Putting on his coat, hat, and picking up his cat, Shard quickly made his way downstairs. After opening the door, he saw an exceptionally old carriage parked outside. The metal decorations on the carriage were all rusted, and the driver dressed in black seemed to be one with the carriage, with fine cracks all over the reins in his hands.
The carriage was entirely made of wood, but there wasn't the usual smell of rotting wood. Instead, there was an earthy scent common in cemeteries. As Shard stepped onto the black iron stairs extended from the carriage, he heard the entire compartment creak, which made him particularly concerned about the safety of the journey.
The driver, who was certainly not human, did not converse with Shard. However, the Saint Byrons Emblem hanging inside the compartment, the travel bookshelf prepared by the Academy, and the teapot and snack tray fixed in place, were all of the Academy's style, so Shard wasn't worried about getting on the wrong carriage.
