Grace Under Fire

"See you tomorrow, Matthew," Ulza said cheerfully.

"Thank you, Lady Ulza. Rest well," I replied as I stepped out of the carriage.

One of the knights handed back my short sword before the carriage began rolling toward the village elder's house, where Ulza and her entourage would be staying for the night.

Yuri and Luca were waiting for me near our campsite.

"Well, how'd it go, Matthew? Did you have fun chatting with the noble lady?" Yuri asked, smirking.

"...It was exhausting," I admitted with a sigh.

Both of them burst out laughing.

"Looks like you made quite the impression," Yuri teased. "She said, 'See you tomorrow,' didn't she? You've caught her fancy."

"Matthew's climbing the social ladder already!" Luca added playfully.

"Stop it," I groaned. "Her world is way out of reach. Just talking to her felt like walking on a tightrope."

Ulza's life couldn't have been more different from mine. During the journey, she'd casually said, "Let's have some tea,"and her maid Tissy had instantly produced an array of snacks and a steaming cup of tea. When she asked about my magic skills and hometown, I had to be careful not to reveal too much about myself. I wasn't eager to explain that I could use Cleanliness at my age or that I had a rare affinity for all eight primary elements.

And now, I'd be doing it all over again tomorrow. Just thinking about it was exhausting.

The next morning, as promised, I joined Ulza in her carriage again.

"So, Matthew," she began, picking up our conversation from yesterday. "Where exactly are you headed?"

"I'm on my way to meet my father's friend, a man named Craig Alexis, in the capital," I replied.

Ulza raised an eyebrow. "You mean Baron Alexis? He's a grand magician and a professor at the Academy of Magic."

"You know him?"

"I don't know him personally," Ulza clarified. "But the Alexis family is a newly established noble house. The baron has a daughter, but no sons, so I'm certain you're referring to him."

A nobleman? I stared at her, stunned. My father had referred to him as his close friend, but I'd never imagined the man was a baron. How could a commoner like my father have been on such close terms with someone so important?

"You seem surprised," Ulza said, noticing my expression. "I suppose your father never mentioned it?"

"No," I admitted. "He never told me much about his past."

"Then it's likely your father met Baron Alexis at the Academy," Ulza mused. "It's a place where talent matters more than status. Nobles and commoners study side by side."

"I had no idea such a place existed," I said.

"It's an amazing institution," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "If you're serious about becoming a magician, you should aim to attend. If Baron Alexis recognizes your talent, he might even sponsor you."

"I'll do my best," I replied earnestly.

Our conversation was interrupted when Tissy, who had been silently observing from her seat, suddenly leaned toward the window. "My lady, it seems we have company."

"Company?" I asked, confused.

"Bandits," Tissy said flatly. "They're likely targeting this carriage."

"Fools," Ulza said, her voice steady and composed. "The knights of House Ivaldi will make quick work of them."

I peered out the window, but my angle prevented me from seeing the attackers. However, I could hear the shouts of the knights as they prepared for battle. Yuri and Luca were no longer in sight, likely joining the fray.

"Why would anyone target you?" I asked, turning back to Ulza.

"Kidnapping me for ransom would be the simplest motive," she said casually. "But it's more likely that a rival noble house sent them to remove me from the picture."

"Does your family have a lot of enemies?"

"Of course," Ulza replied with a wry smile. "The Ivaldi family is a marquisate. Power comes with its fair share of rivals."

Marquisate. My jaw dropped slightly. Ulza wasn't just any noble; she was a high-ranking one. I wasn't sure what was more surprising—the danger she faced regularly or how calmly she spoke about it.

Outside, the sounds of combat intensified. The knights' shouts were sharp and commanding, accompanied by the clang of metal and bursts of magic. Luca's fire spells illuminated the area briefly as she attacked any bandits who got too close.

The carriage rocked slightly, but there was no indication that the bandits were gaining the upper hand. From what I could tell, the knights were holding their ground.

After a while, the noise began to die down. Tissy glanced out the window and nodded. "It seems the skirmish is over, my lady."

"Excellent," Ulza said, rising gracefully from her seat. "Let's go commend the knights for their fine work."

Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, as though she had merely observed a minor inconvenience. I stared at her in disbelief.

Was this just another day for her? She had been completely unfazed by the attack. Her composure in the face of danger bordered on terrifying.

…Does this girl have nerves of steel?