It was nice to imagine getting a welcome. However, Theo’s departure had been strictly confidential, so he hadn’t been naive enough to expect a reunion while others were watching. He didn’t know if Sylvia even knew Theo had left.

While Theo was filled with such doubts, Orta delivered a message to him using magic.

[She knows. She is Blundell’s granddaughter, so she can easily find out if she wants to.]

Indeed. 

Theo agreed inwardly. Blundell was a Tower Master, not some nobody. Of course Sylvia would be able to find out. She wouldn’t leak it, but there might be situations she couldn’t predict. As such, Theo wasn’t sure how to start the story.

However, Sylvia was the one who moved first. “Theo.”

“Y-Yes?”

Perhaps it was because her voice seemed different from a year ago, Theo responded half a beat too late. Her voice had grown clear and resonant. As Theo stiffened for no reason, Sylvia picked up the books she had dropped.

“It looks like your business is over.” Her voice was calmer than he’d expected. She bowed briefly to the White Tower Master and held her books as she asked Theo, “Are you busy now?”

“... Yes, I think I will...