Monte, the Land of Divine Descent. Its dazzling radiance could be seen clearly even from distant Wilhelm—or so the people of Tatuun sang of the Imperial Capital at night.
In truth, Montreal Mountain could not be seen from Siltovis at night, much less Wilhelm. Perhaps only Sky City, floating above Wilhelm, could see its scattered lights.
But within the Imperial Capital, whether in the Upper District or the Lower District, everyone could feel its grandeur—
So much so that people would rather sink into the Lower Hive than leave.
At the embassy, an easel stood beside the Bedroom window. Under the light of a Magic Lamp, Annan held a brush and painted from memory, recalling what Illymoyas looked like—
Illymoyas's beautiful features, her precious gemstone dress, and her majestic dragon eyes. Something still seemed to be missing... After some thought, Annan added dragon horns.
The completeness of a Transformation Spell was judged by how closely the caster resembled the creature she transformed into. Only Illymoyas's dragon eyes remained unchanged, which meant she was one step away from an advanced Transformation Spell. But vertical pupils alone did not make that clear. He needed to keep some of her Dragon Clan features so people would know the figure in the oil painting was a dragon.
Knock, knock, knock—
Someone knocked on the Bedroom door. Annan put down his brush and let Alice in.
"I didn't know you could paint," she said, spotting the easel by the window.
"I just suddenly felt like painting something..."
"It's better than I expected," Alice said. "Are you homesick?"
"What?"
"Aren't you? The blue sea, the stars, the moon and its reflection. That's Star-Moon Bay."
"Mm..."
Annan turned the easel away. "Did you need something?"
"Do you want to join the Sorcerer Protection Association?"
"I'm still deciding.