The sound of different instruments moved across the sky as people were wandering around the market next to the amphitheatre, buying different products and bartering for the prices.

Diana had woken up shortly after a mind magician affiliated to the university checked on her. But she wasn't allowed to do anything too taxing on her mind. So there she was, together with her three new friends, Heracles, Beatrice, and Earl. When they found out of Diana's condition, Heracles and Beatrice had tried to swarm her to get to know what was wrong. But with Vita laying on top of her like a wild animal protecting their cubs, they decided to wait.

So there they stood. Waiting for Diana to feel better or for Vita to let them in. Earl walked down the hallway towards them with a box in hand. He looked at the two with one eyebrow raised and opened the door.

“Diana, are you still unwell?” He looked at Diana and ignored the menacing Vita. The room was well lit with a large, closed, window that looked out over the market from a rather expensive hotel. He placed the box on the nightstand next to the bed.

“Well, I'm feeling a little better after a bit of rest. But why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your friends?” Diana braided Vita's vines, which Vita would untie. Earl found a chair to sit down on and pushed up his glasses.

“Calling them friends is pushing it a bit. We mostly knew each other because we came from the same city and because we were the strongest of our generation there. And because I didn't have anyone else to be with, I chose to be with them.” He leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling.

“Oh. But what do you mean by 'not having anyone else to be with'? Don't you have any family members or servants to keep you company?” Diana tilted her head. Vita was considering to vomit blood to end their conversation.

“Servants? I almost forgot your family is a part of the nobility. No, I didn't have any servants back then or now.” He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing.

“I actually lived in poverty for a large part of my life.” Both Diana and Vita were confused now.

Wait, what the fuck? Why is he telling Diana about this, is this dude good in the head?

“Ah-oh OK. But why are you telling me this?”.

Diana out here asking the important questions. Good job, I will try to make candy just for you.

“I just thought I could be open to you for now, that's all.” Earl got up and walked to the door. Only for it to smash into his face.

“Vita! It is unfair for you to keep us from caring for our friend!” Heracles walked in with Beatrice behind him.

“Yeah Vita! We could be walking around in the market by now if it wasn't for you!” Beatrice piped up before seeing Earl behind the door. His glasses were broken, and his eyebrows were furrowed. She gave him an awkward smile and hid behind Heracles. He finally noticed the person he smashed the door into.

“What are you doing behind the door? It doesn't matter, because it seems like you are a friend of Diana. And a friend of my friend is my friend. Come, we can find new glasses in the market!” He picked up Earl with one hand and walked out the door. Both Diana and Beatrice used their puppy eyes to convince Vita. In the end, Diana was placed inside a small pouch made out of vines.

Back in the VIP area. The red-haired man hadn't bothered with Rubert-Ree as he knew the child was in good hands. On the sofa in front of him sat Victor. Victor sat there with a cup in hand, mimicking him before taking a small sip of his own drink.

“Victor, when are you going to get rid of that silly disguise.” An uncomfortable laugh escaped Victors mouth as his form changed. He rubbed the back of his neck as his true, boring, form was revealed.

“Oh come on, Lothaire, you know I don't feel so comfortable looking like the boring old me.” He rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smile, but quickly got serious again.

“Lothaire, you don't have to worry about your son's place in the university. He will still be allowed to study here, despite what he did. Consider it compensation for your eldest son.” The temperature in the room rose quickly before returning to normal. Lothaire stared at Victor for a moment before asking.

“Have you heard of what happened in The World's Tongue?” He leaned in closer. Victor nodded.

“Yes. Anyone with sensitive enough of a mana sense would know. I assume that you know something more than just that?”

“I do. And to put it simply, I am not sure what exactly happened there.” Lothaire leaned back into the slightly burned sofa. Victor looked confused and signalled for Lothaire to continue.

“If you had actually sent someone over to see what happened, you'd find that a massive area have been morphed into something else. The only trees that remain standing were either dying or dead. The ground was filled with potholes that were covered in either acid or flesh.”

Victor cut in, looking confused.

“Flesh?”

“Yes, flesh. No one could examine it, so I can't say for sure what creature it belonged to. The worst part of it all is that the air is either poisonous or acidic to the point that advanced air magic must be used to breathe properly.” Lothaire pulled out a couple of papers from an inner pocket and handed them to Victor, who started to immediately read through them. His expression kept changing from time to time as he flipped through the papers. He finally put them down with a frown.

“What could have done this? From what you told me and these papers, I can't be sure what caused this. I will have to look through the Soul Library and the university library as well to find some kind of clue.” Victor stood up and waved a hand, changing his face to the handsome and magical visage he wore before.

“The quicker this case is solved, the better. I will see what I can do from my side as well.” Lothaire stood up as well and finished his drink in one gulp.

“And next time, get me some finer magma.” He then walked out of the room, leaving Victor there. Waving his hand once more, Victor disappeared.