Chapter 282 The Land Of Dreams 2 (1/2)

Rushing towards the heart of the supply line group, Shin was stunned to find a middle-aged, bespectacled woman tapping her feet while checking her pocket watch every few seconds. The wrinkles on her face had gotten much more prominent since the last Shin had met her, and it was evident that she didn't have the most relaxing of months.

”Isadore...” Shin glared at his silver-haired friend. ”You didn't think to tell me that the person who would be chaperoning us is the Auxiliary Department Head?”

”Ara, is there a problem? I didn't think that the two of you had any deep relationships?” Isadore innocently cocked his head. Even though he knew that the two were familiar with one another, the silver-haired youth didn't think that they were on bad terms. ”Is it a problem?”

”No, not necessarily...” Shin closed his eyes and brushed his friend's shoulders. Madam Warulee was an integral part in his ascension to the Spirit Core realm, but she was also a significant cause for a number of his headaches. Throughout the months where he was recused, the middle-aged woman continuously attempted to poach him into the auxiliary course. Even though she had the best of intentions, Shin couldn't help but shirk away each time he saw her face.

”Shin! Isadore! You're late!” While the black-haired youth was busy recollecting the numerous instances where Madam Warulee dangled a piece of meat above his face, hoping that the prodigious youth would take the bait, an enraged cry sounded out.

”Sorry, we got lost.” Isadore placed his palms together and smoothly lied. ”Won't happen again!”

”Tch, you better!” A vein popped in Madam Warulee's forehead as she chided the duo. ”Do you know how much administrative work I had to do to bring the two of you into the supply lines?!”

”Sorry, sorry!” Once again, Isadore rubbed his hands as if he were a sinner looking for penance. Fortunately, the god that he was praying to was magnanimous and just spewed out a warning.

”The two of you, get in the carriage. Don't even think about leaving my sights!” Madam Warulee lightly tapped the heads of the two students and pointed back into the metallic vehicle. Although Imperius Academy was loaded, there was no way that they could purchase hundreds of Aether Cars to transport their students. Not to mention, the Land of Dreams was only a few days away by horse.

”Yes, madam!” Isadore playfully saluted before opening the brown carriage door. However, before he could get on the steps to find a comfortable position, the smile on his face froze. Eyes widened, the silver-haired boy seemingly became a statue as his grip tightened on the handlebar.

”What's wrong?” Peering into the vehicle, Shin was curious at the object that stunned his good buddy.

”W-What?!” The moment Shin laid eyes on the interior of the carriage, his jaw dropped so wide that an apple was able to fit. It lacked any sort of opulence and barely had any cushions. The gigantic window that allowed its passengers to enjoy the view while providing ample ventilation was a plus, but otherwise, the carriage was exceedingly simple. However, what tripped the duo wasn't the comfort level of their ride, but the person that they were riding with.

”Yahoo~ I came!” A white-haired girl beamed at the two young boys with the most pleasant smiles that Shin had ever seen. Instead of her usual extravagant clothing, the girl was dressed in a grey sweatshirt and baggy pants. For the first time, the wealthiest daughter in the Empire was looking more like a pauper than an heiress.

”Elrin, what are you doing here?!” Shin was the first to recover his wits and raised his voice.

”Why can't I come? You're planning something fun, and you're trying to leave me out? That's not fair!” Elrin pouted like a squirrel and protested. ”Also, I don't really want to keep staying in the Capital. It gets boring after sixteen years, you know?”

Unlike her appearance, Elrin's birthday was in the middle of January, making her the 'eldest' of their clique. Shin knew of her birthday due to the huge party she threw and how she continually teased Kanari about being her junior.

”I'm going to treat this trip as a vacation for my sixteenth birthday so don't mind me~.” Elrin teased the youths. Stunned speechless, Shin and Isadore stared at each other and attempted a telepathically communicate.

'What's going on?!'

'The hell I know! How did she even get onto the same carriage as us?'

Isadore had to pull all of the strings that he had to secure a place in the joint training exercise. Yet, there Elrin was, with the most disgustingly sweet smile.

”Money is a great thing you know?” As if she was capable of reading their minds, Elrin interjected with a mischievous tone. ”All I needed to do was offer the military and academy all of the food and drinks they needed, and they could bat one eye to make me a 'special' guest!”

”...” The duo's squinted their eyes as they failed to think of words to say.

'So much for treating all students equally!' Shin cursed. Money made the world go round. As much as Imperius Academy boasted that they didn't give preferential treatment to those from High Society, only a fool would reject free rations that would cut down their expenditure by half.

”Boys, we are about to depart...” A flat voice notified them from behind. ”Please take your positions in the carriage, we can't waste anymore time.”

”Y-Yes, madam!” Shin pushed Isadore into the vehicle before jumping in himself. Since their luggage was placed in another compartment, they had all the room in the world to enjoy their journey, but the two boys huddled up next to Elrin.

”What do you want?” Shin was the first to speak.

”Hmmm, nothing much. I just want to do what you guys were planning to do!” Elrin jokes. ”I know that your journey to the Land of Dreams isn't solely for the 'experience!' I want in!”