Falin Leon passed through the magnificent palace, its halls covered in gold and silver patterns. Wizards clad in Arcane Energy Workshop robes greeted him respectfully along the way.
Falin did not slow down. If anything, he walked faster, his expression tense and urgent, as if he were rushing to meet someone of utmost importance.
When he reached the entrance to a secluded courtyard, Falin finally slowed his pace.
A beautiful blonde witch stood at the gate, her robes exposing a large expanse of snowy-white cleavage. Upon seeing Falin, she stepped forward to greet him.
"Is he inside?"
Falin asked. The blonde witch nodded and said softly, "He bought a large batch of healing potions from us. I didn't have time to ask you, so I sold them to him at half the cost."
"He was injured? You should have simply given them to him. The Arcane Energy Workshop isn't short on a few Magic Stones."
Falin frowned. His gaze swept briefly over the deliberately exposed pale softness before her chest, and his lips moved as he rapidly asked several questions.
A faint flush appeared on the blonde witch's face. She shook her head helplessly.
Falin waved a hand, signaling for the blonde witch to leave. He straightened his appearance, then slowly stepped into the courtyard.
It was an elegant little courtyard filled with all kinds of vibrant, glowing plants. In one corner was a still pool, where several clusters of golden water lilies floated. Tiny magical aquatic creatures swam merrily beneath the lily pads.
A gray stone round table stood beside the pool, with several transparent crystal balls of varying colors scattered across it, refracting shifting patterns of light.
From the moment he entered the courtyard, Falin's gaze remained fixed on the figure seated before the round table.
It was