In a dormitory room in the Black Castle, Hathaway carefully read a new magic periodical. Its editorial office was the Black Castle's Service Department. Subject to confidentiality requirements, it occasionally included the essential lessons from classroom anecdotes shared by various supernatural professors, and also accepted important personal insights and more general academic articles.
The periodical, called Truth and Magic, went on sale within the Black Castle first. Today marked its inaugural issue, and Hathaway had rushed out early that morning to buy a copy. It had cost her a month's living expenses, so it was certainly a little pricey.
But the issue was also exceptionally substantial. The copy Hathaway had received was thick. While it could not compare with some hefty magic tomes, it contained at least as much material as a dozen newspapers.
Past the title page was a brief foreword, only a few sentences long, signed Mulan Jonester.
"Every one of us is always on a journey, and every crossroads marks an important moment in our lives. We cannot choose where our road begins, but at least we hope to choose its turns with anticipation in our hearts. This periodical may be insignificant along that journey, or perhaps it may stir a few ripples. Whatever the case, may the light of truth illuminate the road ahead! Mulan Jonester."
Hathaway softly read the passage aloud. She had barely finished when someone beside her shrieked.
"Oh, oh, oh! This can't be real! Hathaway, you actually got a copy of this book?"
"What? Really? No way!"
Following that first shriek, several girls rushed downstairs, some not even properly dressed.
"You actually bought it? You could actually afford it?"
Once they reached the dining table, they all reached out to touch it. Hathaway hurriedly shielded the book, only to find her breasts