Chapter 23
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Volume 3 + Chapter 23: Speechless
It was already so late—what could she possibly want now?
Keith was clearly annoyed.
He had originally planned to wake up early the next morning, send Xia Yi off, and then gather some old friends for a lavish party. But now, here came his niece, disturbing his peace.
“Alright, come in. You’d better have a good reason, Norma.”
Only after Keith gave his permission did Norma step inside.
“Well? What is it?” Keith asked.
Norma looked a little uncomfortable, but she steeled herself and said, “It’s about Miss Xia Yi.”
“What about her? I told you to go greet her earlier, and you wouldn’t even do that. Why bring it up now?”
“It’s not that, Uncle. I ran into Miss Xia Yi earlier today while I was training.”
“Oh? And then?”
Keith lit his pipe as he listened.
“I couldn’t agree with her opinions, so I challenged her to a duel.”
Cough cough cough! Keith choked on his smoke. “What, are you just looking for trouble?”
“Uncle, I lost the duel. Miss Xia Yi defeated me with her swordsmanship.”
“You lost?”
“Yes,” Norma nodded. “Uncle, my swordsmanship teacher is Hill Gibran, the direct disciple of the Sword Saint!”
“I know. Your talent at Laurel Tree Academy earned Hill’s recognition.”
“But, Uncle, isn’t Miss Xia Yi supposed to be a mage? How could a mage beat me in swordsmanship?! Don’t you think she’s… suspicious? Especially the forces backing her—why would they support the Lawrence family for no reason?”
“You came here tonight just to tell me that?”
“Yes, Uncle. I think we need to be cautious. This is all too strange.”
“I got it. You’re dismissed.”
“Uncle! Associating with someone that powerful might bring our Lawrence family huge trouble—or even danger!”
“Are you done yet?!”
Keith was clearly fed up.
Of course he knew everything Norma was saying.
It was like how people know smoking is bad but still smoke.
Like how people know drinking is bad but still drink.
Like how people know gambling is bad but still gamble.
Who doesn’t know these things deep down?
“Norma, let me ask you—are you suggesting we reject the resources and funding from her backers?” Keith pressed.
“I think that’s something we should consider, Uncle. I’ll restore the Lawrence family’s honor myself, without outside help. Please believe in me.”
“What about all the Lawrence family members waiting to get paid? Without the power backing Miss Xia Yi, who’s going to foot that bill—you?”
“I…”
“The money for your schooling—guess where that came from? Your daily expenses, your sword training, the resources you’ll need to become a knight—who do you think paid for all that?” Keith sneered. “You’re saying you’ll give all that up, drop out, and work construction to support the Lawrence family?”
“…”
Norma was at a loss for words, completely shut down by Keith’s barrage.
“Clicking your tongue won’t solve anything. If not for your father’s dying wish, I wouldn’t even bother with you. Now get out—I need rest. And don’t bring up Miss Xia Yi again in front of outsiders. From now on, she’s one of us, a member of the Lawrence family—got it?”
Norma had nothing left to say and could only leave in silence.
“…Wait.” Keith stopped her.
“What is it?”
“The Laurel Tree Academy entrance exam is being held in the capital. You know that, right?”
“I know.”
“Miss Xia Yi is going to participate. Tomorrow morning, you’ll take her there. Handle it properly.”
“What?!” Norma exclaimed. “She’s going to Laurel Tree Academy?!”
“What’s it to you?”
“I’m not taking her.”
“You’re not? Then don’t expect a single coin of living expenses from me.”
“Fine, I’ll work part-time!”
“Then you can also figure out how to pay your own tuition next term,” Keith said coldly.
Tuition at Laurel Tree Academy was really not cheap.
Technically, Norma could earn enough by taking extra assignments at the Adventurer’s Guild.
But that would leave her no time for school—everything would go into supporting herself.
“Well?”
“…Fine, I understand,” Norma said dejectedly.
Keith smiled. Now he wouldn’t even have to get up early tomorrow—just leave everything to his niece.
…
“Good morning, Miss Xia Yi…”
“Huh?”
Xia Yi hadn’t expected to see Norma standing in front of her.
Wasn’t Keith supposed to help her arrange transport to the capital for the entrance exam?
“Miss Xia Yi, I’m here to take you to the Laurel Tree Academy exam,” Norma said.
Her expression was awkward. After being humiliated just yesterday, now she had to accompany the very same person to the capital. She felt like her embarrassment could build an entire mansion from how hard her toes curled.
“…Oh, alright.”
“Miss Xia Yi, let’s drop the honorifics for now. If anyone overhears us, it could raise suspicion.”
“Oh, okay—Norma.”
Xia Yi tried it out.
“…Xia Yi.”
Norma said it too, albeit reluctantly.
Xia Yi found Norma’s attitude a little strange. Given what happened yesterday, she should really hate her right now—so why was she still helping out?
And she wasn’t even bringing up anything about doubting her strength anymore.
Oh well. Better that she didn’t.
The two of them got into the carriage and began the journey toward the capital of the Rhine Kingdom.
Xia Yi noticed that Norma’s outfit looked like a Laurel Tree Academy uniform—different from what she’d seen before in Golde, probably a seasonal variant.
Wait—Norma was a student at Laurel Tree Academy?
That caught her by surprise.
Just as Xia Yi was about to ask, she noticed Norma had pulled out a book to read—“The Sword Saint: An Autobiography.”
It was published by the Schubert family and detailed the life of the human Sword Saint. Just reading the bold, exaggerated headlines on the cover made Xia Yi’s cheeks flush red with embarrassment.
“Wh—What?!”
“What’s the matter, Xia Yi? I’m studying the spirit of the Sword Saint—is that a problem?” Norma asked, confused.
“No, no, not at all! You go ahead and read!”
Xia Yi quickly turned her head to look out the window.
…
After some time, Xia Yi and Norma arrived at the capital. Bellen wasn’t too far, after all.
“Ah, I’m back.”
As soon as she stepped off the carriage and saw the gates of the bustling capital of the Rhine Kingdom, Xia Yi couldn’t help but sigh in nostalgia.
The Schubert family was based in this capital. After being adopted, Wright had lived here ever since.
“Back?” Norma asked curiously.
“I mean, I’ve been to the capital before—it’s just been a while.”
“Oh.”
Norma didn’t think much of it.
Magical beasts weren’t usually allowed into the capital unless you were royalty or a high-ranking noble—and the Lawrence family didn’t hold that kind of privilege.
Xia Yi and Norma entered the capital together and hired a horse-drawn carriage to head to the Laurel Tree Academy exam site.
Xia Yi wasn’t too worried about the exam. With her current abilities, passing was a given.
However, what she didn’t expect was—
As soon as she presented her invitation letter, she saw a familiar face.
“She… What is she doing here?!”
