I Regress if the Villainess Dies! Chapter 38: Chapter 37 The Returning Holders

A fragrant scent wafted through the warmly lit room, welcoming visitors with a surprisingly cozy atmosphere. Plush dolls occupied the comically large round sofas alongside oversized cushions of various colors. Cardigans and stylish hats hung above them like decorations, occasionally mixed with scarves. Beyond the welcoming and lighthearted scene were tables stacked with books, documents, and scattered plates and tea wares. Glass shelves filled the walls of that section, and underneath were what seemed to be experiment tables with various tools. It was a room that perfectly sold its owner as a feminine, cute, stylish, yet hardworking individual. Contrary to expectations, the room belonged to Professor Celine, a happy-go-lucky woman who was often late to her classes. At the moment, however, her easygoing attitude was nowhere to be seen. Celine sat behind her desk, fingers interlocked before her face. Usually, those hands would be cutely cupping her chin as she talked with guests, smiling and carefree. Across from her were Serika and Lucinelle, kneeling on small cushions. Two former students of the academy who had suddenly disappeared, and geniuses who once held their positions as Rose Holders. "So? Do the two of you have anything to say to your dear professor?" Neither girl answered. Celine patiently tapped her fingers on the desk, not softening her expression or voice in the slightest. "A year passed, and suddenly both of you started working as bodyguards?... And to not even send one letter when we promised to keep in touch... Do you know how worried I was!?" Her small fists slammed lightly on the table, shaking it slightly. Even though it didn't sound loud nor contain any strength, Serika visibly flinched, guilt written all over her face. Only Lucinelle seemed unfazed. Celine took note of their reaction. "Hmph, the two of you aren't going to make this easy for me, huh?" The professor rose from her seat and stood before the two girls. In her hand, a spell was brewing. Every year, she would usually slack off and miss out on the entrance exams, but this time she came even though she was late. It was all because of a tip yesterday that these two geniuses would be returning to the academy. But she found them in a rather strange predicament. Facing Aleandro, her peer, and brandishing their swords. What's more, they wielded something similar to aura, but Celine knew it wasn't the aura she knew from true masters. She got curious and performed an inspection spontaneously. The moment she inspected them, she discovered something foreign woven into both of their bodies. Something familiar that had been studied and forbidden by the laws of the kingdom. At first, she assumed it was nothing, but as she examined the area around their hearts more closely, she found something that shouldn't have been resting there. A culmination of restrictive spells containing violent mana, waiting to explode and destroy anything in its path. A brand that dictated a human life like a disposable bomb. When she discovered that, she nearly made a face of disgust. It was a poorly made brand, similar to a forbidden method from the days of the ancient wars. Similar, yet its execution could not have been more appalling. The structure was unlike anything she had seen before. It was the crude work of a mage who didn't know better and had swallowed more than he could chew. Several portions appeared wasteful to the point of inefficiency, mana being consumed where none should have been required. And yet somehow, the structure continued to function. But perhaps because of that, it was not too late to reverse and remove it from these students. Whoever subjected them to this brand, she wouldn't let them get away. "From this day onward, we're going to slowly remove those brands, got it?" The words had barely left Celine's mouth when Serika abruptly stood up. "No!" The answer came so quickly that even Celine blinked. Realizing she had raised her voice, Serika immediately shran