The outskirts of Abel Royal Academy sprawled before them, a sight of grandeur and tradition that echoed through the ages.
Hundreds of carriages, each a testament to the wealth and status of their occupants, lined up in meticulous order. Each carriage boasted its own unique and intricate design, adorned with banners proudly displaying the sigils of high households, signifying their noble lineage and influence.
Among the throng of carriages, one stood out prominently: a carriage draped in rich red banners, emblazoned with the striking image of a black sword and circular shield at its center.
This was the unmistakable mark of the Winchester household, a distinguished Marquis family of the empire.
The carriage, with its deep black exterior and bold red accents, exuded an aura of confidence and power as it made its way through the gathering crowd.
"We have arrived, my lady," came the gentle voice of Mia a maid of the Winchester household.
The unique red details of her maid outfit fitted the Winchester family color.
Sophia, her eyes fluttering open, was greeted by the warm embrace of the morning sun, its golden rays casting a soft glow upon her features. Her long, ebony hair, despite its seemingly opaque hue, shimmered with a lustrous sheen as it cascaded down her shoulders.
"Mia," Sophia murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep as she turned to her trusted companion, her red eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"Yes, my lady?"
"It's really you, right?" Sophia's voice cut through the air, filled with a mixture of disbelief and longing.
"Yes?" Mia responded, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion at her lady's sudden question.
Before Mia could even process the inquiry, Sophia sprung up from her seat, her movements swift yet filled with an unmistakable sense of yearning. In a surprising turn of events,
Sophia enveloped Mia in a gentle embrace, her slender arms wrapping around her maid's shoulders as she patted her back affectionately.
"M-Milady Sophia?" Mia stammered, caught off guard by the unexpected display of affection.
"It really is you," Sophia murmured softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "This unique smell of orange-like perfume…it reminds me of the past."
"That guy said we would fail…. but look at this"
"Excuse me?" Mia blinked, unsure of how to respond to Sophia's cryptic remark.
"So, I'm really back huh….? Hehe it still doesn't feel real"
Shaking off her reverie, Sophia redirected the conversation, without even explaining anything.
"By the way, what year is it now, Mia?"
Still reeling from the sudden change in atmosphere, Mia took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering.
"It's the year 721 of the Holy Imperial calendar, my lady."
"And what season is it?" Sophia pressed further; her mind seemingly lost in contemplation, as she gently touched her right hand, Mia knew she only ever does that when she was planning to do something… very dangerous….
"It's spring, milady," Mia replied, her confusion and concern growing with each passing moment.
Sophia nodded, a faint smile playing at her lips.
"I see…so it's the entrance ceremony now, huh?" she mused aloud, her gaze drifting to the green necktie adorning her attire.
"How nostalgic. Judging from my green necktie, it's my second year now, right?"
"Yes…?" Mia replied hesitantly, her curiosity now piqued by her lady's unusual behavior.
Was it simply the remnants of sleep clouding Sophia's demeanor, or was there something more beneath the surface?
As Mia pondered this, she couldn't shake the feeling that Sophia had somehow changed, though she couldn't quite pinpoint the reason why…. It was like she was more mature for some reason?
The way she kept looking at Mia with those gentle eyes of hers it was like she was looking at a kid.
"Mia?"
Nevertheless, Mia knew she couldn't keep her lady waiting any longer.
"It's… it's your second year indeed, milady," Mia confirmed.
Mia watched with growing concern as her lady seemed lost in a world of her own, muttering strange phrases under her breath. She couldn't help but wonder if Sophia was truly alright. However, before she could voice her worries, Sophia abruptly swung open the carriage door, startling Mia out of her thoughts.
"L-Lady Sophia, what are you doing?" Mia exclaimed, her voice tinged with apprehension.
Sophia's response was cryptic, her words leaving Mia even more puzzled. "I would've liked to return much earlier, but something like this will suffice for now…" Sophia trailed off, her attention seemingly fixed on something beyond Mia's comprehension. Ignoring Mia's inquiry, Sophia continued to mutter to herself, her words lost in the wind.
"Mia, stay here. I have something I have to do," Sophia suddenly declared, her voice firm with determination. "Just put my things back into my room, okay?"
Before Mia could process Sophia's request, the young maid found herself reaching out instinctively, grasping Sophia's hand in a desperate attempt to halt her impulsive actions.
"W-What are you doing, my lady?" Mia questioned, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"Mia, let go of me," Sophia implored, her tone urgent. "I have something really important I have to do right now."
Mia hesitated, torn between her loyalty to her lady and her instinctive urge to protect her.
Sophia's behavior was unlike anything Mia had ever witnessed before, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply amiss.
"No! Stop this nonsense right now, my lady!" Mia's voice rang out, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. She couldn't comprehend the sudden change in Sophia's demeanor, but one thing was certain: she couldn't allow her lady to continue down this reckless path. The consequences could be dire, not just for Sophia, but for Mia herself.
"I don't know why you're suddenly acting like this," Mia continued, her voice trembling with emotion, "but the Marquess would kill me if any harm falls upon you. So please, don't act recklessly."
Mia's words hung in the air, a plea for reason amidst the chaos that seemed to engulf them both.
She struggled to make sense of Sophia's erratic behavior; while Sophia had always been impulsive, this was an entirely different level of unpredictability.
Mia couldn't shake the feeling that her beloved lady was teetering on the edge of madness, and it terrified her to her core.
"Mia…" Sophia's voice cut through the tense silence, a whisper amidst the turmoil. Mia's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name, and for a fleeting moment, she felt as though the world around her had fallen away, leaving only Sophia's voice echoing in her mind.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.
In an instant, the world seemed to warp and distort around Mia, the colors blending and shifting in a dizzying display of chaos.
Streaks of purple light danced across her vision, crackling with electricity and filling the air with an otherworldly energy.
Mia's grip on Sophia faltered as she felt a surge of power ripple through her, compelling her to release her hold on her lady.
As Mia let go, the world snapped back into focus, leaving her trembling and disoriented. She sank back into the carriage seat, her body trembling with exhaustion and fear.
Her skin was pale, her eyes wide with shock, and her breaths came in ragged gasps as she struggled to comprehend the inexplicable events that had just transpired.
Mia knew one thing for certain: whatever was happening to Sophia, it was far beyond her understanding.
"What was that?" Mia questioned aloud, her voice trembling with confusion and fear.
She struggled to make sense of the surreal events that had just unfolded, the memory of the strange purple light and crackling energy still fresh in her mind.
Before she could grasp the gravity of the situation, Sophia's voice broke through the haze of Mia's thoughts.
"Sorry, Mia. I'll treat you better next time, okay?"
Mia's heart constricted at Sophia's words, a flicker of hope blossoming within her despite the lingering sense of unease.
But before she could utter another word, Sophia's hand shot out with startling speed, delivering a swift karate chop to Mia's neck.
The impact sent shockwaves of pain radiating through Mia's body, her vision swimming as darkness threatened to engulf her.
With a choked gasp, Mia felt herself slipping into a deep state of unconsciousness, her consciousness fading into oblivion.
As Mia's world dissolved into darkness, the last thing she heard was Sophia's voice, distant and fading. And then, there was nothing but silence.
For what felt like an eternity, Mia drifted in the void, her mind suspended in a state of limbo.
But gradually, a faint glimmer of awareness began to stir within her, pulling her back from the depths of unconsciousness.
With a sudden jolt, Mia's senses came rushing back to her, her eyelids fluttering open as she struggled to orient herself.
The lingering aura Sophia had placed upon her neck began to take effect, coaxing Mia's consciousness back to the surface.
"W-wait… please, my lad—" Mia's voice trailed off as she found herself standing in front of the nobles' dorms. The coachman indicated that they had arrived by opening the door for her.
…..
After jumping out of the carriage, Sophia swiftly vanished into the bustling crowd, her graceful and alluring presence seemingly melding into the chaos of the streets.
Despite her striking appearance, she moved with a stealthy grace that allowed her to slip by unnoticed, weaving through the throngs of people as though she were a shadow flitting through the night.
Ascending to the top of a nearby building with a fluid grace, Sophia surveyed her surroundings, her keen eyes scanning the landscape until they landed upon a tall mansion nestled at the eastern edge of the academy grounds.
It was the royal dormitory—a prestigious residence reserved exclusively for individuals of royal blood. Princes, princesses, and even royal diplomats from distant lands were granted access to its hallowed halls, as long as their lineage could be traced back to royalty.
Yet, there was one exception to this rule, one individual who held a unique status that transcended even the strictest of regulations.
And that was her dear friend Stella… the fiancé of the crown prince of the empire.
But it wasn't Stella that she expects.
Sophia's heart raced with anticipation as she contemplated the possibility of encountering him once more.
If her instincts were correct, if she truly had returned to that time, then he would undoubtedly be there, together with Stella right now.
With a surge of determination, Sophia leaped from rooftop to rooftop with the agility of a lightning bolt, her movements blurring into a streak of motion that defied comprehension.
Even the most skilled knights-in-training would struggle to keep pace with her, for Sophia's speed transcended the limits of human capability.
With each bound, her anticipation grew, fueling her resolve as she drew ever closer to the royal dormitory.
As soon as she got close enough, she stopped at a certain building.
As Sophia stood across from the building, her crimson eyes scanned the scene before her, landing upon a carriage adorned with the familiar banner of House Kraus.
Memories of her interactions with the Duke's family flooded her mind, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought of their extravagant displays of wealth and status.
The carriage, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, stood as a testament to the Duke's penchant for opulence, its intricate designs catching the light in a mesmerizing display.
Sophia's amusement bubbled up as she recalled the Duke's tendency to exaggerate, particularly when it came to his beloved daughter.
As Sophia observed from afar, a figure emerged from the carriage, each step echoing in her mind with a clarity that belied the distance between them.
Despite the vast expanse separating them, Sophia's heightened senses compensated, capturing every detail with precision.
The figure, clad in the uniform of a first-year student of Abel Academy, possessed an undeniable magnetism.
His fiery red hair, reminiscent of the deepest hues of blood, framed his handsome features, while his eyes sparkled with the color of the ocean itself.
It was Taylor, the butler of House Kraus, and Sophia's dear beloved husband.
Despite the passage of time and the complexities of their intertwined destinies, there was an undeniable connection between them—a bond that transcended the boundaries of time and space.
As Sophia watched Taylor's approach, her heart swelled with a mixture of emotions—love, longing, and a sense of inevitability.
'Taylor….'
Then purple lighting covered her body.
As the purple lightning enveloped her body, Sophia's form seemed to blur and distort before vanishing entirely from her original position.
In the blink of an eye, she reappeared beside the carriage of House Kraus, her arrival as swift as a bolt of lightning.
Taylor's eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld Sophia's sudden appearance, his surprise mirrored by the expression on Stella's face as she emerged from the carriage beside him.
"Sophia?" Stella mumbled in confusion, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to comprehend the surreal turn of events.
But Sophia paid her no heed, her attention focused solely on Taylor as she dashed forward, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds.
With a tenderness that belied her sudden arrival, Sophia wrapped her arms around Taylor in a tight embrace, burying her face against his chest as she whispered words that only he could hear.
The moment was fleeting yet profound, a silent declaration of the love that bound them together across time and space.
Taylor and Stella stood frozen in disbelief, their minds reeling from the suddenness of Sophia's actions. But as Stella regained her composure, she reacted swiftly, reaching out to pull Sophia away from Taylor.
"What are you doing, Sophia? Let go of him!"
Stella's voice trembled with urgency; her concern evident as she attempted to intervene.
But Sophia remained resolute, her grip on Taylor unwavering as she held him close.
Beneath the fabric of his uniform, her smile spoke volumes, a radiant expression of happiness and contentment that needed no words to convey its meaning.