Chapter 25: The Academy’s Golden Ticket

Just beyond the capital of the Klett Kingdom, a convoy of carriages drew to a halt before the city gates, where they presented a token.

Upon inspecting the token, the gate guards offered a slight bow to the woman at the head of the convoy, then promptly cleared a path for them to enter.

From within the carriage’s confines, Gern slowly peered out, her gaze sweeping curiously over the bustling environment.

The streets stretched out with remarkable order, alive with the cacophony of vendors’ calls and the ceaseless movement of pedestrians, creating an undeniably vibrant atmosphere.

Gern recalled visiting this very place in her previous life, but the kingdom’s capital then had been starkly different, devoid of the vibrant energy that now permeated the air.

During that era, the Heretic God Cult had run rampant, plunging the entire kingdom into a perpetual state of terror. Such a joyful existence for its citizens would have been utterly inconceivable.

The group soon found themselves within the capital, arriving at Theoviga Academy’s designated waiting hall. This expansive area was specifically arranged for examinees, serving as the gathering point for all successful contestants from across the kingdom.

From this hall, they would then board an airship bound for Theoviga Academy, where they would undergo the subsequent placement assessments.

Gern, however, was a notable exception. As a specially admitted student, she was exempt from the placement assessments entirely.

It was as if she had already secured a direct admission into Theoviga Academy’s most prestigious class, rendering any further examinations unnecessary.

This privileged status was, in essence, Snow’s way of compensating her, though Gern, at this moment, remained blissfully unaware of its deeper implications.

Before long, the carriage pulled to a stop directly in front of a magnificent, three-story building. Its opulent facade immediately commanded attention.

Adorned with intricate Western-style embellishments, the structure exuded an air of unparalleled grandeur and splendor.

On the plaza stretching before the building, a steady stream of people continued to flow through its grand entrance.

Stepping down from the carriage, Gern followed Snow and their companions into the opulent interior of the building.

The interior proved equally lavish; immediately upon entering, they were greeted by a vast, sprawling hall, already teeming with a multitude of people.

The hall even offered an array of dishes, their enticing aromas wafting through the air, stirring a pang of hunger within Gern.

She swallowed hard, a fleeting desire to purchase a meal crossing her mind. Yet, after observing the extravagant dishes gracing the tables of others, she ultimately curbed the impulse.

Such delicacies, she surmised, were undoubtedly exorbitant, far beyond the means of a commoner like herself.

‘Ah, black bread truly offers better value for money,’ she mused.

Having successfully suppressed her longing, Gern deliberately sought out a secluded corner. There, she retrieved a piece of black bread from her pendant and began to quietly munch on it.

She hoped this simple act would quell the profound yearning for gourmet food that stirred within her.

“Oh? Aren’t you going to sample those dishes? They’re quite delicious, you know.”

At that very moment, a languid, mature female voice unexpectedly drifted to her ears.

Gern glanced up, finding Snow’s gaze fixed upon her.

“What’s so special about them? Anything that fills my stomach will do,” Gern replied.

“All your expenses at the academy are complimentary, and that includes your meals here,” Snow explained.

As she spoke, Snow tossed Gern a golden token, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, its appearance undeniably precious.

“Keep this with you,” Snow instructed, “and as long as you remain within the academy’s jurisdiction, all your expenses will be covered.”

Upon hearing this, Gern felt a flicker of hesitation. Yet, she continued to nibble at the bread in her hand, steadfast in her resolve.

“As a commoner’s child, I genuinely can’t accustom myself to such fare. Bread is far more practical and satisfying,” she asserted.

Noticing the young girl’s stubbornness, a hint of impatience flickered across Snow’s face. With a swift motion, she snatched the bread from Gern’s grasp and declared in a chilly tone,

“You, go purchase a meal right this instant! Now, immediately, without delay!”

Gern’s eyes reddened slightly as she gazed at her confiscated black bread. However, bowing to the witch’s formidable power, she could only offer a silent, resentful glare before dutifully heading towards the food counter.

Confronted by the dazzling array of dishes on the menu, Gern found herself utterly bewildered. While she had encountered such delicacies in her previous life, the immediate task of choosing one proved surprisingly daunting.

In her past life, she had only ever observed others partaking in such meals. The enticing aromas now permeating the air caused Gern to swallow hard, and with a trembling hand, she pointed to a dish on the menu.

“Auntie, could I please have a portion of… fish… fish *something*… shreds?” she stammered.

“Ah, you mean ‘fish-fragrant shredded pork,’ don’t you?” the auntie clarified.

Gern nodded awkwardly, then produced the golden token.

“Can I get this for free with this golden token?” she asked.

The auntie took the token from Gern’s hand, scrutinized it thoroughly, and then nodded in confirmation.

“Yes, of course, you may.”

Gern exhaled slowly, a wave of relief washing over her. She truly could enjoy these meals without payment. Yet, a faint sense of impropriety stirred within her; she felt that acquiring something without effort was, in a small way, rather unscrupulous.

“Um… Auntie, please accept this silver coin,” Gern offered.

The auntie cast a glance at Gern, then replied,

“My dear girl, you should keep your coin. Possessing this golden token signifies that you’ve already made significant contributions to the academy, and this is merely your rightful reward.”

Gern’s expression grew peculiar at this explanation. ‘Could this token actually belong to the Witch herself?’ she wondered.

****

After a brief wait at the serving counter, a steaming plate of fragrant fish-fragrant shredded pork was presented to Gern.

Gazing at the dish she had never before tasted, Gern inhaled deeply. A delicate, unique aroma, characteristic of the dish, wafted gently around her nostrils.

Legend had it that dishes of this particular style were legacies passed down from an ancient empire nestled in the southern lands.

Whether this tale held any truth was now impossible to ascertain. In her previous life, she had only ever glimpsed such exquisite fare gracing the tables of the nobility.

As Gern, her heart aflutter with a mix of apprehension and excitement, carried her plate back, her attention was drawn to a sudden gathering of people not far in the distance.

‘It’s probably just some fresh news or excitement,’ she mused.

Gern paid little heed, continuing her walk back. Yet, the golden-haired figure at the center of the throng suddenly caught sight of a fleeting glimpse of silvery-white through a narrow gap in the crowd.

She froze instantly, her gaze tracking the elusive flash of white until it finally settled on a figure seated in a secluded corner.

‘It’s her! It must be her! Has she also come for the academy assessment?’ Lilia exclaimed in thought.

A faint smile played on the golden-haired woman’s lips. She surveyed the nobles clustered around her, a silent sneer forming in her mind, yet her outward demeanor remained perfectly serene as she spoke.

“My apologies, everyone, but I have a sudden, urgent matter to attend to. Please excuse me for a moment.”

“No trouble at all, Your Highness Lilia. Your affairs are, of course, paramount.”

The surrounding individuals didn’t press her further, yet Lilia distinctly perceived the glint of avarice that flickered in their eyes.

‘Hmph,’ Lilia scoffed inwardly.

Lilia let out a soft, disdainful scoff. She loathed these hypocritical individuals, whose thoughts seemed confined solely to their base desires.

Were it not for the imperative of the royal family to maintain amicable relations with the various powerful houses, Lilia would have long since purged these bothersome sycophants from her vicinity.

As these thoughts raced through her mind, Lilia’s gaze once again found Gern. Her ‘little dragon girl’ truly was a sight for sore eyes; watching the young woman at the dining table, looking somewhat bewildered, Lilia felt a profound sense of calm wash over her, as if her entire being had been healed.