The air in the study had grown somewhat stifling as Gawain and Amber faced each other through the window, creating an awkward atmosphere.
After holding that stalemate for several seconds, Amber finally swung her other leg inside and sat on the windowsill, looking at Gawain with a serious expression. "You're not going to silence me, are you?"
Honestly, Gawain thought that was the most sensible suggestion she had ever made to him...
But he still kept a straight face and shot Amber a glare. As he casually put away the sheet of paper, he gritted his teeth and said, "I was conducting a test out of caution and rigor—besides, how would I know where Tir went? It's so cold outside; she probably went somewhere to hibernate. Check the garden pond or along the White Water River."
"Got it!" A delighted smile appeared on Amber's face. Then she flipped straight backward out the window. A rippling shimmer spread through the air, and the next second, she leaped from the windowsill into a Shadow Rift.
Gawain silently watched the direction in which she vanished, seriously considered the feasibility of installing anti-personnel landmines on the windowsill, then let out a sigh—good thing his self-control was strong, or he would probably have gouged through the second-floor floorboards with his toes by now...
Then he glanced at the paper in his hand again. The mysterious, intricate pattern on it was sharp and clear before his eyes, still showing no sign whatsoever of any abnormality.
After hesitating for two or three seconds, Gawain flicked his wrist. The paper silently turned to ash in the air and scattered in the wind. He shook his head with a helpless, amused smile. "What was I even thinking just now..."
Amber traveled through the shadow world built from black,