Chapter 126
Chapter 126: A Promise on the Day Off
***
But she was a very well-mannered person. No matter how surprised she felt inside, she wouldn't show any outward shock. She quickly regained her composure, and a gentle smile once again spread across her face.
Only the way she looked at me had changed — it was no longer the tenderness one shows to a child.
"This isn't something a little girl from the Empire should know about," she said. "Miss Peylo... who exactly are you..."
"Hmm..."
I tilted my head and thought for a moment.
Investigating the Gate of Truth... this was something Carlos had asked me to do, and it was also something I wanted to do.
But he said I needed to cooperate with that woman named Victoria... Of course I would do that, but that woman's temper was just so peculiar that I couldn't figure her out. Compared to her, Teacher Theresa standing before me was clearly more trustworthy.
And I was a bit worried, if Cataloma was also infiltrated by the Gate of Truth like the other orphanages... I was afraid it might implicate Elle.
The only lead the Gate of Truth had on this side pointed to orphanages. So, communicating properly with Teacher Theresa was essential... Since she would find out sooner or later anyway, I might as well explain it now.
Having made up my mind, I looked at Teacher Theresa's profile and said seriously, "Actually, I have another name."
"My name is Sylvia, Sylvia Labishmers."
The moment the words left my mouth, Theresa's beautiful eyes widened dramatically.
She looked at me in disbelief, her mouth slightly agape. For a long while she couldn't say anything, just staring at me blankly like that. Then suddenly, the corners of her mouth lifted.
"Fufu... haha... this is really... haha..."
Sister Theresa bent over, holding her stomach, and this laughter showed no signs of stopping.
I was puzzled.
"Teacher, what's so funny?"
Was it because she didn't believe what I said? Clearly not.
I couldn't figure out what was so funny...
"No... sorry, phew—"
After taking a long breath, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and once again regained her calm.
"Peylo, you gave me quite a fright."
"Uh..."
Being frightened makes you laugh...?
"Sorry, sorry, I'm not laughing at you." Perhaps seeing the confusion in my eyes, Theresa hurriedly explained. "Actually, I met with Her Majesty the Queen a few days ago, also about that matter. But when I was leaving, she did remind me that there was someone who understood those things... better than we did, and that if nothing unexpected happened, they would soon come to me on their own initiative... I just didn't expect it to be you."
I frowned at her words.
"Victoria knew I would come find you?"
"She didn't know, she just guessed." Theresa blinked. "Also, you can't call Her Majesty the Queen by her name directly in public, okay?"
...Tch.
"So, Peylo... no, Miss Sylvia. You came to the royal city to investigate that matter?"
"Yes... well, not entirely." I shook my head, then continued, "I want to learn more about the Abyss."
"Ah, so that's why you came to the Royal Academy... Miss Sylvia, that Endless Abyss, you killed it all by yourself." Theresa seemed somewhat moved. "It must have been very difficult, right? If it were me, I couldn't do such a thing alone... That's impressive."
"Actually..."
After thinking about it, I still felt there was no need to lie about this.
"Actually, that's not true."
Theresa seemed puzzled. "It's not?"
"Mm." I nodded. "In Woodward Forest, there's a white dragon. It helped me."
"A white dragon?" Theresa's tone suddenly rose sharply. "How is that possible... How could a dragon still appear in this world?"
"It's true. Carlos said that's what it was, a dragon."
"Carlos? Silver Flash Carlos Gonzalez?"
"Mm. He and I are friends."
"I see..." Theresa's expression became somewhat complex. She gazed ahead and started spacing out, murmuring to herself, "White dragon... Woodward Forest... Land of Dragons... It seems... it's true..."
I gently touched her shoulder.
"Teacher?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing. Um, Miss Sylvia..."
"Teacher, just call me Peylo."
"...In that case, Peylo, when we're not in class, you can call me Theresa too."
"Theresa..." My dark eyes rolled around, and I smiled sweetly at her. "Sister Theresa! That sounds more natural."
"Pfft—"
She laughed.
"Sister... that's what the children at the orphanage call me... It feels warm and familiar."
"Hehe~"
That's exactly why I called you that, because it sounds close and friendly!
I've always admired people like you, calm as a lake on the surface, but with thoughts flowing like a surging river inside. Especially women like that.
Both in my past life and in this one.
"It'll be a few days before the cargo arrives. Before then, we'd better not make any rash moves. On the day off, I'll wait for you at Cataloma."
"Okay."
............
Time flew by, and soon it was the end of February.
The Royal Academy designated the middle and end of each month as days off, with 3 days for each rest period.
During this time, students were allowed to go out freely. Most students from other places would take this opportunity to explore the royal city thoroughly, while those who lived in the royal city would usually choose to go home.
The night before last, it started drizzling. The rain was as fine as dust, falling with a "sha sha sha" sound. The water droplets fell on the flowers, grass, and leaves, then slid down the stems, seeping into the soil and disappearing.
Daisy said that this kind of rain was a good omen in Sylgaria, signifying the blessing of the Bountiful Mother Goddess. Whenever this happened, people would usually place a bowl at their doorstep to collect some rainwater, and during dinner they would all pray to the deity together before drinking the collected rainwater. This would ensure next year's harvest.
I actually knew about this.
When I was in the small village, everyone did this too. As for whether it worked or not... well, even if next year's harvest turned out poor, I think most people would find some seemingly legitimate but ultimately illusory reason to explain it away.
If the prediction came true, it was divine prophecy; if wrong, it was heavenly punishment.
That's all it was... Even if deities truly existed, this wouldn't change.
The sky cleared just as dusk fell.
"Peylo, are you really not coming to visit my house? It's on Curie Street in the eastern district, not far at all. It won't even take an hour to walk there."
In room 1504, Sarah had her back to me, clumsily rolling up her bedding while asking me this question for the third time.
Tomorrow would be the first day of the rest period, and many students who lived in the royal city could pack up tonight and go home.
Like Sarah. And like me.
I slung my small satchel over my shoulder, walked to the vanity, and ran my fingers through my hair... Mm, not too messy.
Then I turned to her and said, "I'm not going."
"Why not? Daisy's coming with me, and you'll be the only one left in the dorm, won't that be boring? Oh, right! My mother's venison pies are so fragrant, really!"
I, who had been checking for my keys in my bag, paused in my movements.
Venison pies...
I hadn't had venison in so long, I was craving it.
Damn you, Sarah, pulling out your trump card... Did she think I couldn't refuse now!
I immediately called out to her, "Bring some back for me!"
"Eh... So where are you going now?"
"Going home."