GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 22.2 - Class Constructor

Hileya's expression shifted, her eyes widening before her gaze dropped to the floor. For a moment, she remained silent, her hands gripping the edge of the serving tray.

"I'll do my best to meet your expectation," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. The formal tone had returned, but there was something different in it now—a quiet determination that hadn't been there before.

Vel watched her, suddenly concerned that his casual observation had placed an unintended burden on her. "Hileya, I didn't mean to—"

"No," she interrupted, looking up at him with newfound resolve in her eyes. "No one has ever seen potential in me before. I've always been just... a servant girl. Half-elf. Someone to be tolerated but never truly seen."

She straightened her posture slightly, squaring her shoulders in a way that reminded Vel of how she'd stood during their training session—alert, balanced, ready.

"At Lady Halen's manor," she continued, "I was assigned the simplest tasks because no one believed I could handle more responsibility. They watched me carefully, expecting mistakes."

Her fingers unconsciously drifted to where her concealed dagger rested against her thigh.

"But you've treated me differently from the beginning. You've offered me choices, taught me to defend myself, spoken to me as a person rather than a possession."

Vel noticed a slight shimmer in her eyes, but her voice remained steady.

"If you believe I have potential for more... then I want to discover what that might be."

The sincerity in her voice made Vel pause. He hadn't intended his casual observation to mean so much, yet clearly it had sparked something in her—a desire to expand beyond the limitations others had placed on her.

"I know what it's like to be underestimated," Vel said gently. "To have others decide what you're capable of before you've had the chance to discover it yourself."

He thought of his own situation—once someone who understood this world's underlying mechanics, now labeled as magically deficient.

But perhaps that label would prove useful. If wearing this cloud patch gave him access to Instructor Lyvenna and the other unstable students, it might be exactly where he needed to be to uncover the truth.

The uniform hadn't merely arrived—it had confirmed his path forward. And perhaps, in his own way, he had done the same for Hileya.

A rapid knocking interrupted their conversation, followed by Celia's energetic voice from the hallway.

"Vel! You in there?"

Vel and Hileya exchanged a quick glance. The half-elf gathered her tray with practiced efficiency, smoothly transitioning back into her formal role.

Vel opened the door as Hileya retreated to a respectful distance behind him.

Celia burst into the room, practically bouncing with excitement. She wore the female Academy uniform—a navy blue jacket with white trim that curved at the waist, paired with a knee-length pleated skirt and the formal extended bowtie. What immediately caught Vel's attention was the unique mantle draped over only her left shoulder, leaving her right arm completely free. A polished rapier hung at her waist.

"Wow, it looks perfect on you," Vel said, genuine admiration in his voice. "Like a true duelist."

Celia beamed. She performed a practiced spin, the mantle flowing gracefully before settling back into place.