The sword princess' tale

Volume 5 Chapter 1 - Late Night Surprise!?

"Oh, I can see it, Milady."

Hmm...? As I immersed myself in reading a historical book, I inclined my head to see beyond the windows.

The orange sky faintly dyed with violet could be seen veiling walls made from thick stones.

Beyond the fortified walls, standing tall and firm for centuries was a kingdom built on a hill. There were many residences with glaring differences and smaller fort walls were built to create three layers of level.

As the carriage passed through the last inner gate and entered the bottom layer, I realized that the hectic life seemed to go on as always. Hn... I think it's getting rowdier though.

"Where shall we go to?" Mr. Rudolph asked.

"To the Academy of course." I answered.

Mr. Rudolph chuckled and he drove the carriage straight to the intermediate layer. When the guards tried to question us, I popped my head out of the window and waved a hand at them.

"Ah, if it's not the ones who called me 'kid' from before."

They all froze up. Before the butler could react, the two guards' faces paled and they let us pass right there and then.

Heh he. Now that my proof of nobility and my school uniform were seen, these rude guys would not want to have their heads be chopped off. Well, they also watched how I sent Fei flying so they must have realized they picked on the wrong person.

But Mr. Rudolph for some reasons patted their shoulders and muttered something with a smile. Oh, wow. The two guards' faces turned ashen. I wonder why?

In no time at all, the carriage stopped in front of a gate guarded by two stone familiars.

"Hn. This should be enough." I jumped off the carriage with my belonging stored in a case.

Mr. Rudolph also took out a long wooden case, passing it to me with utmost care.

"Indeed, it has been a while. Perhaps nearly half a year."

"Yes. Thank you for your service all this time, Mr. Rudolph."

"As a mere coach, your praise is wasted for me."

No no no... It should be me that is grateful. If I went by myself, the horse would probably run away along with my luggage. I'm actually not good with domesticated animals.

"Then... I bid you farewell, young lady."

"Un! Please convey my message to my parents."

With a humble bow, the butler then left along with the carriage. I waved my hand until the carriage vanished from my sight and when it did, I turned around to see two gargoyles flying toward me.

"Hi, Inferno. Also Shelka." I greeted with a wave of hand.

"I see that you've returned with a promising result, young maiden." The Phoenix lowered her eyes and seemed to smile.

"Indeed. Even your Aura has increased tremendously." The Dragon nodded down.

These two are the guardians of Leimburg Academy. Both were said to be high-ranked spirits possessing physical vessels known as Gargoyles and they were the principal's contracted spirits. Commonly known as Familiars.

"Well, I happened to get a looser restriction to convert my Internal Mana into Aura. It's also become twice faster than before." I shrugged. "Still not enough for me to reach a certain someone's level though."

Both Gargoyles looked at each other and sighed.

"Child, you set your goal too high. Perhaps you should aim at a lower height so as not to rush things."