Private Finished Entertainment District

"That is correct, yes. Thank you for showing me the way."

After giving a quick nod, she falls in step beside her, walking slower as to not rush ahead of her again.

She was silent for much of the walk, much of her mind focused on the various questions now simmering beneath the surface. While her posture remains the same as it had on the way here, she seemed a little more tense, more stiff, as they headed back.

It took Euphemia a moment to realise she'd been asked a question, as distracted as she is. She blinked, before putting her thoughts at the back of her mind and speaking.

"After the academy...I am afraid I do not know what I shall do once my education is finished."

She really had no idea what she was meant to do after the academy. She wasn't even sure why she was at the academy in the first place.

"However...I do not believe I will return to the church. My superior, Father Jakov, made himself quite clear that I was not to contact them."

She glanced away, looking upwards towards the sky, distracted again. The only reason she was staying at this school was because Father Jakov had told her to. Even if she was no longer part of the order, she felt she should listen to him. Maybe this was some sort of test by him? Maybe he would bring her back once her education was complete. She had no way of knowing.

Euphemia blinked. "Elisa, the church is important." She stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I have lived my entire life in service of the church, for my order, and for my superiors." She explained. "Through my service, my sinful existence is granted purpose by a higher cause. I am a tool that can bring His will and mercy. Though I may be denied salvation, my actions will grant me reprieve from damnation, until He will it so."

She paused again, before correcting herself.

"...Though, now that I am no longer serving my order, it may be that all that is no longer true."

She had never had the chance to even consider life outside the order until she had been sent to the island. She'd lived her whole life sure of her position as a weapon, to be used by their will. What good was a weapon once it had been thrown away? Thinking on this, she felt just as lost as she had when she'd first arrived on the island, alone and with no direction.

Euphemia found herself looking down, watching the path as they walked. Elisa had hit the point right on the head. She had no idea how to live her life now, no idea what she should do, why she should do it.

But what else was there to do? Father Jakov had given her his last command, and she was going to see it through to the end, whatever that would be. At the very least, she wasn't left completely without guidance.

She looked back up at Elisa, gaze seeming to soften just a little bit. "You have my thanks." She said simply.

It's not exactly a smile, but for now, it's probably the best she's going to be able to do.

"Yes, this is the dorm." She gave what might have looked like a sage nod if literally anyone other then Euphemia had done it.

She turned to face Elisa, hands still folded in front of her, and gave one last bow of her head.

"Thank you for accompanying me today." She stood back up straight, speaking with her same brief, professional tone. "Your companionship was greatly appreciated."

Even if the tension hadn't quite faded, she was at least being earnest about that. She really would have been lost without her assistance, so even if she didn't quite feel it, she believed she should be grateful.