Miss Danist had no special reason for seeking out Shade this time. She simply wanted to ask about his progress in gathering radiance.
In truth, Shade had made no progress at all. But at least he had established a connection with Princess Margaret and formed a relatively friendly relationship with Sir Prisha through the Reading Salon.
The Thirteenth Ring Sorceress was somewhat dissatisfied with Shade's progress, but she understood his difficulties and did not press him too much.
Instead, Shade asked a question and received a startling answer:
"Miss Danist, while conducting background research, I discovered that Sir Prisha's family is quite ancient. There are rumors that they were once a renowned Ring Arcanist family many years ago. Is that true?"
"Yes."
The lady on the sofa nodded. Though it was already nearing midnight, Saint Byron's Library was far from quiet tonight. The Month of Slumber was the final month of the year. With exam week approaching, the Academy's students were making the most of the little time remaining this year, cramming in the last bits of knowledge for the year's most important advancement examinations.
The library had even lit more lamps for the occasion. The enormous star chart overhead cast a gentle glow. Above row upon row of bookshelves, golden candlesticks floated in neat arrangements, holding aloft their candles. It seemed many people would be unable to sleep tonight.
"In fact, many surnames with long inheritances today had their own periods of glory in the previous epoch or even older times."
Miss Danist was not at all surprised by Shade's question. She appeared somewhat languid.
"When I conducted a background investigation on Legenes Presia, I looked into his family's history. Before Legenes Presia, the last confirmed Ring Arcanist in the family was born around three hundred years ago. But