The mountain mist brushed past her side, bringing a faint chill. However, the feathers of the large falcon below her were warm. Gripping the ring saddle around the falcon’s neck, she felt it suddenly dive downward, swooping through the mountain range like a roller coaster.
Towering peaks and deep valleys stretched out below, dotted with buildings clinging to the mountainsides. These structures resembled castles yet carried a modern aesthetic.
Riding on the back of a large falcon in flight was an experience unparalleled by floating cars. The sensation of wind rushing past her ears and her hair dancing in the air was exhilarating and never grew old, no matter how many times she experienced it.
For this reason, many people preferred to raise large flying birds rather than rely on the dull predictability of floating cars. To some wealthy individuals, these majestic birds were like luxurious and distinctive “floating cars,” inspiring affection and admiration.
The airflow supported the wide wings of the falcon, allowing it to glide effortlessly for long periods without flapping. Even with a rider on its back, it moved with ease and grace.
Hestia sat on the falcon’s back, sensing the creature’s lighthearted mood beneath her. It seemed that carrying a passenger was as leisurely and amusing to the falcon as taking a kitten for a stroll.
Schneil, their guide, didn’t have the falcons fly directly to the academy. Instead, he let them glide freely through the mountains, giving the two new students a chance to admire the scenery of the Northern District.
After enjoying the sights, the falcons gradually adjusted their course, carrying the group toward their destination—a spacious platform nestled among the high mountains, where the elegant white buildings of the academy were scattered.
After landing on a designated platform, Schneil fed the falcons some treats before leading the three students into the academy. Since it was still a day before the official registration, there weren’t many new students around.
“Hestia will stay in the Skylark Tower, which isn’t far from here. Orcas will be in the Forest Treehouse, though finding your way there might be tricky the first time,” Schneil remarked after some thought.
“Here’s what we’ll do: Vetrina, you take Hestia to Skylark Tower. It’ll be easier for the two of you as you’re both girls. I’ll take Orcas to the Forest Treehouse.”
“Once you’ve settled in, meet at the restaurant by Leaf Fragance Lake at 1 PM. We’ll have lunch there, and I’ll continue explaining things about the academy.”
“Understood, Teacher,” the three replied in unison.
Vetrina then led Hestia to a corner of the academy, where a large wooden structure stood.
“What’s this?” Hestia asked curiously, wondering why they’d come here first.
“There are pack beasts here to help carry our luggage. It’d be too troublesome to haul it around ourselves,” Vetrina explained as she entered the building. Inside, several stalls lined with hay could be seen. Three were empty, but one housed a large creature.
“Uh… is it just this one today?” Vetrina hesitated as she looked at the brown-furred mountain boar lying inside, snoring softly.
“There should’ve been a few Windfire Horses here, but it seems other students rented them first.” She stepped aside, revealing the boar snoozing in its pen.
Unlike the plump farm pigs people often imagined, this mountain boar was covered in smooth brown fur. Its build was sturdy rather than fat, exuding a healthy and robust energy. It was also clean, with no unpleasant odors.
Hestia blinked, observing the sleeping creature. It appeared to be a Sequence 3 magical beast, with stable and abundant magical energy within.
Seeing they were stuck, Vetrina patted her forehead. “Well, it’ll have to do. It’s actually quite obedient; otherwise, it wouldn’t be living in a place like this.”
With that, she shook the bell hanging by the pen. “Wake up, you lazy pig~”
The jingling sound roused the mountain boar. It opened its eyes and stopped snoring. After a few seconds, it seemed to process what was happening. Rising to its feet with some clumsy shuffling, it shook off bits of hay before turning to look at Vetrina.
“Oink, oink~” The boar clearly recognized her and seemed delighted, nudging the gate with its snout.
“You’ll do. Help us carry some things,” Vetrina said, swiping her personal chip across the machine by the pen. The gate opened, and the boar walked out. It was slightly taller than the two girls, weighing around 800 pounds.
“Pick a saddle you like. We’ll load the luggage onto it in a moment.”
The boar seemed to understand her words. Despite being only a Sequence 3 beast, it was much smarter than the falcons. It trotted to the center of the room, tapped a display screen with its hoof, and chose a lightweight saddle. Mechanical arms descended from the ceiling, securing the saddle onto its back. Fully equipped, the mountain boar was ready.
They attached luggage boxes to the saddle’s side clasps, allowing the boar to carry them with ease.
The main campus of Swallow Garden Academy was paved and tidy, but the grounds extended beyond this. Some buildings and animal enclosures were located in forests or rugged areas where paved roads would disrupt the natural harmony. Thus, the academy raised pack beasts like these to assist with tasks, rewarding them in return.
The academy’s philosophy emphasized the integration of extraordinary animals into human work and life, fostering mutual progress. They believed this was the best way to coexist—not by merely housing and feeding animals as decorative pets.
This concept had been envisioned centuries ago but was impractical due to the limited intelligence of ordinary animals. Even with good intentions, understanding and cooperation were difficult. Extraordinary effects not only brought unique abilities but also significantly boosted animals’ intelligence, paving the way for harmonious collaboration.
As they walked toward the hill, Vetrina explained the academy’s philosophy and history to Hestia. Behind them, the mountain boar followed, carrying their luggage, occasionally stopping to sniff wildflowers along the path but never straying more than eight meters from them.
Leaving the densely built center of the academy, they climbed a gentle grassy slope. A winding path descended from the hill, where three towers of varying heights stood. Their roofs were tiled in red, yellow, and green, while their white walls had a faint ivory hue, exuding a warm and tranquil charm.
“Red-footed falcons nest atop the towers. They’re smaller than the grayback falcons and can’t carry heavy loads, but they can glide with you for short flights.”
“Once you’re familiar with them, you can simply stand on the high platform each morning and grab onto their legs. They’ll glide you down from the tower to your classroom, saving you a lot of time,” Vetrina explained.
“If you’re willing to spend a bit more on their favorite food, they might even pick you up after class, making your commute even easier,” she added with a smile.
“Wouldn’t that be a bit lazy?” Hestia blinked.
“Laziness is normal. Humans are among the most industrious creatures, but modern life has made us forget the essence of nature,” Vetrina replied.
Slowly, they reached the square beneath the three towers. A gentle breeze swirled around them as they looked down at the beautiful and serene campus below.
“One last thing,” Vetrina said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and turning to Hestia.
“Welcome to Swallow Garden Academy, Hestia. We are the successors of the Wind Swallow Garden, followers of the ‘Path of Bonds,’ and spiritual inheritors of the Tree of Life Sect.”
In the gentle breeze, she spread her arms wide.