Inside the Painting Classroom, the lesson had begun in a peaceful atmosphere.
The slender silver lamps hanging from the walls cast a warm glow over the neat picture frames, illuminating the classroom furnished with long, narrow wooden benches.
The faint scents of paint and canvas filled the air.
Professor Mogut, a senior art professor, wore a black vintage suit. The red silk bow tie on his chest shimmered faintly, making him appear even more dignified and stern beneath the soft lighting. He held up a painting—a work with considerable depth and mystery—and waited to see whether any student would volunteer an answer.
The classroom was quiet, yet filled with pressure.
If no one volunteered, Professor Mogut would randomly choose someone and begin the first round of questions.
However.
At that moment.
A hand unexpectedly rose.
All the demons turned their eyes toward the raised hand--
Hughberlian was sitting stiffly with her right hand raised. Her amber eyes were wide, as if she could hardly believe what she had done.
It was as though something had forcibly seized control of her arm.
A moment later, she seemed to realize what was happening.
She turned her head and saw an Eagle-Eye Demon sitting to her right. His pupils were focused on her, and the bright light in his eyes was especially conspicuous in the small classroom.
Clearly, this Eagle-Eye Demon was the source of her sudden raised hand. He was using Mental Magic on her!
If Hughberlian went first,
then, proceeding clockwise,
the Eagle-Eye Demon could answer fifth in the first round.
That would give him the most time to analyze the painting.
"Then you may begin."
Professor Mogut clearly knew what had happened.
But that was simply how the classroom rules worked. Students were allowed to play to their strengths and