Responding to the Controversy

After her match ended on the first day, Fran hurried straight back to her hotel. She dared not linger on the way, afraid a reporter might corner her.

She was posing as Philly, and her disguise would not hold up to scrutiny.

The real Philly was still in Bohan, unaware of what was happening here. But the Alchemy School did have a record of her whereabouts.

Fran had exploited a small loophole—not one she had deliberately created, but one that had arisen naturally.

Philly was a mage of the Elemental School. None of the records requiring registration listed Lai as her mentor.

In other words, Philly had no particular connection to the Alchemy School. At most, her close relationship with her sister, who had been at the Alchemy School since Philly's birth, might suggest a link. That alone was not enough to draw anyone's attention there.

And only the Alchemy School kept records of the academic exchange program in Bohan. Neither the Elemental School nor The Alliance had any reason to copy its list of participants.

Ordinarily, then, it would be hard for anyone to discover that the real Philly had gone to Bohan. Fran was not the sort to grow complacent over that, though.

She knew that the less she said and did, the fewer mistakes she would make. She had stuck to that rule throughout.

She refused to speak with anyone but the staff. Of course, there were exceptions.

Some people had to be answered. Ignoring them would only invite disaster.

"Lady Philly, a letter has arrived for you from the Felistin Family."

As soon as the receptionist saw Fran enter, she handed her a letter bearing the unmistakable crest of the Felistin Family.

The design resembled a lance bent sideways, with traces of flame along its edge