Communication

On the second night of the Champion Mage Challenge, Fran was in an upscale room at the inn.

She had not turned off the lights to rest or used the time to practice her skills. Instead, she read a book she had picked up on a whim, glancing now and then toward the door.

Right on the time Fran had expected, someone knocked. She stood and looked toward the door.

The figure outside was much taller than "Philly." He was Ivan, the current head of the Felistin Family.

Ivan stared at Fran as soon as she opened the door. Her expression did not change.

Fran offered him no formal greeting. She merely gestured for him to enter so she could close the door.

Among mages who did not know each other, that would already have counted as quite polite.

Ivan frowned anyway. A family member could never greet the head of the family with so little ceremony.

But considering Fran's current circumstances, he held back his reprimand for the moment and walked where she directed him.

Fran had prepared a chair for him, but it stood on the far side of the table, closer to the door.

That was the usual arrangement when a host received a guest.

It was hardly appropriate for a family member receiving the head of the family, and Ivan's frown deepened.

Worse, once Fran closed the door and sat at the table in a chair noticeably higher than his, his elbow kept rubbing against the tabletop. His brows were tightly drawn with displeasure.

"Head of the Felistin Family, what brings you here?"

Fran had even spoken first. Ivan's patience reached its limit, and he said in a scolding tone:

"Is this how you should receive the head of your family?"

When Fran did not answer