The next morning, Iana and Lillian walked along the paths within the academy.
Last night, Iana had used Ian’s Communicator to inform Lillian that he had found a tutor for her—someone who could help her pass the Saintess Trial.
Upon hearing this, Lillian was silent for a moment before agreeing and vowing to wholeheartedly accept that person’s guidance.
However, when Lillian saw that the person Ian had found for her was Iana, whom she had seen at the Starry Dream Café and who looked even younger than her, a surge of distrust welled up inside her.
Although Lillian knew that Veronica passed the Saintess Trial because of Ian’s recommendation, and that anyone Ian recommended should be quite capable, every time she looked at the petite Iana, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of doubt.
“Hey, don’t you think it’s rude to look at me with such distrustful eyes?” Iana said, crossing her arms in dissatisfaction.
She was clearly displeased with the way Lillian was staring at her.
After all, she had sacrificed her own rest time to accompany Lillian through the Saintess Trial, yet Lillian looked at her like that.
“Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Lillian’s voice softened, and she seemed a bit flustered under Iana’s gaze.
“Forget it. I’m feeling generous this time, so I won’t hold it against you. But if it happens again, I won’t help you anymore.”
Iana flicked her milk-white hair, turned around, and continued walking toward the academy’s exit, with Lillian silently following behind.
After a while.
“We’re here, Get on quickly.” Iana said, looking up at the massive airship before her and speaking to Lillian behind her.
“And this trip’s fare is on your tab, got it?”
“Got it.” Lillian’s hands trembled as she took a Gold Coin from her bag.
Because she was often overlooked, Lillian’s monthly allowance was already meager.
Now that she had to pay Ian’s wages, after these fixed expenses, her little stash was almost depleted.
Reluctantly clutching the coin, she handed it over to the ticket clerk.
“By the way, since this trip is quite long, we’ll have to eat all three meals on the airship. Those expenses will also be added to your bill. I trust that won’t be a problem,” Iana said, her gaze sly as if she were looking at a pile of shining gold rather than a person.
Lillian’s face twitched slightly at this.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she nodded quietly.
“Okay, whatever you say.”
Iana’s eyes sparkled at the confirmation.
She had heard that the food on the airship was incredibly delicious, albeit a bit pricey.
But now that Lillian was footing the bill, the price was no longer a concern.
As a Dragon, Iana had a huge appetite—now she could show these mortals just how much she could eat.
Just as Iana walked toward the airship, lost in these thoughts, she suddenly felt herself bump into something.
Rubbing her head, she looked up and saw a woman stepping down from the airship.
The woman wore the Church’s official red robe, the emblem on her chest gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Behind her were two men dressed in the Church’s silver-white robes, carrying a huge wooden box.
“Little one, it’s not good manners to walk without watching where you’re going,” the woman said expressionlessly.
“You weren’t looking either. Otherwise, how would you have bumped into me?” Iana snapped back angrily, still smarting from the collision.
The Red-Robed Bishop didn’t argue further.
Instead, she and the two men disembarked, heading straight for the very place Iana and Lillian had just left—the Saint Roland Magic Academy.
“Strange person,” Iana muttered, rubbing her aching head and cursing the woman who had just knocked into her.
“Why is her body so hard? Like she’s been dead for a long time? No, even harder than that.”
Lillian approached from behind, concerned, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Just got hit by a dead person,” Iana grumbled, still annoyed at the Red-Robed Bishop.
“By the way, do you know who that was?” Iana asked curiously.
Since Lillian came from the Saintess Family, she was relatively knowledgeable about the Church.
At least, she recognized all the Red-Robed Bishops.
“That should be Aililo, the Red-Robed Bishop. But I’m not really sure what her exact role in the Church is.”
“Aililo?” Iana’s memory began to stir.
Not long before the Love Banquet, she remembered Veronica visiting someone—and that had to be Aililo.
Ian had never seen Aililo’s face but only heard that Veronica met her once, which explained why Iana didn’t recognize her at first.
“Forget it. I can’t let one rotten apple spoil my mood,” Iana comforted herself.
“Now, time to enjoy some delicious food.”
At the thought of the fragrant dishes ahead, Iana’s anger immediately dissipated.
***
At noon, during lunch.
Lillian’s heart ached as she watched two stacks of empty plates in front of Iana.
Her face pale, her fingers trembling beneath the table, she fidgeted nervously.
“Iana, haven’t you had enough yet?”
Iana was busily devouring the food at the table.
“About seventy percent full. I can still eat more. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just thought eating too much isn’t good for your health.” Lillian hesitated, then replaced her words with soft, almost inaudible sighs.
As Lillian sighed, she suddenly spotted someone she never expected to see here.
Silver-white hair, icy blue eyes, dressed in a white off-shoulder gown.
Lillian nervously tapped Iana on the shoulder.
Confused, Iana asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Look over there,” Lillian pointed toward the stunning woman.
“Aethelrina? What is she doing here?” Iana blurted out instinctively.
Hearing her name, Aethelrina looked toward Iana and Lillian and began walking in their direction.
‘Damn my mouth.’ Iana was extremely annoyed with herself.
If she hadn’t said anything, maybe Aethelrina wouldn’t have approached.
“Well, what a coincidence, both of you,” Aethelrina greeted Iana and Lillian warmly.
She still remembered Iana—the young maid from yesterday—because when she saw Iana and Veronica’s intimate interaction, she felt an inexplicable unease.
She didn’t know why.
She didn’t really like Veronica either, but Veronica kept clinging to her.
Even after she had rejected Veronica’s confession, Veronica said they could still remain friends.
Aethelrina also only considered Veronica a friend.
But yesterday, seeing Veronica and Iana so close, she started doubting her own feelings.
If they were just friends, why did it hurt to see them together?
Moreover, she always sensed a familiar aura from Iana, as if she had seen her somewhere before—but she just couldn’t recall where.