LIGHTNOVELWORLD Volume 3 Chapter 23
23. Nothing to Say
What could be so important that Norma needed to see him at this late hour?
Keith was very impatient.
He had originally planned to get up early tomorrow, arrange for someone to send Xia Yi away, and then find a few old friends to have a party and enjoy himself. But now, in the evening, his niece came to disturb him.
“Alright, come in. This better be important, Norma.”
Only after Keith agreed did Norma enter.
“Speak. What’s the matter?” Keith asked.
Norma felt a bit embarrassed, but she still made up her mind and spoke, “It’s about Miss Xia Yi.”
“What about her? I asked you to go and greet her earlier, but you refused. Why bring it up now?”
“No, Uncle. I encountered Miss Xia Yi today while training.”
“Oh, and then?”
Keith took out his pipe and lit it.
“I couldn’t accept what she said, so I challenged her to a duel.”
“Cough, cough, cough!” Keith suddenly choked. “Are you looking for trouble?”
“Uncle, I lost the duel with Miss Xia Yi. She used swordsmanship to defeat me.”
“You lost?”
“Mm,” Norma nodded. “Uncle, my swordsmanship teacher is Hill Gibran, who is Lord Sword Saint’s direct disciple!”
“Of course I know. You showed good talent at Laurel Academy and were recognized by Hill.”
“But Uncle, isn’t Miss Xia Yi a mage? A mage defeated me in swordsmanship! Don’t you feel that Miss Xia Yi… is very suspicious! Especially the forces behind her. Why would they sponsor our Lawrence family for no reason?!”
“You… came tonight just to say these things?”
“Yes, Uncle. I think it’s necessary to warn you. This is too suspicious.”
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Uncle! Associating with such power could bring great trouble, even danger to our Lawrence family!”
“How annoying!”
Keith was very dissatisfied.
How could he not know the things Norma mentioned?
Just like why do people still smoke when they know it’s bad?
Why do people still drink when they know it’s bad?
Why do people insist on gambling when they know it’s bad?
Who doesn’t know these things in their heart?
“Norma, let me ask you. Do you want our Lawrence family to refuse their funds and resources?” Keith questioned.
“I think this is something we need to consider, Uncle. I will revive the glory of the Lawrence family, not by relying on external forces. Please believe in me.”
“So many people in our Lawrence family are waiting for their salaries. Without the support of Miss Xia Yi’s backers, who will provide for this? You?”
“This…”
“Where do you think the money for your education comes from? Your daily expenses at school, the funds for practicing swordsmanship, and the resources needed to become a knight, who provides them?” Keith sneered. “Are you saying you want to give up all this, drop out, and then go lay bricks to support our Lawrence family?”
“…”
Norma was rendered speechless by Keith’s retort.
“Tsk, if it weren’t for my brother’s last words, I wouldn’t bother with you. Alright, I’m going to rest. Don’t disturb me anymore!” Keith waved his hand impatiently. “Don’t mention Miss Xia Yi’s matters in front of outsiders. Her current identity is a member of our Lawrence family. Understand?!”
Norma had nothing to say and could only leave.
“Wait.” Keith called out to Norma.
“What is it?”
“You know Laurel Academy is holding an entrance exam in the capital, right?”
“I know.”
“Miss Xia Yi is going to participate. Tomorrow morning, you take her there. Get this done for me.”
“What?!” Norma was startled. “Why is she going to Laurel Academy?!”
“Why do you care so much?”
“I won’t take her.”
“You won’t? Then don’t expect to get a single cent of allowance from me!”
“Then I’ll work part-time!!”
“Then figure out next semester’s tuition on your own too.” Keith said coldly.
The tuition at Laurel Academy was indeed not cheap.
If Norma had to say, she could earn enough by taking more jobs at the Adventurers’ Guild.
But then she could forget about attending school. It would all be wasted at the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Your answer?”
“Fine, I understand.” Norma agreed dejectedly.
Keith laughed. Now he wouldn’t even have to get up early tomorrow. He could just leave it all to his niece!
…
“Good morning, Miss Xia Yi…”
“Huh?”
Xia Yi never expected Norma to appear before her.
Shouldn’t Keith be the one to come and arrange for her to go to the capital to take the Laurel Academy entrance exam?
“Miss Xia Yi, I’ll take you to the Laurel Academy exam.”
Norma’s expression was also very awkward now. Thinking about how she was scolded yesterday, and now the next day she had to take a carriage ride to the capital together. She was so embarrassed that she could almost dig a mansion with her toes.
“Oh… Alright.”
“Miss Xia Yi, let’s drop the honorifics from now on. Otherwise, people will be suspicious.”
“Oh, okay, Norma.”
Xia Yi tried calling her that.
“Xia Yi.”
Although very reluctant, Norma still called her that.
Xia Yi felt that Norma’s attitude was a bit strange. She should really hate her now, right? How could she still patiently help?
Moreover, she didn’t even mention her suspicions about Xia Yi’s abilities.
Forget it. It’s best not to bring it up.
The two of them got on the carriage together and set off for the capital of the Rhine Kingdom.
Xia Yi only then noticed that the clothes Norma was wearing seemed to be the Laurel Academy uniform, different from what she had seen in Golde before. It should be a different seasonal style.
Norma was actually a Laurel Academy student?
She was a bit surprised.
Just as Xia Yi was about to ask, she suddenly saw Norma take out a book and start reading. It was—”The Sword Saint’s Autobiography”, an autobiography of the Human Sword Saint published with the help of the Schubert family. Just the exaggerated slogans on it made her cheeks start to turn red, feeling very uncomfortable.
“This?!”
“What’s wrong, Xia Yi? Is there a problem with me studying Lord Sword Saint’s spirit?” Norma asked, puzzled.
“N-No, go ahead and read!”
Xia Yi quickly turned her face away to look at the scenery outside the window.
…
After some time, Xia Yi and Norma arrived at the capital. After all, Belen wasn’t too far from the capital.
“Ah, I’m back.”
As soon as she got off the carriage, Xia Yi sighed in front of the prosperous gates of the capital of the Rhine Kingdom.
The Schubert family was in the capital of the Rhine Kingdom. After Wright was adopted, he had been living here.
“Back?” Norma asked curiously.
“I mean, I’ve been to the capital before. It’s been a while since I returned.”
“Oh.”
Norma didn’t pay much attention to it.
Carriages pulled by magic beasts generally weren’t allowed to directly enter the capital unless they belonged to the royal family or nobles with special status. In any case, the Lawrence family currently didn’t have such privileges.
Xia Yi and Norma entered the capital together and hired a horse-drawn carriage to head to the Laurel Academy exam venue.
As for the exam, she wasn’t too worried. With her current level, she could pass no matter what.
However, what Xia Yi didn’t expect was that as soon as she showed her invitation, she saw a familiar person.
“She… Why is she here?!”