes was a puzzle I didn't want to solve, a game I didn't want to play. But it seemed I didn't have much of a choice.

I shook my head, no, I have to follow my ambition as much as possible.

Stay away from the heroines!