Inside an office building in the Commercial District, in the southern part of the Imperial Capital.
Catherine stood by the window with a cup of black tea in her hand. Sunlight streamed through the glass onto her shoulders, bathing her smooth, long golden hair in a warm halo.
Today, she wore a well-tailored dark blue business dress with an exquisite silver brooch pinned at the neckline. She looked capable and composed, completely unlike the image she presented at the Academy.
As a rumble sounded, Catherine turned her gaze toward the clear sky outside.
The Glory Kael Magic Academy's airship was passing slowly overhead. Its engines gave off a low, steady rumble as it receded toward the southeast, trailing a faint wake of magic power.
"So that guy has already left," Catherine murmured.
If she had not had more important matters to attend to, she would have quite liked to return to the Academy right away herself.
At least at the Academy, she did not have to stay constantly on guard against underhanded attacks from within her family.
Only after the airship had disappeared completely did she withdraw her gaze and take a sip of her black tea.
The tea had gone completely cold, and bitterness spread across her tongue. But she had long since grown accustomed to that bitter taste after working through the night, so her expression did not change.
Knock, knock.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Catherine set down her cup and turned around, her voice regaining its usual composure.
The door opened, and a young woman in a black business suit walked in.
She looked about eighteen or nineteen. Her shoulder-length black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, a pair of thin-framed glasses rested on her nose, and she carried a thick