I rushed out of the University's grounds, afraid that Griffin might be following me. I weaved through narrow, sloping sidewalks, passing rows of houses and busy storefronts. Only when I reached the bustling Old Plaza did I realize how far I’d strayed from the Royal University.

  I sighed, scanning the area. Maybe I could find a Letter House here.

  The Old Plaza was a wide rectangular square with a fountain at its center. Shops and stalls bordered it on all sides. Those who couldn’t afford a full space simply laid out goods on a table. People of all ages crowded the plaza, browsing clothes, fish, and even meat. Close to the entrance, I spotted a Fortune House, draped in deep-violet tent and ivory in ornaments near its entrance.

  Isn’t that illegal?

  I took a step back. Getting swept up in that crowd wouldn't do me any good. I turned and walked the opposite way, heading back toward the main road. Bresdan was built on hills, and the roads sloped endlessly uphill. It was exhausting.

  From a distance, I spotted the familiar walls of the Bresdan Royal University. It had been founded generations ago by a head of House Hugel. That noble had suggested the idea of an academy for royal children, and the Emperor at the time who was frustrated by his many offspring enthusiastically approved it. It gave him a way to send them far from the palace.

  To think the Royal University was created on a whim.

  As I strolled, I saw a knight in a blue uniform.

  “Greetings, sir. May I ask you a question?”

  He smiled warmly. “Of course, my lady. Ask away.”

  “Do you know where I could find a Letter House nearby?”

  He nodded and gave me directions. Apparently, one was located just behind the University.

  “Between a flower shop and a stationery store,” he said. “My friend owns the shop. If you need supplies for study, I recommend it.”

  I thanked him and began climbing the hill again. By the time I reached the top, I was gasping for air. That’s when I saw a flight of stairs built into a shaded alley, complete with metal rails for support. I felt a little stupid.

  Had I found the stairs earlier, the climb would have been far more bearable.

  I found the Letter House tucked behind the University. A modest one-story building with a large wooden sign.

  Nigel’s Letter House was scrawled in red ink. A few pigeons perched lazily on the metal bracket above the sign. As I opened the door, wind chimes jingled, announcing my arrival.

  The man behind the counter greeted me with a cheerful smile. He wore a brown vest, slightly lighter in color than the wooden walls surrounding him.

  “Welcome to Nigel’s Letter House. We promise to deliver your letter to any part of the Empire within two days.”

  “Good. I’d like to use your service,” I said, handing him the envelope. “I need this delivered to House Goldhain directly to the Duke.”

  He examined the envelope, then nodded. “Brandon should be able to deliver it by morning.”

  Brandon?

  I cleared my throat. “How much will it cost?”

  “Eighteen silvers is our standard fare for that region,” he replied.

  I handed over the payment. He rummaged through one of his cabinets and pulled out a shimmering scroll, an Enchanted Scroll.

  Letters delivered by homing pigeons had to be magically shrunk. The scroll would do just that.

  He whistled, and a brown pigeon flew through a small open window beside the counter.

  “This is Brandon,” he said, gesturing toward the bird. “He’ll deliver your letter.”

  “Hello, Brandon.” I reached out and gently stroked the pigeon.

  He cooed in response.

  The shop owner lit the scroll above the letter. A blue magic circle formed beneath it, and the envelope began to shrink until it folded neatly into a scroll. He tied it to Brandon’s leg with a thin red string.

  “This string is enchanted, too. It won’t loosen mid-flight and keeps the message secure from the wind.”

  “That’s incredible,” I said, watching with awe. Seeing magic like that only deepened my desire to study Potions and Alchemy.

  He fed Brandon a few brown pellets and whispered something to him. The pigeon circled the room once before darting out the same window he had come through.

  “We’ll notify you as soon as we receive a reply.”

  “Just leave it with the knights at the University’s gate,” I told him. “That’ll be fine.”

  After leaving the Letter House, I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the shops and stalls around the University. Most sold goods useful for students—though something told me the prices were twice what they should be.

  I stopped by the stationery store and bought some paper and a fountain pen with a polished wooden body. Ribbons in every color lined one of the shelves, so I picked a few, too.

  By sunset, I returned to the flower shop next to Nigel’s. From the array of blooms, I chose a bouquet of yellow lilies. I planned to place them in the empty vase on my windowsill. Maybe they'd bring me luck.

  And I needed all the luck I could get in this lifetime.

  While I waited for my father's reply, I kept myself occupied by reading books about the Golden Runes, Herbology, and Alchemy. Those subjects closely tied to my Class.

  Unexpectedly, after finishing the third book, I learned a new skill.

  It seemed that if I wanted to level my skills, I had to consistently use them or engage in tasks related to them. So I continued reading for the next two days while I waited for my father’s reply. Upon finishing my third book on herbology, a new message from the Golden Runes appeared.

  Deep Concentration seemed like a promising skill. Ever since I acquired it, my focus had improved noticeably, making it easier to absorb what I read. And now, with the added benefit of reduced mental fatigue, I could study for even longer.

  It was nearly 9 p.m. when I finally left the library. Outside, the lampposts cast their familiar yellow glow, lighting the path ahead. The dorm building was illuminated by the same warm hue. I stepped inside, showed my ID to the guard at the entrance, and made my way to my room.

  When I opened the door, I noticed an envelope tucked underneath. It bore a green wax seal on brown paper. The color of House Goldhain. My chest tightened. I took it to my desk and carefully sliced it open.

  Then I just stood there, frozen for a few moments, the letter trembling slightly in my hands. A sudden wave of fear washed over me. What if this isn’t the response I was hoping for?

  I sighed. “Being afraid won’t help me. I already chose to be brave. If things don’t go my way… I’ll find another path. I always do.”

  The thought of applying what I learned as an Empress almost made me laugh. With a steadying breath, I began to read.

  To My Dearest Daughter Morgana,

  May this letter find you in good health and sound spirit. Your mother and I remain well, and we give thanks to the Devoted One for the continued blessings upon our house. It brings us comfort to hear tidings of you, though the distance between us weighs upon our hearts.

  The letter continued, offering reassurances. He assured me that if I ever found myself struggling, he would provide the best counsel he could.

  It is through trials that wisdom is forged, and through discipline that one becomes worthy of their station.

  I have received your request regarding a change in your studies, and I must decline it. The course set before you is not one chosen lightly, nor without due consideration for your future and the standing of our house. It is a privilege, not a burden, and in time, you shall come to see its worth.

  Remember always that you bear our name, and with it, the weight of our family's honor. See to it that you do nothing to bring shame upon it, nor give cause for others to speak ill of our lineage. Hold fast to your studies and conduct yourself with the grace and dignity befitting one of our blood. The day will come when you shall understand the value of what is given to you. Until then, endure with patience and fortitude.

  I reread the last part over and over. I wanted to tear the letter into shreds, but my respect for my father kept me from doing anything rash.

  I walked to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water. Even that simple act made me want to smash the glass to the floor.

  Instead, I placed it carefully on the counter and took a deep breath. Anger wouldn’t help me. I had to think. I had to find another way out of this place. And I’d already prepared myself for this kind of response.

  I returned to my desk, tucked the letter away, and skimmed through my notes. Whoever or whatever sent me back in time must have done so with a reason. That being has faith in me to notice the clues left behind. It was up to me to recognize those hints and form a plan. Escaping this place would be my first step and a proof that I am someone whom he could trust.

  Outside my window, the moon cast a silver glow over the grass, turning the field into a sea of still light.

  There had to be something I missed. Some overlooked detail in this academy that could help me escape.

  That night, sleep came in broken fragments. I kept waking up from dreams where my father had accepted my request. Each time I woke to the truth, my chest tighten in disappointment.

  The next morning, I attended my classes as usual. The new skill I’d gained made understanding the lectures easier, my thoughts clearer. And though I sat in silence, taking notes and answering questions, a quiet resolve had begun to take root within me.

  As soon as my morning classes ended, I made my way to the library. But on the path there, something caught my eye across the grass field a few meters away. The sun was at its peak, so I had to shield my eyes to see clearly.

  There, a group of girls surrounded someone. She had brown hair tied in a single braid. I usually didn’t involve myself in matters like this. Not in my past life, and not now. But the moment I saw one of them shove her by the shoulder, I found myself walking toward them. Something in her helpless expression tugged at me, like a reflection of myself I hadn’t expected to see.

  As I got closer, the girl’s features came into focus, and my memory stirred. I had almost forgotten her. Its understandable, perhaps, considering she hadn’t even made it past her thirties.

  Olivia Isolde of House Ignarion.

  A timid girl and a daughter of a wealthy viscount from the north. People envied her, especially this same type of girls now circling her like carrions. Their claims were the same as they were back then that someone like Olivia didn’t deserve the fortune she had.

  What a pitiful excuse for bitterness, I thought, as their petty words reached my ears.

  "What’s happening here?" I asked, loud enough to interrupt. The girls turned, their expressions hardening for a split second until recognition set in as they realized who I was.

  The one with long black hair and sharp blue eyes started to speak, but I fixed my gaze on her. That alone was enough. Whatever she had planned to say died in her throat.

  I turned to Olivia instead. "Lady Ignarion, I’ve come to fetch you. Madam Wyldesage is requesting your presence in her office."

  Olivia blinked. Then she stumbled toward me, grateful for the out. Behind her, the girls glared, but said nothing.

  "If you’ll excuse us," I added with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes, and walked away with her.

  "Lady Goldhain," Olivia said after a moment, "this isn’t the direction to Madam Wyldesage’s office."

  "No, it’s not. That was a lie."

  She stopped walking. I turned to see her watching me, uncertain.

  "I-I thank you, Lady Goldhain, for helping me. But… you didn’t need to do that," she said, her voice trailing off.

  "Didn’t I?" I asked. "Would you rather I hadn’t?"

  She hesitated. Then nodded. "They’ll come after you, too. You’re not the first person who’s tried to step in. I’ve seen how it ends."

  "But I’m not like the others. I’m a duke’s daughter. They wouldn’t dare come for me unless they wanted to invite the wrath of my house."

  I smiled. Hopefully, the message struck them like a warning bell. If they had even half a brain, they’d know exactly what I was implying.

  Olivia looked down. "Thank you, Lady Goldhain." Her words felt stiff, her gratitude strained. "If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be taking my leave."

  I watched her retreating figure, as my memories began to surface. This was around the time the scandal at the University broke out. And at the center of it was Olivia. It had led to her expulsion. But she hadn’t left quietly.

  No, Olivia’s case had shaken the University to its core. House Hugel had intervened directly, and the Academy Tribunal passed stricter laws against bullying. Olivia’s bullies, those same girls, became the first people to face these new rules. Their reputations shattered. They became outcasts of high society.

  Who would want to associate with people who couldn't stomach someone else's fortune?

  I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then reached up to touch the ribbon at my neck.

  Olivia. She’s the one I’ll use to escape this place.

  Her expulsion would mean my freedom.

  I turned back toward the library.

  "But first," I murmured to myself, "I must find a way to befriend her."