After a hectic night, the next morning Maria got up before Aria, as was customary.

Both were sleeping in the same bed, so, in an attempt to sneak off to the bathroom, everything seemed fine until…

"Oh, good that you're already awake. Let's go to the bathroom," said Aria while rubbing her eyes.

Damn!

Was it because the door creaked a bit?

Maria smiled, but inside she was very annoyed.

"Yes… let’s go."

◇◆◇

After they had both changed their clothes and eaten breakfast, minutes later Elizabeth came to the room to guide them to the place where the training would take place.

"How much more do you have?" Aria asked, glancing at Elizabeth.

"More than half the library…" said Elizabeth with a sigh.

Maria, upon hearing these words, was surprised.

There were about 20 shelves full of books in the library, and if on average each one had at least 20 books…

Had she read more than 400 books!?

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Maria couldn't help but look at Elizabeth in awe, though Elizabeth found her gaze annoying.

To Maria's surprise, Elizabeth was leading them to the main exit of the mansion, and upon opening the door, not far away, a carriage could be seen.

Were they going out?

That's what Maria excitedly wondered.

There was no one else outside apart from that carriage.

As they progressed, Maria felt increasingly anxious.

This was the way!

It offered the most direct escape route, as it efficiently connected with the outside and was the same route she had taken previously during her vacations.

While Maria got carried away by nostalgia, despite having returned less than two days ago, Aria calmly observed every detail of the surroundings.

It was the first time Aria saw such a wide and straight road, lined with stone blocks eroded by time and the constant traffic of carriages and visitors.

The tall, sturdy trees created a kind of green corridor that seemed to guide visitors towards the outside world or welcome them back on their return.

On each side of the road, small oil lamps mounted on wrought iron posts aligned, ready to light the way during the nights and adding a touch of elegance and functionality.

The road stretched until it disappeared on the horizon, where a large iron gate marked the boundary of the mansion's domain and the beginning of the vast outside world.

"Where are we going?" Aria asked.

"We're going... to that magician's domain," Elizabeth replied with some disgust as she averted her gaze.

The three headed to the carriage, allowing Aria and then her maid to enter first. Elizabeth spoke for a moment with the driver before getting into the carriage.

Silence.

Maria was amazed by the fact that neither of the two had said a single word since the carriage had started moving.

Aria was focused, observing the exterior, while Elizabeth had leaned back with her eyes closed against the carriage wall.

She seemed tired.

Very tired.

At that moment, she looked nothing like the terrifying figure of the previous days, but still…

Maria dared not speak to her.

Maria tried to think of something that would relax her, but the carriage's atmosphere was not the best.

Undoubtedly… this would be a very heavy journey.