Recognition

"Hello, miss. As the saying goes, all who come are guests, and everyone at the table is a friend. It would not be gentlemanly to leave such a beautiful miss standing alone in the corridor. So, I have prepared a lavish feast. Would you be willing to join us and enjoy some fine food?"

Seated in a hall that was simple in style yet no less magnificent, Azterlan had a long table before him. Steaming dishes gave off enticing aromas, while a large pot of delicious stew garnished with various vegetables and fresh meat sat in the center of the table. Beside the ornate pot, fragrant fried cured meat, eggs, golden corn chips, and caramel toast were neatly arranged in exquisite porcelain bowls.

At that moment, many of Azterlan's apprentices sat rigidly on either side of the table. For some unknown reason, the White-robed Mage who had founded White Stone City seemed to dislike eating alone. Whenever he sampled fine food, he generously invited many students to dine with him. When it came to "banquets," the Pale Ghost, who had lived for more than two hundred thousand years, clearly had his own peculiar obsession.

This time, however, Azterlan's intended guest was clearly not limited to those well-mannered noble students. Before the banquet began, he calmly delivered that sincere and courteous invitation toward a patch of shadow beside the entrance to the hall.

"Whoosh..."

As soon as the White-robed Mage finished speaking, a strand of glittering pink hair slowly appeared upon the white marble floor untouched by the lights. Soon, a beautiful young girl dressed in pale red leather appeared in that inconspicuous corner.

Clearly, this girl with ruby eyes as red as though they had been watered with blood was Smile, who had been watching Azterlan all along.

"When did