"We're back!"
Emilia's voice chimed like a bell, cute and excited, as she leaned halfway out of the carriage window.
Her blue eyes sparkled with delight, wide and expressive as always, and strands of her dark hair fluttered in the breeze.
From a distance, her enthusiasm was so radiant it seemed to fill the whole carriage.
They were crossing Wayfall Bridge, the broad stone arch that connected the city to the sprawling grounds of the academy.
The roads were packed, lined with carriages rolling one after another, banners from different noble houses fluttering, and the laughter and chatter of students echoing like a festival.
"Hehe, with this many carriages all heading back, it almost feels like the welcome ceremony all over again, doesn't it?" Emilia added, her smile stretching ear to ear.
"Indeed," Reina replied softly. "Except without the floating airships above us. But yes… it seems quite a few parties managed to finish their evaluations around the same time we did."
