Leaning against Lena’s embrace, Celia wiped her eyes and soon parted with her.
While the rain still fell heavily, a chill lingered in the garden, yet a warmth now filled the space between the two.
Lena held her daughter’s arm, intending to take her to Fenn Street, but fate intervened when an unexpected visitor blocked their path.
The intruder was a bespectacled male student, bearing the armband of the Student Council, a disciplinary committee member.
Upon seeing Celia’s face, he bowed his head and recounted from a small booklet: “Celia, you illegally scaled the dormitory gates last night, breaking school rules. When the Student Council found you, you refused to cooperate and fled using magic. You skipped classes this morning, evading the Council’s capture.”
His gaze sharpened as he asked, “These are facts, aren’t they, new student?”
Celia hadn’t expected the Student Council to act so swiftly, and her eye twitched as she quietly admitted, “Mmm.”
Upon her confession, the disciplinary committee member put away the booklet and produced a magical handcuff used to restrain heroes. “Come with me to the academic office peacefully. Admitting your mistakes may reduce your punishment. If you resist, expulsion is possible.”
“Daughter, what if…”
Lena’s words trailed off as she noticed Celia blinking beside her, replying with an apologetic smile, “Sorry, Mom, but I can’t be caught just yet!”
With those words, she swept up Dorothy in a princess carry, magic propelling them through the rain, heedless of the former’s shocked expression.
“Stop!”
The committee member, taken aback by her boldness, shouted, then followed, casting magic to pursue.
His hesitation cost him, for he quickly lost sight of Celia in the rain-soaked streets of Fenn Street, crowded even in the downpour.
They burst into a clothing store, startling a saleswoman, and Celia set Lena down, wiping her brow.
Her umbrella lay discarded, rain soaking their dresses, making them look disheveled.
After drying her mother’s dress, Celia braced for a scolding, but instead, she heard Lena’s tinkling laughter.
“What’s so funny, Mom?” she asked curiously.
“Long ago, I used to escape these disciplinary committee members just the same.”
A nostalgic smile played on Lena’s lips as she remembered her days with Chiling, where evading the Student Council had been almost routine, their identities always hidden.
Though they’d been nervous, hearts pounding, they’d nearly given up at times, but now, she smiled, cherishing the memories.
“Welcome, is there anything I can assist you with?”
“Not at the moment,” replied Celia, dismissing the saleswoman’s approach.
Pulling Lena towards the dresses, they paused when Lena lifted a gown, holding it against Celia.
“How about this? It looks good on you,” Lena suggested.
“Mmm,” agreed Celia, taking the dress and entering the fitting room.
A noble yet playful young lady emerged, the white gown adorned with gold embroidery, her noble demeanor drawing admiring glances.
She spun, pleased, saying, “Mom has a good eye.”
Then, she selected a silver and white dress for Lena, who hesitated, “It’s too young for me, a girl of fifteen or sixteen would suit it better.”
“But Mom is young! No one would guess we’re mother and daughter,” Celia exclaimed, embracing her.
Magic kept Lena eternally youthful, and though she exuded maturity, she appeared no older than a woman in her twenties.
“Fine, I’ll try it,” Lena relented, disappearing into the fitting room.
She emerged, the dress transforming her into a gentle, girl-next-door, her maturity subdued, youthful charm evident.
Lena twirled, and Celia rushed over, hugging her, “Mom, you’re so pretty! I’m jealous!”
“Just a bit too young,” Lena replied regretfully.
“Young is good! I don’t want Mom to age,” Celia pouted, nuzzling her mother’s cheek, content.
Then, her eyes gleamed, pulling Lena further into the store.
“Mom, look! There are school uniforms here!”
She led Lena to the uniforms, selecting one for her.
“What’s this?”
“Try it on?”
Despite her misgivings, Lena couldn’t refuse Celia’s hopeful gaze.
In the fitting room, she changed, the uniform familiar yet strange, her youthful face at odds with the depth of her red eyes, a silent testament to her past.
As she gazed in the mirror, nostalgia washed over her, a tide of memories…