Yulia had originally assumed the Dragon would never allow her to leave the temple and attend school in the distant Far East Academy City.

She had already come up with the reasons for Caerus: first, that without her noise-canceling presence, his sleep quality would suffer; second, that no one else could cater to his picky palate or design daily menus with such variety.

But after Caerus and Elias talked privately for a while, he didn't bring any of these issues up.

"Enrollment is the day after tomorrow." Caerus agreed to the matter quite calmly.

Yulia was shocked: "...You're just agreeing to this?"

"Mhm."

Caerus glanced at the bright smile blooming on her face, his tone suddenly turning cold.

"That happy, are you?"

"No, no, no..." Although Yulia was indeed thrilled, she couldn't afford to be too obvious. "I wouldn't say that happy. After all, having to leave you and go to such a distant place, I'm also extremely reluctant to part with you..."

Yes! No need to serve this master anymore!

I can hog the entire bed at night and roll around without anyone crushing my hair!

Caerus: "Then stay..."

"Even though I'm reluctant, considering the mission I bear, I have no choice but to tearfully bid you farewell." Yulia put on a display of extreme grief and sorrow, fully committed to the role.

Caerus leaned against the wall, taking in every one of the girl's little schemes.

In his eyes, Yulia's thoughts were never hard to guess; they were written clearly on her face.

Even without reading her mind, he knew she was likely thinking things like, "No need to humor him every day" or "I can take up a whole bed at night."

Watching her pretend to be heavy-hearted while secretly being joyful, Caerus didn't bother to pop her pleasant fantasy just yet.

When he appeared unexpectedly in front of her later, her expression would surely be even more spectacular.

Since they were already there, Elias took Yulia and Caerus on a tour of Gaia Academy.

The academy was larger than Yulia had expected. While it lacked the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Dark Temple, the surrounding scenery was beautiful. Lush green trees dotted the boulevards where students walked, and a massive fountain pool refracted bright light in the sun, making it look like a tourist attraction.

The academy's system was similar to a British public school, with students divided into noble royalty from famous families and high-achieving commoners. In addition to necessary items, students were allowed to bring one servant.

"...Gaia Academy has no outer walls. You could say the entire Far East Academy City belongs to the academy. You can buy all the daily necessities you need here. You understand that, right?"

Yulia nodded, thinking to herself: What's not to understand?

Far East Academy City = School City = College Town. This school is pretty trendy.

After giving a general introduction to the direction of the academy buildings, Elias asked:

"There's plenty of time today. Is there anywhere else you'd like to see in particular?"

As he said this, Elias had already guessed Yulia's answer—nothing more than the dorms, classrooms, or the commercial street.

Then, Yulia lifted her head and asked with complete sincerity:

"Can I go check out the cafeteria?"

Elias: ...?

"Is that not allowed?"

"It's... not not allowed."

It's just that no one's first priority after arriving has ever been the cafeteria.

Caerus, however, looked unsurprised. To be honest, while he used to have no requirements for food, after being "fed" by Yulia, his palate had become so picky that he couldn't eat anything except what she cooked.

Yulia had prepared herself before going, but when she saw the cafeteria with her own eyes, she was still shocked.

"...What is this?"

She pointed at a pile of black, porridge-like substance where no single ingredient could be identified.

"That's beans stewed with chicken."

"And this thing that looks like a lump of coal, or maybe a bird?"

"Roasted peacock."

"...?"

Yulia's brain felt numb.

Of course, the cafeteria didn't only have these "dark cuisine" dishes. There were some meat dishes and thick soups that were slightly more presentable, as well as braised pig trotters and white bread made from high-quality wheat flour.

Whether they were nobles or commoners, everyone could find food that suited their taste and budget in this cafeteria.

But for Yulia—

Is this a gastronomic desert?

Yulia immediately turned to cling to Caerus's leg.

"...Why are you looking at me like that?" Caerus was poised, wanting to see what other tricks Yulia had up her sleeve. "You're the one who wanted to come."

The "Tea-Art Master" Yulia came online, her face full of innocent pity:

"But the blacksmiths only just delivered the new iron pots to the temple, and I haven't even used them yet..."

"You can bring them here."

Granting Yulia a special exception and building a small kitchen in her dormitory wasn't difficult.

Elias: "Indeed, you may bring them."

Yulia looked troubled again: "But I don't think the vegetables here taste as good as the ones I grow myself in the temple..."

Elias couldn't help but let a question mark slowly form in his mind.

Although Far East Academy City wasn't as economically developed as the nations outside, it gathered the brightest talents and the wealthiest families on the entire continent. Driven by them, the top-tier supplies of food, clothing, housing, and transportation from every nation flowed here constantly.

This was the first time he had heard someone question the quality of the academy city's vegetables.

Just as Elias was about to speak, he heard Caerus say:

"Then you'll just have to grow them at the school."

?

This is a magic academy, not a farmer's training program, isn't it?

Elias didn't mean to look down on farmers, but having a mage grow their own vegetables at a magic academy...

It was unheard of.

Seeing that Elias had gone quiet, Caerus glanced at him:

"Can't be done?"

"...It's not that." Elias hesitated, but still briefly explained the academy's situation. "There are indeed some mages with average talent who use their magic to farm for a bit of income after graduation. But if you do this here at the academy, the other students might... talk."

Yulia, however, was quite unconvinced. She pointed to a courtyard in the corner of the campus where a class was in session. The teacher was leading them in using light magic on the roses in the garden, and the rosebuds instantly bloomed into flowers.

"Don't they grow flowers, too?"

"Growing flowers and growing vegetables... are still considered somewhat different in their eyes."

Got it. It's discrimination.

Damn it! What's so noble about growing flowers? Flowers can be used to make pastries and tea, but growing vegetables means I can eat delicious, hearty dishes!!

"What's the difference?" Caerus held the same opinion as Yulia. He pointed to the rose garden where the group was having their class. "That spot is perfect. Dig up the flowers and grow vegetables instead."

Elias: "..."

Yulia chimed in:

"Actually, I think the flower bed over there is also great. That corner gets no traffic, and the academy already has enough ornamental flowers. What a waste to keep growing flowers in such a good spot! Growing my newly cultivated wheat seedlings and lettuce would definitely be better. By the way, have I ever made roast pork belly? It would go perfectly with lettuce..."

"Fine. Then dig that up, too."

Elias listened as these two nonchalantly discussed how to wreck his flower gardens, and suddenly fell into deep thought.

Having these two come to the academy... why does he have a... not-so-good premonition?

And so, Yulia and Caerus unilaterally carved up a portion of the academy's open space. Before leaving, they even requested a map of the academy city from Elias.

Elias suspected that if they went back and pondered this for a night, they might well push over his entire garden and lawn the next day to plant corn.

But he couldn't stop them. After all, as a human created by Caerus, the divine blood flowing through him was all inherited from Caerus. Regardless of status or the difference in power, it was impossible for him to prevent Caerus from doing what he wanted.

Come to think of it, this was also the first time he had seen Caerus take an interest in something other than creation and destruction.

This princess, who had been sacrificed to the Dragon...

Seemed to be a special exception for Lord Caerus.