Vivian stepped down from the carriage first.
The air in Akron city felt different from the capital, calmer, but also full of the familiar weight of academy life.
He turned and offered his hand to Charlotte without thinking, as naturally as breathing.
She took it and stepped down, her boots touching the stone path in front of the academy gates.
The tall towers of the school stood ahead of them, quiet in the morning light.
"Will you meet the dean?" she asked, brushing a bit of dust from her skirt.
"No," Vivian said right away.
"He isn't here. He was sent somewhere for an important matter. That's why he didn't come to the emperor's conference either."
Charlotte nodded lightly. She didn't press the topic. If Vivian said it, then that was that.
They started walking toward the main courtyard together.
Students were scattered around, some carrying books, some dragging their luggage, some looking half-asleep after long travels.
