The duo returned to Miss Maisel's.
Today was the day both Xavier and Eulene depart Derbury.
The matron prepared a feast, cooking all of Eulene's favourite dishes. She had not forgotten to bake a lot of sweet delicacies for Xavier.
At the dining table, Aunt Maisel served dishes to the duo as if she was going to bid farewell to her daughter and son in law.
The fifteen year old Sarah sitting at the table barely enjoying the delicious food. Her mood was off, clearly disgruntled by the fact that Eulene would leave for a long time.
Xavier and Eulene did not waste a bit of food and used their superhuman metabolism to devour everything. It was a sort of appreciation toward Miss Maisel's hard work.
After the feast, the four spent their time talking. The matron pored all of her life experiences onto Eulene in a matter of hour.
Miss Maisel looked Xavier dead in the eye and just said one thing. "Her education is now your responsibility."
Xavier, there and then, pledged that he would take care of Eulene's education- to Eulene's dismay.
And soon, it was time. During the farewell, the mother-daughter pair could not hold back their tears. Eulene was no less than a family to them. Eulene was saddened too.
Xavier gave the three ladies some space. More or less- he was the one causing the separation.
Eulene gave them one last hug.
After they were done, Xavier stepped forward and gifted Sarah a plethora of dresses, toys and jewellery, their colour- Sky Blue. He brought all those things out from his coat. After that, he took off his hat and brought out a whole set of large books from it and gifted them to the matron.
Nobody questioned his methods. The Maisels were already aware that Xavier was far from ordinary.
As the matron inspected the books one by one, her eyes widened every moment- until they almost popped out of the sockets.
All the books were special edition of Sir Agnomen Caesar's books. They were so rare and expensive that she could only dream of them.
All the misgivings she had against Xavier for taking away Eulene disappeared in an instant. "Your dowry is accepted." She gave him a thumbs up.
Xavier's lips twitched. He had the momentary urge to take back the books, but he resisted.
After bidding the mother and daughter farewell, the duo boarded Wilbur's carriage and departed for the rail station.
Both remained silent through the entire drive. Eulene was not in the greatest of moods, and Xavier knew that silence was the best option.
The railway station was not even a ten minute ride from the cornfields. Xavier and Eulene exited the carriage.
The smile on Wilbur's face was dimmer than usual.
Xavier flicked a gold coin to Will and handed him a paper. "This is my address in Aramon. If you ever travel there, be sure to visit."
"Thank you for everything." Wilbur took off his hat and gave a sincere bow.
After exchanging a few more words, Xavier and Eulene entered the station.
Derbury station- as it belonged to a small town, it was not that busy. And now that it was night, it was even less so.
But as soon as they entered, they were met with some familiar faces- faces they had expected to see here, but not wanted to.
David stepped forward as soon as they spotted the duo. His three colleagues followed.
"After what happened last time," David said, "I am surprised that you actually decided to leave Derbury."
"It is an honour being seen off by the 'second-most' elite team of the Thirteenth." Xavier tipped his hat.
The smug faces of the trio behind David changed as soon as they heard 'second-most'. Only David remained nonchalant.
"See off?" David smirked. "I think you are underestimating yourself too much. This team whose average age is 10 lower than the most elite team, will send one of its most capable member to personally escort you to your home in Aramon."
Eulene raised a brow. These bastards were not even bothering to hide the fact they would keep their eyes on them.
Xavier showed David a smile. "You are making me so grateful that I want to wholeheartedly help you solve the case."
Xavier and David stared at each other's eyes. Sparks almost began to flicker in the space between them.
Seeing the tension not going down even by a single bit, Eulene coughed, waking Xavier and David.
"Let me introduce you to your escort," David said.
The only woman of the team, the blonde- Chrysa.
"She is Chrysa Haste. She will accompany you all the way till you reach the safety of your own home."
"Oh, I remember her." Eulene opened her mouth for the first time. A smile- a malicious one- crept up on her face. "Isn't she the lady who likes to feel the earth?" She brought forth her hand.
Chrysa subconsciously backed away. Eulene had given her not one but two lifelong traumas in a matter of days.
[Look at her cower] Eulene transmitted a giggle to Xavier.
[Actually, she is the best choice for this operation] Xavier replied.
[Really?]
[Yes, not only she is an Aeromancer which boasts the highest sensory abilities, but also a woman]
[A woman?] Eulene was intrigued.
[According to the laws of Avarynth, if a woman senses a man peeking at him- be it with supernatural senses or not, she can take him to court. But if a man senses a woman locking his senses on him, he could not do the same. Long story short, she can keep her senses on us even when we are in the washroom]
[What?!] This was the first time Eulene heard of such laws. [But isn't that unfair?]
[Why are you asking me?] Xavier inwardly shrugged.
"The steamliner to Aramon departs in five minutes!" An announcer shouted as he strolled through the almost empty station.
The duo- no- the trio boarded the coach next to the engine and got into their designated cabin. Two wall torches lit up the room. Xavier and Eulene sat on one side of the table while Chrysa sat opposite them.
Soon, with a whistle, the train jerked to a start.
[What are you going to do now?] Eulene asked, her eyes fixed on the officer opposite her.
[I have a plan]