Several gray robes swept through the cold wind along the winding, empty streets.
Unlike the gray-black robes worn by the school staff, the robes of these people on the street were lighter in color, appearing grayish-white beneath the moonlight. They looked like wisps of cooking smoke that had just risen from chimneys.
One figure quickened his pace slightly, came to the leader's side, and reported in a low voice:
"Avery, the bookstore at Number Ninety-Nine Pedestrian Street still has its lights on this late. Could something have happened inside? Should we check it out?"
The leader named Avery had silvery-white hair—because of Colmar's influence, most North District Wizards kept their hair silver, or at least dyed a lock of it that color as a sign of respect. After hearing his subordinate's report, he slowed slightly and glanced toward the bookstore.
Warm orange light did indeed shine from the windows of the bookstore on the street corner. Reflected in the glass was a fat Yellow Flower Cat, watching them curiously.
"No need," he said, rejecting his subordinate's suggestion. After a pause, he offered a simple explanation. "Since that cat is still sitting safely on the windowsill, it proves nothing serious has happened in the shop. Perhaps it's only a diligent shopkeeper sorting inventory... Besides, we don't have any more time to waste. The Great Sage has issued an urgent order summoning all Patrol Teams back. This is our highest-priority mission."
Quiet murmurs of agreement came from the group.
No one questioned the correctness of those words, just as no one could question Colmar's lofty prestige among the North District Wizards. That prestige had even surpassed the shrewdness, cunning, and obsession with profit that had seeped into the bones of the North District for so long, turning them into devout followers of