Chapter 11

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Volume 2 + Chapter 11: Dream of The Sea

Tonight, Hill had instructed her students to stay indoors.  

She intended to investigate the coastline alone.  

If danger truly lurked here, bringing her students along would only hinder her. By herself, she could move freely—react swiftly.  

For hours, Hill paced the shore, finding nothing amiss.  

Until…  

She spotted them.  

Two figures, their attire distinctly foreign, boldly walking the night-stricken beach.  

Suspicious.  

Approaching cautiously, Hill called out,  

“Why are you out here at night?”

Serra, ever the professional, maintained a polite smile.  

“We’re tourists, merely enjoying the scenery. Though, isn’t it customary to introduce oneself before interrogating strangers?” Her gaze flicked to the sword at Hill’s waist. “Armed, not from Golde, wandering the coast after dark—if anyone’s a threat here, it’s you.”  

“…My apologies for startling you.” Hill took a step back.  

Behind Serra, Xia Yi tilted her head.  

That voice… Why does it sound familiar?

A memory surfaced—Gill’s earlier report. Recently, outsiders claiming to be from Laurel Academy had arrived in Seaside City.  

Is this one of their former students?  

Peeking out, Xia Yi confirmed it. The woman wore Laurel Academy’s uniform.  

She knew of the academy by reputation—a prestigious institution in Rhein, attracting talents across races. Once, they’d even invited her to lecture.  

She’d agreed, but then… the duel with the Silver Dragon Queen happened. The invitation was forgotten.  

Brave students, coming to a place like this.  

Meanwhile, Hill’s attention was fixed on Xia Yi. An inexplicable pull tugged at her chest—an urge to know this silver-haired girl.  

“The coast at night is dangerous,” Xia Yi said gently. “Especially alone. You should head back.”

“…” 

“Come, Serra.”

Tugging her maid’s sleeve, Xia Yi turned to leave.  

“As you wish, my lady.”  

Serra cast one last glance at the stranger before following.  

Xia Yi exhaled inwardly.  

You just got saved, you know.  

Had this student been more arrogant—had she provoked Serra—things might’ve ended like they did for Gill.  

Poor girl wouldn’t have stood a chance.  

“Shall we continue exploring, my lady?” Serra asked.  

“No, let’s return. I’m… sleepy.”

“Didn’t you nap before dinner?”

“Naps don’t count!”

“Would a midnight snack help? This is a coastal town—fresh seafood abounds. I could prepare grilled specialties…”

“Really?! I’m awake now!”  

Watching them depart, Hill stood motionless.  

“…They’re gone.”  

That red-haired maid radiated danger. Her parting glare had triggered Hill’s combat instincts.  

“Tourists? In this hellhole? Ridiculous.”  

Seaside City’s locals were notoriously hostile, its streets ruled by gangs. Ordinary travelers wouldn’t last a day.  

No—those two were anything but ordinary.  

A lethally skilled maid.  

And that silver-haired noble girl…  

When she’d warned Hill of the danger, something inexplicable had stirred. A warmth. A longing to follow.  

“What’s wrong with me?” Hill pressed her palms together. “Forgive me, Professor. My discipline faltered.”  

—  

Midnight.

Xia Yi lay half-asleep, her plush dragon clutched tight.  

She floated in the liminal space between dreams and wakefulness—aware she was dreaming, yet unable to surface.  

In the dream, she was sinking.  

The ocean enveloped her, its depths swallowing sunlight as she drifted downward. Yet she felt no chill—no panic. Only peace.  

No urge to struggle.  

Maybe… it’s okay to let go.  

Through the watery silence, a sound emerged—”Singing.”

From the abyss below, a voice called.  

The harder she strained to hear, the fainter it grew. Yet its allure was undeniable, weaving a siren’s pull around her heart.  

Deeper.  

Deeper—  

“…Hnn!”

Xia Yi’s eyes flew open.  

An unfamiliar ceiling greeted her.  

Blinking, she took seconds to reorient—right, the inn. A dream. Just a dream.

Serra slept soundly in the adjacent bed.  

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Xia Yi rose, dragging her pillow to Serra’s bedside.  

She stood there.  

Watching.  

A full minute passed before she shook herself.  

What am I doing? If Serra wakes up to this, she’ll think I’ve lost my mind!

Retreating, she moved to the window and drew the curtains.  

Midnight had plunged Seaside City into absolute stillness. Not a single light flickered.  

The moonlit sea stretched before her, its surface a mirror for the heavens. The coast, bathed in silver, looked almost staged—a performance awaiting its players.  

Then—  

“Who… is that?”

All drowsiness vanished.  

There, waist-deep in the water, stood a girl of unearthly beauty.  

Her eyes locked onto Xia Yi’s.  

A mysterious smile curved her lips as they parted—  

Silently shaping words meant only for the princess to hear.