Eventually the carriage made a turn behind a thick patch of trees, revealing the village itself.
Shamrock Village was small, Cyril was able to take in the whole of it immediately as they rode closer.
Its huts were made of wood and, built on a foundation, were elevated above the ground.
The presence of magic was minimal, but not nonexistent. There was a rare magic lamp placed sparingly around, its light turned off for the day.
In front of a rickety wooden gate that almost fell apart stood someone in his fifties holding a sword.
"Lads! How was the payment this time? Any good?" The guard walked closer, on his waist a wooden wand with a small crystal at the top.
"Better than good. Look what we got!" Otto leaned to the side, revealing Myra, who waved in response.
"My goodness! Polly's girl? I didn't think we would see you again, what with your impulses."
"What does that mean?"
The guard ignored her, laughing as he turned around.
"Great haul indeed! I'll go tell the others!"
With a joyful swing to his steps, the man walked away.
"Welcome home, Myra." Otto said with a warm smile.
"Go greet Polly. You are no doubt tired from traveling, leave catching up for another time."
Myra nodded and stepped off the carriage, sending Cyril an expectant look.
Cyril slowly stepped off as well and followed after her, observing their surroundings.
The old wooden buildings that one couldn't find in the city, the rugged people that stayed outside, their antique clothes, and the occasional animal freely wandering about.
Whatever person saw Myra all seemed to know her, greeting her with enthusiasm and giving Cyril a curious glance.
He felt a peculiar sense of intrusion. As if he traveled to some ancient time, somewhere he doesn't belong.
"These people act so friendly simply because they have to, their weakness doesn't allow them to keep to themselves. We don't need this pretentious defense, for we are better."
"..."
Soon they reach a small hut closer to the water itself. Cyril had to pause for a moment, Myra knowingly pausing as well.
The uninterrupted blue stretching out for as far as the eye could see greeted him, waves gently hitting the shore close by.
"The city doesn't have anything like this, does it? All the water is underground there." Myra proudly exclaimed, hands on her hips.
"...It's not a bad view." Cyril nodded. The butterfly flew off his shoulder and approached the water.
She fluttered just above the calm waves, staring at them with curiosity but too afraid to touch them.
...
Once Morpho had played enough, they approached the hut nearby.
Myra familiarly ascended the stairs and opened the door, entering without any second thoughts.
The entryway of the hut was somewhat claustrophobic, as is the rest of the house visible.
There was space only for two people to stand, with a small magic lamp stuck to the ceiling.
"Polly, I am home!"
Myra excitedly dashed inside, hugging a grey-haired old woman with a hunched back, who came out at the noise.
"Myra! I didn't expect to see you again so soon." The old woman's raspy voice was tinged with palpable warmth.
"You look much better than the last time I saw you, you even got taller. Magic sure is amazing."
Myra let go and sheepishly smiled.
"It really is." She then ran towards Cyril and showed him with her hands.
"We are here on academy business, and I thought we could take shelter here for the night. What do you think?"
The old woman switched her gaze to him, her eyes narrowing down immediately.
Cyril somewhat tried to make his face less cold, though he hadn't ever been successful in that before.
"My name is Cyril." He bowed slightly, trying to remember the noble's etiquette.
"...What a polite young man. It would be my honor to give him shelter!" Polly laughed heartily and turned towards Myra.
"You arrived at a good time. Come, you must be hungry."
She waddled to another room, a kitchen area with an old wooden table.
"Actually, we were planning on heading out immediately." Myra walked after her with a sheepish expression.
We were?
"Oh, you'll be fine. A quick food break would do you good. I also want to finally talk to you, young lady!"
"We haven't seen each other for a year! Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly decided to go to the city? You don't even write!"
Myra pursed her lips, her head drooping a bit lower.
"Fine, fine."
"Sorry," She whispered to Cyril, sighed in resignation, and went towards the cooking area.
"Let me help you at least."
"You? What happened to refusing to cook ever in your life?"
"You'll be surprised."
They busily walked back and forth, cutting vegetables, cleaning fish, and helping each other in whatever ways they could.
To Polly's horror, Myra smugly used fire magic to help with the cooking.
Cyril sat by the table, blankly observing the bustle in the kitchen.
Is this her grandmother?
They look happy.
"Tsk. Again, it's all just a show. Once Myra leaves she'll immediately forget about her precious grandma."
...Are you jealous?
"Of course not!" Rhamn stomped on the ground, on her face an angry, contemptuous smile.
"Their relationships are built upon lies. They don't love, no human does. They simply tolerate each other's existence because there is no other way for them to live."
"What we have is so much better. We are a true family, a whole that loves each other with the purest of feelings."
Morpho on his shoulder tapped him, radiating boundless warmth.
In return he gently brushed her wings, spending this time observing the cooking process.
In a while Myra and Polly walked back to the table, their hands full.
"Food's ready!" a sudden exclamation brought him back.
With a thumb on the table were placed a few dishes, all somehow involving fish.
"Haha, what now?" Myra proudly put her hands on her hips.
"...Girl! If I weren't present, you would make something completely tasteless. Who cooks like that?"
Myra's proud stance twitched a little. "I-It's efficient though! Who cares if the food is a little bland when it's quick and nutritious?"
"Right, Cyril?" She snapped her head at him with expectation.
He calmly nodded.
It's not wrong.
"Morpho would disagree."
"See?" fully regaining her energy, Myra sent Polly a smug look.
"Ah, you city folk are too different." The old woman waved dismissively and sat down.
"Let's start eating."
Cyril took the knife and fork, bringing a plate closer.
"Do you know how to eat fish?" Polly suddenly asked with a raised brow.
"...I do."
Cyril blankly replied.
Does she think I am helpless?
"How rude!"
"Sorry, sorry. Eat up more, young man. A handsome lad like you needs this energy."
"...Maybe not too rude."
They all began eating, the atmosphere in the air somewhat lively.
The moment Polly tasted a bit of the fish, she lowered her utensils and sent Myra a deep look.
"...What?" Myra cautiously replied, taking a quick taste herself.
"It just hit me how impressive you are now. What change just a year could bring."
Myra slowly nodded, a smile plastered on her face. Though, again, for some reason it appeared bitter to Cyril.
...
During this lunch sorts of stories about Myra's past came out, causing the girl with auburn hair some mental anguish.
"Every kid her age was scared of Myra back in the day. She was a real bully!"
"We were just playing! Like any kids!"
"She would sometimes sneak into the forest on her own, trying to hunt game, because fishing 'wasn't as cool,' haha!"
"That's- so what?"
"Haha! As expected, this ugly girl is a barbarian!" At least Rhamn had her fill of laughing.
Polly looked at Myra with a bright smile and a distant look in her eyes.
"Maybe that hit on the head a year ago did you some good. We were worried at first when you decided to leave all of a sudden, but it ended up well."
"...Yeah."
"I knew it! Ha!"
"Anyways! Don't just bring up old history in front of Cyril! That's embarrassing."
"Fine, fine." Polly shook her head, then switched to him.
"Then what about you? Did the academy change you much? Where are you from? I want to know more about Myra's friend."
Cyril stared at his food, contemplating for a few seconds as silence settled.
"I was born in a noble family and raised by a maid. There is nothing much to speak of."
"My time in Ailanthus has been good so far."
"...I am glad to hear your academy is a good place." Polly slowly nodded.
"I see Myra is rather friendly towards you. I wonder how you two met?"
Myra flinched, staring at her with complaint.
"Like any classmate, what's there to wonder?"
"She challenged me to a duel... It was a novel experience."
"Hahaha! That's the Myra I know. Good!" Polly smiled from ear to ear, her teeth visible.
Cyril nodded calmly, while Myra covered her face with a palm and sighed.
The red butterfly sat on the table near Cyril's plate, slowly munching on a bit of fish.