After they'd eaten their fill, while the sun had yet to fully set, Delia took Linley to explore the night market.
However, at the market, Linley saw two people he hadn't expected.
"Linley?"
Alice looked surprised to see Linley chatting and laughing with Delia.
"Alice? Kalan?"
The smile faded from Linley's face. "Let me introduce you. This is Delia, and these are Alice and Kalan."
Delia studied Alice's face for a moment, then smiled brightly. "Hello. I'm Linley's classmate. It's nice to meet you."
Alice's expression stiffened a little, but Kalan seemed perfectly at ease and hurried to greet her. "Hello!"
"Linley, do you want to spend some time with your friends?" Delia asked with a smile, turning to him. "I'll leave the carriage here. You can ride back to the institute later."
"No." Linley quickly shook his head. "Let's look around a little, then head back to the institute. Alice, Kalan, we'll be going."
With that, Linley led Delia away, leaving her looking surprised.
Alice frowned as she watched Linley's back, puzzled.
When they'd first met, Linley had definitely looked at her differently.
But for some reason, after the Magic Test ended, Linley had grown rather cold toward her.
Could Linley really be that snobbish?
Did he look down on her just because she wasn't talented?
That didn't make sense!
Before the Magic Test, Linley had already been the disciple of a Ninth-rank Mage.
He'd treated both her and Kalan very well.
Alice couldn't make sense of it.
"Alice?" Seeing her spacing out, Kalan hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine." Alice snapped out of it and quickly shook her head. "I'm all right. Come on, let's head straight back to the institute."
She started walking, and Kalan hurried to catch up.
Meanwhile,
Delia looked at