… Even on the Floating Island, snow fell—a magical occurrence, created by the mages. Without it, far too many addicts of the island would lose their sense of time and the subtle shifts of the seasons.2

Crunch— Crunch—0

Sylvia walked through the snow-covered streets of the Floating Island, her steps slow as she waited for Idnik.0

Crunch— Crunch—0

She deliberately pressed down harder, amplifying the sound with each step.0

Jingle—!0

At that moment, the bell rang as the door of the magic shop swung open. Idnik, who had asked Sylvia to wait, finally stepped outside.0

With a backpack over her shoulder, Idnik handed the newspaper to Sylvia and said, "Sylvia, read this."0

Without a word, Sylvia took the newspaper and scanned its contents, her blank stare drifting over the headlines. Deculein and Yulie’s names filled the front page.0

"They say that their engagement is being called off, and there are plenty of strange rumors swirling around. Some are even claiming that Deculein killed both Veron and Rockfell—"0

“No,” Sylvia interrupted, shaking her head and pointing at Yulie’s picture in the paper. “This woman is a complete fool.”6

“What? What do you mean by that?”0

Sylvia understood the wrong Veron had inflicted upon Deculein. She knew every detail of what had happened between them. And more than anything, she was keenly aware of the depth of Deculein's love for Yulie.1

But this foolish woman knows nothing at all… completely clueless.0

“Forget it.”0

Sylvia’s blunt response prompted Idnik to shrug before saying, “Alright. Anyway, are you ready?”0

“Yes, but—”0

“Here you go, you cheeky little one,” Idnik said, handing Sylvia a stone. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”0

It was the infamous Deculein’s Exam—a stone that, once distributed by the Mage Tower of the Empire to the Floating Island, sparked an instant craze. 0

The evidence was everywhere—nearly every mage in sight clutched one of these stones. Cafés and restaurants were filled...3