Annan took a deep breath. Unfortunately, what came out was not Dragon Breath.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I'm sorry. That was an oversight on my part..."
"Then make another oversight and verify my identity."
"I'm sorry, but my dignity won't allow me to make the same mistake twice."
"So I'm the one who has to pay for it?"
The clerk wore a practiced smile. "If you truly can't accept that, you're welcome to file a complaint against me."
Annan said nothing. He stared at the clerk.
Is the person talking to me really human?
"Are you related to the Town Chief?"
The clerk shook her head. "I'm a civilian."
"Is your surname Raymond?"
The clerk shook her head again. "I don't have a surname."
What else could Annan say? He went back to the sorcerers' association.
What he didn't know was that, as a rising sorcerer whose reputation had spread far and wide in recent years, the association had been trying to contact him for a long time. But every time they came looking, Annan was away.
Now that Annan had approached them himself, they verified his identity with an efficiency that rivaled Dean Breichim's. They also offered him honorary membership, which would let him receive free assistance from their branches across the Allen Continent.
While he was there, Annan asked, "What's the relationship between your association and the Sorcerer Protection Association?"
"The Sorcerer Protection Association... You've dealt with them?"
The receptionist's indescribable expression told Annan there was more to it. "What's wrong?"
"Did they give you three Crystals?"
"Yes..."
"Have you used them?"
"Tell me what's going on first."
The receptionist drew a deep breath. "The Rules prevent me from saying much. All I can tell you is: whatever you do, don't use one a third time..."