With less than half a month left until the New Year, most people in Bunta City began preparing for the holiday and putting down their work, however devoted their generous salaries normally made them.
Two days earlier, Akali had announced the start of the holiday break to the two Research Groups under her. Since then, she had been busy handling the research work left after their members departed and putting together a year-end report.
Xu Yi attached great importance to the Magic Research Institute's work. Besides periodically reviewing reports on their results, he required every Research Group to submit a summary of all its development work over the year, assess its progress for the coming year, and establish a general research direction.
Back at the academy, this sort of paperwork had been what Akali disliked most.
But now she led two Research Groups, and only she was qualified to write this report.
Besides, Akali was eager to show Xu Yi what she could do. Although preparing the year-end report was thoroughly tedious to her, she still made a point of completing it with great care every year.
After writing the report's final word, Akali stretched luxuriously.
Finishing this report meant her work for the year could end here.
From now on, her annual holiday would officially begin, and she could enjoy a good, long rest.
Glancing at the gloomy weather outside the window, Akali thought it might snow again today.
The thought of snow reminded her of her hometown in the northern part of the Kingdom. Unless something unexpected had happened, it should already have been buried under heavy snow.
And thinking of home brought an involuntary wave of homesickness.
Although she enjoyed working at the Xinfei Merchant Guild's Magic Research Institute and earned a generous salary, her hometown was