Chapter 32 – Director Vanessa
You touched me first!
Erika glared fiercely at Andy, her two small canine teeth flashing with sharpness. Even after landing the kick, she still kept a fierce and intimidating expression.
The intense pain from below forced Andy to release Erika. His legs bent inward, and he looked as if he couldn’t even stand properly.
“Boss!”
His nearby lackeys were terrified and immediately rushed to help him up.
Erika’s kick had struck Andy’s vital point directly—it was a serious blow, nearly cutting off his future!
A man could endure injuries anywhere else, but damage to that area might strip Andy of even the courage to flirt again.
Erika had already attracted much attention with her looks. Now, in front of so many people, she had just delivered a solid kick to Andy’s groin. Everyone was dumbfounded.
After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd erupted in exclamations.
“Oh my god! She actually kicked him!”
“Savage! This girl is absolutely savage!”
“Freshmen this year are wild—hahaha!”
“Who would've thought Andy would have a day like this? This incident’s gonna shake the whole academy!”
...
Hearing the commotion, the crowd grew larger. Even students from other lines came over out of curiosity, wondering what was happening.
Upon seeing Andy, legs clamped together and face twisted in pain, murmurs and speculations spread through the crowd.
With so many people watching, Erika knew she was in trouble. But it was Andy who had provoked her first—so she wasn’t afraid.
Glancing around with her red eyes, Erika quickly retracted her leg and decided to ditch the registration line and bolt.
“Stop... right there!”
Seeing that she wanted to flee, Andy, still clutching his groin in pain, barked with effort.
He shoved aside his follower and shouted, “Grab that brat! Don’t let her get away!”
“Got it!”
Immediately, the group began to chase after her.
Erika dashed away at top speed, weaving through the crowd. She glanced back to see the group still close behind, prompting her to quicken her pace.
But just as she turned back around, she collided headfirst into someone.
“Thump!”
This person was extremely tall, and Erika’s small frame rebounded off the impact, landing flat on her backside.
“Ow... ow...”
She rubbed her sore butt and looked up—then froze in shock.
It was a young woman, her expression extremely stern, eyes full of sharp intensity. What stood out most was her height—easily around two and a half meters. Erika had never seen someone so tall before.
“Ah... sorry.”
She quickly apologized and tried to get up, but before she could, the woman suddenly moved.
“Huh?”
Before Erika could react, the woman extended a long arm and grabbed the back collar of Erika’s shirt, lifting her off the ground like a kitten.
“Va... Vanessa... Instructor...”
The chasing lackeys stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with fear. They instinctively backed away a few steps upon seeing the woman.
Even Andy, who had staggered after them, grew visibly intimidated and turned to flee.
“Stand right there, Andy.”
The woman named Vanessa spoke, her voice filled with undeniable authority. Though a woman, she exuded a powerful presence.
Startled by her shout, Andy froze in place. He turned around and forced an awkward smile.
“Uh... what is it, Director Vanessa?”
“Still pretending?”
Vanessa shot him a cold look and pointed at Erika, who was still hanging in the air. “You think I didn’t see the mess you made at the freshman registration area?”
“That was... a misunderstanding...”
“Get over here!”
Vanessa barked. Her stern tone made Andy scurry over like a scolded child, not daring to lift his head.
As Erika watched in amazement, Vanessa gently set her down.
“Little girl, are you here to register as a new student?”
“Mm.”
Erika nodded obediently. Even an idiot could tell that this woman had major influence at the academy—why else would Andy be so scared of her?
After confirming Erika’s status, Vanessa didn’t hesitate. She kicked Andy right in the backside.
“You brat! Still can’t break your habit of bullying freshmen, huh? Want me to break your legs?!”
Of course, she hadn’t used full strength—just enough for a disciplinary nudge. Still, Andy stumbled back a couple of steps and looked like it hurt.
“I... I wasn’t bullying her.”
Andy glanced nervously at Vanessa and started making excuses. “She insulted me first! Then kicked me down there in front of everyone...”
As he spoke, he pointed at his nearby lackeys. “I swear! Ask them if you don’t believe me!”
“Ask my ass! You think I don’t know your dirty habits? Every year you harass the new girls, and every year someone files a complaint!”
With that, Vanessa raised her hand again.
Seeing the impending slap, Andy panicked and backed away. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please don’t!”
Hearing him admit fault, Vanessa finally didn’t swing. She gave him another kick and scolded, “Now get lost! If I catch you bullying freshmen again, I’ll really break your legs!”
“Y-yes...”
Andy nodded frantically and fled without looking back.
Before leaving, he shot a vicious glare at Erika, as if to say: “Just you wait...”
“Tch.”
Erika, of course, paid him no mind. Since someone had stepped in and resolved the issue, all was good. She turned to leave and return to the registration line.
“Hold up, little girl.”
Just as she was about to walk away, Vanessa called out, “Don’t rush off. Tell me your name.”
“Erika.”
Erika didn’t hide it—there was no need to lie, especially since this woman clearly held a high position in the academy.
“Erika Blaniel? I knew it.”
Vanessa suddenly smiled. Her stern expression softened, as if she had already guessed.
“You’re the little girl Gladys recommended, aren’t you?”
“Ah... yes!”
Erika immediately understood.
Right—this was Vanessa!
Phantom Shadow – Vanessa Elmero.
Gladys had mentioned her before—her Saint-rank friend was named Vanessa. So this was her!
“Hehe, I’ve known Gladys for a long time.”
Vanessa continued with a smile, “She told me she’s recently been looking after a child—a pretty and obedient little girl in need of an academy education—and asked me to look out for her.
The moment I saw you, I figured it had to be you.
Though... I admit, your appearance surprised me a little.”
“What surprised you?”
Erika twitched a little at that comment.
Did this woman think she was ugly?
“Nothing. You just look familiar, that’s all.”
Vanessa chuckled awkwardly. “You are indeed very pretty. No wonder that brat Andy tried to mess with you.”
“Thanks.”
Erika pursed her lips slightly. Since this was Gladys’s friend, she knew she ought to be respectful.
“Mm... well-mannered girl.
But you’ve also got quite the personality. I saw everything earlier—you really dared to kick him, huh? That punk Andy is a prince’s son, you know.
But don’t worry. If he ever bullies you again, just report him under my name.”
“Okay.” Erika nodded obediently.
Then Vanessa reached into her chest pocket and pulled out a finely crafted silver badge, tossing it to Erika. “Take it. That’s your exam token. You don’t need to queue anymore. Go straight to the entrance exam later.”
“There’s an exam?”
“Of course. Every new student must take an entrance exam—no exceptions. If you’re not qualified, being here is just a waste of time.”
“I see...”
“I’m Vanessa Elmero—this academy’s director, and also a teacher.
Erika, I won’t go easy on you just because Gladys recommended you. In fact, I’m even more curious to see how you’ll perform.”
“...”
“Do your best.”
With that, Vanessa walked off slowly.
Erika stood there in a daze, blinking, then looked down at the exam badge in her hand.
Ugh!
There’s an exam? If she failed, would she be rejected from the academy?
Would Gladys be angry?
Probably... not, right...?
She studied the badge in her hand. It wasn’t large and had the academy’s gate engraved on it—many students were wearing similar ones on their chests.
It also had a number: 239. That must be her exam number.
“So annoying...”