The lighting in the tavern was dim yet cozy.
Several brass oil lamps hung from the ceiling on iron chains, their rims crawling with hungry Firefly Bugs. They stretched out their mouthparts, sucking up the grease seeping from the lamp edges. Their swollen bellies gave off trembling halos of light, and the swaying illumination cast warm, shifting shadows across the polished dark wooden tables and benches. It also made the figures in the animated magical oil paintings on the walls seem even more lifelike—the wizards and witches in the paintings were either raising their glasses or whispering among themselves, curiously sizing up the newly arrived guests along with the tavern patrons, anticipating what might happen next.
"—These people probably aren't Ordinary Wizards. Just look at those two newcomers. Their robes have such pure coloring, without the texture of silk or satin. They're like rippling water, clear as empty space, their hues concealing flowing light. Those should be robes made from Mermaid Silk... that stuff costs one Jade Coin per foot. How could anyone but a great family afford it?"
A few worldly wizards pointed at the robes worn by the two witches and murmured among themselves.
But someone immediately questioned them in a low voice. "—I heard that clothes from prominent families all bear crests."
"Even if the crest were right in front of you, an Ordinary Wizard like you wouldn't recognize it!"
An old wizard gave two cold chuckles, sweeping his gaze over the young people. "—The robes of great families all carry a special spiritual glow that others can recognize at a glance. Their crests are also hidden beneath the colors of the fabric and can only emerge when stimulated by external magic... As for the huge crests embroidered onto clothing that you people imagine, truly great families