บท 188: Making friends and enemies, part 1

Cael felt a chill going down his spine. "You found the scout? Already? Where?"

Niko shook his head. "I found only a trace of him. A dream within a dream… A starlight's cold glimpse in the night sky. You were right, Cael—that presence is unique. It's a wonder how a creature so unlike anything in our world can hide so well—but then…" Niko smirked. "It hides from normal mages, not from me."

"Damn, Niko, be clear! Where was that trace? Where do you think the Starspawn is? When will you know for sure?" Ginevra asked impatiently.

Niko tsked. Instead of a pipe, which he didn't have with him at the moment, he pulled out a flask and took a sip. "I will find it when I do. Don't hurry me, Ginevra! It's pointless, and annoys me to no end."

Ginevra scoffed. Cael gave her a long stare, which she met with an indignant one of her own. For several seconds, the silent argument continued, until it ended with Ginevra's capitulation.