The three of them stepped out into the broad, stone-paved hallway. The surrounding corridors were alive with the low hum of chatter as students from Class 1-C and neighboring rooms dispersed toward the main courtyard.
Tresca walked beside Lucelle, maintaining a comfortable, courteous pace. Seeing the leather satchel Lucelle carried—a somewhat cumbersome piece for the smaller heiress—Tresca glanced back at Lucian before turning back to her companion with a polite, natural smile.
"Lady Lucelle, if you don't mind, Lucian can carry your bag for you," Tresca suggested smoothly. "There is no need to burden yourself with heavy materials while we walk the grounds."
Lucelle paused in her step, her golden eyes shifting from Tresca toward Lucian, who stood ready half a pace behind.
Lucelle paused, looking down at her satchel before offering a quiet nod of appreciation.
"That would be very helpful. Thank you, Lady Tresca," Lucelle said, her tone polite and measured.
She unslung the satchel and handed it over. Lucian stepped forward, accepting the bag with a brief, respectful bow, and adjusted it neatly alongside his own equipment. With the burden transferred, the three resumed their steady walk down the corridor toward the central courtyard.
"Don't you have any noble retainers surrounding you, Lady Lucelle?" Tresca asked, her tone curious yet light as they navigated the crowded hallway.
In truth, Tresca found it peculiar. A high-ranking noble lady of Lucelle's status walking through the academy grounds without a single retainer or noble attendant seemed completely unfitting for her standing.
Lucelle quieted for a moment, her gaze fixed straight ahead as she considered the question.
"It is difficult for my family to establish or maintain those kinds of connections," Lucelle answered softly. "Primarily due to the location of our domain."
"Because of the territory?" Tresca inquired gently.
"The Moonfield domain itself is a warm and peaceful place," Lucelle explained, a brief, faint nostalgia touching her eyes. "However, the journey required to reach it is quite a challenge. Most noble families find the travel far too treacherous and remote to maintain close, formal ties or send their own children as personal retainers."
Tresca nodded, her expression shifting to one of polite understanding.
"That makes sense," Tresca replied smoothly, allowing her initial curiosity to rest. "Geographical isolation can certainly pose unique diplomatic challenges, regardless of a domain's prosperity."
Lucelle glanced toward Tresca, her golden eyes reflecting a quiet curiosity.
"How about you, Lady Tresca?" Lucelle asked, her voice low and even. "Your standing as the daughter of a Count is quite high. You could easily have gathered retainers from Viscount or Baron households to accompany you."
Tresca gave a faint, slight smile and shook her head gracefully.
"I have never been entirely comfortable with the idea of having noble retainers," Tresca replied directly, her tone calm and steady. "Navigating the political expectations and obligations that come with them can be exhausting. Besides, Lucian is more than enough for me."
Lucian remained silent though he adjusted the strap of the satchel slightly at the mention of his name.
"You two seem close," Lucelle added, her tone entirely innocent as her golden eyes moved between them. "Are you lovers, by chance?"
Tresca stopped dead in her tracks. Her usual immaculate composure shattered in an instant, a rare, visible flush rising across her cheeks as her eyes widened in complete disbelief.
Even Lucian, standing half a pace behind, was taken entirely aback, his rigid posture stiffening as his mind briefly stalled at the uncharacteristic question.
Observing their reaction, Lucelle tilted her head slightly, genuine confusion flickering across her features.
"Why are you so surprised?" Lucelle asked softly. "Is that not common? I have read a great deal of books regarding that sort of arrangement."
Tresca took a slow, deep breath, forcing her expression back into a semblance of noble composure, though a subtle warmth remained on her cheeks. She adjusted her posture and met Lucelle's gaze.
"Lady Lucelle," Tresca said, her voice strictly controlled, "I believe the books you have been reading are far more akin to fiction than reality."
Lucelle blinked, tilting her head as she processed the statement, while Lucian quietly cleared his throat and maintained his position behind Tresca, looking resolute once again.
Lucelle blinked slowly, a look of quiet realization washing over her expression.
"Is that so?" Lucelle said, her tone as calm and matter-of-fact as before. "Thank you for informing me. I simply read them in our family library. Mother seems quite fond of those stories."
Tresca closed her eyes briefly, exhaling a quiet breath as she realized the true source of the young heiress's skewed perception, while Lucian kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead, wisely choosing to remain silent.
Inwardly, however, Tresca could not help but wonder: Does the Duke's family not teach her basic common sense?
She quickly masked her internal disbelief, offering Lucelle a polite, steady smile as they continued their walk toward the courtyard.
Upon reaching the central courtyard, the three of them paused before a large, detailed bulletin board displaying a comprehensive map of Agyrion Academy.
The campus was divided into four distinct sections:
• Section 1: The Academic District — Home to the primary academy facilities, including the grand hall, lecture classrooms, faculty offices, and specialized research laboratories.
• Section 2: The Residential District — Covering all student and staff housing, ranging from standard dormitories and rentable cottages to private townhouses and expansive mansions.
• Section 3: The Commercial District — A bustling hub filled with various shops, cafes, and dining establishments servicing the academy population.
• Section 4: The Training District — The outer grounds dedicated to martial and practical exercises, featuring direct sea access, a massive colosseum, and open fields for training.
Tresca stepped closer to examine the layout, with Lucelle standing beside her and Lucian remaining a step back, still carrying both satchels.
Tresca studied the map for a moment, tracing the pathways between the different districts with her finger before turning to Lucelle.
"It appears we have two options for lunch," Tresca said smoothly. "There is a cafeteria located right here inside the Academic District, or we can make our way over to the Commercial District in Section Three. Which would you prefer, Lady Lucelle?"
Lucelle looked at the map, then shifted her gaze back to Tresca and Lucian with a thoughtful expression.
"I think we should just try the cafeteria. The Commercial District is a bit too far for now," Lucelle said, looking over the scale of the map.
Tresca nodded in agreement. Seizing the opportunity, she offered a subtle suggestion. "I agree. And we can always visit the Commercial District together at a later date."
Lucelle instantly picked up on the implication of a future outing. A small smile appeared on her face as she looked between Tresca and Lucian.
"Yes," Lucelle replied smoothly. "I would like that."
The trio made their way toward the cafeteria, navigating through the quiet halls of the Academic District. As they reached the entrance, the space inside was surprisingly empty. Despite the fact that classes had ended early, very few students had chosen to dine here; the majority had likely migrated toward the Commercial District, eager to explore the shops and restaurants outside the academic grounds.
Tresca stepped inside, her footsteps echoing slightly against the stone floor of the mostly vacant hall. She led the way to a table near the window, where the afternoon sunlight spilled in, illuminating the polished wood.
Lucian retreated to a respectful distance, his posture remaining rigid and attentive. Waiting for the two women to make their selections from the menus before them.
The quietness of the cafeteria amplified the soft rustle of paper as Tresca and Lucelle scanned the available options.
"The options are surprisingly varied as expected of royally funded academy," Tresca noted, her voice low as she glanced over the list. She tilted her head toward Lucelle. "Is there anything here that catches your eye, Lady Lucelle?"
Lucelle scanned the menu briefly before looking back up at Tresca. "I will have the pan-seared fish fillet, along with a side of seasonal fruit, please."
Tresca nodded, her gaze returning to her own parchment. "And I shall take the herb pasta, accompanied by a soft pudding for dessert."
With their choices settled, Tresca glanced toward her retainer. Lucian immediately stepped forward, taking note of their selections with a brief, respectful nod before turning to place the orders at the counter.
"Since today is Wednesday, we only have until Friday to submit our course selection forms," Tresca noted, setting her menu aside. "Have you decided which path you'll take, Lady Lucelle?"
"I'll be focusing primarily on aura-related courses," Lucelle replied, leaning slightly against the table. "My house specializes in aura manipulation, so it's the expected route for me. What about you, Tresca?"
"My curriculum will center entirely around magic," Tresca explained. "Theory, mana control, and spell composition. It aligns best with my aptitudes."
Lucelle nodded, a faint smile touching her lips, though it did not quite reach her eyes. A subtle loneliness seemed to settle over her posture.
"I guess we won't be seeing each other very much, then," she said softly.
"That will hardly be the case," Tresca said, her voice softening slightly as she reached out to offer a reassuring answer. "We can still gather like this for meals and open hours. Furthermore, mandatory general education courses are required for all first-years, so we will likely share several lectures together regardless."
Lucelle's expression brightened at the realization, the brief shadow of loneliness lifting cleanly from her features.
She really is transparent, Tresca thought, watching the rapid shift in Lucelle's countenance. Every thought and emotion shows on her face without the slightest filter.
Lucelle smiled warmly at Tresca, her eyes lighting up as the remaining trace of her earlier gloom vanished completely.
Noticing the heartwarming moment shared between the two young women, Lucian chose to remain quiet for a brief beat, holding back his arrival so as not to interrupt them. Once the atmosphere settled, he stepped forward with smooth, practiced composure.
"Lady Tresca, Lady Lucelle," Lucian called out softly, inclining his head. "Your meal has arrived."
After finishing their meals, the conversation drifted into lighter topics as they enjoyed the remainder of their time together. Once the plates were cleared, the three of them rose and exited the dining area together, making their way across the central grounds of the academy.
The afternoon air was cool as they walked along the paved stone paths, continuing their casual chatter until they reached the main courtyard intersection.
"I shall see you in class tomorrow then, Lady Lucelle," Tresca said, stopping to offer a polite nod.
Lucelle gave a bright, cheerful wave in return. "Until tomorrow, Tresca! Take care on your way back."