In White Tree City at the southernmost edge of the Northwest Territory, black pillars of smoke rose throughout the city, while the piercing shrieks unique to griffins echoed unceasingly across the sky.
A massive griffin suddenly sprang from the ground into the air, dropping a dark figure from its claws. It then circled above the Lord's manor before finally landing atop the Magic Tower beside the main building.
Great Knight Susie Lanyuan leaped down from her mount and walked over to the two girls. One wore the blue mage robes commonly seen at Gallop Academy, with the distinctive crest of the Lanyuan Family at her collar. One look was enough to tell that she was among the finest mages born of nobility at Gallop Academy—Britt Lanyuan, granddaughter of Richelieu, Prime Minister of the Dragon Kingdom. The other girl was tall and slender. Her coarse robe concealed most ornaments that might identify her, and her large hood cast her features into shadow.
"Britt, this is your spending money. You and Frederick have plenty of expenses at school, and you need to make more friends of all kinds. Take this for now. There are also some Magic Potions and alchemical goods inside, all from the Imperial Capital. You can give them to those students from the Royal Capital." The moment Susie reached Britt, she pressed a Space Ring into her hand. Then, where Britt could not see, she slipped another Space Ring to the other girl.
"Big Sister, this isn't right! I'm about to reach Intermediate Mage, and I can earn money quickly!"
Britt looked troubled. There were more than a thousand Gold Coins in the Space Ring, while the various Magic Pattern items were worth another thousand or more. Even though Britt already stood head and shoulders above the other mage