<Chapter 14>
“Wow! We’ve arrived!”
The two girls, who had been chatting nonstop, exclaimed in awe as the grand academy drew closer.
As expected of one of the Empire’s most prestigious institutions, rows of majestic buildings stood proudly along the way.
While they were peering eagerly out the window, other carriages began appearing alongside theirs.
Nobles and wealthy commoners rode in carriages marked with their family crests, while ordinary commoners shared the academy’s communal baggage wagons.
Since only authorized carriages were allowed inside the academy grounds, Mie and Selina had to get off by the roadside like everyone else.
“I think we’re the only commoners here with our own carriage. Everyone else looks like nobles.”
The place they were standing in was a designated parking area for private carriages. Naturally, everyone around them seemed to be nobles.
Overwhelmed by the noble aura surrounding them, Mie instinctively hid behind Selina.
“No one’s paying attention to us, so let’s just move quickly.”
Though Mie kept glancing nervously around, Selina nudged her forward.
While they were unloading their luggage with the help of the coachman, someone approached.
“Hello. Are you new students this year?”
A boy with freckles all over his face greeted them with a bright smile.
His sudden approach was suspicious at first, but he was wearing the academy uniform.
His necktie was blue — meaning he was a second-year student.
“Yes, we are.”
“Then I thought so! I’m Ben, a second-year student at Perion Academy. I’ve been selected as one of the student guides to help new students with their registration process.”
“Oh! So you’re a senior!”
Mie, who apparently hadn’t noticed his tie color, was startled.
“Yes, you could say I’m your senior. Since there are so many new students this year, we helpers were assigned to personally assist you with the entrance process.”
“Wow, that’s so convenient!”
“Haha, isn’t it? Anyway, before we proceed, I’ll need to confirm a few details. Could you tell me your names, please?”
“I’m Mie, and this is Selina.”
Ben’s pen froze mid-stroke. His smile stiffened, and he repeated awkwardly,
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“Mie and Selina.”
Thinking he hadn’t heard properly, Mie repeated kindly.
After a moment of hesitation, Ben hastily wrote down their names, unable to hide his confusion.
Selina, sensing something off, studied him closely — then quietly used her Clairvoyance to see his “current fate,” or rather, his inner thoughts.
“Damn, I thought they were nobles! They got off a fancy carriage, so I was sure they were!”
Selina let out a short, humorless sigh.
“If I’d known they were commoners, I’d have sent someone else. Still… that one’s pretty, at least.”
She could feel his gaze sliding up and down between her eyes — bold and uncomfortable. Selina frowned.
Not wanting to see more of his filthy thoughts, she cut off her Clairvoyance.
Ben quickly hid his earlier awkwardness and resumed smiling politely, continuing his guidance. But now that Selina knew his true attitude, she found his fake politeness unbearable.
“Could I see your admission letter? Just need to double-check something.”
His speech suddenly turned casual, abandoning all formality now that he knew they were commoners.
It was obvious he was doubting whether they were even legitimate students.
“Alright, looks genuine. That concludes your registration. I’ll escort you to the academy.”
“Thank you! Um, but what about our luggage? We don’t know where our dormitory is yet…”
“Don’t worry. If you leave it over there, it’ll be delivered directly to your assigned dorm.”
He pointed to a pile of colorful trunks.
Just then, their luggage floated into the air and drifted toward the pile.
“Oh!”
“I’ve already attached tags with your names, so there’s no risk of losing anything. You just need to go in.”
As he smiled kindly, Ben noticed the cage Selina was holding.
“Oh, you have one more item? Here, let me take that and drop it off.”
“Oh, this isn’t luggage — it’s my familiar.”
“Your… familiar?”
Ben examined the cloth-covered cage curiously, but couldn’t see inside.
“Yes. I heard familiars are allowed on academy grounds.”
“Well, technically yes, but… a familiar, huh.”
His eyes swept over Selina again, filled with open skepticism. She could only laugh bitterly at this point.
“Not many students bring familiars. That’s unusual. But you’ll have to get it verified — sometimes people sneak in normal animals and call them familiars.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“Good. Then follow me. You’ll need to get it inspected over there.”
The two followed Ben past the main gate to a small tented checkpoint.
Inside were several people who looked like students and professors resting.
“Ben? You’re not on break yet.”
“What’s going on?”
They greeted Ben as he entered.
“Professor Ian, this new student brought a familiar.”
At his words, murmurs rippled through the group. Everyone turned their eyes to Mie and Selina.
Professor Ian rose leisurely from the sofa.
“Well, we’ve got quite a few this year.”
“Yeah, last year there was only one.”
“Having even one is rare enough. This makes three already.”
The chatter grew loud until Ian barked,
“Hey! Quiet down, you lot! Break’s over — get out!”
The students grumbled but obeyed, leaving the tent. Soon only Ian, Ben, Selina, and Mie remained.
“So, who brought the familiar?”
“This student.”
Ben stepped aside and pointed at Selina. She stepped forward.
“You have it with you?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s take a look then.”
Selina set the cage on the table and removed the cloth. Inside, Luna — her cat-like familiar — blinked sleepily and looked around.
“Another feline form, I see. And you’re certain it’s a familiar?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s test it. Take it out.”
Selina opened the cage. Luna stretched lazily and stepped out.
“If it’s truly a familiar, it should understand its master. Try giving some simple commands.”
Selina instructed Luna: sit, lie down, stand, spin, and then more complex ones — fetch that paper, find the pen. Luna followed them all flawlessly.
“Not an ordinary animal, that’s for sure. One last test, and I’ll certify it as a familiar. Let me see your admission letter.”
She handed it to him. As Ian skimmed it, his eyes gleamed with sudden interest.
“Oh ho, so you’re that new student.”
“Excuse me?”
His cryptic tone made her frown. Ian only nodded knowingly to himself.
“So you’re here under his recommendation — then you must use holy power, not magic?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
He knew she came on Friman’s recommendation.
“Hmm, I’m a magician, so I can’t verify holy power myself. We’ll need a priest. Ben, fetch one from nearby.”
“Ah—! Yes, right away!”
Startled, Ben ran off.
Ian fluttered the admission letter once before handing it back. Selina folded it neatly and tucked it into her robe.
“Holy power, eh? If you were recommended by him, you must have strong divine potential. Are you here to become a priestess?”
“…No. I can’t use holy power.”
She wasn’t lying — though she could use her Clairvoyance to see destinies, she couldn’t freely control divine energy.
Ian looked surprised, then nodded in understanding.
“I see. It happens. Some summon familiars before awakening their divine power. I’m curious to see what happens when you do.”
“Haha… yeah.”
(‘I’ll never awaken,’ she thought.)
Just then, Ben returned with a man in white priest robes.
“I’ve brought Professor Felix.”
“Good. Well done.”
The serene priest entered, eyes gentle as he looked from Ian to Selina — then to Luna.
“So we have another student with a familiar this year? Remarkable.”
“Not two — three, counting this one.”
“Is that so? Truly a blessed year. All thanks to Lord Helios’s grace. I’ll begin the verification.”
Felix approached Luna gently, placing his hand on her black fur.
A soft golden light radiated from his palm. Luna meowed softly at the divine energy, but the inspection didn’t take long.
“Ah, much like the last one. Her familiar is overflowing with divine energy — genuine indeed.”
“Oh? That strong?”
“Yes. Extraordinary, in fact. Such high divine energy — surely she’s blessed by the gods.”
Felix clasped his hands in prayer, then gave Selina a benevolent smile.
“Welcome to Perion Academy, blessed one.”
His welcome was almost too reverent.
Mie and Ian watched with amazement, while Ben stood frozen, mouth agape.
Selina glanced around, feeling suddenly, utterly exhausted.
