Stop trying to control me, Miss Moriarty!

Before Chapter 20 begins

The next morning.

The hinges of the studio door made a slight sound.

"Good morning, Adler, Professor Moriarty."

When Erin pushed open the door and entered, Irina immediately greeted them.

The magic light in the art studio was on, and the environment was much cleaner than yesterday. Plaster statues and easels were neatly stacked in the corner, and even the dust floating in the air was visibly much less.

Erin pursed her lips.

This discrimination is too obvious.

However, although Schulte was still dressed appropriately and elegantly today, her face was completely devoid of the gentleness and friendliness she had shown yesterday. Instead, she had a cold expression and sat there with her legs crossed.

Good morning, Miss Schulte.

Jessia returned the greeting and casually found a seat near her.

Before Irina could speak, she raised her right hand and traced several lines in the air with her fingertips.

In an instant, in Erin's perception, an even grander and more silent "concealment" type of magic formed, like a veil enveloping the entire room.

He once again raised the level of danger Moriarty posed in his mind.

Jessia lowered her hand and looked at Irina: "I slightly enhanced the 'concealment' magic around us. Are you satisfied?"

Irina was somewhat taken aback and subconsciously began to sense the flow of magic around her.

Her meticulously planned technique has been completely overwritten by a new technique whose structure is fundamentally incomprehensible.

What's even more unsettling is that she hadn't felt a thing at all!

She observed their expressions.

Adler was calm, even somewhat distracted...

As for Moriarty, her eyes were gentle, yet inexplicably awe-inspiring.

Irina slowly lowered her legs, sat up straight, and became more respectful and polite: "Professor, I think Adler has already told you the general situation."

"Indeed. But I'd still like to confirm in person what exactly your request is, Miss Schulte."

Irina looked slightly confused, but still said, "I need to get a key from Miss Estelle Morstan."

Jessia gently raised the corners of her lips: "Countess Isabelle von Rheinbart..."

She paused deliberately, "Is that really all you're asking for?"

A silence followed, and even the dust in the air seemed to lose its power.

Irina's face instantly showed confusion and bewilderment. She slightly opened her mouth: "What are you talking about? I'm just the child of a coachman and a textile worker. The only reason you took a liking to me and let me join the academy is because of my magical abilities..."

"Miss Shulto, putting your hands in your pockets to concentrate your magic is not a proper lady-like habit."

Jessia's voice, still tinged with laughter, interrupted her, "It's easy for others to misunderstand and think you're preparing to launch an attack. Isn't that right?"

After saying that, she glanced at Erin beside her. Then, she snapped her fingers casually.

"..."

Irina, or rather Isabel, froze. She could feel that the magic within her body had solidified and suddenly lost control!

She sighed softly, pulled her right hand out of her pocket, and placed it neatly on her thigh: "How did you know?"

"Your perfume and conditioner have very unique scents; if you were just a coachman's daughter, you couldn't possibly afford them."

Jessia began to explain: "So, I took the opportunity to investigate British nobles who were around your age and suddenly disappeared in the last ten years."

She subtly expressed a hint of apology: "Eight years ago, the Earl of Rheinbart was assassinated at his country villa in Hampshire. His only daughter was placed under the guardianship of distant relatives after the tragedy and has since lived a secluded life, almost disappearing from social circles. And I just happened to find a photograph of the Earl's daughter's seventh birthday party..."

As she spoke, Jessia took out a yellowed photograph from her jacket pocket and waved it around: "Although your hair color is different and your appearance has changed quite a bit, I can still see your features, Miss Isabel."

Irina's face showed genuine admiration, and she smiled wryly, "Just as Adler described, you really are a genius."

Jessia responded with a soft "hmm," and the yellowed old photograph in her hand suddenly vanished as quickly as ice on a flame.

Amidst surprised gazes, she spoke again: "By the way, this was merely an illusion I created with magic; that sir wouldn't leave such a flaw. Miss Irina, next time please try to cultivate the habit of seeing things through to the end."

"..."

Erin tried hard to keep a straight face, but it was definitely hard to suppress his laughter.

You could tell how terrible Irina's mood was just by looking at her incredibly complex expression.

Irina closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was calm again: "How much is the commission fee? Name your price."

Jessia countered, "Before that, shouldn't we confirm the details of the new commission?"

Irina forced a smile, and said with a hint of self-deprecation, "With your intelligence, Professor, I'm probably no different from a blank sheet of paper in your presence. Is it really necessary to say that?"

"Doesn't that create a sense of ritual? Of course, if you don't want to talk about it, Adler can do it for you."

"……professor?"

Erin, who was enjoying the show, looked confused. How did the fire suddenly spread to him?

What can I possibly say?

"This is a pop quiz; you cannot refuse."

A firm and authoritative command echoed in my mind.

...I really have a lot of bad luck in life.

Erin sighed inwardly.

Now that things had come to this, he could only carefully analyze their conversation, combining it with information that only he, as a transmigrator, knew…

The puzzle pieces are now put together.

"Miss Schulte, the mysterious man who sends pearls to the Morstan family every year—he's the murderer who killed your father, Count Rheinbart, eight years ago, isn't he?"

When her past wounds were touched, sadness and anger clearly spread across Irina's face.

She didn't speak, but simply nodded slowly.

As expected, the answer is obvious.

Erin continued, "So, you lied to me. The main reason you accepted this mission from him wasn't to obey orders at all—it was to use this opportunity to find that mysterious man and avenge your father yourself, wasn't it?"

"I'm sorry." Irina lowered her head, wiped her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "I'll finish the last part."

She looked up at Moriarty, her tear-blurred vision filled with a fury and determination that had been building up for eight years: "I'll pay any price you want, as long as I can kill that guy with my own hands! Money, titles—even my future!"

Jessia looked at her quietly for a few seconds, then smiled gently again: "No need for payment. Consider this a small favor I'm doing for my future colleague in advance."

Irina's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard.

She stood up and bowed deeply to Moriarty: "Thank you so much, Professor!"

"I'll take over all the follow-up plans. You just need to follow orders. Any questions?"

"No," Irina said earnestly, "I will obey your orders completely."

Jessia extended her hand, and gray magic spread out immediately: "I've left my contact information on your communicator. I'll contact you about the specific plans later; the first class is about to start."

"Okay." Irina nodded vigorously, the sadness and loneliness of a vengeful spirit on her face disappearing, and she put on her gentle and sweet mask again.

She nodded to the two of them and said, "Professor, Adler, I'll take my leave now."

After Irina left, Jessia lowered her head slightly, tapping her fingers lightly on her knees as she began to think seriously, rapidly considering countless possibilities.

A few minutes later, she looked up with a happy smile.

"Adler, do you believe what our Countess just said?"

After a moment's thought, Erin tentatively began, "It's all true, but there's definitely something being hidden. For example, why did that mysterious person kill Count Rheinbart? Also, she could have sought help from the Chancellor, but she naturally chose us instead."

"That's right." Jessia nodded in satisfaction, then stood up, hugged Erin's head, and pulled him into her arms.

"?! Professor?" Erin froze instantly.

The scent of ink and fresh cornflower filled his nostrils, and the soft texture of velvet clung to his cheeks. He could even feel the body temperature and heartbeat beneath his clothes.

Jessia gently rested her chin on Erin's head and began to stroke it, her voice incredibly tender: "This crime consultation was even more interesting than I imagined. If this continues, I really won't be able to live without you."

The warm, soft touch made Ailin's ears uncontrollably heat up.

But when he thought about the true nature of the person in front of him, his rationality instantly kicked in, like the raging floodwaters of the Thames during the flood season, washing away the lingering romantic feelings in his heart.

"Professor, I am not yet an adult. This is sexual harassment."