Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

A cold winter.

Rhodes was in his study, studying soul magic.

He had already read through the research materials the witch had given him.

He discovered that the witch's research on the soul began long ago, perhaps because all of humanity was experiencing symptoms of neurasthenia, which led the witch to resume this research.

However, the research did not go smoothly and had to be put on hold.

Since Rod took over, it has been three months, but the progress has been much faster than expected.

When faced with difficulties, I always have a sudden flash of inspiration and then find a way to solve the problem.

He had initially thought that he wouldn't see any results for decades, but now he realizes that he is very likely to achieve a major breakthrough within ten years.

But it's still too slow.

Although for a hard-working genius like Rhodes, developing a soul technique within ten years is already considered godlike among gods.

But for some reason, it was as if a voice inside him was telling him something.

We need to go faster.

"call……"

Rod exhaled a breath of cold air, then took a sip of hot coffee.

"The weather is getting colder and colder..."

I looked up at the window.

The window was wide open, and the witch sat on the windowsill, looking down at the scene with great interest.

Since returning from her trip, she would visit Rod's house whenever she had free time.

She completely forgot about everything at the academy.

I'm almost ready to stay here.

Even the servants of the mansion were used to it.

They didn't know the witch's identity; seeing how young she was, they assumed she was just one of Rhodes's new students.

"Professor, come quick, come quick! The real show is about to begin!"

The witch suddenly waved excitedly at Rhodes.

Rod got up and went to the windowsill.

Following the witch's gaze, we looked down at the building below.

After the blizzard, the large courtyard was covered in white snow.

on the snow.

Rhodes' two disciples stood facing each other.

One is a top-tier time-space mage, and the other is a top-tier swordsmanship master.

The two, representing the world's top combat power, would create an unimaginable spectacle when they fought.

Luna quickly launched the first attack.

She made a snowball the size of a fist and threw it at Ange.

However, Anjie is no ordinary person.

She had already anticipated Luna's movements and dodged Luna's snowball by slightly shifting her body to the side.

Then he tripped over his own foot with his left foot and landed hard on his bottom.

"Ugh, this damn snowy landscape."

"Haha, Ange, surrender! You're no match for me with your lack of training!"

Luna, hands on her hips, said confidently after landing a successful blow.

In terms of technique theory, she may not be as good as Ange, but in terms of physical movement, ten Anges would not be her match.

"Don't get too cocky."

Anjie gritted her teeth and said.

Suddenly, she looked behind Luna and paused in surprise.

"teacher……"

"teacher?"

Upon hearing this, Luna also turned her head to look behind her.

next second.

Bang!

A snowball exploded on the back of her head.

"You plotted against me?"

Once Luna realized what was happening, she immediately turned around and glared angrily at Ange.

"Luna, you're just too stupid."

"Don't you think it's going too far to use your teacher to deceive me?"

"This is called 'all's fair in war'."

The two bickered for a while, then continued throwing snowballs at each other.

Ange is not known for her athleticism. She can often anticipate Luna's moves, but she always trips up and falls down.

Luna had the upper hand on the field, but was repeatedly led astray by Angel, taking two snowballs in the process.

The two got heated as the fight progressed and started wrestling on the snow.

They stuffed snow into each other's clothes.

"..."

Is this what a battle between Special Grade fighters looks like?

It's so ugly.

Rhodes was speechless.

Don't you see? The maids over there couldn't stand it anymore and were whispering among themselves.

Let me eavesdrop for a bit.

No, what does "battle for the empress" mean?

"I can't take it anymore! This is so much fun, I want to participate too!"

The witch, itching to join in the commotion below, jumped out of the window.

"If you're going to play, take me with you."

"What?"

Ange and Luna saw that the witch also wanted to get involved.

The two exchanged a glance, immediately ceased fighting, and simultaneously launched an attack on the witch.

"Wow, you two are ganging up on me! This is unacceptable... Professor, save me!"

"Really..."

Rhodes watched the three-way battle below and couldn't help but chuckle.

……

After the snowball fight, everyone sat around the dining table.

It's become commonplace for witches to come and freeload meals, and nobody cares.

As everyone chatted, the conversation unsurprisingly turned to the Winter Snow Festival.

Ultimately, the reason these guys were having a snowball fight was to compete for the time they could spend alone with Rhodes during the Winter Snow Festival.

"The professor received an invitation from the palace; he should be attending a court banquet, right?"

"Do I have to go just because I received an invitation? The teacher just needs to stay by my side."

"Even Her Majesty the Empress cannot force my teacher; I would absolutely not allow her to do so!"

"I am prepared to accept the palace's invitation and take you with me."

Rhodes immediately sealed the victory.

Ange, however, seemed to understand the unspoken meaning in Rhodes' words.

"So, besides the witch, does the teacher also want to bring the queen into this?"

"..."

Where are you pulling me in from? Does this mean I'm admitting I'm going to build a harem? Even if it's true, don't say it out loud!

Feeling the probing gazes of Ange and Luna.

One was cold and gloomy, the other heavy and somber.

Rhodes felt increasingly ashamed.

"Although I'm happy that the professor has added me to his harem, it's a pity that I have other important things to do, so I won't participate."

The witch feigned regret.

So, is the idea of ​​having a harem already a consensus?

Rod's face remained expressionless, while he inwardly grumbled.

However, he sensed something unusual in the witch's words.

For the past few months, the witch had put aside her duties as the headmistress and spent every day by Rhodes's side. However, she chose to leave during the important Winter Snow Festival.

"What's so important?"

Rod couldn't help but ask.

"Mature women all have their own secrets."

The witch smiled, pointed a finger at Rhodes' lips, and playfully closed one eye.

"Let me keep the mystery until the very end."

……

A few days later, the Winter Snow Festival arrived.

Rhodes, Ange, and Luna changed into evening gowns and headed to the palace for a royal banquet.

He came in second place in the Sky City music competition and received the Alchemy Scroll from the Sky City Treasury.

As a byproduct of his research, Rhodes made several pieces of jewelry.

So, taking advantage of the winter snow festival, he simply gave it to Ange and Luna as a gift.

Ange and Luna beamed with happiness after receiving the gifts.

"Thank you, teacher. I will take this gift with me to my grave."

"...Don't worry about it too much. It doesn't matter if I lose it. I can make a new one anytime."

Why do you always speak in such a heavy tone?

Rhodes is really afraid.

After leaving the mansion, the three of them first took a detour back to the Imperial Academy.

There, Luna bumped into the five members of the Golden Generation and chatted happily with them.

However, upon arriving at the clock tower as usual, they did not see the witch.

It seems the witch really does have something important to do.

Or perhaps they're preparing some kind of prank.

With a touch of regret, Rod walked along the festive streets with Ange and Luna, chatting and laughing.

They gradually arrived at the palace.

The palace banquet brought together the empire's most prestigious noble families, as well as envoys from other countries.

Rod, accompanied by Ange and Luna, moved among the guests.

Later, finding it too troublesome, he hid in a secluded corner.

With Her Majesty the Queen's arrival, everything proceeded smoothly.

Surrounded by Angela and Luna, Rhodes watched the lively and luxurious banquet, but the witch's final smile kept replaying in his mind.

At this time.

The head maidservant beside the Empress appeared quietly.

"Professor Rhodes, His Majesty invites you to the inner court for a discussion later."

It's time to come.

To protect the Queen's life, Rhodes followed the head maid out of the banquet hall.

He had only walked a short distance when he suddenly stopped.

"Please convey my apologies to Her Majesty the Queen."

Rod made up his mind.

"I just remembered I have something important to do, so I have to leave now."

Having said that, he didn't wait for the head maid's reply.

Rod started running in the snow.