Chapter 22: Chapter 22
As I prepared to conduct an experiment, I noticed that the maids were still present in the vicinity. Regrettably, these individuals seemed to relish in tormenting me, often wearing sinister grins as they inflicted pain upon my person. I made a mental note to seek retribution at a later time. However, as disturbing thoughts began to flood my mind, I couldn't help but wonder, was that my inner voice speaking? I felt a sense of unease wash over me as I struggled to shake off these troubling thoughts.
I was still aroused as one orgasm was not nearly enough to satisfy my inner self.
I was roused from my slumber by the harsh words of one of the maids. "Hey you, get up and clean yourself or Lady Freya will become angry with us. If you don't want another whipping, I suggest you do as we say." I attempted to stand, but my ankles protested in pain and I stumbled. Wincing, I grabbed my foot in discomfort. "Tch, useless," the maid sneered. "Help me get this cleaned up."
The maids proceeded to clean me without my assistance, their faces twisted in disgust as they tended to the bodily fluids I was covered in. As they worked, I decided to try and alleviate the pain I was feeling. Channeling my ice aura, I focused it on the red marks on my wrists and ankles, and I was pleasantly surprised when the burning pain dissipated, replaced by a soothing and chilling sensation.
Though I was not well-versed in aura manipulation, the ease with which I was able to alleviate my pain filled me with a sense of pride. Once I was cleaned and had gathered my limited possessions, I returned to my room and finally allowed myself the luxury of a peaceful nap.
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Next morning
The next morning, we were ready to depart for the academy. The journey to reach there could be done by either ship on water or by air. As a daughter of a wealthy noble, Freya would be using her family's private air transportation, specifically a large wooden boat that was enchanted with wind magic to fly. The world of the novel was primarily that of the 19th century, where steam engines were prevalent, but this world had also seen some advancements in technology through the use of aura.
The architecture of the buildings in this world was grand and elegant, with Georgian terraces, windows made of glass and steel, floors made of wood or stone, large windows for air circulation, and chimneys. The wealthy urban population lived in handsome and clean streets. As for fashion, men were often seen wearing hats and coats like proper gentlemen, while ladies donned attractive chemise gowns or variations of modern dresses such as sweaters, T-shirts, bras, shorts, skirts, and thongs.
The world was still under a strict system of Aristocracy, with Empires and kingdoms stretching across continents. The nobles had their own mansions separate from the commoners in their domains. As mentioned in the novel, four major races ruled the world: humans, demons, elves, and beast-kin, with some almost extinct races like dragons, spirits, and mermaids rarely seen. The streets were lit up with lamps at night, often flickering, and a basic sewage system was in place to maintain hygiene, including proper toilets, a luxury I did not expect to be so grateful for.
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"You must be diligent in your duties at all times, do not let your guard down simply because you are not under direct supervision. Remember that the slave crest will still hold power over you should you choose to neglect your responsibilities. You are to attend to the young lady's needs at all times, understand that your enrollment in the academy is solely for her comfort and convenience. Do not delude yourself into thinking you are worthy of such an opportunity." The head maid repeated her instructions, her tone stern and unwavering.
Despite her words, I chose to tune her out, knowing that if I were to continue listening, I would become overwhelmed with frustration. The truth was, they had no other choice but to send me to the academy as there were no other maids within the mansion who possessed sufficient talent in aura manipulation or were of the appropriate age and skill level to enroll.
As we boarded the private air transportation, a large wooden boat that utilized wind magic to soar through the skies, I couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking scenery that passed by. Sea beasts swam below us, while various other creatures flew alongside us. A squad of knights had been assigned to escort us, ensuring our safe passage to the academy and effectively handling any hostile beasts that crossed our path.
The journey was smooth, and before I knew it, the landmass of the Beria Academy of Aura came into view. The entire academy was located on this sprawling continent and it was said that everything within its borders was owned by the academy itself. The majority of the population were students, and I remembered from the novel that the academy boasted an array of facilities, including extensive research centers. It was no surprise that the academy was so vast, given the numerous tests and experiments that were conducted there.
Upon arriving at the Beria Academy of Aura, we were greeted by a representative from the academy who appeared to be a senior student. The household knights, who had escorted us to the academy, were politely dismissed, as it was not permitted for them to stay for an extended period of time. The presence of too many knights could potentially cause problems and, in times of tension, would be disastrous.
As we walked through the academy grounds, I was taken aback by the diversity of the student population. I saw students from all backgrounds and races, including an elven boy dressed in plain clothes and a demon girl, fully demonic with her horns, dressed in luxurious noble attire. There were students from all ranks of society, from low to high, and I couldn't help but feel impressed.
Commoners were also present, having arrived by ship, and I couldn't help but wonder if I would have the chance to meet the hero or heroine from the novel. However, I didn't spot any familiar faces.
As for myself, I was instructed to remove the artifact the Duchess had given me to conceal my race, though I was uncertain if it was against the academy's rules. The artifact was of low-ranking quality and its effects were weak, so most of the servants in the mansion were already aware of my situation. I couldn't help but suspect that the Duchess had deliberately given me the weak artifact.
What a shitty woman....
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