Mist Empire’s Rise: Fake Noble to Fog Queen

If only there were gold mines.

If she could discover "wild" gold mines, she could mint her own coins - as many as she wanted. Wouldn't that be more efficient than robbery?

Unfortunately, after three days of surveying Demon Island, she couldn't find even a trace of copper ore, let alone gold.

Finally getting a piece of unclaimed land, it turned out to have no merits except being unclaimed. The area was small, even worse than... Wait, she had another unclaimed territory!

The Misty Plains! The Misty Plains Continent!

With such vast territory, there must be many unexploited gold mines in the Misty Plains. Perhaps those gold mines were exposed on the surface, ready to be discovered with just one strike of a pickaxe.

Luo Wei regretted not staying longer in the Misty Plains to at least explore the mineral resources. That would have given her more motivation to go there.

If Theodore and Hol hadn't been with her then, she might have settled down in the Misty Plains instead of returning.

But there's no point dwelling on "what ifs."

Without Theodore and Hol, she would have died in the sea and never found the Misty Plains at all.

Actually, it wasn't too late to search for gold mines in the Misty Plains now. Although she couldn't go herself, she could command the dark elves to search.

Tonight when she lay in bed, she would meditate carefully on how to make the dark elves understand her thoughts.

While the elves were searching for gold mines, she could also study the teleportation arrays properly.

She wondered if Godmother Moses had any books on advanced teleportation array runes. If so, could she "borrow" another one?

After all, those books were just gathering dust in their cabinets. They might as well lend them to her.

However, since she had already "visited" once, it would be harder to borrow again. Godmother Moses must be on guard now.

If that didn't work out, the academy's warning line was also an advanced magic array. She could try to analyze it and see what special features advanced magic arrays had, and whether she could apply those features to the teleportation array.

After all, Headmaster Morrison had punished her to patrol the warning line for a month, so she had plenty of time... Oh crap!

Her punishment!

Luo Wei just remembered she still hadn't written her self-criticism report, which was due tomorrow when school started!

She must have lost her mind, looking at financial reports when time was so tight. She could check those reports anytime, but here she was, dreaming about gold mines and dismantling magic arrays while her self-criticism remained unwritten.

After mentally berating herself, Luo Wei rummaged through her drawers to find a quill and parchment, quickly spreading them out on the table to begin writing.

She had never written a self-criticism report in her previous life, so she felt somewhat unfamiliar with it.

But a self-criticism report was simple enough - she had heard enough of them to know the formula: admit mistakes, reflect on oneself, look forward to the future, and make sure the teachers know she has truly reformed and is still a good student!

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"Dear Headmaster Morrison, I write this self-criticism report with deep remorse..."

"...I was wrong. I shouldn't have sneaked across the academy's warning line at night..."

A brief description of her mistake could help fill the word count, but she couldn't be too detailed, lest the headmaster recall her transgression too vividly and form a bad impression.

"It was all due to my lack of self-control, my youthful ignorance, my pursuit of thrills and pleasure, and my fluke mindset that led me to violate school rules..."

She had to seriously examine and analyze herself, earnestly describe her mental struggles during the violation, the fierce battle between desire and conscience.

The headmaster needed to know this was just a momentary lapse, not evidence of her being completely corrupted. She still had a chance for redemption.

"Due to a moment of recklessness, I made a grave mistake. I have disappointed the teachers and set a bad example for my fellow students. I truly deserve death..."

She also needed to analyze the impact of her mistake. Of course, she couldn't blame the school for being too strict - she had to criticize her own inner thoughts.

If she criticized herself harshly enough, the headmaster would feel sorry for her and reflect on whether he had been too severe, scaring a good child like her this badly.

"...I will definitely correct my behavior, follow academy regulations, and study magic diligently..."

Finally, tell the headmaster that she had already reformed and would become an excellent mage in the future, hoping he would restore her forty points considering her sincere admission of guilt and magical talent.

She could accept the community service and warning line patrol, but she really needed those forty points back!

With only sixty points left, she felt so insecure.

How could the headmaster bear to make her attend classes in constant fear!

Luo Wei finished writing and dried the ink, then held up the parchment to admire her work.

A flowing piece written in one go without a single spelling mistake - not bad at all.

Mission accomplished!

It was late at night. Luo Wei stretched, picked up the oil lamp from the table, and returned to her bedroom.

School registration wasn't until nine tomorrow morning, so she could still get four or five hours of sleep.

On January 20th, Siria Magic Academy reopened.

Long lines of carriages filled the Academy Street again. The Escore Dessert Shop, which had been quiet for a month, became lively once more, packed with noble students returning to school.

"God, I've been craving this for a month! Mmm, it smells divine, yum~"

"What garbage was I eating at home? This is real food! I say, Escore Dessert Shop should open branches worldwide!"

"Hey, can you people in front stop chatting and move aside? We want to buy too!"

"Yeah, blocking the way up front, so annoying."

"Hey, you folks who've already eaten, have some mercy. We need to head back after dropping off the students, don't buy everything out before we can try some..."

Due to the traffic jam, Luo Wei decided to walk instead, only to find the shop packed with customers, the entrance almost bursting.

What smelled so good?

Ah, it was the smell of money.

Luo Wei smiled with narrowed eyes, hands in her pockets as she walked into Siria Magic Academy.

The academy square was packed with people. If carriages were allowed on campus, the stone slabs would probably have been ground to powder.

She touched the self-criticism report in her chest and strode toward the junior division's registration area.

The junior division was divided into five classes without class numbers - junior magic apprentices would only be sorted into Potions, Runes, Spells, Divination, Alchemy and Swordsman classes after advancing to intermediate level.

Though there were no class numbers, each class had a supervising teacher.

The supervisor for Luo Wei's class was Professor Phil. She later learned that he was the one who had recommended Axina for admission.

Speak of the devil - Luo Wei looked up to see two golden heads.

Axina was actually standing right next to Professor Phil.

"What rotten luck," flashed through Luo Wei's mind.

Professor Phil was her registration teacher - would Axina try to cause trouble for her?

Plus she had a self-criticism report in her sleeve. Luo Wei really didn't want to take it out in front of Axina.

Losing face in front of others was fine, but not in front of Axina - she was her mortal enemy, she couldn't let her catch any sign of weakness.

Luo Wei's smile faded as she turned on her heel, deciding to come back later.

"Luo Wei, long time no see."

The sweet, seductive voice crept into her ear as Axina wore a fake smile, her gloomy gaze sticking to her.

"Aren't you going to register, my dear friend?"

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