Lanchi and Talia's School Commute

The sun had already climbed high above the horizon.

Lanchi and Talia had only taken a few steps out of the Sage Institute Dormitory Building when they heard the melodious chime of a bell.

Today was the first Monday Talia had experienced since moving into Iketerite Academy.

"Wasn't it the same when we first came to Iketerite Academy? Didn't we hear the bell as soon as we arrived?"

Talia carried the Little Black Cat in her arms as she walked beside him, heading with him toward the Magic Engineering Institute.

When she had first arrived at Iketerite with Lanchi, their relationship had still been rather poor. She had merely been responsible for serving as his bodyguard and teacher.

Back then, she had accompanied Lanchi, who had just entered the school, on a complete tour of Iketerite Academy. The two of them had even needed to follow the signs to find their way until Lanchi completed the registration amendment procedures for the Entrance Examination.

"That was probably around three in the afternoon, wasn't it? I remember you really disliked me back then. You were always so cold."

Lanchi thought about it and said aggrievedly.

The campus's iconic Red Brick Clock Tower rang nine times before falling silent, announcing the arrival of nine in the morning.

The two of them walked beneath the clock tower. It rose majestically in the midst of an endless meadow, surrounded by lush trees. Sunlight pierced through the canopy and dappled the emerald grass, painting the morning scene with interwoven patches of light and shadow.

"That was because you were always thinking about damned things. Even then, I felt something was wrong."

Talia gave a cold laugh and commented irritably.

She had never expected that, more than a year later, she would once again be walking around