In front of Rabbit Cottage.
Ruger stomped the ground and followed Layden and Vito inside. At the same time, Zhizhi made a noise below in response. Sensing the Arcane Imprint he had left on Zhizhi, Ruger drew it into his bedroom space. This little thing with a mind of its own was a good thing, but it also brought a few amusing troubles. During his standoff with that demon Wizard apprentice earlier, even with Ruger soothing it, the little thing had kept clamoring to dart out and help.
For now, Ruger saw it more as a companion for everyday assistance—standing guard while he rested or meditated, or digging tunnels while they traveled. What he valued more was Zhizhi's potential for future growth.
There were not many Wizard apprentices left outside the cottage. Most of those remaining had only just arrived from the woods.
The three of them crossed the battered door almost side by side.
The light changed.
Ruger halted his forward rush and found himself standing in a corridor.
He looked to either side. Beneath his feet lay a dark red carpet with black edging, while paintings of varying sizes hung along the walls at intervals. Some were portraits, others scenes from the forest. Behind him was the other end of the corridor, but the little broken door was nowhere to be seen. As for Layden and Vito, they had vanished as well.
After a brief moment of thought, Ruger began wandering about at random.
One painting, two, three... When he passed the fourth, he stopped and slowly approached to examine it closely.
It was a very small painting, about the size of a palm, yet it was still exquisitely framed. Its dark brown border set off the tiny, condensed brilliance within. The painting depicted light by a window.