"Have you heard? His Excellency Roland is finally willing to make time to see us."
"This meeting is extremely important. We have to leave a good impression."
"I wonder what he'll talk to us about. Last time, our teachers and elders took center stage. We barely had a chance to speak with him."
"I haven't heard of any particular interests he has. Elven poetry, legendary tales, runes from other worlds, or biographies of mages?
"How about talking to him about Seris Magic Cards?"
"Oh no, I'm getting nervous. What should I do?"
At the Royal Magic Academy, in a luxurious lakeside villa.
Prince Will, Princess Jumel, and the others had gathered to discuss things in private.
Excitement and anticipation filled their faces, mingled with a measure of apprehension.
Among them, one person stood apart.
That was Farn.
Fane Neres sat alone in a corner, leafing through a book as though no one else were there.
Ignoring the noise around him, he immersed himself in the world of the book, occasionally looking thoughtful.
"Look at Farn. What a poser!"
"Right? He's probably thinking about how to please His Excellency Roland, just like us, but he always acts so unconcerned. It's nauseating."
"Is this some kind of performance art? Is he hoping to get attention that way?"
"Huh? Come to think of it... that's actually a pretty good idea."
Some of them noticed him and could not help whispering among themselves.
Hearing their chatter, Jumel frowned slightly.
After a moment's thought, she walked over and asked with a trace of concern, "Farn, what are you doing?"
Farn glanced up at her. "Obviously, I'm reading."
A profound sense of helplessness welled up inside Jumel. "I meant, what book are you reading?"
Farn said, "New Secrets of Chain Lightning, written by Master Augut himself.