"Mages of Night-Kirin City, members of the Gallop Tribe, priests of the Magic Furnace Caster!"
The Magic Wolf Totapara finally leaped down from the long bench and walked toward the crowd before her.
"On behalf of Landen, Blaze, Black Rabbit, and all the fairy mentors, I welcome you to this gathering—especially Lenikova and Yumis from the north." As the Magic Wolf passed Wendy and Redbird, she deliberately brushed the girls' cheeks with her tail, like an elder soothing frightened children. "You are Kinfolk of the God of Sky and Sea, while I am a Retainer of the God of Life. We were family to begin with, yet today is the first time we have met."
When the Magic Wolf reached the Finless Porpoise and Walrus-folk mages, both bent forward in unspoken respect.
"And the Flame Priests from the east—thank you for everything you have done for the Fire Fairies. I haven't seen Mentor Fiana this happy in a long time. At the same time, I hope you will spread Blaze's faith as well. She is the ruler of the plains, the leader of the Black-Scaled Horse herds. As Landen's mount, her renown ought to spread to the four corners of the world."
Totapara stood only a little shorter at the shoulder than the intermediate Mana-Wielders. When she approached Zhuoqian, she brought with her an immense sense of pressure.
The moment Zhuoqian saw Totapara, she quickly lowered her head. "Of course. It is what we ought to do."
The Magic Wolf nodded gracefully, then returned to the Water School mages. "And Jenny Gallop and Itris—"
"Ah?" The two girls instinctively shuddered upon hearing their names.
"We're all family here. There's no need to be so formal." Totapara deliberately rubbed against the two girls. "There are so many mages in our castle,