Leaving the Orphanage behind, Caius brought Kiki to Hydis Academy.

  It was already nearing evening. Many students at the Academy were out for a walk after dinner, while others were organizing various magic-related activities on the training grounds. Magic light flared repeatedly across the field, and Caius looked on with envy gleaming in his eyes.

  Kiki, perched on his shoulder, noticed his gaze and stretched out her tiny paw. A swirling ball of wind coalesced in her palm.

  “Big guy, look—meow~”

  Caius turned to look, pleasantly surprised. “That’s a Gold-tier wind spell, right? You mastered it?”

  “Yes, meow!” Kiki beamed with delight.

  Earlier, Caius had given her the magic book he obtained from a mage of the Seth Chamber of Commerce. The book contained Gold- and Platinum-tier spells. Caius had assumed that Kiki wouldn’t be able to learn any of them until she reached Gold rank herself.

  Yet here she was, still at Silver tier, already casting Gold-tier magic.

  It seemed Kiki's talent in wind magic was truly exceptional.

  Then, she pressed her paw gently on Caius's shoulder, and a soft green glow enveloped him. Instantly, his body felt lighter—almost weightless.

  With a slight push, Caius leapt into the air—soaring over ten meters effortlessly. If he exerted himself fully, he could probably jump over a hundred meters!

  Even when descending, he felt like he was gliding through the air, drifting down gently and steadily.

  “This is amazing!” Caius exclaimed with excitement.

  “That’s Windweave, meow!” Kiki grinned. “I’m working on Zephyr Wings now. Once I hit Gold tier, I’ll definitely learn it—meow!”

  “Then I’ll be able to take big guy flying—meow!”

  Caius couldn’t help but laugh with joy, affectionately ruffling the little Catgirl’s hair.

  “I just love you so much.”

  “Heehee~” Kiki nuzzled into Caius’s large hand, purring contentedly.

  The man and the Catgirl then crossed the training grounds and made their way to the Student Council building to find Hilda.

  But Hilda wasn’t in.

  She had, however, left a message with the council members, asking Caius to meet her at 8 o’clock at the entrance to East Street of Grilla City’s Grand Plaza.

  Caius didn’t think much of it and began strolling with Kiki toward the meeting point.

  It was a little after 7:30. Walking there would get them there right on time.

  Meanwhile, at the east main gate of Grilla City—

  A stunning figure stood beside the gate, her radiant beauty and elegant long dress drawing admiring glances from every passerby. Even the gate guards found it hard to avert their eyes.

  Several people considered approaching her to strike up conversation, but the sight of the elite knights from Grilla City standing behind her quickly killed any such thoughts. The presence of a unit from Hydis Academy’s elite guard further discouraged any boldness.

  Grilla City’s elite knights weren’t forces that just anyone could mobilize.

  And the Hydis Academy guard detachment—every one of them was Gold-tier, standing tall and proud, with a commanding presence.

  Together, the two forces numbered over a hundred people. The sheer aura they exuded made it so not a single bystander dared approach within ten meters.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  That beautiful girl, of course, was none other than our lovely Little Swan.

  But at the moment, she wore an expression of helplessness. Turning to a woman in knight armor behind her, she said, “Aunt Raylor, I’m just waiting for a friend. There’s really no need to make such a big fuss.”

  But the middle-aged woman named Raylor shook her head and replied, “The City Lord gave direct orders. If you are to appear in any important venue, your safety must be thoroughly secured.”

  “Please don’t refuse.”

  Hearing this, Hilda pouted and glanced over at the Hydis Academy guards.

  “Then why are you here too?”

  The leading man, a handsome figure, smiled and said, “Same as the Grilla knights. We’re here to ensure your safety.”

  “I don’t need your protection. And doing this… it’s scaring the locals.” Hilda’s displeasure was evident.

  “President, whether for Hydis or for Grilla City, your importance is beyond question. In fact, we worry this level of protection is still too little. Please, don’t turn us away.”

  Hilda: “…”

  Why are they all like this?!

  All she wanted was to quietly wait for her friend, maybe go for a walk and do a little shopping before the evening event began.

  Now that was all ruined—thanks to this over-the-top escort.

  Still, she knew they meant well. With a sigh, she stopped arguing.

  After a few more minutes, a beautiful carriage pulled up.

  Hilda’s eyes lit up. She waved cheerfully.

  The carriage came to a halt, and a girl in an elegant evening gown stepped out gracefully.

  The girl was quite beautiful—though not as stunning as Hilda, she still scored around 85 by Caius’s rating system.

  The key difference was that she had an exceptional sense of style. Her makeup was meticulously done, and the flowing dress she wore matched her vibe perfectly. That alone could earn her an extra five points, pushing her score to a solid 90.

  Anyone who scored over 90 was considered a rare beauty.

  When the girl spotted Hilda, she immediately lit up with a bright smile. Lifting her dress slightly, she trotted over, and the two girls clasped hands as they met.

  “Britney!” Hilda beamed with joy.

  “Hilda, it’s only been a year and you’ve gotten even prettier. I’m seriously starting to get jealous~” Britney said, holding Hilda’s hand affectionately, her eyes full of warmth and fondness.

  As for the entourage of guards behind Hilda, Britney acted as if she didn’t even see them.

  The truth was, Hilda was always the center of attention wherever she went. She shone like the moon among stars and never lacked admirers. Britney had grown used to it.

  Hilda had earned that spotlight—and Britney was genuinely happy for her.

  But then, Britney’s gaze locked onto Hilda’s dress, and a spark of delight flashed in her eyes.

  Hilda affectionately wrapped her arm around Britney’s. “Come on, let’s head to the... the business gala.”

  “Mhm.” Britney nodded with a graceful smile, exuding the refined charm of a wealthy young lady.

  The two girls walked at the front, followed by a large procession.

  Now, with the addition of Britney’s own guard unit, their entourage had grown even more massive.

  Both girls looked slightly helpless at the scene.

  “Keep your distance! Give Hilda and me some space, thanks!” Britney turned and snapped at the guards, her tone fiery and direct.

  Hilda chuckled but also nodded in agreement. “You all go patrol the inner city route. It’s safe here—no need to crowd the street and block others.”

  Indeed, with nearly two hundred guards, they were taking up nearly half of the wide main avenue.

  Upon hearing this, the guards had no choice but to disperse, leaving just a small team to follow discreetly behind the girls while the rest reluctantly split off to patrol elsewhere.

  “What a bunch of tagalongs,” Britney muttered, pouting slightly.

  “Don’t say that. They’re just doing their duty,” Hilda said with a soft smile.

  “You always think the best of people. But come on, what they think and what they do aren’t always the same.”

  “Still,” Hilda replied, “isn’t what they do more important than what they think?”

  Britney was momentarily speechless, then laughed and gently pinched Hilda’s cheek. “Okay, okay, I can’t argue with that.”

  “Hehe~” Hilda squirmed slightly, tickled by the gesture.

  “Oh, by the way, where did you get that dress?” Britney suddenly asked.

  “A good friend gave it to me.” Hilda spun around with a twirl of her skirt, her eyes sparkling. “What do you think? Pretty, right?”

  Britney burst out laughing. “Of course it’s pretty—I made it!”

  “Huh?” Now it was Hilda’s turn to be stunned. She grabbed Britney’s arm eagerly. “You made this dress?”

  “Mhm! Look at the pleats—the three folded layers here.”

  Hilda looked down and noticed the elegant pattern hidden in the folds. Her lips parted in surprise as she read the delicate stitching. “Bri...t...ney?!”

  “Impressed? That’s my personal anti-counterfeit stitchwork,” Britney said proudly.

  “Remember? I told you before I was going to open my own clothing store—share my designs across the continent!”

  “Well, my dream is now... off to a strong start!”

  “I’ve already opened four stores, all under my own name!”

  “And the one you’re wearing is one of my signature pieces!”

  “That’s amazing!” Hilda exclaimed, genuinely thrilled for her friend who was living her dream.

  Britney rested her chin thoughtfully on her hand. “I have a store in Ocean City. Two of my best designs were meant to be the centerpieces of the collection.”

  “But get this—right after they arrived, someone bought both on the very first day.”

  “They’re part of the same series.”

  “One’s called Nimbus Gown, and the other Rosy Dawn. The one you’re wearing is Rosy Dawn.”

  “From what I heard, the same customer bought both. And apparently... it was a man. A big guy, according to the store manager.”

  “Young lady, be honest—do you have a boyfriend now?”