Gardenia's Heart

Chapter 56: Mage Academy

"I’d like a slice of strawberry cake and one of vanilla... oh, and a cup of coffee, please." Pointing swiftly at the menu in front of her, Lily cheerfully placed her order. Her excitement was impossible to hide.

(Lily, order this pudding—it sounds amazing!)

"And a pudding too!" As soon as Nia’s voice echoed in her mind, Lily called the waitress back without missing a beat.

Sitting comfortably, Lily swung her legs back and forth under the chair while waiting eagerly for the young waitress to bring her order. When the plates were finally arranged in front of her, neither Lily nor Nia could resist diving into the delicious treats.

(It’s so good! So sweet! Now try the pudding, Lily—the pudding!)

Obliging her beloved’s request, Lily scooped up some pudding and brought it to her mouth. The moment the sweet, creamy dessert touched her tongue, it melted instantly, drawing a radiant smile to her face.

"So good~"

As they continued to savor the desserts, both Lily and Nia became completely absorbed, momentarily forgetting about the two women seated across from them.

"Hm... Lady Lily?" Abelia, having just finished a sip of tea, set her cup gently onto its saucer and hesitantly tried again to get Lily's attention. "Are you sure it’s safe for us to be so exposed like this?"

Abelia glanced around the small café they had just entered. The cozy, family-run establishment seemed like a pleasant place for a quiet snack—under normal circumstances.

"From everything I’ve analyzed so far, I can conclude that that bastard Velmont is a cautious man. Even as the lord of this city, he wouldn’t start a public manhunt to find us, at least not openly. Just like his operations, he would handle it all in secret. So, as long as I keep track of the guards’ positions and watch for anything suspicious, we’re safe."

Unconcerned with appearances, Lily licked her fingers, ensuring she and Nia enjoyed every bit of their treats to the fullest.

"Besides, it’s less suspicious for us to observe the academy from the window of a shop than to stand in the middle of the street," she added, taking a sip of coffee.

Lily gestured with her head toward the large window beside them. The café, located on the fourth floor of a building, offered a clear view of their target—the sprawling campus of the Mage Academy.

Like a solitary rose in a bed of thorns, standing stark against the chaotic streets of Caligo, the Academy exuded grandeur and almost sacred tranquility.

Much like the city’s walls, the campus had a hexagonal layout. Scattered along its perimeter were various two-story buildings with symmetrical windows and gently sloping roofs, framed by meticulously maintained trees. The overall design seemed crafted to maximize the comfort of its students, with well-paved paths and thoughtfully distributed green spaces.

At the center stood an enormous rectangular building, its stained-glass windows reflecting the faint sunlight filtered through the dense mist. This structure, the most fortified of them all, featured battlements and ornate towers that set it apart from the others.

"Indeed, if our goal is to avoid drawing attention, Lady Lily’s approach is the most suitable, my lady," Cleomel remarked confidently as she poured another cup of tea for her mistress. "Moreover, we’re near an open area, so I’ll have no trouble wielding my lance if needed."

Happy that the Mage Academy made it unsuspicious for her to carry a huge weapon, Cleomel assured Abelia that she would be safe.

"Thank you, I’m just a bit restless, that’s all." Without realizing it, Abelia had placed her hand over Cleomel’s. Taken by surprise, the knight didn’t know how to react, but Abelia, oblivious to the girl’s flustered expression, took another sip of the tea Cleomel had poured for her with her free hand.

As the last sip of coffee went down her throat, Lily and Nia felt content after their meal. Cleaning her lips with a napkin, the silver-haired girl turned her attention to Abelia.

"I remember you mentioned before that you only

"This way, I won’t have any problems, right?"

Adjusting the blazer over her wife’s ample chest, Nia ignored the perplexed stares of the two women and stepped into the room.

The classroom was arranged with several rows of desks set in a semicircle, gradually descending in tiers toward a large blackboard that dominated the central stage.

Blending in with more than fifty students who appeared to be between fourteen and eighteen years old, Nia randomly picked a seat and sat down. A few students nearby gave her startled glances. Due to the uniform, Nia couldn’t hide Lily’s silver hair under a hood.

She had ensured that the skirt was the longest length possible to deter any lascivious gazes from falling on her beloved wife’s body. However, should anyone still dare, Nia was fully prepared to deal with them in a way that would ensure they never tried such a thing again.

"I see we don’t have only veterans in this class today. Some newcomers are here to sneak a peek at the advanced content, are they? I wholeheartedly support such enthusiasm for knowledge!"

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it resonated throughout the room with ease. It didn’t demand silence, yet everyone instinctively quieted down to listen.

The woman standing at the center of the stage possessed a unique and vibrant appearance that seamlessly combined charm and strength.

Her attire was striking: an elegant blend of black and red that exuded understated sophistication. The short red dress had a flowing cut, with its upper section snugly fitted to her body, accentuating the delicate curves of her petite bust. Her collarbone and shoulders were exposed, while her arms were covered by long, semi-transparent dark sleeves that extended to her wrists.

The slightly flared red skirt had a jet-black lining, creating a stark contrast and enhancing the refined look. Black tights covered her legs, complemented by high-heeled, knee-high boots.

Her eyes, a deep shade of pink, radiated a captivating innocence to any observer. Her golden hair was tied into twin tails adorned with black ribbons, perfectly contrasting with her white-furred bunny ears that stood gracefully upright.

"Prepare your notebooks, as today’s lesson could save your lives."

Instead of holding a piece of chalk, she drew a black brush from her waist, its surface faintly glowing with a bluish hue. Pointing it toward the students, she announced with authority:

"Today, we will learn about Monsterology !"