Time flew by.
That day, the laboratory's heavy alloy doors slowly slid open to either side.
Benjamin assumed the Black Giant Priest responsible for logistics had delivered the handover list for a new batch of Plane Origin. Without even looking up, he kept his gaze on the hovering light screen, his fingertips continuously adjusting the final few redundant structures in the spell array before him.
One rune trail after another split and reassembled beneath his movements, like countless glowing star paths weaving and stretching through the air. Just then—
A crisp, hurried clatter of high heels shattered the laboratory's usual silence.
Tap, tap, tap...
The footsteps grew faster and faster, almost carrying the rhythm of a run.
Before Benjamin could react, a slender, fair hand slapped down onto the workbench, pinning the very rune curve he had been about to alter.
The sudden interruption brought the entire light screen to a halt.
Immersed in his research, Benjamin could not help frowning.
"The old man is getting married."
The voice came out of nowhere, carrying a barely suppressed urgency.
Hearing it, Benjamin finally looked up.
Only two people could enter and leave his laboratory so freely. Without question, the person standing on the other side of the workbench was Viola. Today, her silver-gray hair was unusually not tied high as it normally was, but draped casually over her shoulders. A few strands had become slightly disheveled from her hurried journey.
She had clearly rushed over the moment she received the news. Even the collar of her Wizard Robe was crooked, and she had not had time to straighten it.
Yet what truly surprised Benjamin was her expression.
Viola usually looked as though everything were under control. She loved teasing others and enjoyed watching them make fools of themselves.
There was always