"I never expected Nina to be this strong now," Reed remarked, clearly surprised by what Rose had just told him.
He had interacted with Nina recently but hadn't sensed any extraordinary power from her.
However, hearing it from Rose, he couldn't simply dismiss it as exaggeration.
"If you don't believe , you can test her yourself when she gets back," Rose said with a faint smile.
"Wait, Nina isn't in the academy right now?" Reed asked.
"No. She's probably off fetching Nora," Rose replied.
Riding on the back of the massive snow eagle, Eileen cast a doubtful glance at Nina. She had a nagging feeling that she had seen this girl before.
Then it clicked—years ago, during the Mistriver Realm expedition in Riverside City.
This girl had been there, accompanying Nina as a representative of Crossbridge Academy.
If Eileen rembered correctly, Nina had ranked among the top participants of the secret realm.
Reflecting on how Nora's life had unfolded since joining Karea Academy, Eileen couldn't help but wonder: had it been a mistake to push Nora toward joining Karea? Would things have turned out better for her if she hadn't joined at all?
Nina's claims about Crossbridge Academy being safe also left Eileen skeptical.
After the events of the Mistriver Realm years ago, the other two major families had been pushed out of Riverside City, leaving Crossbridge Academy as the sole significant power in the area.
But how could a single academy, no matter how strong its headmaster might be, ensure safety against the might of Karea Academy?
Karea's ranks were filled with powerful instructors and an even more formidable headmaster.
If they decided to act, what chance did Crossbridge Academy—or Riverside City, for that matter—have?
These doubts gnawed at Eileen's mind as she resolved silently to protect Riverside City in her own way.
Once she reached the academy, she planned to leave quietly, ensuring her presence didn't bring danger to the place Nora considered ho.
As the snow eagle descended upon Riverside City, Eileen was stunned by what she saw.
The city had transford entirely. In just a few short years, it had beco unrecognizable.
The bustling streets and vibrant surroundings now rivaled, if not surpassed, the grandeur of cities like Lakecity.
Even the outskirts of Riverside City were dotted with smaller but well-constructed buildings, creating an air of organized prosperity that left Eileen in awe.
Such developnts were things she'd only ever seen in imperial capitals or royal cities.
How had this small city changed so drastically in just a few years?
The snow eagle landed smoothly in the academy, its massive body shrinking and morphing into a human form. This transformation shocked Eileen even further.
A spell beast capable of taking on human form signified imnse power. Yet, judging by Nina's casual deanor, this formidable creature seed to serve her willingly.
How was this possible? Wasn't it in the nature of powerful spell beasts to possess unyielding pride?
Eileen turned her gaze to Nina, reevaluating the young girl's strength. For soone to command such a spell beast, what kind of power did Nina possess?
"Nora told it wasn't safe for you to stay in Karea Academy, so she asked to bring you back here. You'll stay here for now, and I'll take you to see Lady Isolde shortly," Nina said, interrupting Eileen's thoughts.
Unable to suppress her worry, Eileen asked, "What about Nora? She's still in the underground prison, unable to escape. Shouldn't we prioritize rescuing her first?"
Her concern for her friend was genuine. The underground prison of Karea Academy was notorious for its impenetrability. Very few, if any, had ever escaped its confines.
Nina, noting Eileen's worry, couldn't help but feel admiration for Nora's friend. Even now, her primary concern was for Nora's safety.
"You don't have to worry about Nora. She chose to stay there on purpose. The situation she's dealing with requires the headmaster's guidance," Nina explained calmly.
With that, Nina led Eileen to Daniel's office.
As they walked through the academy grounds, Eileen found herself repeatedly astonished.
The path was lined with exotic plants, the likes of which she had only ever seen in Karea Academy.
These plants, invaluable to mages for their magical properties, were thriving everywhere she looked.
Eileen had assud that only a well-established institution like Karea Academy could cultivate such rare specins. Yet here they were, flourishing in Crossbridge Academy.
Even more surprising was the atmosphere.
The environnt felt even more conducive to magical growth than Karea Academy, sothing she would have considered impossible.
"How could a small academy like this achieve such a transformation in just a few years?" Eileen wondered aloud, her skepticism battling with the evidence before her eyes.
The Crossbridge Academy she rembered from her last visit was entirely unremarkable, yet now it seed to rival—or even surpass—the prestigious Karea Academy.
At Daniel's office, Nina turned to Eileen and said, "Wait here for a mont. I'll go speak with the headmaster."
Nina entered the office and recounted her journey, including her conversation with Nora and everything she had learned about the hidden dangers in Karea Academy.
Daniel's brow furrowed as he listened. The ntion of a power "not belonging to this world, filled with danger" struck a chord with him. It sounded eerily familiar.
It had to be the remnants of the god-like force capable of corrupting the world itself.
If Nora's observations were correct, then Karea Academy was deeply entangled with the sa entities that sought to destroy the world.
This revelation troubled Daniel greatly. He had suspected hidden enemies operating in the shadows, but he hadn't expected them to erge in such a way.
"This is exactly what Nora told . I didn't change a single word," Nina emphasized, worried she might not have conveyed the gravity of the situation.
She continued, "There's also the matter of that strange battle Nora ntioned. Apparently, it's ant to decide the fate of the Free Federation, and she's been asked to participate. For now, she hasn't agreed."
Hearing this, Daniel's thoughts solidified.
If the Free Federation was the target, it was clear that Karea Academy was working on behalf of those seeking to corrupt the Source of the World.
"Nina," Daniel said decisively, "go back and tell Nora to agree to represent Karea Academy in this battle."
"What?" Nina exclaid, confused.
"Don't worry," Daniel added with a faint smile. "I'll be there to see for myself who's pulling the strings behind this."
Realizing Daniel's plan, Nina nodded enthusiastically. "Got it! I'll head back imdiately."
Though initially puzzled by his command, she understood his intent as he elaborated.
The headmaster was going to take action himself. Things were about to get very interesting.
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