The carriage moved silently. The morning light illuminated the table with drinks. Taylor stared at the landscape beyond the glass.
Jessica sipped an apple juice. One hand held the glass, while the other still retained the warmth from Taylor's earlier grip, and she watched it without realizing.
The journey to the academy, being outside the continent, would be long. The carriage would stop in a city famous for flying beasts, where they would change their means of transport.
After finishing her drink, Jessica turned to Taylor, only to find him asleep. The smile on her face remained the same, and in a voice tinged with nostalgia, she said, "It's always a delight to see you again."
Her hand moved toward Taylor's ebony-black hair but stopped mid-air.
Sitting more composedly, Jessica slowly relaxed her muscles and closed her eyes. Her vision expanded beyond the present, reaching two kilometers ahead.
There, in the shadows of a path, a group of bandits stood: humans, elves, and orcs, all with hostile expressions and ready to set an ambush.
Without haste, Jessica raised her right hand. A small star of light shimmered between her fingers, while another, larger, appeared directly among the bandits. Its size made even the robust orcs look like tiny children.
The bandits froze, unable to react. Before they could even formulate a plan, the star exploded in a blinding flash.
When the light faded, there was no trace of the enemies—they had vanished without a trace.
The coachman, seeing that light from afar, flinched for a moment, but years of experience quickly brought him back to calm. He stayed vigilant and guided the carriage through the area without encountering any obstacles.
Inside, Jessica slowly opened her eyes and looked at Taylor, who slept peacefully.
After a few moments, she turned her gaze away and admired the scenery outside, savoring the calm after the brief spectacle she had just caused.
The journey finally came to an end. The carriage stopped in front of a restaurant on the edge of the city, and Taylor got out with Jessica, holding her hand as they walked.
Taylor remained expressionless as the waiter led them to the most luxurious room in the establishment.
Jessica, however, continued to speak with enthusiasm, explaining how excited she was to personally attend the academy founded by the authorities of the Nine Continents.
While they ate, Jessica occasionally spoke of the rumors surrounding the sudden establishment of the academy. Taylor neither answered her questions nor commented on her observations.
When they finished eating, they set off by carriage toward the guild of transport beasts. Upon entering, Taylor was immediately approached by an attendant who warmly introduced the guild and was taken aback when the boy revealed the medallion of House Flame.
After the initial surprise, the attendant immediately felt the weight of the identity before her. Despite this, she managed to guide Taylor and Jessica to the flying beast reserved for House Flame.
Shortly after, Taylor and Jessica set off toward the island where the academy was located.
The winged beast of House Flame had a room built above it, making the journey comfortable.
Taylor let go of Jessica's hand and lay down on the bed, large enough for both of them, while she stared at the kitchen on the other side of the room.
As she approached, she saw that everything was ready-made dishes, preserved to last for days. A cold voice came from beside her: "Take whatever you want."
Taylor, as expressionless as ever, took a dessert and sat down by the kitchen.
Jessica wasn't hungry, but she sat close to him, continuing to talk about the academy's mysteries, while the warmth of his presence made her heart beat faster.