Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 36

”This is your admission letter,” the man said, presenting the envelope. The words ‘Kantaea Academy of Magic’ on the envelope’s cover shimmered brightly.

The gracefully slanted script glistened with gold, radiating an air of nobility.

Rosia was stunned as the man said, “You need to complete the admission process by this Friday to start your studies in March this year. The necessary documents are enclosed within the letter…”

The word “admission” caught Rosia’s attention as the man continued to speak, and she snapped back to attention. Peering through the crack in the door, she fired a barrage of questions.

“Admission? Me? Where? Why?”

Caught off guard by her confusion, the man seemed to realize his mistake. Only then did he bow his head, revealing his identity.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was in a hurry and forgot to introduce myself. I’m Mr. O’Connell, an admissions clerk at the Kantaean Academy of Magic.”

Even after the polite introductions, the safety chain showed no sign of loosening. O’Connell, feeling constrained, pushed the envelope through the narrow opening, offering an explanation.

“Because we can no longer postpone your enrollment, Miss Rosiana. I’ve come here personally to deliver your admission letter.”

“Why do I have to enroll?”

Rosia’s question made O’Connell pause.

Did he come to the wrong place?

Stepping back from the doorstep, O’Connell scanned the surroundings.

“Isn’t this the residence of Jasper and Penelope Delconda?”

“Yes, it is.”

“And you are Miss Rosiana, the daughter of the Delconda couple who passed away 13 years ago?”

“That’s correct.”

“In that case, please accept this for now.”

O’Connell, the staff member, pushed the envelope through the crack in the door once more as he explained.

“Miss Rosiana, as both of your parents were mages, according to the regulations, you must enroll at the Kantaea Academy of Magic.”

As Rosia awkwardly took the admission notice in her hands, she burst into an incredulous, bewildered laugh.

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. My parents were mages, but I’m not.”

Until now, Rosia had diligently hidden her existence. When she was young, her parents were worried about her ability to see souls, so she lived solely within their home. Even at seven years old, when they went searching for Regalia together, her parents concealed her.

While following Luperne, she lived in ancient buildings protected by multiple layers of barriers or at the homes of Luperne’s friends, where she learned magic. Even after returning home a year ago, she kept her identity as a mage thoroughly hidden, afraid that her ability to see spirits or her identity as Trinity would be discovered.

To someone like Rosia, the prospect of attending a magical academy was unthinkable. She pushed the admission notice back and shook her head, firmly stating, “It has nothing to do with me. Please leave now.”

Giving a resolute refusal, Rosia attempted to close the door.

O’Connell took the returned envelope and exclaimed in embarrassment, “But if you don’t enroll this year, Miss Rosiana’s papers will be turned over to the Mage Bureau.”

Rosia, who was about to close the door, hesitated. “Mage Bureau?”

Unable to let her guard down, she still had the safety chain on and locked.

Meeting Rosia’s amethyst eyes through the narrow gap, O’Connell gave her a reassuring look.

“Enrollment in the academy is an obligation for any magical practitioner. For those who fail to fulfill this obligation, their records must be forwarded to the Bureau.”

O’Connell pushed the thin envelope back to Rosia as if he were shifting a heavy burden. Despite the numerous exchanges through the narrow opening, the envelope continued to glitter brilliantly.

With a reluctant tone, O’Connell urged, “Therefore, it’s imperative that you enroll this year.”

Seeing that Rosia had accepted the envelope, O’Connell spoke up like a warrior completing a mission.

“I’ll see you in Kantaea.”

He gracefully lowered his head in farewell, donning his bowler hat. Turning, he strode across the garden and out the gate, leaving behind the desolate winter garden.

Staring blankly through the crack, Rosia slowly closed the front door. Leaning weakly against the closed door, she examined the outer part of the envelope.

Embossed on the resplendent gilded envelope was elegantly scripted text that read:

The letters emitted a subtle, enchanting glow, changing colors as the envelope was tilted, demonstrating the meticulous craftsmanship poured into this single item.

As Rosia read the words in a daze, she heard Luperne’s panicked voice from earlier.

[From the way he’s dressed, I’m guessing he’s a Kantaean.]

Luperne’s face, too, had turned pale. This was undoubtedly connected to him in some way.

With an intuition that pierced through her entire being, Rosia shouted, “Luperne!”

The serene peace that had enveloped the white house atop the hill vanished, replaced by an intense storm that shook the house violently.