Shade turned and looked back, discovering that it was the green-haired Dragon Young Lady smiling as she greeted him:
"Long time no see, Shade. This is our first meeting since we parted at Strange Tree Academy."
She had finally found the time to greet him, so Shade responded as well:
"Long time no see, Will."
"Call me Elphina. Just because I didn't let you call me by my name before, they've been teasing me about it nonstop."
The Green Dragon young lady immediately protested. Fiona and Gina beside her were both snickering, so Shade corrected himself:
"Long time no see, Elphina. Iluna and Emilia miss you too. Emilia said you took very good care of her while she was studying here."
The energetic green dragon maid smiled and hugged Shade before hurrying into the Teleportation Gate. She did not dare delay Miss Mana Falianna's business. Fiona muttered something under her breath, lightly swatted Shade's right leg with her tail, and followed her inside.
Gina merely smiled at Shade, having guessed that everyone shared the same thoughts as she did:
"Come on, Miss Mana Falianna is still waiting."
The other side of the Teleportation Gate was a rather spacious office. Along one side were three broad windows, through which they could see the beginnings of Saint Byron's Academy City and the distant rolling snow mountains and glaciers. The floor was covered in a thick red cashmere carpet, its edges decorated with star blue runes.
A fresh floral fragrance filled the room. In one corner, a clock filled with powerful Miracle Elements ticked away. The imposing desk on one side of the room had been carved from a single piece of dark purple ebony. Resting atop it were a silver quill inlaid with diamond chips, a gilded ink bottle, and several heavy