Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 173

[Vol. 5] Chapter 173: Approaching the Campus

The clothes that Edwina is wearing today certainly have an artistic vibe.

If Violet guessed correctly, this should be the custom uniform specifically issued to female students at the Holy Academy.

As spring had arrived, the overall temperature in the eastern capital of the Holy Empire was rapidly rising, and many strong individuals with robust physiques were already able to wear short sleeves outdoors.

Thus, Edwina was dressed in a short-sleeved, one-piece uniform clearly designed for the transition from spring to summer, featuring a classic alternating black and white color scheme.

The hem of the skirt was adorned with delicate lace patterns, usually hidden under armor. However, it actually highlighted her well-developed figure, and she wore a black butterfly-shaped tie around her neck.

Her golden hair, as translucent as crystal, flowed down and was lightly tied at the ends with a white bow, adding a touch of elegant scholarly charm to the normally imposing Holy Knight.

Not only had she removed her armor, but her sacred sword and cross-shaped shield, which she never left without, couldn’t be brought into the educational campus either. If Violet wasn’t mistaken, they were likely hidden within the six-winged emblem of the goddess concealed in her chest.

After joking around with the Holy Knight for a bit, the three of them didn’t linger at the entrance for too long, enduring the curious gazes of passersby. Instead, they turned and stepped through the gates of the Holy Academy, led by Edwina, who had donned a campus-style outfit for the occasion.

The guards at the campus entrance were clearly informed in advance about the arrival of guests today. Although Miss White Fox and the little girl beside her were not wearing student or staff uniforms, especially the fox shrine maiden, whose witch outfit was particularly eye-catching. Edwina handed a booklet, probably some sort of pass, to the team leader, and after a brief verification, the three were smoothly granted entry.

The Holy Academy is located in the western part of the inner city of the Holy Capital and is one of the largest building complexes in the entire Angel City. While it doesn’t compare to the Holy Court, which encompasses nearly one-tenth of the Holy City’s total area, it’s certainly not a place where ordinary people can wander and easily see the end.

Passing through the heavily guarded main gate, the three walked along a path lined with neatly trimmed greenery and trees on either side. Miss White Fox held the hand of the pink-haired little girl, curiously glancing around while occasionally stealing glances at the “literature department” girl, who seemed completely familiar with her surroundings and showed no hesitation or doubt as she walked forward.

This led to a somewhat concerned inquiry.

“By the way, has Edwina studied here before? Not only is she wearing this uniform, but the guards at the entrance also seem to recognize you. Or is it that, as the second miss of the Cecilia family and a recently prominent newcomer, your reputation has reached such a level?”

“Please spare me, Miss Dawn…”

The blonde girl smiled wryly and shook her head repeatedly, then nodded helplessly.

“I did indeed study at the Holy Academy before. To be precise, according to the academy’s regulations, I’m still a student who hasn’t graduated from the Holy Academy yet.”

Sensing that the others might find it hard to understand, she added a brief explanation.

“The Holy Academy is an educational and research institution open to students of all races in the country, covering ages from six years old to… there’s no upper age limit. Generally speaking, as long as someone is still within the age range that requires education and learning for their race, they can take the entrance examination and join if they pass.”

“As a direct descendant of the Cecilia family, I have been receiving training from my family since I was young, while also studying knowledge and various skills at the Holy Academy. The academy has a wide range of grade levels, almost encompassing everything from early childhood to adulthood for the human race, with a study process that can last for more than a decade.”

“I’ve been here for almost ten years now. Until I turned seventeen and broke through to become an Indomitable Knight, gaining permission from my teacher for external training, I had to temporarily set aside my studies at the academy and go out to travel.”

The girl looked up at the countless tall and short teaching buildings and unique structures in the distance, nostalgia and emotion flickering in her eyes.

“Time flies, in the blink of an eye, my training has already ended. Everything around me has changed dramatically compared to when I first arrived, yet the sights of this campus still feel so familiar.”

“If Miss Dawn hadn’t suggested coming to the Holy Academy today, I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to return for a long time, hehe…”

“Is that so?”

This was somewhat expected.

After all, as one of the important cradles nurturing high-level talent for the Holy Empire, the Holy Academy is the top academy within the Angel City. Edwina, the young lady from a divine family, had every reason to continue her studies here.

“Speaking of which, you’ve been mentioning your teacher a lot. Who exactly is it?”

“Haha… Actually, she is a senior from our Cecilia family. In terms of seniority, my teacher is probably from four or five generations ago and is over three hundred years old this year. Would you like to meet her, Miss Dawn?”

“If I have the chance, that would be fine…”

As they chatted casually, the three girls leisurely continued on their way.

As someone who has studied at the Holy Academy for at least ten years, Edwina knows every detail of the place by heart. With her as a guide, there’s no need to worry about getting lost in the maze-like complex of buildings or encountering anything difficult to understand.

If there are any questions, she would immediately—provide answers for either the white fox lady or Eudora.

At this time in the morning, it seemed that most students and faculty were still in class or conducting research. After walking for a long time, Violet and her companions encountered very few passersby. Even when they did, most just glanced over before hurriedly leaving with their books and materials in hand, clearly in a rush.

Meanwhile, Edwina, the tour guide, continued to explain diligently.

“Since the academic terms last over ten years, the time schedule for students at the Holy Academy isn’t very tight. Classes are mainly held in the morning, while afternoons, evenings, and weekends are free time that can be allocated as they wish.”

“For this free time, some people, like me back then, usually receive additional training within their families. Others, from less affluent households, might choose to work part-time during their free hours to help cover the relatively high tuition fees. These are what we call working students.”

At this point, the knightess smiled slightly as she continued walking and talking.

“Of course, most students are just focused on their own activities, with no clear categorization, so overall, the learning environment at the Holy Academy is quite relaxed. If someone truly cannot afford tuition, they can apply for financial aid if they’re willing to join the church and their grades are good enough.”

“Hmm…”

As she listened thoughtfully, Miss White Fox glanced at the pink-haired little girl beside her, who was still holding her right hand and following closely while being drawn to the elegant surroundings, and she posed a question.

“Then Edwina, does the Holy Academy, or such institutions, provide accommodation? What are the conditions like?”

“Accommodation?”

The blonde girl turned back in surprise but quickly nodded in response.

“Of course! Since it’s an educational institution, there will definitely be students from out of town. In fact, according to survey results, more than half of the students at the Holy Academy actually live in the dormitories.”

“For many people, this academy, where they have lived for over ten years or even longer, feels like their second home.”