Chapter 69: Vanessa’s Home Visit
The night was quiet.
The weary moon had slipped behind the clouds to rest, leaving only a few stars keeping watch in the sky. Outside the window, all was still. Time had unknowingly crept into the late hours.
Erika had been plagued by nightmares these past few days, and her sleep quality was poor.
In her sleep, the sound of a door opening startled her awake.
“Mmm…”
Rubbing her eyes groggily, Erika found Isana still lying beside her, sleeping soundly.
Huh? Why hasn’t she gone home yet?
Isana’s rosy lips were very close to hers. Erika could even feel her soft breaths. Her faintly trembling eyelashes were like tiny fans, casting light shadows.
Stunned for a moment, Erika instinctively sat up and, sensing danger, checked her own body.
After a moment, she shook her head. She was probably still groggy and letting her imagination run wild.
So as not to wake Isana, Erika carefully crawled out of bed.
Through the bedroom door, she saw that Gladys had returned. She looked tired as well.
But in the living room, there was an unfamiliar tall woman—Vanessa.
What was she doing here?
Erika didn’t rush out. Instead, she quietly hid behind the door and watched Vanessa, her mind already spinning with worries.
She thought she had been performing decently at Wode Academy… probably…
Could Vanessa be here to tattle to Gladys?
Oh no! Was she actually that responsible teacher!?
The two seemed to be discussing something. Erika immediately pricked up her ears to eavesdrop.
“Gladys, you really don’t need to do this. The cost of living in the Imperial Capital isn’t something most people can handle. You don’t understand how to live. Taking care of Erika on your own, earning money like someone from the bottom… it must be a heavy burden.”
“It’s not.”
Gladys took a deep breath, the fatigue fading from her face. “Erika is family. I can support her.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Vanessa crossed her legs and smiled wryly. “I mean, you’re overworking yourself. If you’d let me, I could cover your and Erika’s expenses—food, housing, everything. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“No need.”
Gladys firmly declined. “Thank you, Vanessa. But I decided long ago that I would give Erika a good home on my own.
I’ll raise her in an ordinary way. No matter how hard or tiring, I have the strength to do it. I don’t need charity.
You don’t need to ask why, either. You know me. I can’t take jobs in the spotlight in this city—some people see me as a thorn in their side.
So don’t bother helping me. Just take care of your own business.”
“Calamity General Gladys, huh? Heh…
Still the same—so stubborn.
I guess that’s why people who’ve been through storms are always the first to offer someone else an umbrella.”
Vanessa smiled helplessly. “You even owe me Erika’s tuition at Wode Academy, and you’re still toughing it out.”
At that, Erika—still crouched by the door—opened her mouth in shock.
Gladys… was broke?
Come to think of it, the cost of living in the Imperial Capital was indeed very high.
This apartment, the daily meals, her allowance—it was all on Gladys…
Was she being too selfish…? Did she eat too much…?
“I’ll pay you back.”
Gladys glanced at Vanessa. “If that’s all you came to say, then we have nothing more to talk about.”
“Heh, of course there’s more.”
Vanessa smiled knowingly. “I also came to talk about something else—regarding Erika.”
“She caused trouble at the academy?”
Erika flinched upon hearing that.
So Vanessa was here to tattle!
“Well, kind of. But not at the academy.”
Vanessa shrugged. “There was an incident up north—in the Lotran snack bar. A non-human attacked. Dozens were injured or killed. According to some royal court mages, the culprit was identified: Jesse the Ratman from Cage.”
“Cage?”
Gladys’s expression changed instantly. “What does this have to do with Erika?”
“There was another magic trace in the ruins of Lotran. It was Erika’s.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course. I’m her core subject teacher. I know her magic very well.”
Vanessa rested her chin on her hand, clearly amused. “Interestingly, it seems Erika even fought with him. To go up against someone from Cage—that’s impressive.
Did you know? The royal court mages investigating this are curious too. They’re trying to find out who released that magic.”
“Vanessa!”
Gladys suddenly shouted, her face full of anger.
“Calm down. I know.”
Vanessa waved her hand. “I already erased Erika’s magical trace from their records. They won’t find anything on her.”
Hearing that, Gladys’s expression softened slightly—but then she frowned again.
“Why was Erika there, fighting someone from Cage?”
“That, I don’t know. I’ve done what I could. Maybe you should ask her directly. That little one’s been eavesdropping behind the door this whole time.”
“???”
Feeling both their eyes fall on her, Erika froze.
They’d known all along!?
“H-Heh… Gladys… Teacher Vanessa…”
She called out softly, hands behind her back like a child caught doing something wrong. She ran over to Gladys with a sheepish smile.
Gladys simply rubbed her head gently, her pale palm lovingly stroking her soft gray-white hair.
“Ask her yourself.”
With that, Vanessa stood up and smiled at Erika. She seemed uninterested in staying longer.
“Gladys, I won’t interfere in your and Erika’s affairs.
But people from Cage are still hiding in the city. If you’re willing to share anything with me, I’ll listen. If not, I won’t force you.
But I do have one thing I want to tell Erika.”
“Mm…” Erika blinked.
“If you run into danger, your first instinct should not be to fight. It should be to seek help.
I know you’re powerful. But exposing your identity can be dangerous, understand?
In the eyes of people in the Imperial Capital, dragons count as non-humans too. Unless you’re ready to leave Kaslania, don’t transform lightly.”
“Got it, Teacher Vanessa.”
Erika nodded obediently, staying close to Gladys, trying to act as good as she could.
…
Once Vanessa left, Erika and Gladys were alone in the living room, staring wide-eyed at each other in silence…