novel-bin Chapter 12: Arrival
Chapter 12: Arrival
Chapter 12: ArrivalThe luxurious Rothschild carriage came to a halt before the academy entrance, and Ambrose emerged with his two companions. He stood for a moment, taking in his first glimpse of a school in either lifetime. His expression held a peculiar mix of wonder and bewilderment that didn't escape Adelaide's notice. She understood his reaction - after all, the Rothschild heir had reportedly never left his family estate due to his chronic illness. This must all seem otherworldly to him.
With a casual gesture, Ambrose lifted his hand, and a walking cane materialized in his grasp. Adelaide's eyes widened at the sight. While spatial storage devices weren't uncommon among the nobility, their size directly corresponded to their value. A ring-sized storage device was astronomical in price - even her family's trading company possessed only one, a royal gift to her father that had become a treasured heirloom. Then again, she reflected, this shouldn't be surprising given that Ambrose's mother was Victoria Lancaster, a spatial mage whose achievements were literally recorded in history books.
Leaning on his cane, Ambrose proceeded at a measured pace, flanked by his companions. The Rothschild knights, barred from entering the academy grounds, withdrew after receiving their dismissal. As they crossed the threshold, the true scale of the academy revealed itself. The grounds teemed with more people than Ambrose had encountered in both his lives combined, creating a vibrant tapestry of motion and sound that left him momentarily overwhelmed.
Noting his wide-eyed fascination, Adelaide spoke up. "Since we arrived three days before admissions officially begin, why don't we take this time to explore the academy?"
"Can we do that?" Ambrose asked, his voice betraying childlike excitement.
"Well, not really," Adelaide began, watching his expression fall before adding with a knowing smile, "But if the heir of Rothschild wants to tour the academy, I'm sure the principal will allow it."
"Let's go then!" Ambrose's enthusiasm proved infectious.
Their impromptu tour proceeded with Adelaide smoothly handling any guards who tried to stop them. She'd speak briefly with them, and their expressions would transform from stern authority to shock and horror as they realized who stood before them. Their hasty bows and apologies became a recurring source of amusement.
However, Adelaide soon found herself feeling less like a guide and more like a nursemaid. Both Ambrose and Hualing displayed an unrestrained curiosity that kept her constantly on her toes. Every time she turned around, they'd vanish into some new area of interest, leaving her to track them down. Just now, she'd lost sight of them again.
As she turned to
As Victoria drew closer, the principal debated striking first to improve her odds of survival. With a heavy sigh, she let her eyes return to normal. After all, she thought grimly, who would seek justice on her behalf if this madwoman decided to retaliate?
"Oh! Your control over your emotions has grown over the years," Victoria observed, her own eyes dimming as she perched casually on the principal's desk, scattering carefully organized documents. "Actually, this time I came to ask you for a favor," she added, her voice deceptively soft.
The principal felt her stomach sink at those words - nothing good ever followed when Victoria asked for "favors." Still, she forced herself to ask, "What favor?"
Victoria's smile widened. "My son will be enrolling in the magic academy," she began, turning to gaze out the window. Her eyes seemed to pierce through space itself, focusing on something - or someone - far beyond the office walls. "He's probably within the academy by now."
Returning her attention to the principal, she continued, "Since my son is weak, I hope you take care of him."
The principal sat in stunned silence, her mind racing through implications. Having the Rothschild heir at the academy was like hosting royalty - no, potentially even more complicated. The number of people who might target him could turn the academy into a battlefield. A bead of sweat traced down her cheek as she contemplated refusing, but one look at Victoria's serene smile conjured vivid images of being bisected by a spatial blade.
Drawing a steadying breath, she ventured, "Since this is a favor, what do I get out of it?"
Victoria's response came with the casual air of someone discussing the weather: "As long as you do this, the academy will continue existing."
The principal stared at her in disbelief. "Isn't that more of a threat than a favor?" she managed to ask.
"It's a favor because I'm giving you a chance to save the academy," Victoria clarified, her logic as twisted as ever.
"Yeah, save it from you!" the principal screamed internally, though she dared not voice the thought. With a resigned sigh, she reflected that Victoria hadn't changed at all - she was still the same unreasonable force of nature who twisted reality to suit her whims.
...
A/N
What titles should I give the Rothschild couple?