"Mistress, lunch is ready, meow."
Tata came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming plate of grilled sausages and a bowl of vegetable salad, setting them on the checkered tablecloth spread across the dining table.
He Xi put down the freshman handbook in his hands. "Thanks for your hard work, Tata."
"This is what Tata should do!"
He Xi nodded.
Outside the window came the cries of seagulls and the faint bustle of the distant docks, but indoors there was only the soft clink of cutlery and the smacking sounds of Bruce chewing his food. Rare moments of leisure always passed quickly; the freshman entrance ceremony would be held that evening.
He Xi planned to head over after lunch and familiarize himself with the academy grounds in advance.
At dusk, the buildings of the academy district cast long shadows in the twilight.
He Xi changed into the dark-blue freshman robe issued uniformly by the academy—thick fabric, loose cut, with the crest of Fernandez Magic Academy embroidered over the left breast: six interwoven Runes floating above an open book, encircled by olive branches and stars. He Xi changed into the dark-blue freshman robe issued uniformly by the academy—thick fabric, loose cut, with the crest of Fernandez Magic Academy embroidered over the left breast: an open book. Following the signs, he arrived before a grand stone building. Above it floated six interwoven Runes, encircled by olive branches and stars.
The building had soaring spires and stained-glass windows. In the darkening sky, the warm yellow light streaming from within made the patterns on the glass exceptionally clear—scenes depicting all manner of Magic Creatures, the paths of stars, and ancient mages casting spells.
At the entrance, two upperclassmen in standard robes with badges pinned to their chests were acting as guides.
One of them