Black Dragon's Dream! Awakening!

Mary's body tensed the instant she heard that pleasant voice.

She could already picture the owner of that voice.

Long dark golden hair draped over slender shoulders, skin fairer than snow, bright blue eyes like those of a gentle doe.

She often wore a gray-green dress trimmed with lace, rustling softly with each step. The swaying hem seemed to accompany every graceful, dancing stride.

Sorceresses were always beautiful, because at magic academies, they used magical means to alter their bodies and appearances.

Mary had naturally seen many beauties before: girls next door, refined scholars, elegant ladies, lively young maidens...

But before meeting her, Mary had never imagined there could be such a beautiful girl in this world. She was practically beauty itself given human form, making all beautiful things feel ashamed in her presence.

If she had merely been a stranger, Mary could have calmly enjoyed such beauty—no one disliked beautiful things—but unfortunately, she was not.

Unfortunately, there was an irreconcilable conflict between them at its very root.

A witcher.

"Why would she come here?" Mary did not understand. "Looking for Ailin has something to do with an elf who can barely protect himself..."

You won't want to know that so soon...

Her mentor's faintly pitying voice flashed through her mind, and Mary instantly realized something.

The messenger bird!

Ailin had actually "lent" their messenger bird to that girl?!!

Mary's fair cheeks puffed up at once, flushing crimson with anger.

"How could Ailin los..." The silver-bell-like voice suddenly became clear, only to cut off abruptly.

Mary quietly drew a deep breath as well, and the crimson on her cheeks vanished in the blink of an eye.

When she turned toward the portal, there was no trace of anything unusual on her pretty face.

Expressionlessly, she looked at the girl before