LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 114
The White Swallow Hall of Swallow Garden Academy.
This grand building at the center of the academy serves as the meeting place for the board of directors.
In a room at the back of the hall, the walls were adorned with murals of birds flitting among the branches, while a white stone table stood below, surrounded by about a dozen directors dressed in various styles. Among them were leading entrepreneurs from the Northern District, masters of renowned transcendent factions, retired luminaries, and representatives of ancient families. What they shared in common was that they were all graduates of Swallow Garden Academy, having spent part of their youth within its halls.
“The enrollment phase this year is progressing smoothly. The students are performing well, with no cases of drastic behavior changes or particularly problematic personalities.”
“That’s wonderful. Back in my school days, I had a classmate with a terrible character, which left me depressed for a long time,” said a director in purple robes, stroking a small cat in their lap, their voice tinged with emotion.
“Haha, I’ve heard you tell that story at least ten times. After all these years, you still can’t let it go?” another director, a burly man with a hearty laugh, replied as his beard quivered with amusement.
…
“Ahem, setting aside these routine reports, how is the new student with the songstress talent performing at the academy?” asked a bespectacled director, exuding an air of bureaucracy.
“Hestia is doing quite well. She’s learning songstress skills under the Ghost Princess and has gradually made friends and companions. Occasionally, she even participates in practical training competitions.”
“That’s good to hear. I was worried when she first enrolled. Judging by her middle school records, she seemed very introverted. I feared she might remain in her own shell after starting high school.”
Though Hestia didn’t know many teachers personally, many of them secretly paid attention to her. After all, each incoming class had fewer than 300 students, and she stood out among them.
“Perhaps something during the holidays changed her. I recently returned from a discussion with Edess Academy and learned quite a bit about her situation.”
“About Hestia? Or her parents and sister? It’s no wonder she became so withdrawn in middle school—most people wouldn’t have fared better in her circumstances.”
“Should we pair her with a few lively, outgoing classmates to encourage her?”
“No need. That would feel too forced. If they became friends but later learned the truth, it might hurt her even more.”
“She’ll improve gradually. We shouldn’t interfere too much. After all, Swallow Garden values a relaxed and natural approach rather than forceful measures.”
“Let’s leave it at that and keep a quiet watch over her,” the directors agreed.
At this point, a previously silent director asked, “Can the Ghost Princess truly be trusted to guide Hestia?”
“Well, about the Ghost Princess…” A few directors seemed hesitant to respond.
“To put it bluntly, Swallow Garden Academy—or rather, its predecessor, Wind Swallow Garden—benefited significantly from her assistance. We have no grounds to doubt her. It’s just that she spent many years in slumber and only recently awakened.”
“Such a transcendent being exists? Does the federation government know about her?”
“That… probably not. She rarely ventures out and only uses the equipment we provide to browse current information across the galaxy.”
“According to early records from Wind Swallow Garden, the Ghost Princess has a cold disposition but is otherwise fine. She dislikes being disturbed but is willing to offer advice when approached with serious matters.”
“She has a unique connection with our academy. This time, she personally volunteered to guide Hestia. Originally, we planned for Lady Glorisa to mentor her.”
“Lady Glorisa has worked with several songstresses in the bustling central star region, boasting high musical accomplishments and mentoring many stars. She seemed like the ideal choice, but now she’s limited to teaching Hestia vocal techniques.”
“Glorisa was upset and tried to confront the Ghost Princess. Unfortunately, she returned deeply despondent and only recently recovered.”
“Perhaps she was overwhelmed. According to academy lore, the Ghost Princess’s voice possesses an innate allure, akin to a banshee’s charm—she may well be the queen of banshees.”
“It’s tough for her, but having the Ghost Princess teach is unexpected. Hestia might learn many lost arts from her.”
The discussion about Hestia continued for some time before the directors shifted to broader topics like the new semester’s teaching plans and developments at neighboring academies.
“Edess Academy will be starting soon, about two weeks later than us. Their opening ceremony is in two days, and Hestia will be heading there tonight.”
“It’s a shame, but our influence at Verdant Veil is far less than theirs. We have no choice but to let her go,” a few directors lamented.
“That place is rife with ambition and competition, unlike the peaceful Northern District.”
“It’s a gathering ground for heirs of major conglomerates, offspring of celebrities, and emerging geniuses—all of them proud and competitive. It’s tough to stand out there.”
“But also a great challenge, isn’t it?”
“With us as a safe harbor for respite, perhaps Hestia can find her footing more easily. Let’s wait and see.”
As the meeting room fell silent, another journey began.
A large aircraft descended onto a landing pad nestled in a mountain gorge, its guidance lights flickering. Hestia waved to her teacher behind her and boarded the iron-gray craft.
The jet engines roared to life, blue exhaust flames scorching the ground. The aircraft rose steadily, adjusted its trajectory, and flew southward over mountain ranges and across vast oceans, heading for the bustling heart of the Verdant Veil region: Southern 1st District.
Hours later, Hestia gazed down at the glowing metropolis below. Orange lights stretched from one edge of the horizon to the other, covering the land like a forest of fireflies—a breathtaking sight.
So this is Southern 1st District One, she thought, a sense of clarity settling in her heart.
Amid the rumble, the aircraft descended once more. Hestia stepped off via an automatic escalator, where a silver-haired girl awaited her. The girl’s shoulder-length hair curled slightly at the ends, and she wore a fitted black-and-white dress that accentuated her graceful figure, paired with gray tights.
“Welcome to Southern 1st District, Thilan~,” the girl greeted, lifting the hem of her skirt in a courteous bow. Behind her stood two rows of maids in matching black-and-white uniforms, bowing in unison—a strikingly beautiful sight.
Their uniforms bore folded white cravats at the chest, each adorned with a silver leaf emblem, signifying their origins from the prestigious Silverleaf Workshop, known for generations of loyal service.
In the bright lights, Hestia finally saw the girl clearly—her name was Annelie. She bore a striking resemblance of elder sister, Forneus.
“Please, follow me, Thilan,” Annelie said, taking Hestia’s hand and leading her to a silver hovercar. The convoy set off toward the famed Edess Academy in Southern 1st District.
A newly constructed home awaited Hestia there, blending natural elegance with modern design, ready for its new occupant.
Inside, two pristine student uniforms hung silently in the wardrobe—white with blue trim, bearing a black rose insignia. Crafted from luxurious T4-grade fabric, their impeccable tailoring hinted at a distinguished status and the storm soon to unfold.