Elven Horsemanship

"Not all Fifth Epoch Witches were fond of horseback riding."

While the Leimer household's maid went to register Shade and the stablehand prepared the saddle and other equipment, Shade stood in the stables speaking to Tifa.

The Black-haired Girl held her hands together naturally before her chest, elegant and charming at every moment.

"You know about that too?"

"Yes."

The two different Witch Echoes had not only given Shade interesting knowledge, but also taught him something about the customs of the Fifth Epoch. He hoped this conversation would ease his unease:

"Powerful witches could fly themselves or use Alchemy Items such as Flying Carpets. Witches who liked mounts might have alchemical puppets or impressive spirit steeds. Witches who truly preferred living mounts tended to favor Unicorns or Four-Winged Pegasi."

"But even in the Fifth Epoch, Unicorns were a rare species. And while Four-Winged Pegasi were not uncommon, they were extremely expensive."

Tifa spoke curiously. Shade nodded, then stroked the reddish brown horse's head, hoping it would not throw him off in a moment.

"So low-ranking witches, as well as witches who needed to travel long distances, actually preferred Luku Birds."

This had also been mentioned in Feliana's Notebook. Miss Feliana especially enjoyed traveling sidesaddle on a Luku Bird, and the creature's carrying capacity was quite good as well. Half a page of the notebook was devoted specifically to Luku Bird feed formulas. Unfortunately, Shade had yet to see such a creature in the Sixth Epoch.

As though she had seen through Shade's thoughts, Tifa said with a smile:

"I heard miss mention that Serkses Academy of Medicine and the Nature Church, as well as the Church, still maintain large Luku Bird populations. Other Arcane Academies and churches also keep a small number. But to prevent ordinary people from seeing them,