"Miss Sebastian, are you all right?" a staff member asked with concern as he approached.

"It’s nothing." The young girl sitting in the chair held a hand to the side of her face. "I just feel a little unwell. It might be the Demon Plague coming on."

The staff member asked, "Should I stop the current match?"

"No, I’m fine." A glint of light flashed in the girl’s purple eyes.

Before them was a large, circular arena where a promotion battle for a Black Iron Level Adventurer was underway.

An Armored Warrior with a Sword and Shield was fighting a serpentine creature that stood as tall as a person when it reared its head. The snake was a translucent blue, with darker shades for its eyes and mouth. Inside its body, several bright white points of light shone like stars in the sky.

The Warrior constantly changed his position, trying to get behind the snake’s head, but it was useless. He was struck by the Giant Snake’s tail several times.

Watching the tense battle in the arena, several people on the sidelines were whispering amongst themselves. "As expected of a genius Bloodline Warlock. So powerful. Just one Summoned Beast is enough to give the captain a hard time."

"Yeah, we’ve got terrible luck, drawing her as the examiner. There’s no way we’re getting promoted to Bronze this time."

"Guess we won’t be able to get that Secret Medicine, then."

"I really hope Miss Sebastian goes easy on us."

This promotion test was organized by the Adventurer Association. All participants were Black Iron Level Adventurers who took turns fighting in the arena. Only by defeating this Summoned Beast could they be promoted.

The girl acting as examiner heard their whispers and glanced over, then said softly, "Strangle him."

In the arena, the Giant Snake suddenly began to move rapidly. The Warrior had to brace himself, but he was quickly bound tight.

Unable to breathe, the Warrior finally dropped his weapon and cried out with difficulty, "I surrender."

The Giant Snake stopped its constriction, released the Warrior, and vanished from the arena as if slipping into a spatial rift.

"Next match! Chief Examiner Agatha Sebastian, contestant..." the staff member announced loudly.

"I’m sorry," Agatha interrupted him. "I have something to attend to. You’ll need to find a replacement examiner for now."

"Of course, Miss Sebastian."

Agatha rose and left the platform, her graceful figure leaving much to the imagination.

She walked without stopping, covering the left side of her face as she went straight into the lounge. After locking the door behind her, she stood before the vanity mirror, staring at her reflection with a dark, sinister gaze.

"A genius Bloodline Warlock?" she muttered softly to herself.

"Even a random Summoned Beast can wear someone out."

Agatha chuckled, then gritted her teeth. "And yet even a goblin dares to provoke me."

She lowered her hand, revealing a tear of blood streaming from her left eye.

"I hate this face. Every time I see this face, it disgusts me."

She snatched the Small Knife from the vanity and slashed it viciously across her cheek. Blood flowed down her chin and dripped onto the floor.

"Disgusting. Disgusting, this face." With each word, Agatha carved another bloody gash, and in no time, her entire face was covered in gruesome, horrific wounds.

The pain didn’t extinguish her anger; instead, she began to laugh with delight.

"This face looks so much better like this."

Agatha smiled sinisterly, savoring the sight of her reflection as if admiring a masterpiece.

Then, miraculously, the wounds on her face began to heal and close, restoring her skin to its flawless state. If not for the bloodstains on the floor, it would be as if nothing had just happened.

"How magical. Isn’t that right, sister?" Agatha’s tone was mocking.

She stood, walked to the table, and picked up a handkerchief to wipe away the remaining blood from her face.

"Which little girl is throwing a temper tantrum?" a voice drifted out abruptly. "Oh, it’s just Agatha."

Agatha froze. She turned her head and saw that her reflection in the mirror was still the same as before, its face covered in bloody gashes.

"Agatha, this isn’t fun." The Mirror Man smiled, ran a finger across its face, and then used it to write on the mirror: "Don’t forget what you promised."

"Master, I wouldn’t dare forget," Agatha said, a trace of panic in her voice.

"Good," said the Agatha in the mirror, putting the finger in its mouth to taste the blood. "I expect you to fulfill our agreement as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master," Agatha said with her head lowered.

"Excellent, Agatha. I’m really growing to like you more and more." The Mirror Man gave an exaggerated laugh, covering its mouth. Then, it blew a kiss, turned, and vanished from the mirror.

Agatha stared blankly at the mirror, which now only showed her own profile.

After confirming that the other had truly left, she closed her eyes, clenched her fists, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

A few seconds later, Agatha let out a long sigh, fixed her appearance, and walked out of the lounge.

’Time to head to Yangjiao Town and prepare to enter the forest.’

’I need to find that thing quickly. There isn’t much time.’

’But before that, I need to take care of that annoying goblin.’

Her vicious expression instantly transformed into a radiant smile. "I will crush your subordinates one by one, burn them to death, and hack them to pieces right in front of you. And only when you can no longer shed another tear will I chop you up and throw you to the wild dogs on the roadside."

"Hahaha." Agatha’s melodious laughter echoed through the corridor, so pleasant to the ear that it made people turn their heads.

"Agatha," a voice called out from behind her.

She turned her head to see a young man in blue and green-striped court attire approaching her, escorted by several Armored Knights. "Old classmate, it’s me, Theodore."

"Your Highness." Agatha gave a slight curtsy.

"No, no, please rise." Theodore stepped forward, took her hand, and helped her up. "So, what have you decided?"

Agatha subtly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and said, "I am honored by your offer, but I’m afraid I cannot accept the position of your Magic Consultant at this time, Your Highness. I have very important matters to attend to."

"That’s a real shame." Theodore rubbed his large nose, looking rather regretful.

"There are many other capable Mages. I’m sure they would be willing to serve as your consultant," Agatha said calmly.

"But we’re old classmates," Theodore said with a smile.

"I am truly sorry, but I really do have something very important to do." Agatha gave another slight bow. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked away.

"Your Highness, that woman is too full of Pride. Should we..." Theodore’s guard stepped closer and said.

"Can’t be helped. She looks down on me. I’m only the Third Prince, after all," Theodore said with a shrug.

Then he asked with a smile, "Is everything taken care of?"

"It is. Still in the basement of the corner tower."

"Good. Let’s head back." Theodore let out a hearty laugh, a glint of cruelty flashing in his eyes.