Menluo let out a long sigh.
Thor waited for Menluo to continue, but he clearly had no intention of saying more in response to the second question.
When Thor pressed him for details, Menluo said it wasn't something Thor needed to know yet.
The hourglass was down to its last few grains.
Thor immediately asked, "May I ask who the strongest Level 2 Apprentice in the Wizard Tower is right now?"
Menluo smiled. "At the moment, the one widely recognized as the strongest in combat is a Level 2 Apprentice named Kongsha, who specializes in the Dark Attribute. Unfortunately, being the strongest doesn't mean she's the most likely to advance to Level 3."
As Menluo spoke his last word, the final grain of sand in the Blue Hourglass fell into the lower bulb.
"Time's up. Would you like to renew?" Menluo ran his fingers over the little hourglass, seeming ready to turn it over again.
But Thor shook his head, thanked Menluo, and returned to his seat.
Menluo, meanwhile, dispelled his Witchcraft with a lackadaisical air, put away the hourglass, and went back to reading.
On his way back, Thor passed the long table where Duke and Duoze were sitting, but he didn't see Luoji.
When Thor looked over, both of them instinctively avoided his gaze.
Back at his seat, Thor saw Keli looking his way and shared some of what he'd learned.
"One credit buys five minutes, and you can ask about confidential matters, but that costs an extra credit... if you trust him to keep them confidential."
Keli frowned. "It's still expensive. Why not ask your mentor?"
Thor looked at her in confusion. "Do you get to see your mentor often?"
"Not that often," Keli said. "Once every three or four days."
Thor was speechless. Three or four