"Emptiness in Betania City"

And with that, Natsu returned down to Rosanna's shadow. Because of what she had ordered her Servant, the class was very quiet as the Educator explained the basics of swordsmanship and archery. "Next week, we shall start with your combat trials. I want to know what sort of weapons will suit you and how your weapons will be compatible with your summoned Servants… Class dismissed."

The forty-five-minute break started and while the other students went out of the classroom, Educator Rosanna approached Ivory, "I thought he came back? I heard it from Educator Alphonse."

"Yes, but… he ran away again," Ivory said with a worried look, Arcea patting her back to comfort her. "I know he despises my mana quality and the fact that I don't have enough money to buy anything he wants. Honestly, I don't know what to do anymore..."

"Don't give up," the Educator said. "Think, Ivory. In what kind of places could he be hiding?"

Ivory thought deeply about it. Maybe he longed to have wealth, so perhaps he's in another pub working. He knew of his charisma and handsome look, and she's certain that he would use it to his advantage.

"Maybe he went to Betania City again," Ivory replied. "But if he didn't have a carriage, maybe I can still catch up to him if I go now."

"Oh no, we still have a class after the break time," Arcea worriedly said. "Maybe if we ask our Adviser Titus who will handle the next class, we can go together and find him…"

"Huh? Ivory, why are you here?" Lucius, who had just arrived, asked her in confusion.

"Well, I attended class…"

"That son of a-" Lucius stopped himself from saying curses and calmed himself down. "I met him at the gate earlier. He asked Ebleu to take him to Betania because he said that you're still at the tavern!"

"What?!" Ivory stood up from her seat in surprise. She never expected him to lie about her because she thought that there might be a little chance for him to fully trust her. She then realized that Sigmund was a very, very complicated Servant to deal with.

"I told you he's a good Tactician," Arcea uttered after a facepalm. "I never thought he'd use it against you, though."

"Your Servant is more troublesome than I thought. Why don't you go now, I'll explain everything to your Adviser. Take your friends with you."

"But Lucius just got here, how can I ask him to come with me? I also do not want Arcea to skip classes just because of me…."

With that, Ivory went out alone and borrowed Lucius' horse-drawn carriage, even though it was a too flashy one. On the road, she saw how the people watched the carriage with intricate design as it passed by them, like a display of how high the status of the passenger was.

When they arrived at Betania, they saw Ebleu's small carriage parked in the area. Ivory quickly went down the carriage and approached him, "Mister Ebleu! Where's Sigmund?"

The coachman looked very confused upon seeing Ivory, "Where were you, Miss? I thought you were still sleeping in the tavern-?"

"Where is Sigmund?" she repeated the question, not wanting to waste any more time.

"He just went back to the tavern where you both stayed last night."

She signaled Lucius' coachman to return to Qawiun Academy, while Ebleu stayed at the parking area.

Most of the taverns and pubs in the area were still closed, and the moment Ivory arrived at Edmond's tavern, she knocked at the locked wooden door.

"Mister Edmond! Please open up. It's me, Ivory!" she knocked multiple times until the door opened.

"What is it?" Edmond, who looked like he had just gotten up, asked her. "Oh, it's you."

"Yes. I heard Sigmund went here..."

"He just left and went away with a rich lady."

Ivor gaped, "A… rich lady?" She hoped that she had heard him wrong. "Why would he go with her?"

"They didn't tell me the details, but young one, remember… This is Betania. A lot of things may happen between a man and a woman…"

"Wha… What kind of things?!" she covered her mouth in shock, trying not to imagine things.

"Well… It looks like you are still innocent… Grow up first young lady, and you'll know the wonders of adulthood," Edmond felt sleepy and yawned before speaking again. "Anyways, I'll go back to sleep, the tavern will be opening at five-thirty."

"Wait! Can you please tell me where the rich lady lives?"

"I'm sorry, but I do not know. Excuse me, I need to close the door now."

"I am the one who should say sorry for disturbing you, Mister Edmond," she said and the tavern's door closed.

Feeling lost, Ivory leaned onto the wall of the tavern. She stared at the almost empty road in front of her, comparing how busy it was during nighttime. She then decided to look for Sigmund under the scorching heat of the sun. Because her mana had not yet been returned through a Contract Ritual, she could feel her fever returning and acting up as her body couldn't return to its normal state yet.

Taking a ride at Ebleu's horse-drawn carriage, they roamed around the city. They searched for Sigmund even in the residential areas, but there were no traces of him.

They decided to try to find him in Marina Town, outside Betania City, which was a small town famous for its big seafood harvests. Small fishermen's boats were also lined up on the docks, and the cobblestoned roads even extended up to the seashore, allowing the passersby to view the mesmerizing emerald sea.

The horse was given water to drink in the parking area, while Ivory and Ebleu sat in one of the eateries' seats.

"Welcome to Tuna House," a server asked them. "Can I take your order?"

"Have you seen a tall man with black hair and crimson red eyes?" Ivory asked right away.

"Is he wearing a uniform? Like a tavern server's?"

"Ah, yes! Where did you see him?"

"He went to the vacation home with the owner of this eatery, Madame Priscilla."