Old Matters

The candle flame flickered, casting the silhouettes of two women onto the white wall.

"Laddie, you seem troubled."

Paul's mother, Mariana Greiman, asked with concern about her former student, Laddie Setia Gerard, another female Spellcaster from Cape Bay.

Since their unexpected reunion in Arda some time ago, the two had often stayed together, either reminiscing about the past or discussing magical knowledge. Of course, Teacher Mariana—or rather, Greiman-madam—also learned through her student about the many things that had happened to her son and in Arda.

As she gathered more and more information, Greiman-madam formed a new impression of her eldest son every time they spoke.

Laddie, meanwhile, had harbored some resentment toward her teacher. After guiding her and Senior Helen onto the path of magic, why had Teacher Mariana suddenly disappeared? She had not sent any word for so long that Laddie had even wondered whether she had fallen victim to some local Church.

Then, she had appeared before Laddie in an identity that Laddie had never expected.

A high-ranking member of the Secret Art Society, and... Paul Greiman's mother.

Fate was so ingenious that Laddie wondered whether she was living in some story that had been woven for her.

However, as they spoke more often, the barrier between them gradually dissolved.

Laddie Setia soon understood Mariana's intentions. If her student learned that the teacher she worshiped was a member of the Secret Art Society, then when the organization had invited Laddie to join it long ago, that fact might have influenced her judgment and compromised her independent will.

Mariana wanted her to choose her own path without interference.

Hearing her teacher's concerned question, Laddie Setia felt a trace of bitterness well up inside her.

"No, nothing!" she replied with a hint of stubbornness.

Mariana smiled. "I can tell. You