Liona continued in a light tone.

"A place where maids are trained," she said. "And then assigned to noble households once they're deemed ready." She scratched her cheek lightly with her index finger. "But I… I was placed there by the Baroness, so I was sent directly to work at the Voss residence after being declared ready."

Lucas nodded slowly.

"Hm… oh."

He leaned his head back against the tree trunk, thinking for a moment.

"Is it some kind of academy specifically for maids?"

Liona turned to him. "Academy?"

Lucas nodded.

Liona let out a small laugh—not mocking, more amused.

"Yes. Similar," she replied. "But most of the children who enter are from small villages."

She folded her hands in her lap.

"Every year, Maidternal opens enrollment for children from commoner families. Most of those who apply are usually sent by parents who can't afford to support them."

Lucas nodded again.

"Hmmm… that makes sense."

He fell silent for a moment.

Academy… academy…

His brow twitched slightly, then he turned back to her.

"Did Lucian ever study at an academy?"

Liona nodded without hesitation.

"Of course."

But her smile faded slightly.

"However, I don't know much about it. About that… Lady Silvara probably knows more."

Beside them, Silvara had just set a chest of coins down at her side. She let out a short breath, then spoke without looking at Lucas.

"He was expelled."

Lucas blinked.

"…Huh?"

"Kicked out of the academy," Silvara continued flatly.

Lucas went silent for a split second.

"Oh. Yeah… figures."

Then he turned to her.

"Why?"

Silvara finally glanced at him. Her gaze was sharp, but her tone remained cold.

"Because he bullied a genius girl from the common folk."

Lucas stared.

"…God damn."

He swallowed.

"That girl… now…?"

Silvara crossed her arms.

"Now?"

She snorted softly.

"An Arch Mage. Granted a noble title."

Lucas stared straight ahead.

"…Seriously? Where is she now?"

"Living in a region near the Empire," Silvara said shortly.

Silence followed.

The wind passed through the field, rustling the leaves of the trees above them.

Lucas let out a long breath.

"…Alright. That's some heavy information for today."

Liona only gave a small smile, while Silvara fell silent again—her expression unreadable.

Lucas glanced at Silvara again.

"What about you?" he asked. "Did you study at an academy as well?"

Silvara shook her head immediately.

"No."

She leaned her back against the tree trunk, her voice remaining flat.

"I was sent by the Baroness to study directly at the Grimhelt residence."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Grimhelt…?"

"Mm," Silvara gave a brief nod. "There."

She added, as if stating something ordinary,

"Lady Matruska was my instructor."

Lucas reflexively lowered his gaze.

"Oh."

Silvara caught the change at once.

"Why that look?" she asked.

Lucas waved a hand lightly.

"Ah… no. It's nothing."

He leaned his head back again, staring straight ahead, while Silvara watched him for a few seconds longer before falling silent once more.

Liona cleared her throat softly, breaking the silence.

"When you think about it," she said with a polite smile, "Lady Silvara and I have already talked quite a lot about Lucian. About ourselves as well."

She turned to Lucas.

"Now… it's your turn. About yourself."

Lucas let out a short chuckle.

"Why did it suddenly get so stiff?"

He exhaled lightly, then leaned his head back again.

"Well… I come from a very different world."

Both Liona and Silvara turned to look at him.

"In my world," Lucas continued, "horse-drawn carriages were abandoned long ago. Most people travel using vehicles called cars."

Liona frowned.

"Cars?"

"Mm," Lucas replied. "Four-wheeled vehicles."

Silvara narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Without horses?"

Lucas laughed softly.

"Yeah. Without horses."

Liona looked at him with a sympathetic expression.

"That's so unfortunate…" she said sincerely. "Traveling without a horse. That must be exhausting."

She seemed to think for a moment, then asked carefully,

"Are… horses very expensive where you come from?"

Lucas laughed softly.

"Expensive?" he echoed. "Yeah, they are."

He gave a small shake of his head.

"But that's not the reason."

Liona leaned forward slightly.

"Then?"

"Because cars are more efficient," Lucas replied casually. "Faster. And it doesn't need to rest, even on long journeys."

Liona swallowed.

"…Cars sound cruel," she murmured.

Lucas shook his head, a faint smile forming.

Lucas tilted his head slightly toward her.

"Cruel?" he repeated. "No, not at all. Cars are just… objects. Inanimate things."

Liona puffed her cheeks a little, clearly unconvinced.

"Even so," she said. "Horses are meant to accompany humans on their journeys."

Her tone wasn't sharp, but there was a stubborn edge to it.

Lucas glanced at her.

"Why do you sound like you're angry?"

Liona looked away, her brows knitting faintly.

"Because your world sounds like it doesn't value traveling with horses," she replied quietly. "To the point of abandoning them entirely."

She lowered her gaze.

"That just feels… sad."

---

Silvara finally spoke up.

"Then," she said shortly, "what about your family?"

Lucas fell silent for a moment.

"Ah…" He scratched the back of his head. "They… they're a good family."

Silvara looked like she was about to ask another question.

When Lucas suddenly stood up.

"Alright," he said quickly, as if he had just remembered something. "Let's train."

Silvara raised an eyebrow.

"Now?"

"Yes," Lucas replied without hesitation. "We've rested enough."

He had already started walking ahead, clearly intending to change the subject.

Silvara watched his back for a few seconds, then stood as well.

----

A small clinic stood quietly at the corner of the village.

Inside, Healer Mae and Lina were tidying up. Potion bottles were neatly arranged, cloths cleaned, and the wooden table wiped until it gleamed. Mae's face looked brighter than usual, her breathing light, as if a long-carried burden had finally been lifted.

Nearby, Lina's smile was wide. Too wide.

Like someone who had just been rescued from a life of constant pressure—as if the weight of her entire life had been stripped away all at once.

For the first time, she worked without anxiety, without that tight, suffocating feeling in her chest.

Without fear that tomorrow would not be enough.

Without excessive counting and restraint.

Suddenly—

CREEK.

The clinic door opened.

Light spilled in along with the silhouette of a woman.

Black hair. Simple attire—similar to Mae's healer robes. Slightly older, with a relaxed expression and sharp eyes that quickly surveyed the room.

She smiled faintly.

"Hey," she said lightly.

"Dear sister."

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