Tick-tock, tick-tock.
The light, rhythmic ticking of the clock hands came from the clock in the corner.
The faintly tender atmosphere from moments ago was rapidly dissipating, and the study fell into a brief silence. Both the wizard and the witch needed a little time to gather their thoughts again. It took Su Shijun only a short while to regain her composure.
"I wasn't hurt."
Compared to before, the witch's voice sounded somewhat stiff, with a trace of concealed irritation. "I just had a little conflict with the Wanderer Wizard... within the limits permitted by the Alliance."
"Why did you go looking for trouble with him?" Zheng Qing asked quietly.
"Because he has the best sources of information."
Su Shijun crossed her arms and leaned back in the broad high-backed chair, looking perfectly justified. "There's no proof, but everyone knows he's a Dark Wizard. That bar was already illegally trading dragon eggs when I was in school... A Dark Wizard always knows another Dark Wizard. I'd wager he has ties to those Ravens. I was absolutely right to go after him!"
The witch's answer confirmed what Zheng Qing had heard at D&K.
He could not help stepping forward, asking impatiently, "How did you know the Ravens were still around? Didn't the Trident Sword and the school issue an announcement saying the Raven organization had been completely wiped out?"
Su Shijun rolled her eyes beautifully.
"That sort of official document only fools ordinary wizards below registered rank." She curled her lip, looking dismissive. "The fall of an Archwizard was enough to give every side an acceptable explanation... As for the Ravens, I don't know whether they truly still exist."
"Then you..."
"I was standing up for you!"
The witch finally realized she could not expect Zheng Qing to understand the deeper