Sincerely, Vanessa

Vanessa was hanging laundry.

However, it was already dusk, and in the dim light, she couldn’t tell what color the laundry was, if the water had drained properly, or if there were any stains.

She just wished for even the slightest bit of light.

She imagined the front yard brightening up like the lanterns hanging in the market street or the floating flames created by a wizard at a festival, and moved around as if dancing.

Then, lights gradually appeared in the darkness. Like the flying lanterns she had imagined, round lights spread like warmth, lighting up the front yard.

At that moment, Vanessa thought they were fireflies. “Wow, what luck.”

The realization that they weren’t fireflies came when she gained a sponsor.

***

Hello, Teacher. Or, is it too distant to call you Teacher?

But since you are my benefactor, I tried to address you as respectfully as possible within my knowledge.

Do you know my name? Did you perhaps choose one from A to Z?

Actually, one of my previous sponsors always chose names starting with A, like Amy, Anna, Aaron, etc.

But my name is Vanessa! I never thought I would get a turn. So, Teacher, you are my benefactor.

I can’t believe I can go to the Bamberg Academy. The conditions are simply sending a letter once a month and submitting my grade report. Please add more conditions if you can!

Actually, you might regret it. I used to write in my diary three times a day. So now, you have to become my pen friend.

The headmaster who took care of me was always strict, but I could tell that her eyes were teary when I left.

She was strict, but fair. In the orphanage full of small children, she still showed some attention to a big child like me.

Besides, I was already an adult this year, yet she didn’t kick me out, so I can’t help but understand her feelings. Of course, I looked for part-time jobs and earned some money.

The headmaster coldly said to sever all ties and never come back to this place.

She said that it was for my sake, but still, I can’t help but feel that I’m truly alone now.

I left the orphanage with just a small, old bag. That was all I had in my 18 years of life.

When I looked back, I saw the pale yellow building with chipped paint, looking faint in the darkness.

In front of the orphanage, there was the neighboring merchant’s carriage waiting. Fortunately, he was going to the Darnan region.

It didn’t take long to get to the airfield. It was only one night of sleeping crouched down, so it was bearable.

On that dark night, while the owl hooted, the merchant’s youngest child leaned against me, snoring loudly, while I tried to calm my heavy and excited heart by staring at the night sky.

The reason my heart was heavy – What if I can’t do well? What if I fail?

The reason my heart was excited – I can go to the best academy in the continent, Bamberg Academy! I’m finally going to receive formal education!

Pretty neat, right?

The next morning, when I got close to the airfield and jumped down, the farmer waved his hat at me and wished me good luck, and the merchant’s youngest child gave me a candy.

I put the candy in my pocket for good luck.

When I arrived at the airfield, I couldn’t help but marvel. The enormous airship was waiting for its departure time, proudly showing off its beautiful streamlined shape.

It was my first time seeing an airship. I couldn’t believe such a huge thing could fly. I wonder if it sinks if it gets even a tiny hole?

Now, I’m waiting at a inn right next to the airfield.

The innkeeper keeps telling me that I’m too small and thin, so every two hours, she brings me something to eat.

But I’m not that small. In fact, I’m quite tall. I may be thin, but that’s just because I didn’t eat enough when I was growing up, so there’s nothing I can do about it.

Anyway, in just three more hours, I’ll be able to board the airship heading to Bamberg Academy.

Once again, thank you, Teacher. Oh my, how did this letter, originally meant to express my thanks, end up being so long?

The headmaster always said I tend to go off-topic when I speak.

Now, as I write this letter, I realize she was right!

I didn’t realize how narrow the paper would be. I only bought one stamp, and if the paper gets too thick, it might be returned.

I’ll wrap it up here.

I always wish for your good health and happiness,

With deepest gratitude,

Vanessa Rose

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa double-checked the contents and handwriting of the completed letter three times, carefully. Only then did she fold it.

It was a bit embarrassing to be writing a letter so soon, not even a week after arriving! I haven’t even entered the academy yet!

I wonder if I’m bothering you?

But since writing letters is part of the condition, I figured it shouldn’t be a problem.

I do wonder, though, if this is the kind of letter you expected from me.

Do people usually send such trivial letters?

Vanessa chose the most delicate envelope and placed the letter inside, attaching the stamp. Then, with great care, she wrote her name on it.

She could only hope the postman would take the slightly thickened letter.

Vanessa hurriedly ran down the creaky wooden stairs of the inn.

***

To the Kind Teacher,

After I mentioned the stamp, you sent me a Honir! You are so kind, Teacher.

I’ve never had my own Honir before! Does this mean my letter will reach you instantly? I won’t have to worry about the weight of the paper or the stamp, right?

Thank you so much. Honestly, I must be the only one who came to the academy without a Honir. Everyone else must have sent letters to their families.

I’ve carefully compared mine, and I think my Honir is the most beautiful of all.

This delicate white Honir is unlike any other. It looks like the most precious porcelain from somewhere in the Eastern Continent.

I’m not sure, but the magical circle inside that I can faintly see looks beautifully like a painting.

Of course, the Honir will be most beautiful when there’s a reply inside. I’m not sure, though, since I’ve never had a reply.

I told you about the airship, didn’t I? Once I boarded, I swallowed my saliva and looked around, but there was nothing to see, so I soon fell asleep.

When I woke up from the hum of the vibrations, we were already near the small town of Segoth, close to the academy.

When I got off the airship, the headmaster and a few professors were standing with students who had arrived before me. I must have been the last one.

As I walked with everyone, I suddenly realized and felt goosebumps all over my body.

Am I really here? For real?

There were times when I would lie in the small room of the orphanage, shared with eight others, and hear the wind rustling outside the window. The shadows of trees would stretch across the ceiling, and the feeling of fear would creep in.

At those times, I would stare blankly at the book beside me, clasp my hands together, and imagine.

I imagined that one day, I would go to Rosenbaum or Bardo Academy. And so, I imagined becoming Vanessa Rose, not the orphan, but someone with another title.

What about a distinguished Vanessa Rose?

But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine going to Bamberg Academy. To the most famous academy on the continent, full of mages!

As you know, I took the exam and entered as a third-year student, so I was really worried. I heard that most transfer students enter as second-years.

Many professors told me that I was placed in third year because my exam scores were good enough.

And they reassured me that I would learn a lot in the month before the semester started, but I was so nervous that my fingers kept twitching.

I wanted to grab someone and cry out of anxiety, but there was no one beside me.

I was completely frozen, and all I could do was nervously fiddle with my red tie.

Ah, I haven’t mentioned the uniform!

The girls typically wear long skirts that go just below the knee, along with a shirt and jacket.

The uniform color for all grades is dark navy, but the tie color varies by year.

First and second years wear white, third years wear red, fourth years wear green, fifth years wear yellow, and sixth years wear dark blue.

I’m glad everything was provided, as I don’t have many clothes.

After that, the school administrator took me to my dorm. It’s a double room on the fourth floor, and she said my roommate is in the same year as me.

I haven’t seen her yet. There’s still a month before regular classes start, after all. What if she doesn’t like me? I’m so worried.

But despite the worries, the room was truly the perfect place to feel comforted.

Green cushions with golden tassels were placed on small armchairs, and the bed had a crinkly white duvet that smelled like sunlight.

My roommate must like the singer Milona, as there was a poster of Milona’s face stuck to the wall. There were also small potted vines by the window, all lush and green.

It truly felt like a dream space. I felt like a rich child from a fairy tale.

I couldn’t even sit on the bed and just kept pacing around.

I’ve never had my own bed before. Maybe I had one when my parents were alive, but…

Anyway, I was so stiff with excitement that I could only fidget with my old bag while the school administrator left to take the other students somewhere.

After a few minutes of hesitation, I finally sat on the bed. It was so soft that I almost cried.

I didn’t realize how tired I was. After I washed up and changed into my pajamas, I don’t remember much. I heard the sound of bells from the city wall, and when I woke up, it was already the next day.

Even as I write this letter now, I can see a huge lake and tall, pointed trees outside the window.

Honestly, I wouldn’t say that this is the most exciting day of my life, but I’m sure it will be one of the most memorable days.

Facing the morning sunlight,

Vanessa Rose