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"Mage—" Elufiel had barely begun when the silent mage immediately cut her off. "You mean you found traces of an evil mage? Perhaps we should find somewhere more private to talk. Innkeeper, get us a private room."

"Yes, we can't discuss this in the hall. Those arcanists always have their crooked tricks. I have private rooms with excellent soundproofing. Please follow me." Paul led them deeper into the inn, then opened a room with a heavy door.

The mage took out a silver coin and handed it to Paul, then entered the so-called "soundproof room" with the elf.

Elufiel had worn a strange expression ever since the mage began speaking. Only after the room contained just the two of them did she finally ask, "An evil mage?"

The mage did not answer at once. Instead, he took a white crystal from his pack and placed it on the table. A pale blue magic circle activated, and the fluctuations of mana made Elufiel frown.

Fortunately, she had barely managed to sate herself once just now. Her mana addiction should not be triggered.

Only after the magic circle began operating smoothly did the mage look at the elf. Wisdom had settled in his deep blue eyes, forged through accumulated knowledge and rich experience. It should have been one of his more attractive qualities, but Elufiel was simply too old. Even if it did not show in her appearance, even if her personality still retained a childlike innocence and liveliness, the mage was still only a young human to her.

Well, this human was somewhat special. Because of her mana addiction, they had shared intimate contact. But that was all.

"I once encountered someone in the Sith Duchy. He knew nothing of the continent, yet arrogantly believed himself to be the protagonist of some story. He openly used magic in the city, then was surrounded and killed by the Holy Church's paladins. Investigations of the San Lorenzo Mountains, where he first appeared, suggest that he used a lost form of spacetime magic. He came from a world beyond Kanado. And you, elf—may I boldly guess that you too came from another world?"

"If I said yes, would you kill me, Mage?" Elufiel watched the young mage, trying to read something from his face.

Yet the mage's expression was like the endless snow covering Northrend, and even his deep blue eyes were as cold as solid ice.

He said, "I am not a bloodthirsty butcher, nor do I intend to kill an ignorant and bewildered creature. As you can see, arcanists are considered evil on this continent. Any combatant affiliated with the Holy Church, or even followers of other gods of light, has the right to kill an arcanist on sight or report one to the nearest diocese. You are an elf who uses divine magic, which is rare, while I am an evil arcanist. So, will you fight me for the sake of justice?"

"..." The mage did not speak Common quickly, and there was a faint laziness to his tone. Still, Elufiel could not immediately understand such a long string of sentences. Though the languages sounded similar and they could manage simple conversation, the linguistic systems of their two continents were ultimately different. "I'm sorry, Mage, but I think I need some language instruction."

The mage also realized that their communication relied on picking out key words and guessing from the surrounding sentences. It was not difficult to understand; the world the elf had once lived in and Kanado had different languages. Deep within him, the mage suddenly felt an inexplicable stir. He thought he had found a way to keep this elf, who was so full of secrets, by his side.

"If you are willing to travel with an arcanist, I can serve as your language instructor."

The mage's invitation surprised Elufiel slightly. After all, their first meeting had not been particularly pleasant—one might even call it terrible. "Why would you be willing to take along a stranger from another race with whom you have had an unpleasant experience?" she asked directly.

The mage brushed his fingers over the white crystal on the table, and Elufiel noticed that he had long, beautiful hands.

"You may take it as a person thirsty for knowledge wishing to understand the culture of another world. After all, for an arcanist, the pursuit of truth never ends."

"Yes, that's right." Elufiel nodded. "Mages always possess an intense thirst for knowledge. They can pore over hundreds of books for a strange incantation, or conduct tens of thousands of experiments over a single theory. They are a group of mad yet wise people."

"That sounds like praise." The mage looked at the slight upward curve of the elf's lips as she spoke. What had made her smile so sincerely?

"Of course." Elufiel said, "Have you ever heard this saying? There is nothing a mage lord cannot solve. If there is, then use two mage lords."

"Your world is very... interesting," the mage said.

Elufiel lowered her gaze. "Yes, it was a dangerous and interesting world. Mage, I am willing to travel with you, until I fully understand this world. My name is Elufiel. You may call me Elur." When she raised her eyes again, the mage seemed to see the radiance of gemstones shining within them.

"I am Odvich Snow, an arcanist." The mage gave Elufiel a slight bow, offering the etiquette shared between spellcasters. "As your guide, I will teach you the rules of Kanado. The first, and most important rule: arcanists are evil. Never reveal admiration or affection for arcanists. Not even sympathy. But do not worry. You are a user of divine magic, a profession respected in Kanado."

To make sure Elufiel understood him, Odvich deliberately spoke slowly, pausing between sentences and sometimes substituting words with explanations. Elufiel felt that, setting aside that accident, he was a rather good guide.

"May I ask why? In my understanding, arcanists are the most learned scholars among mages, while users of divine magic—if that simply refers to spellcasters like me—I am merely a priest, am I not?" Elufiel asked in confusion.