"I know..."

Nicola blushed a little as she defended herself. After all, they had been classmates for three years, so it was impossible for her not to notice this.

"It's just that the way she talks and behaves makes me feel like she's a robot. So sometimes I can't help but see her that way."

"Then you have to try and change your attitude from now on! It's obvious that Reed doesn't like it when people treat her like she's 'faceless'. She was a bit angry just now."

I sighed and admonished her. Coming to another world, we still have to be careful to maintain our relationship as classmates. It's troublesome!

"Angry...?"

Nicola looked back at Reed who was talking with Cyra behind us. She seemed to have gained some realization.

"It's 11 pm already. I should get back to the library."

After looking at the time, Reed bid us farewell as it was getting late. But before leaving, she didn't forget to remind Nicola,

"Remember to come tomorrow. Don't make me come get you!"

"I will!"

Thanks to my counselling, Nicola's attitude seemed to have improved quite a bit. She didn't look as reluctant as before.

"Your rooms should have been prepared already. Do you want to go back and see?"

After Reed had walked far away, Cyra reminded Nicola and me. It was time we usually rested, but the light element in this realm meant I didn't feel sleepy at all.

"Of course!"

I readily agreed. I remembered they mentioned there were also light-isolating devices installed in the rooms. So they probably wouldn't interfere with sleeping.

"We don't need to walk this time. Let's fly back!"

The streets and alleys of this city were quite complex. As newcomers, we'd get lost trying to walk back.

Earlier when Serena brought us here, the high platform where we landed was still towering over the city center. The palace was right below it, so it was easy to spot from high altitude.

"Looks like you two don't need me to lead the way..."

Seeing Nicola and I finding our directions by ourselves, Cyra who was behind us could only complain bitterly that we didn't need her.

A few minutes later...

"So soft! Angels know how to enjoy life!"

I flopped down onto the bed in my room, sinking into the bedding.

"See you tomorrow then!"

After standing at the doorway for a while, Nicola finally bid me goodnight before returning to her room next door.

Cyra's room was on the other side.

"Bye..."

I responded to the doorway, then turned back realizing there was no one there anymore. So I got up to close the door.

Thinking back, apart from those few days in the Dark Continent, Nicola and I had been sleeping together ever since coming here. This was the first time we were separated. It did feel a little unusual.

But I finally had a room to myself! I excitedly rolled around the bed a few more times, before picking up a globe-shaped magic device on the table.

This was the fabled light-isolating device! I didn't see where it was placed when we were in the private room at the restaurant. But now I was looking at the real thing.

Cyra had already explained to me earlier how to use it - just infuse some light element, then spin the sphere on top a few rounds to activate it.

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In an instant, the light shining in through the window visibly darkened rapidly. First, it dimmed, then it was pitch black unable to see my hand.

"Uh...too dark."

I murmured to myself, then twisted the sphere back a little. The room immediately brightened somewhat. Yes! This device could also adjust brightness continuously. It could completely function as a magic lamp.

Unfortunately even with light isolation, sleepiness didn't come immediately. I tossed and turned on the bed bored for who knows how long before falling asleep unknowingly.

"Feliciana! Wake up!"

In my groggy state, I seemed to hear someone calling me. I felt a bright light in front of me. Even with my eyes closed I could feel the piercing brightness.

I was instantly awake, opened my eyes slightly and sat up. It was a long time before I remembered where I was and that there were two extra people in my room.

It was Nicola and Cyra.

"Did you forget? Starting today we have lessons with Cyra at 8 am."

Nicola was fiddling with the light isolating device on my table.

"Didn't I say yesterday that this thing can be set to auto-cancel isolation at a timed hour? Why didn't you set it?"

Cyra was also looking at that device questioningly.

"Ah? Sorry, I forgot!"

Reminded by them, I finally recalled yesterday's matters. I hurriedly crawled out of bed to wash up. After all, I had graduated from university months ago, so going for lessons felt extremely distant.

"No need to panic, just take your time."

Seeing me scrambling chaotically, Cyra couldn't help commenting.

"This isn't school after all. It's just a supplementary course specially opened for us newbie angels. No need to make it seem so serious..."

"Is that so? But won't being late leave a bad impression on the teacher?"

I spoke while changing my clothes. Luckily the wardrobe here came fully stocked with various plain colored dresses, mostly backless!

I hated these types of clothes the most but had no choice but to temporarily put up with them. The one good point was they took angel wings into account so I didn't have to manually slit the back each time.

"Don't worry, sometimes the teacher arrives later than us..."

Cyra ogled me changing clothes and casually replied.

"What are you looking at?"

Nicola heavily slapped her shoulder, mercilessly dragging her out of the room and slammed the door shut.

"What gives! We're all girls, what's there to be shy about? Feliciana doesn't mind either..."

In the corridor outside I could vaguely hear Cyra's shameless protests.

"What's up with Nicola today?"

I also felt it made no sense. We used to stay together before and she wasn't so avoidant. Her double standards were quite slick.

"Let's go!"

After getting dressed I exited the room. The two of them were standing there glaring daggers at each other, pushing each other's arms testing strength. But Cyra was far weaker, conceding defeat quickly.

"Aren't you two a bit too old to be playing like kids..."

Seeing them I didn't know what to say, so I pretended not to see anything and asked,

"I remember we're meeting at the battle arena right, to learn some common knowledge? But that place sounds like we'll be fighting..."

"I've no idea. We usually have indoor classes."

When asked, even Cyra was ignorant and could only reply in puzzlement.

"Though we sometimes go there, like when learning to fly. But you two should already know how to fly right."

"Who cares, let's just go first before figuring it out..."

Without waiting for a response, Nicola pushed Cyra to lead the way.

"It's past 8 already. Are you sure being late is no issue?"

"Trust me, no problem!"

Cyra swore resolutely, looking extremely familiar with the teacher's habits.

...

In the middle of a field bigger than a soccer pitch, stood a lonely figure.

"This is what you call a guarantee?"

Seeing the six white wings behind that figure, I glanced at Cyra and said.

"Did I guarantee anything? What nonsense are you spouting, I don't get it at all!"

Cyra denied everything outright. Looks like she slipped up this time.

"Forget it, since we're already late, let's just quickly head over. Hopefully, we don't anger the teacher..."

Cyra bitterly smiled and said. Then with no need to run, she spread her wings behind her back and flew towards the middle of the field.

Not daring to tarry, I hurriedly followed close behind her.

"You're finally here..."

Seeing us land before her one by one, that figure seemed to heave a sigh of relief and murmured.

"I thought you all didn't want to attend my lessons!"

"No... Of course not!"

Damn! Looks like the teacher was angry. I hurriedly explained,

"There's a valid reason. We only just arrived so aren't familiar with the palace layout. We wandered those corridors and alleyways for half the day before getting lost!"

I was lying since we couldn't possibly get lost with Cyra leading. This was the usual trick I used back in school when late. Whether it worked depended on the other party's discretion.

"That's right!"

Nicola chimed in agreement.

"We've memorized the route here already. We'll be on time next round. This was an exception!"

"Ah? It's fine, don't worry about it! I'm already very happy you all came."

Who knew upon hearing that, she immediately waved her hands and poured out grievances.

"It's so hard to serve these new angels. Reed skips lessons every day, now there are two more of you... If not for Lady Elara's orders, I'd have given up long ago."

"Huh?"

Hearing that, Nicola and I exchanged glances. This teacher's attitude was off right? And why did she seem kinda weak?

"Is there some problem with us?"

I tentatively asked. Thinking back we were only a bit late. Was that deserving of her seeming unwillingness to teach us?

"None at all! You're all very good!"

As if afraid, she waved her hands even more frantically upon hearing me and eventually hung her head low.

"It's all my problems. I'm afraid... afraid I can't teach well, that you'll all be displeased."

"......"

I was momentarily at a loss for words. What was up with this teacher? Her behaviour was like a bullied young daughter-in-law. While Nicola and I were wrongly portrayed as unreasonable mothers-in-law.