Xilai

When Frostwing set off from Savage Cave, it was seen off not only by more than a dozen wizards, but also by a great many apprentices.

Among those apprentices, Angel caught sight of several familiar figures.

Baruba and David were among them, but the most eye-catching was White Bear, dressed in a black-and-white panda mascot costume.

White Bear vigorously waved the short staff in his hand, drawing Angel's attention. When Angel looked over, White Bear visibly let out a sigh of relief. He opened his mouth wide and repeated one word over and over.

"Plushie—"

After thinking for a moment, Angel took a somewhat yellowed White Bear Plush from a corner of his bracelet.

Was White Bear talking about this?

"This bear plush... seems to be nothing more than an ordinary stuffed toy?" Madeleine's voice came from beside him.

Angel nodded. "It is indeed an ordinary plushie. It belongs to a friend of mine, and it seems to be very precious to him."

Madeleine said, "Something like an emotional anchor?"

Angel's gaze drifted to the pendant around the plushie's neck, and he nodded. "Indeed. To my friend, it should be the thing he has always held closest to his heart."

A nostalgic look crossed Madeleine's face. "I remember having something similar back then. I carried it with me ever since I was an ordinary person, but later, I seem to have lost it during an expedition... I was quite heartbroken at the time, but when I think of it now, I no longer feel much."

Time could wear away everything.

When one lived long enough, even the most precious memories found it difficult to stir one's emotions again.

Angel looked at the plushie, pondering the lip movements White Bear had made earlier.

White Bear had repeatedly mentioned the plushie. Was