The next day, He Xi and his group arrived as promised at the courtyard behind Tilda's Curio Cabinet.
Quite a few fey creatures of all shapes and forms had already gathered there. Some sat upon floating lily pads, while others rested beneath the caps of giant mushrooms, conversing in low voices.
Although Fletcher had not been released from his cage, he was "attending" the tea party in his own special way. The ornate birdcage had been placed in a corner of the courtyard. He carefully lifted a cup of purple liquid that gave off a strange smell and took a small sip. The peculiar flavor made his entire face scrunch up in agony; he neither dared spit it out nor could swallow it down.
He Xi also sampled one of the drinks on the table. It was a flower nectar blended from moonlight and morning dew, cool on the tongue and sweet in the aftertaste, carrying an unusual fragrance.
Teacher said yesterday that this Tilda has been testing me with some kind of magic.
He did not understand why this powerful fey had kept her attention on him. By all rights, his teacher Fivik's aura should have been far more eye-catching than his own.
Is it because of this cloak the Spindle-Speaker gave me?
Epic curios were certainly precious, but given Tilda's status, she should not have cared this much.
Without drawing attention to himself, he swept his gaze across his surroundings.
Yet the courtyard's arrangement seemed casual, and the magic flowing through the air was exceptionally calm.
Seemingly sensing He Xi's unease, Fivik swallowed a bite of pastry without changing expression and discreetly made a spellcasting gesture at him.
Though He Xi did not know that spell, he recognized it as the opening gesture for [Teleportation Spell].
Clearly, his