Chapter 126: The Promise of a Rest Day
But she was a refined person; no matter how surprised she felt inside, she wouldn’t flinch or react dramatically. She quickly composed herself and the warm smile returned to her face.
However, her gaze toward me had changed—it was no longer the gentle look reserved for a little child.
“This is not something a little girl from the Empire should know,” she said. “Miss Peilo… what exactly are you…?”
“Um…”
I tilted my head, pondering.
Investigating the Gate of Truth… that was something Carlos had asked me to do, and it was something I wanted to do.
But he said I’d have to cooperate with that woman named Victoria… Of course, I would do that, but her temper was so erratic I could never figure her out. Compared to her, the teacher in front of me, Sister Teresa, was much more trustworthy.
Besides, I was a bit worried. If Cataloma was as infiltrated by the Gate of Truth as other orphanages… I feared for Aili.
The only lead on the Gate of Truth here pointed straight to the orphanage. So, it was essential to communicate well with Sister Teresa… Well, she’d find out sooner or later, so why not just tell her now?
Resolute, I glanced at Sister Teresa’s profile and said seriously, “I actually have another name.”
“My name is Silvya, Silvya Rabishermos.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Sister Teresa’s beautiful eyes widened in shock.
She looked at me with disbelief, her mouth slightly open, but she couldn’t find the words. After a moment of staring at me in a daze, she suddenly broke into a grin.
“Hoo ho ho… Haha… this is just… Haha…”
Sister Teresa bent over, holding her belly as her laughter seemed to go on and on.
I was puzzled.
“Teacher, what are you laughing at?”
Was it because she didn’t believe what I said? Clearly, that wasn’t it.
I didn’t get what was funny…
“No… sorry, ha—”
After taking a deep breath, she wiped the tears from her eyes and regained her composure.
“Peilo, you startled me a bit.”
“Uh…”
Startled enough to laugh…?
“Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you.” Perhaps seeing my confused expression, Sister Teresa quickly explained, “Actually, I met with Her Majesty the Queen a few days ago about that matter. But before I left, she did remind me that someone who knows more than both of us would likely reach out to me soon… I just didn’t expect it would be you.”
I frowned upon hearing this.
“Victoria knew I’d come looking for you?”
“She didn’t know, she could only guess.” Sister Teresa blinked, “And by the way, you shouldn’t call Her Majesty’s name openly outside.”
…Tch.
“So, Miss Peilo… no, Miss Silvya. You came to the Royal City to investigate that matter?”
“Yes… well, not entirely.” I shook my head and continued, “I want to learn more about the Abyss.”
“Ah, so you came to the Royal Academy for that? Miss Silvya, that endless Abyss… you defeated it all on your own,” Sister Teresa said with a hint of admiration. “That must have been tough, right? If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to do it alone… impressive.”
“Actually…”
I thought about it and felt there was no need to lie.
“Actually, it wasn’t just me.”
Sister Teresa seemed intrigued, “It wasn’t just you?”
“Yep.” I nodded. “In Woodward Forest, there’s a White Dragon. It helped me.”
“White Dragon?” Sister Teresa’s tone suddenly went up a notch. “How could that be… how could dragons possibly appear in this world?”
“It’s true. Carlos said it was a dragon.”
“Carlos? The silver-flashing Carlos Gonzalez?”
“Yeah. He and I are friends.”
“Really…” Sister Teresa looked at me with a complex expression, staring ahead as if lost in thought, murmuring to herself, “White Dragon… Woodward Forest… Land of Dragons… So it’s true…”
I gently tapped her shoulder.
“Teacher?”
“Ah, oh, it’s nothing. Um, Miss Silvya…”
“Just call me Peilo, Teacher.”
“…In that case, Peilo, outside the classroom, you can call me Teresa.”
“Teresa…” I spun my dark eyes playfully and smiled sweetly at her, “Sister Teresa! That sounds smoother.”
“Pff—”
She burst into laughter.
“Sister… feels like how those kids refer to me… it’s so cozy.”
“Hehe~”
I called her that because it felt close to me!
I’ve always admired women like you, who seem calm on the surface but have a whirlwind of thoughts underneath.
Both in this life and the last.
“There are still a few days until the shipment arrives, so before that, it’s best not to stir things up. Let’s meet at Cataloma on our rest day.”
“Okay.”
…………
Time quickly flew to the end of February.
The Royal Academy designated mid and end of each month as rest days, with each rest day lasting three days.
During this time, students were allowed to go out freely. Some students from out of town often took the opportunity to explore the Royal City, while those who lived in the city usually chose to go home.
The night before, it rained lightly; the rain was fine like dust. With a ‘shhh,’ it drizzled down, with droplets landing on flowers and leaves, then sliding down the stems, seeping into the soil and disappearing.
Daisy said that such rain in Silgaya was a good omen, heralding the Mother God of Abundance’s blessings. People usually set a bowl at their doorstep to collect the rainwater, and when dinner time came, they would collectively pray to the deities and then drink the collected rainwater, ensuring good harvests for the next year.
I knew about that.
Back in the little village, everyone used to do the same. As for whether it actually worked… well, I think that most people would find some excuse that sounds legitimate, yet is utterly fantastical if the harvest turned out bad next year.
If it worked, everyone hailed it as a prophecy. If it didn’t, it was divine punishment.
It’s just like that… even if deities really exist, that wouldn’t change.
The sky cleared just in time for dusk.
“Peilo, are you really not coming over to my house for a bit? It’s on Curie Street in the east of the city, not far at all! You could get there in less than an hour!”
In Room 1504, Sarah had her back to me, fumbling to roll up her bedding for the third time while asking this same question.
Tomorrow marked the first day of rest, and many students living in the Royal City could pack up and head home tonight.
Like Sarah and me.
I slung my small bag over my shoulder, walked over to the vanity, and adjusted my hair… Hmm, not too messy.
Then I turned to her and said, “I’m not going.”
“Why not? Daisy is coming with me; it’ll be so boring to be the only one left in the dorm… Oh! My mother’s venison pies are so delicious, really!”
As I checked the keys in my bag, my hand froze.
Venison pies…
I hadn’t had venison in ages, and now I was drooling.
That sneaky Sarah, using her trump card… Did she think I wouldn’t be able to refuse?
I immediately shouted at her, “Bring me some back!”
“Eh… where are you going now then?”
“Home.”
