After the magic show ended, Gao An and the others did not leave immediately. Instead, they took Ang toward the back of the hall. Along the way, Ang discovered that there was a special area for mages to relax. There were not only magic laboratories and spell demonstration platforms, but also many rooms for card games and other leisure activities. Looking at the luxurious card tables and the enthusiastic mages, Ang immediately understood why Gao An and the others knew this place so well.
When they reached the card table area, Ang saw that Angeli, who had seemed quiet and reserved in his impression, was unusually excited at the table, completely unlike her usual composed self. Ang could not help asking, "Do you come here often?"
"Yeah." Gao An smiled and nodded. "We wanted to invite you before, but you were always busy studying, so we came on our own."
Lulugard also chimed in, "That's right. Actually, Gao An and Lindon's conflict started here. The two had a few minor frictions during card games, but it kept escalating until they ended up competing against each other during the assessment."
Hearing that, Ang recalled the earlier assessment. Gao An and Lindon's fierce confrontation had allowed him to feel the tension between them. Ang had assumed that conflicts between nobles would be more restrained and concealed. He had not expected that such a seemingly relaxed entertainment venue would become the fuse for their dispute.
As Gao An and the others searched for seats among the card tables, Ang silently observed his surroundings. Almost every table was occupied by well-dressed mages, their expressions focused as bursts of laughter and startled cries occasionally rang out. Ang noticed that quite a few students from the Imperial Magic Academy and other mages had gathered here. Most