The hall was calm at this hour — no urgency, no formal procession. Just a handful of attendants preparing two light carriages, the kind used for short trips within the capital. Mana lanterns hummed quietly along the frames, soft enough to blend with the gentle morning breeze drifting in through the open arches.
Seraphina waited beside the first carriage, wearing a simple noble traveling coat — pale rose with silver trim. Nothing heavy, nothing ceremonial. Dior stood next to her, dressed similarly in a fitted dark coat without crests, hands in his pockets, looking like he'd barely woken up but refusing to show it.
When Noel and Charlotte approached, Seraphina turned, her posture relaxed.
"Your carriage is the second one," she said. "Since it's a short ride, we'll arrive almost together. Dior and I will go ahead to review the academy entrance first."
Charlotte nodded. "Of course."
