Miss Shepherd does not die in the Mysterious World

Chapter 13: Mask

The next day, Mel woke up early.

After washing up and eating the breakfast Veronica had prepared, she set off for school.

When she arrived at the classroom, she found Vilnia already sitting in her seat.

Seeing Mel appear, Vilnia showed a joyful smile.

“Mel, you came to class!”

Mel stood at the classroom door, looking at Vilnia's bright smiling face, feeling a mix of emotions in her heart.

Genuine joy flickered in those coffee-colored eyes, yet the filth coiling around her body seemed even thicker than yesterday.

“Good morning, Vilnia.”

Mel forced a smile and slowly walked to her seat.

She could feel the gazes of all her classmates focused on her——curiosity, concern, admiration, jealousy

(She is luring a pure soul into depravity)

(Stop her from continuing to poison those lost lambs)

The whispers in her ear started again.

Mel fought back the discomfort and sat down beside Vilnia, then placed her schoolbag on the desk.

“Mel, are you okay now?”

Vilnia asked with concern, leaning forward, and the unsettling filth spread with her.

“Mm, much better.”

Mel nodded, trying her best to make her voice sound calm.

“Thank you for your concern, Vilnia, and for the notes.”

Hearing this, the smile on Vilnia's face grew even brighter.

She wanted to say more, but was interrupted by the sudden ringing of the school bell.

As the teacher walked into the classroom, the noise immediately quieted down.

“Today we will continue with yesterday's content. Mel, can you keep up?”

The teacher looked at Mel and inquired.

“No problem, Ms. Catherine.”

Mel answered with a smile, “I've already looked at Vilnia's notes.”

Hearing this, Catherine nodded slightly, then began her lesson.

During class, Mel forced herself to concentrate on the lecture, but the formulas and theorems on the blackboard became blurry in her eyes.

They rearranged and combined with each other, forming a new sentence.

(Kindness is the best disguise)

(Do not be deceived by her)

Mel frowned slightly, rubbing her eyes in annoyance, then took several deep breaths, trying to calm the agitation in her heart.

“Mel, are you alright?”

Vilnia asked softly, her concerned gaze falling on Mel's slightly furrowed brows.

“I'm fine.”

Mel managed a smile, “I probably just didn't sleep well last night.”

“Mel, can you come up and solve these few problems?”

Just then, Catherine's voice suddenly rang out.

Mel was slightly taken aback, then looked at the blackboard.

Those mathematical formulas and theorems had returned to their original appearance, but that didn't mean she understood them.

In fact, she hadn't even opened Vilnia's notes at all.

Just as Mel was hesitating about what to do, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her temples.

“Ugh....”

Mel pinched her temples.

When she raised her head again, the mathematical problems that had been incomprehensible to her before had now become incredibly simple.

It was as if she had learned them long ago.

So, she slowly walked up to the front, picked up the chalk under everyone's gaze, and began to write.

The chalk drew smooth lines on the blackboard, every step was accurate and without error.

“Very good, Mel.”

A smile of approval appeared on Catherine's face, “Go back to your seat. It seems you not only studied Vilnia's notes, but also previewed today's content. I am happy for you, my dear.”

“Thank you, Ms. Catherine.”

Mel barely squeezed out a smile, then quickly returned to her seat and rapidly flipped through the book in her hands.

And soon, she discovered something strange.

The content of the textbook, from the first page to the last, she could understand it all.

Whether it was something Catherine had taught or not, Mel could understand it.

And it wasn't just math; subjects like English, history, and geography were no exception.

But Mel didn't feel happy about this.

She only felt a chill down her spine.

(This is all knowledge, could it be that I'm being targeted by Knowledge....)

(Then again, isn't school the domain of knowledge...)

Mel's pupils trembled slightly, so much so that she couldn't focus on any of the subsequent lessons at all.

Amidst unease and confusion, the morning classes came to an end.

Mel couldn't wait to pack her things, wanting to leave this unsettling place as soon as possible.

“Mel!”

Vilnia's voice came from behind, stopping Mel who was about to leave.

“Are you free this afternoon? I'd like to invite you to my home.”

Mel stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Vilnia.

An expectant smile was on the other's face, sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her coffee-colored curly hair, refracting a warm luster.

But the warmer the sunlight, the more glaring the filth around Vilnia became in Mel's eyes.

“I've invited a few friends from the literature club, we're planning to hold a small literary salon.”

Vilnia said.

“I want to invite you to come along, my father also brought back some very delicious pastries from other countries!”

“I....”

Mel subconsciously took a step back, “Sorry, Vilnia.”

She shook her head, “I have some things to take care of this afternoon.”

Hearing this, the smile on Vilnia's face instantly froze, but it quickly returned to its original state.

“It's okay, don't worry about it.”

She said, “Maybe next time, we can go together.”

“Mm.”

Mel nodded, then quickly left the classroom.

Vilnia stood where she was, watching Mel's gradually disappearing back, the corners of her mouth turning down slightly.

Just then, a few girls gathered around.

“Vilnia, has the literary salon been decided?”

A woman with a ponytail asked excitedly, “I've already reread that classic we mentioned last time.”

“Yeah, yeah,” another lady with glasses chimed in, “I even specially prepared some discussion topics about the female characters in Austen's novels.”

Hearing this, Vilnia glanced at them carelessly, her originally bright eyes becoming dim.

But soon, she squeezed out a smile again.

That smile was like meticulously prepared honey, sweet without losing its propriety.

“Mm, it starts at two in the afternoon.”

She said with a smile, but there was little warmth in that smile.

She sat gracefully by the desk, letting those students surround her and chatter about the details of the salon.

The young girl's slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desktop, nodding in agreement from time to time, but her gaze was always thoughtfully directed towards the classroom door.

“Vilnia, what do you think of the protagonist in the book we discussed last time, what kind of character is she?”

The ponytail girl asked, leaning closer, her eyes shining with a fawning light.

Vilnia tilted her head slightly, her coffee-colored curly hair glowing softly in the sunlight.

A proper smile hung on the corner of her lips, but her eyes were as if covered by a thin mist, revealing a hint of indifference.

“A woman with great personality, isn't she?”

She replied softly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, “Just like every one of us, we all have the right to pursue ourselves.”

This answer was both polite and ambiguous, perfectly satisfying the questioner's expectations without allowing the conversation to go deeper.

This was an almost instinctive social skill.

Just like the perfect smile she wore on her face at this moment.

Wishing everyone a happy New Year's Eve.

I'd be even happier if I could get some monthly tickets and recommendation tickets.