Iketerite Academy was still shrouded in a hazy tranquility.
Dawn had only just begun to illuminate this peaceful world from the horizon. The blue-gray of the distant sky gradually blended into the faint pink near the ground, like dye diffusing through water.
At six o'clock on Tuesday morning, Lanchi, Hughberlian, and Frei returned to school and finished breakfast together before making their way along the academy's spacious roads to the Sage Institute's Dormitory Building.
The lights in the first-floor lobby were dim but warm. The dormitory administrator was leaning against a soft cushion behind the work desk, holding a book and easing away the drowsiness of the early morning.
At this hour, most students were still sleeping soundly. Only a few early risers were quietly emerging from their dormitories.
"Then let's rest for a while and go to the Student Union together this afternoon."
Lanchi looked at Hughberlian at the fork in the road.
"Okay."
Hughberlian nodded, then parted ways with Lanchi and Frei.
Lanchi then led Frei toward his dormitory.
Lanchi and Frei strolled leisurely along the carpeted corridor on the first floor of the dormitory.
Their quiet laughter echoed through the empty hallway. The dormitory doors on either side were tightly shut, as silent as breathing creatures. Behind each door was a small world, hiding countless stories and beautiful dreams.
The men's dormitory was in the front building, while the women's dormitory was in the rear. They were not far apart.
Lanchi had already lent the Poet of Great Love to Hughberlian. Once Hughberlian reached the dormitory and called for the Poet of Great Love, he would come out on his own.
The Poet of Great Love understood Magic Cards far too well. As long as Lanchi lifted the only summoning restriction he could place on the Poet