Chapter 89: Chapter 85: Night of the Chimera’s Cry – Academy (4)

A middle-aged lady wearing clear glasses and a grey and white teacher robe on top of a bland green dress approached Aurora.

“Hello, Lady Aurora Isla? My name is Saundra Kurz, your homeroom professor and the guidance counselor for the first-year students.” She placed her hand over her chest and slightly bowed towards Aurora.

With her hair tied in a bun and a kind smile on her face, you can tell that while strict, she was someone who greatly cared for her students. Aurora's impression of Professor Kurz soared when she didn't mention anything about her family's status while introducing herself.

Aurora returned her greeting with respect. “Hello, Professor Kurz. It is a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me during my short visit.”

Saundra Kurz lightly smiled. “Good. Follow me then.”

The Professor turned around to enter the academy's main building.

Saundra Kurz, of course, heard about the rumors surrounding the Duke’s fiancée. But she was never one to believe in rumors. And as she was once the Duke’s teacher, she knows very well that the person he chose wouldn’t be someone who would do something without cause.

“Good morning, Professor Kurz.” One student passing by greeted the teacher.

She nodded her head. “Good morning.”

Many students greeted Saundra Kurz as they passed by, some calling her Professor, others calling her Counselor.

While walking, Professor Kurz explained some of the academy’s rules. Beatrice stayed quiet as she followed behind and memorized the area.

“You may have already read through the pamphlet, but there are still a few things you need to be aware of during your stay. The academy isn’t very strict about attendance as long as the student passes the final exam for each class taken every year. Nevertheless, if you fail, you are immediately expelled. However, first-year students, even those from the Magic Theory Department, must attend all classes and follow all rules.”

Aurora raised her brows. "The final exam doesn't matter much to me, since as you should be aware, I do not plan on staying long."

The Professor nodded her head, and then continued. "The exam is not very difficult for first years, but your 4th year graduation exam takes place in a real-life situation."

"...No, as I said..."

Aurora was cut off from her sentence, when Professor Kurz stopped to talk to passing students.

"About the exam..." Aurora started when the Professor finished.

"Ah, yes. Only about 70-80% of students have passed it. Quite unfortunate that the Duke had to return home without finishing. He would have probably exceeded the highest score in the history of the Carlisle Academy!"

"That's not what I mean..."

Saundra glanced back at Aurora who was a few feet away. "Right, make sure to keep up." She picked up the pace as she continued talking about other things.

"__" She's changing the subject on purpose, isn't she?

Sighs.

With her mouth twitching, Aurora could only follow closely behind. Aurora listened to the Professor talk about things she had no interest in wanting to know.

"All students are required to live in the dorms, however, you may leave the academy as long as you do not miss curfew. While off campus, you are not allowed to use any offensive related runes unless it is to defend yourself. If found, you will be immediately expelled. Your dorm leader will meet with you after class today to explain any other dorm rules and regulations."

Saundra stopped walking and paused in front of a door. When she saw Aurora looking around the building, instead of being upset, she smiled. “Ahem.” Saundra cleared her throat. “Do you have any questions?”

Aurora looked at Professor Kurz. "Ah..." Since it has been so long since her last time in a school building, Aurora had been so preoccupied with her surroundings that she didn't even realize they had come to a stop. She was curious about this familiar and yet unfamiliar place.

“There is one. I was wondering if there a class for you that I need to attend?”

The Professor shook her head no. “Homeroom class is only in session during the first and last week of the school year or during events. In between then, I act as a counselor for students in years one and two. If there is anything you need, you may come and find me at my office on the third floor of this building.”

She pulled out a map from her sleeves.

“This is a map for the academy. I have marked the locations for your other classes.” She pointed at the map. “Lessons are in session six days a weeks and run from 7 am to 7 pm. Also, classes can be anywhere around 1-4 hours depending on your schedule. Your Professors will explain the rest.”

Aurora looked over the map. Seeing this, Saundra thought back to the first day she met Lucius Rizar. He only spoke when he needed to and didn’t involve himself in unnecessary things.

“How is young Lucius doing recently?”

“Yes?" Aurora paused. "Are you close with His Grace?” Hearing how she addressed Lucius, Aurora found herself interested in learning about Lucius, who long ago attended this academy as a student.

“I was also his homeroom teacher during his first year. Why do you ask?” Saundra stopped talking, and then a light bulb went off. “Ah!....” She put her closed hand over her mouth. “Hoho, curious about your husband-to-be when he was young?” Saundra chuckled as a bright expression filled her face.

Aurora’s brows twitched. “N-no, you’re mistaken….”

And besides, compared to her 30 years of age, Lucius was still considered a child in her eyes!

“Heh, let’s see.” Saundra held up a finger, and the corners of her lips lifted into a small smile. “You can say that you have the same aura as he did back then.”

“??? The same aura?”

“Now then, I must get going as there is much to do. Head on inside, class will start soon!”

“Oh, wait a minute…” Aurora extended her hand, trying to get hold of the teacher.

“See you soon, Lady Aurora!”

Without giving her a reply, she quickly left as though running away, leaving a stumped Aurora frozen in front of the door.

Saundra lowered her head as she clearly remembered the gaze of the young Lucius Rizar when he first greeted his classmates.

A strong, yet somewhat lonely and sad gaze…

She had a feeling those were quite alike.

Aurora pulled back her hand as she watched Professor Kurz escape. “Why did she leave so quickly? I only wanted to ask her which classes belong to which location…”

She mumbled as she glanced at the map again.

The three classes she was to take and what time they start were all marked, but… What kind of map doesn’t tell you the name of the classes??!!! How was she supposed to prepare like this?!!

"There is a rune on the map."

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"Yes?" Aurora asked, confused.

A soft, gentle voice suddenly came from behind Aurora and Bea. Before they could ask the owner of the voice what she meant, the person next to her interrupted.

"How can you not know when you're from this place?" He scoffed, clearly insulting Aurora for her lack of knowledge. 

When Aurora ignored him and just stared at them, this further irritated him.

“Hey?! I'm talking to you! How long are you gonna stand there and block the way?!"

The moment she saw their face, Aurora knew who they were from the files Halon handed her about the students involved in the current case.

“Why aren’t you moving?!” The male student asked aggressively.

“Stop, don’t speak so rudely.” The female student frowned as she glared at her companion.

Aurora observed the two students making a fuss in front of her.

“Why do you always talk in such a crude way to people you have only met? I've warned you about this behavior of yours.” The female placed her hand on her forehead in an exasperated manner.

Estelle De Lyn Ignis, the Crown Princess of the Ignis Kingdom. Short and curly black hair, that matched her appearance very well. Although most ladies with short hair are considered 'unwomanly' in high society, she pulled it off quite well.

During the spring season in the Ignis Kingdom, it is said that a purple star called Estrella, which usually hides from view, comes out to play. The Princess was not only born during the spring but also has beautiful purple eyes. Hence her name, Estelle.

She indeed gave off the aura of a royal star.

“Tch.” The man next to her clicked his tongue. “Why bother? I am your personal guard and Knight! I only came to this place to protect you, not make friends!”

Then there is her Knight escort, Tristan Sinclair. There are rumors that his fraternal older twin sister, Tristina Sinclair, was supposed to come with the Princess.

However, unlike the Epheria Empire, the neutral Kingdoms did not practice gender equality. So, despite Tristina being stronger than her younger brother, she was looked down on for becoming a Knight instead of marrying off to a wealthy husband.

Thus, the poor Princess was stuck with the spoiled brat.

While Lucius didn't lie about there being a royal member from the Epheria Empire being here, he certainly didn’t bother telling her the whole truth.

Aurora studied the two in front of her. Her fists slowly clenched as she tried to endure the overflowing hatred she held for the Imperial Family. Fortunately, she prepared herself after reading through their information.

“You..really…how many times must I tell you….” Princess Estelle sighed.

As she began scolding her guard, Aurora furrowed her brows in aversion. Seeing this scene made her feel unpleasant. “You,” she interrupted without an ounce of tact. “What you said about the map, is it true?”

“You???!!! How dare a lowly person like you address our Crown Princess in such a way?!!” Tristan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, intending to strike the cheeky woman in front of him.

“Tristan Sinclair.” Estelle moved her hand to his shoulder. She didn’t have to say anything more to put pressure on him. He knew that she was angry from the way she called his name. “Control your temper.”

The Knight stepped back and moved his hand off his sword. While the Princess was scary when angry, that was not the only thing that made Tristan back down. Rather, it was the death-glare he received from the female Knight quietly standing behind the girl. He could tell that she intended on killing both him and the Princess to protect her master.

Still, Tristan was curious why she didn’t.

Of course, Bea wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces, but she recalled the warning both Keegan and Lady Aurora gave her earlier.

“““Don’t cause trouble!”””

Beatrice was startled at the similar words they said to her. "What kind of person do you think I am?" She mumbled.

“A person who causes trouble,” Aurora answered her from the carriage as they made their way towards the academy.

Bea, who was riding a horse as she followed the carriage by the side, instantly became depressed.

“Listen. I am attending the academy to research summoning rituals and to investigate a certain person. For this, I need to keep a low profile. This means, no matter what anyone says or does to me, you are not allowed to retaliate unless my life is in direct danger.”

Bea further slumped on the horse. She had a feeling that if she didn't listen to Aurora’s orders, she would no longer be able to stay by her side.

That is why Bea didn’t move a single inch.

Instead, she glared at the man with killing intent. Besides that, continuously cursing him in her mind was all she could do as she silently endured.

“Don’t be angry, Tristan. I have not seen this young Lady in the academy before. I believe she is the transfer student coming today, so it would not be wrong to say that she is not aware of who I am."

Hearing this, Tristan calmed down.

Aurora smirked.

As always, those with noble and imperial blood were prideful idiots who think the world should only revolve around them.

“But I do know.”

“…Excuse me?” The Princess blinked her big purple eyes in puzzlement.

“The Crown Princess of the Ignis Kingdom, Estelle De Lyn Ignis, and her substitute Knight escort Tristan Sinclair.” Aurora covered her mouth and smirked. “Heh, how can I be so ignorant not to know?”

Tristian stood shocked in place. He didn't even notice the change of expression in the Princess as he was too busy replaying what Aurora said in his mind.

Princess Estelle stiffened.

What?

What is going on right now? Was she being humiliated by someone she doesn’t even know right in front of her face?

Aurora put on a bright smile. “Is something wrong, Princess Estelle?”

This Princess who reminded her of the past, there was no way the former Crown Princess of the Epheria Empire, Aurora Grannis Di Epheria, would just leave her be.