“Meow meow?”
The little yellow cat, proudly carrying a freshly caught mouse in its mouth, was just about to slip back into the dorm when Via opened the door and stepped out.
“Why do you keep bringing dead mice here?!”
Via frowned, brows furrowed, grabbed the cat by the scruff of its neck and gave it a stern warning.
“I’ve told you a thousand times: no bringing rats inside! I’m a human, not a cat. I do not eat mice!”
“Meow?”
The cat tilted its head, as if to say, But they’re delicious, are you sure you don’t want one?
“I! Do! Not! Eat! Mice!”
Via was utterly helpless.
She really thought this little yellow cat might be a good cat… but then again, maybe not.
Ever since she started feeding it, the cat had latched onto her. It came by every few days to play and no longer hissed at her.
The only problem was its incurable habit of bringing dead rodents as “gifts.”
Several times she had woken up to find a mouse corpse right beside her pillow. The sight was beyond creepy.
“Meow meow meow…”
The cat looked dejected.
“Fine, I have things to do. I can’t play with you right now.”
Via set the cat down and gave it some instructions.
“Oh, right—I bought cat food. It’s in the corner of the living room. If you get hungry, eat that. But no more mice! If I come back and find another one, you’re getting a serious scolding!”
“Meow meow??”
“I won’t be in the dorm for a while. I’m going out of town and probably won’t be back for some time.”
Via’s application to join the expedition had been approved.
Today was departure day.
“Meow meow!”
The cat gently bit the white stockings on Via’s leg, as if begging to be taken along.
“No way. A useless little weakling cat like you who can’t even understand words would only hold me back. Stay here and wait for me, got it?” Via rejected it outright.
“Meow meow meow~” The cat rolled around on the floor.
“Stop meowing. No matter how much you meow, it’s not happening!”
…
…
Via arrived at the designated departure point on time.
Many Avalon students and teachers were already gathered. Besides the regular instructors, even Dean of Instruction Nikita was present.
“Via, you’re really joining this expedition?”
Nikita approached her the moment he spotted her.
“This isn’t some casual field trip. We’re going to the Demon King’s Castle ruins. It’s far more dangerous than the Evergreen Mountain assessment last time.”
“I know. But my goal is to become an outstanding saintess like my mother. Naturally, I must see with my own eyes what demonic territory looks like.” Via put on an expression of great determination.
“…I see. Then do your best.”
After confirming she hadn’t come to the wrong place, Nikita gave a perfunctory reply and walked away.
“It’s here!”
A student shouted excitedly.
Everyone looked up at the sky. A gigantic “bird” was flying toward them from the horizon.
Only when the colossal object hovered directly above Avalon did they realize it wasn’t a bird at all—it was an airship.
Blue magical arrays and magitech crystals encircled its hull, allowing it to descend smoothly and stop right in front of the crowd.
“A magitech airship…”
Via had read about these in books. They were magical vehicles created using humanity’s most advanced magitech technology.
Even ordinary people without a shred of mana could pilot one and soar through the skies.
That was the greatness of magitech: it let those who couldn’t use magic enjoy its benefits.
The biggest drawback, of course, was cost. Magitech required astronomical funds, so while commoners could technically operate it, the technology never reached the masses.
Only the highest nobles and royalty ever touched it.
In the Saint Luo Empire, almost all magitech was controlled by the imperial family. The Holy Land’s few airships had only been obtained through the Emperor’s personal support.
“So Avalon Academy actually owns a magitech airship? This is my first time seeing one!!” A commoner student was practically vibrating with excitement.
“This airship was bestowed upon us by His Majesty the Emperor in recognition of the many human heroes Avalon has produced!”
Anima announced proudly to the crowd.
Because the Demon King’s Castle ruins lay far beyond human territory, normal transportation would take far too long. Thus, the academy was deploying its one and only magitech airship.
“Everyone, study hard and strive to bring glory to the academy! Who knows—because of one of you, we might be rewarded with another airship someday!”
“Heh heh, I’m definitely going to become a hero of humanity someday!”
Some students were already daydreaming about their glorious futures.
“A magitech airship, huh…”
Via recalled her past life.
During the war between demons and humans, armed magitech airships had indeed appeared on the battlefield, bombing demonic forces and causing considerable trouble for the Demon King’s army.
Her countermeasure at the time had been to use abyssal aura to drive flying magical beasts into a frenzy, overwhelming the airships with sheer numbers and reclaiming air superiority.
Now a thought suddenly struck her.
Since she was human in this life… could she use this identity to acquire human magitech?
“Alright, students! Board the airship in order according to the number on your student ID. We’re departing!”
Anima’s voice boomed across the field.
…
…
“Woo-hoo! We’re flying~!”
Avalon students gripped the railings, cheering as the magitech airship soared through the clouds.
Via wasn’t nearly as excited. She simply gazed quietly down at the earth below.
Human cities really were peaceful and prosperous—so utterly different from the harsh demonic world…
“Via.”
“Hm?”
Hearing her name, Via turned around and saw Lucy standing behind her.
She instantly felt annoyed. Why was this noble lady with her peculiar tastes also on this expedition?
“Via, I noticed you’re all alone. Didn’t you find any companions?” Lucy asked with a smile.
“Companions? What do you mean?”
“Hehe, everyone knows this expedition is heading to the Demon King’s Castle ruins. It’s bound to be dangerous. Traveling with others is the smartest choice.”
“…I don’t need any.”
As if Via would ever look for companions.
Whatever she planned to do there, no one else could know.
“Then how about joining my group?” Lucy extended a hand toward Via. “I can protect you during this dangerous expedition~”