The sun climbed higher over the horizon, and its light streamed through the gaps between the balcony's wooden rails, falling across Lanchi and stretching his shadow long.
A comfortable wicker chair sat on the balcony. A half-read book rested on the glass table beside it, while a flower-scented breeze drifted past and brushed Lanchi's cheeks, as if trying to blow away his drowsiness.
"Lanchi, it's time to go take your Card Maker examination. Stop thinking about your animal friends all the time."
The Poet of Great Love held a watering can. She glanced at the clock inside the Living Room, then looked at Lanchi, who was still crouching beside her and leisurely feeding the birds. Unable to help herself, she kicked him twice in the back.
"I know, I know. It's still early. I won't be late."
Lanchi rubbed his bleary eyes.
Although he often released the Poet of Great Love and had grown somewhat familiar with her, her attitude toward him had become increasingly casual.
Sometimes, he could hardly sense that she was a girl at all. In reality, the Poet of Great Love's behavior and mannerisms were extremely boyish.
"Go on, Lanchi. Show the people of the Royal Capital what your Sealing Art can do. The representative figure of Sealing Art is the Nirvana Bishop. There's no reason you shouldn't be amazing too!"
The Poet of Great Love grinned beneath the rising sun.
"Exactly. Sealing Art should be warm and sunny, not a gloomy spell like Askesang's."
Lanchi smiled in relief, then stood and stretched with all his might.
Soon, the Poet of Great Love dispelled her summoned state on her own, and Lanchi also finished preparing to leave.
After stepping through the thin morning haze outside the Sage Institute dormitory, Lanchi walked slowly along the campus paths