[Vol. 7] Chapter 115: An Invitation from the City of Miracles
A few days later, in a heavily fortified border city of the Austre Empire, just over ten kilometers from the Church of Truth's headquarters.
Night had fallen. A gentle knock sounded at the door of an inn room, followed by a mature and pleasant female voice from outside.
"Miss Violet, are you there? A letter has arrived for you."
"So this word is pronounced… huh? A letter? Who would send me a letter at this time? And why all the way to this city…?"
The black-haired girl opened the door, her expression showing clear surprise as she glanced at the visitor.
Under the glow of a magical lamp, a white envelope with a gold-embossed seal shimmered faintly. Holding it was a stunning red-haired woman in an elegant high-ranking mage's robe, a staff in hand, looking as though she had just returned from outside. She gave a small nod and smiled warmly at Violet, who was still processing the unexpected delivery.
Of course, Violet recognized her.
Priscilla, the legendary "Great" Archmage who had traveled across great distances just a few days ago to aid her disciple. Though she hadn’t left immediately afterward, instead staying with the army and adventurers in the nearby city, it was still unusual for someone of her status to personally deliver a simple letter.
Unless, of course, she had other business she wanted to take care of at the same time.
The red-haired woman, whose long list of titles was too many to count, extended the letter toward Violet.
"You'll understand once you read it. I'm just the messenger~"
"Why so mysterious…?" Violet muttered under her breath, slightly exasperated.
She broke the wax seal, pulled out the lone sheet of fine white paper inside, and began reading it right there in front of Priscilla, no need to step back into the room.
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To Miss Violet, esteemed Priestess,
We have long heard of the many great deeds you have accomplished in recent years. As a legendary Holy Arts Practitioner who has surpassed the fifth rank, your mastery of divine magic has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of excellence. You have our utmost respect.
As a sophisticated discipline derived from light-based magic and widely recognized across academic circles, Holy Magic holds a crucial and far-reaching influence in the world of magic. However, its practice is highly demanding, and true mastery is exceptionally rare. Due to the unique circumstances of the Holy Empire and its temples, top-tier Holy Arts practitioners who are open to external collaboration are nearly impossible to find.
Our academy has always upheld the principles of openness, cooperation, and innovation, welcoming scholars and experts from all fields worldwide to engage in research on the many arcane disciplines that remain unsolved to this day. Among them, magic stands as one of the most foundational pillars.
With a vision for mutual progress, the academy’s Board of Directors has held extensive discussions and has unanimously decided to confer upon Miss Violet the honorary title of "Professor of Science". Additionally, we extend a formal invitation for you to attend the upcoming World Academy Joint Exchange Conference, which will be held in our city.
Furthermore, as an institution dedicated to education and the nurturing of talent, we have learned that Miss Violet is currently accompanied by two highly gifted children who have yet to receive formal schooling. As a gesture of our sincere invitation, we would like to offer them special enrollment status, ensuring they receive the best possible educational resources and mentorship.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, Miss Priscilla, one of our academy’s official research lecturers, will be available to assist you. Regardless of your decision, we kindly ask you to relay your response through her. The entire faculty and student body eagerly anticipate your arrival, along with your companions.
—Department of External Affairs, Sainz Academy
September 12, Year 1378
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That was the full content of the letter. Interestingly, it was not written in [Veir Language], the commonly used language within the Austre Empire, but rather in a more widely recognized global language. Combined with several deliberate details, it was evident that the sender wanted to distinguish themselves from the official stance of the Austre Empire.
Violet tilted the envelope, letting its contents fall into her palm. Inside was a round emblem crafted from pure gold, intricately engraved with a delicate flower design resembling an iris.
This was the Marina Flower, named after the legendary Saint Marina, a symbol of peace and prosperity, and also the official insignia of Sainz Academy.
Violet looked up at the red-haired woman standing before her, still smiling silently. It was clear, she was the messenger of this sudden invitation from Sainz Academy.
"So… what does this mean?"
Seeing that the black-haired girl had finally asked, Priscilla simply kept her gentle smile and nodded in confirmation.
"Just as it says. Sainz Academy hopes that Miss Violet will accept the title of Honorary Professor and attend the upcoming first [World Academy Joint Exchange Conference.] There, you will have the opportunity to engage in academic discussions with scholars, professors, and aspiring minds from all over the world, and of course, observe the competitions."
"Academic discussions and competitions?"
Violet couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, sounding a little exasperated.
"I won’t even ask about the competitions, but come on, I’m just an ordinary traveler who never even attended school. What exactly am I supposed to contribute to an academic discussion? I’d probably be completely out of my depth."
She folded her arms and frowned slightly.
"And what even is this [World Academy Joint Exchange Conference] supposed to be? Miss Priscilla, just be straight with me. What’s really going on here?"
Priscilla nodded slightly, about to explain, when another voice, young and slightly immature, suddenly cut in from beside them, answering on her behalf.
"Sister, this letter is actually meant for me."
At some point, the small dragon girl had climbed out of bed and made her way to the door. She took the letter, quickly scanning through it. A thoughtful look flashed across her childish face before she lifted the thick book she had been reading, "A Thousand Years of Sainz", and looked straight at Priscilla.
"This is Lucine’s doing, isn’t it? This is how she’s choosing to keep her promise."
The red-haired woman smiled knowingly and nodded.
"As expected from someone personally chosen by the Headmaster. You're sharp."
Her tone softened slightly before she continued.
"Yes, you're right. This decision was made after a discussion in the Board of Directors, proposed by Headmaster Lucine herself. She also asked me to deliver a message to you, Miss Light."
With that, Priscilla adjusted her voice, lowering it slightly as if mimicking someone else's serious tone.
"You're already being watched. Be careful. Come to me as soon as possible."
"Hmph, as if going to her would be any safer..."
Xiao Guang scoffed, clearly unimpressed, but Priscilla paid no mind to her sarcastic remark. After delivering Lucine's message, she simply smiled and continued.
"So, little one, are you going to accept the Headmaster’s invitation?"
Without hesitation, the blond girl shook her head.
"They invited my sister, didn’t they? It’s her decision, not mine. I don’t really care either way."
"Fair enough~"
It seemed Priscilla had already expected the conversation to return to Violet. She watched as Xiao Guang handed the letter back to the black-haired girl, not pressing for an answer but waiting patiently for her response.
"Sainz, huh..."
Violet was familiar with the place. That book, "A Thousand Years of Sainz," had originally been something she bought from a certain queen, read through, and then passed on to Xiao Guang to continue reading.
Sainz was a truly unique place. It was an academy, but also a city, almost a kingdom of its own.
Its full name was Academy City Sainz, located in the northwest of the Austre Empire, near the borders of both the Holy Empire and the Frozen Tundra of the Far North. Though it technically lay within Austre’s territory, the city was not fully under imperial control. At least, not completely. Its situation was similar to Coastal Layla City, but Sainz held even greater autonomy.
Historically, Sainz had always been an independent city-state, a sanctuary for scholars. Unlike the Holy Academy, which was fully under the Holy Empire’s rule, Sainz fostered a far more open and unrestricted research environment. Even forbidden magic, so long as it was properly documented and handled with the necessary precautions, was permitted for study.
Dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the world, educating new generations, and advancing knowledge, Academy City Sainz was the birthplace of countless modern magical techniques, technologies, and innovations across various fields. Many of the weapons and [Graeme] models widely used in the Austre Empire today were said to have been developed by talents nurtured in Sainz.
Rather than just an academy, it was a gathering place for the impossible. A city where miracles were born.
That was why people called it "The City of Miracles."