In the Magical Congress President's office, the mountains of documents and case files from a few days ago had dwindled to just a handful, scattered forlornly across the broad mahogany desk.
The slanting evening sun lit up the dust drifting slowly through the air, as well as the pitiful few "pending matters" on the desk.
Ezra Hughes frowned deeply as he picked up the top document and glanced over it—<Investigation Report on Substandard Potion Ingredients Sold by Multiple Shops in Echo Alley>.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he tossed it aside.
The second was an investigation submitted by the Department of Magical Beast Management regarding the frequent goblin disturbances.
Then came a draft forwarded by the Department of International Magical Cooperation, proposing exchange programs among Magic Schools in different countries.
Each one was more insignificant, more trivial and absurd than the last.
Hughes slammed the stack of papers in his hand onto the desk with a dull thud. His chest heaved violently, and the veins at his temples throbbed faintly.
"You are still sitting in this office. You have not officially stepped down!"
He growled under his breath, trembling all over with rage.
"How dare they—how dare they fob this office off with this garbage! Do they still have any respect for the President? For the Magical Congress?!"
Behind the desk, Hawthorne said nothing. He merely rose and walked to the window, looking down at the staff gathered in twos and threes in the courtyard below.
That place had once been filled with solemnity and efficiency. Now, it seemed shrouded in an invisible atmosphere of idleness and watchful waiting.
Or rather, they were all waiting... waiting for someone widely expected to take office.
Lila was handling all the important affairs now, wasn't she?
"Lyla Piquery..."
Ezra Hughes slowly