004

And that's how Gloria came to be in the capital of the Soverus Empire, Petrovard.

We chatted at length until finally Gloria told how she, just a farmer's daughter, could attend a magic academy. In short, a cleric came to her village, then the cleric recognized Gloria's special qualities, and subsequently recommended Gloria to Marilyn Magic Academy.

Actually, I already knew about the events because they were in the comic. However, hearing it directly from Gloria felt nice.

As for why Gloria was at this stall, it was because Astesia had gone to the toilet. Our next destination was the same—to the academy. Me, Gloria, and Uncle Pasha were waiting for Astesia so we could leave together. The fried pastries were finished, leaving only oil pooling on the paper lining.

Not long after, a girl stepped gracefully toward us. Her figure was stunning in a shirt... that radiated elegance as if naturally. Her golden-red hair shone softly, arranged in a perfect high bun.

"Good afternoon," she said.

"Good afternoon, Miss Astesia," I greeted.

She then turned to Gloria.

Gloria startled. "Oh! Let me introduce, this is Martha, and this is Uncle Pasha. Martha is also a student this year."

"I see." Her gaze softened. "It seems you're not originally from Soverus, am I right?"

"We're from Athamon."

"Athamon? Wow, very far!"

"Yes. Fourteen days of travel from there."

"And you just got off the train now? You're quite tough to make such a long journey."

"Well... a bit sore."

Uncle Pasha cut in, "By the way, after this we're going straight to the academy to handle Miss Martha's registration."

"We're also going there now. Gloria hasn't submitted any documents at all except the scholarship recommendation letter," Astesia replied. She turned to Gloria. "We should take care of it before noon."

Gloria nodded.

Guided by Uncle Pasha, we headed for the academy. I never expected that outside the train station there would be horse carriage rentals. Simply put, this is what a taxi looks like in a fantasy magic world.

Petrovard was seriously a busy city. The distance from the station to the academy was 2.5 kilometers. Although cars didn't exist in this world yet, the highway was still packed with vehicles, just animal-powered ones. Shops were open with more buyers than merchandise on display. There was even a group of soldiers patrolling with rifles slung over their shoulders.

After passing a large bridge, the carriage went straight to the next bridge. This bridge wasn't as big as the previous one considering the river width was also smaller. Then we turned left after about a hundred meters, and turned right after another hundred meters. Good grief... if there's another turn, I'm not sure I could get back from the academy to the station on my own.

Fortunately, that was the last turn. The carriage stopped at a vast open field. Gloria and Astesia got off first, then me, then Uncle Pasha.

"Welcome to Marilyn Magic Academy!" Astesia exclaimed with her back to the palace-like building.

Uncle Pasha unloaded our suitcases. Gloria and Astesia took their respective ones, while mine was carried by Uncle Pasha. Ahh... the perks of being rich.

There were two guards at the entrance. After Uncle Pasha explained our business, one of the guards then guided us to the administrative office. After that, we followed the registration procedures like interviews, document checks, and other boring stuff.

An hour passed.

As a senior one level above us, Astesia guided us around the academy. Broadly speaking, the academy was divided into 3 parts: the magic academy in the North, the magical military division in the Southwest, and the dormitory in the Southeast. She also told us everything, from lessons, types of exams, building history, daily meals, to snacks available in the canteen. After taking us walking here and there, Astesia said when we were almost at the final destination:

"Gloria, you're rooming with me. As for Martha... well, our room environment is a bit less friendly to nobles. I suggest one near the main building."

I turned to Uncle Pasha.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," he said.

Then I glanced at Gloria. She just smiled as if not understanding why a proverb suddenly appeared.

"I'll consider it. Thank you for the suggestion, senior."

"Ooh! That's right, I'm a senior this year." Astesia laughed. "In that case, we part here."

"Yes, see you later, Gloria, Senior Astesia."

"Ah, no need for 'senior' and all. Just call me Astesia."

"Alright. In that case, we'll take our leave." I turned to Uncle Pasha. "Let's go."

"Yes, Miss."

My memory is a bit hazy, but as I recall, Gloria and Astesia's bed was a bunk bed, while the Prince's fiancée, Vladilena, had a luxurious private room.

"What do you think, should I share a room or use a private room?"

"That's not something that needs to be questioned, Miss," Uncle Pasha answered.

I figured he'd say something like that.

"I'm just making sure of my position here. I mean, I'm not a Soverus noble at all."

"Miss, you are here carrying your family name. If you feel lower than Soverus nobles, you are indirectly degrading your family's dignity."

We arrived at a staircase to the second floor of the dormitory. Uncle Pasha suddenly stopped and continued his sentence:

"Humility and feeling inferior may sound similar, the difference lies in what follows—being respected or being looked down on."

Now I'm getting lectured.

"If I may suggest, please take a private room on the first floor. That way, Miss Astesia and Miss Gloria will pass by often while occasionally visiting."

"Good idea. Let's just look for one on the first floor."

"Very well."

Fortunately, we found one right next to the stairs to the second floor. This room apparently belonged to a senior who graduated recently. Because the room looked neat and still gave off the scent of perfume.

I immediately jumped onto the bed. It had been three days since I last used a bed to sleep. Ugh, thinking about it again, I don't want to travel by train anymore.

"I'll excuse myself to go confirm this room with administration."

"Okay!"

The door closed gently. I rolled around with my shoes still on. Then, I lay on my back and reflexively raised my hand.

That reminded me of when I first woke up as Martha, also raising again the question about why I was trapped in this world. Honestly, this question always haunted me whenever I drifted into thought for a moment. However, I hadn't found the answer at all. Because it would only waste time, I always diverted it to other things.

Like... now, what about going forward?

Oh, right. I haven't decided on a major yet.

Marilyn Magic Academy had three majors: Magic Practice and Research, Social Sciences and Magic Law, and Spiritual Magic. Beyond that, there was one special education unit called the Magical Military Division. Because its form of education was different, this division occupied a separate complex from the main building.

Gloria herself would follow in the footsteps of Cleric Milica and Astesia in the Spiritual Magic major. The Prince and his fiancée would enter the Magic Practice and Research major, and other characters were scattered across various majors and the military division.

Now, the question was, where would I position myself?