Tower District, Gold Key Restaurant.
The restaurant was located on the top floor of a commercial tower. Through the window beside the table, one could overlook the entire Tower District's nightscape.
Soft Magic Lamp light spilled across the pristine white tablecloth, while a faint scent of violets lingered in the air.
At a table in the corner, a Madam in a dark scholar's robe was quietly flipping through the menu. Though she had deliberately concealed her aura and changed her attire, the elegance etched into her very bones still drew glances.
"Sorry, Mother. I'm late."
A slightly hurried voice shattered the silence.
Lidona hurried to the table. She wore the academy's standard mage robes, her flaxen hair tied into a neat high ponytail, with a thin sheen of sweat still on her forehead. Clearly, she had rushed all the way here the moment she received the message.
"It's all right. I only just arrived as well." Flora closed the menu and looked at the daughter she had not seen in a long time. "Sit down. See what you'd like to eat. The smoked wyvern steak here has always been quite good."
Lidona sat down, but instead of immediately opening the menu, she awkwardly smoothed her sleeves.
Though they were mother and daughter, an invisible veil always seemed to lie between them.
Flora was a legendary mage renowned across the continent, while she was merely an ordinary student still struggling through her studies at the academy.
Even if others considered her outstanding, beneath the dazzling halo surrounding her mother, she always felt that she was still far from enough.
"How have things been at the academy lately? Are you getting used to the food?" Flora asked softly, breaking the silence.
"Quite well." Lidona straightened her back, answering as though she were