The royal capital's iconic district, Ikerite Magic Academy, sat in the very heart of the city. The academy had no enclosing walls; the entire district and all the buildings within it were simply known as Ikerite Magic Academy.
Even from a distance, one could spot the academy crest on the surrounding buildings, alongside prominent towers. Crossing two more streets toward the east brought one to that familiar old establishment, Boss Cat Restaurant.
Constructed from quaint, tawny wood, the building featured a gently curving roof whose broad eaves extended well past the walls, forming an inviting open veranda perfect for relaxing, chatting, or enjoying an afternoon meal.
Hyperion led the others out of the carriage in an orderly fashion as they unloaded their luggage, while distant chimes began to ring.
The toll came from the red-brick clock tower inside Ikerite Academy. Striking only three times before fading into a lingering resonance, it announced that it was three in the afternoon.
Warm afternoon sunlight draped lazily across the eatery's roof. A wisp of cooking smoke mingled in the air with the lingering aromas of lunch; the scents of pastries and cheese intertwined like the fragrance of flowers along a country lane, refreshing the spirit.
"We're back!"
Hyperion led the way and pushed the door open. Wind chimes tucked under the eaves swayed gently, chiming melodiously and adding a touch of serene tranquility to the afternoon.
The wooden door clicked softly shut behind them.
Mottled sunlight fell across the floorboards through the windows. The restaurant's interior was elegantly appointed, adorned with a few vintage photographs and small figurines, while the air carried the faint aroma of coffee and the cozy fragrance of freshly baked treats.
Boss Cat Restaurant had few patrons at this hour. Behind the counter stood a young woman, her long hair simply tied back, dressed in the restaurant's uniform—looking both professional and approachable.
Asna, who had been working at the Ikerite Academy student council earlier that morning, noticed the new arrivals. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, quickly melting into a joyful smile.
"Boss Cat, you're all back!"
Beaming, Asna stepped out from the kitchen.
By now, she had begun employing clone magic, watching the front counter while simultaneously working in the kitchen.
Though it was somewhat tiring, she finally felt that her three years of study in Ikerite Academy's School of Sages were being put to good use.
"Senior, we're so sorry we returned so late. The student council must have kept you terribly busy," Hyperion apologized with a guilty bow to their vice president, Asna.
She and Lanqi were nearly a month later than planned, and the term was drawing to a close. Yet Asna not only had student council responsibilities, but also had to double as the restaurant's poster girl and head chef.
"Not at all. The lingering awe you two left behind still holds sway over the campus, so student council business has gone very smoothly," Asna replied with a chuckle, taking Hyperion's hands.
"..."
Hyperion didn't quite know how to react to this "lingering awe."
"Is Tata off today?"
Boss Cat leapt onto the counter, looking curiously around the dining room, but found no trace of Tata.
It sensed that Antanas, having been keyed up all this time, looked even more anxious after failing to spot Tata anywhere.
"Miss Tata? She just took a few days off, saying she had to make a trip back to South Vantina," Asna answered.
"What a pity, meow."
Boss Cat shook its head.
It had hoped to give Tata a surprise by letting her see her three childhood friends.
Now it seemed the surprise would have to wait until she returned and pushed open the door.
"Wait, what is Tata going back to South Vantina for?" Hyperion asked, puzzled.
She remembered that Lanqi's hometown was the South Vantina frontier territory.
Back then, Hyperion had assumed Tata was simply Lanqi's fellow townsperson from the South Vantina frontier. Only after visiting the Northern Continent did she learn that Tata's true identity was actually the demon princess who had arrived from the north and crossed paths with Lanqi in South Vantina.
"Uh, she seemed to mention that she wanted to see Lanqi's paintings," Asna thought back, then looked curiously at Lanqi.
Lanqi: "?!"
"Lanqi's paintings?"
Hyperion's brow furrowed slightly as she racked her memory.
It seemed that back in winter, Tata really had mentioned being curious about a painting at Lanqi's home titled Poor and Destitute Old Woman, and that she really wanted to go back and take a look.
Who could have guessed that Tata, who rarely ever stepped outside, had already set off on her own?
"Lanqi, about that painting at your house..."
Hyperion turned back toward Lanqi, but trailed off just as she began to speak.
She noticed that Lanqi hadn't uttered a sound for quite a while.
Cold sweat was beading across Lanqi's forehead, his expression frozen solid.
"Lanqi? Lanqi..."
Hyperion had never seen Lanqi look like this.
"Senior Asna, when did Tata leave?" Snapping back to his senses, Lanqi asked.
"Four or five days ago. But she isn't in a hurry. She planned to travel along the southern city-states while heading toward South Vantina in the far south." Asna glanced back at the calendar behind the counter.
"Something's come up at home—I have to get back right away!"
Without hesitation, Lanqi scooped up Boss Cat and dashed out the door.
He left the remaining few standing dumbfounded near the counter of Boss Cat Restaurant.
"You three, please watch the shop! I'm going with him!" Coming to her senses, Hyperion hurriedly bolted after him, shouting back over her shoulder as she ran.
She had no idea what was actually going on, but this was the first time she had ever seen Lanqi panic so badly—which ended up making her a little terrified as well!
Still, if great calamity truly was about to strike her closest friend, she would never leave Lanqi to face it alone!
"..."
The three great demons looked at one another in bemusement.
Antanas and Sinora turned toward Pranay, sensing that he might have an inkling of what was happening.
Pranay merely shook his head.
His feelings were complicated.
If it was for the King's sake, he truly hoped something had simply happened at the King's home.
Yet it still felt bizarre.
Right now, it seemed only someone wishing for the King's demise would hope that nothing was actually amiss at his home.
"Hehe."
Asna chuckled helplessly toward the entrance, as if already accustomed to Lanqi and Hyperion suddenly darting off together; the two of them had always possessed boundless initiative in the student council.
After a brief silence settled over the room...
"Uh, the three of us are new here, and also old friends of Tata. We're here to help Boss Cat look after the restaurant," Antanas warmly took the initiative to greet Asna. "I'm Antanas, he's Pranay, and she's Sinora. Those two are brother and sister."
Before arriving, Boss Cat had already introduced them to its disciple, Asna.
In its absence, Asna was in charge of managing the restaurant.
"That's wonderful! Just now I was wondering how I should introduce you to Tata!" Asna breathed a sigh of relief and grasped Antanas's hand.
"Has Tata been doing well lately?" Antanas hesitated for a moment before asking with deep concern.
She knew that Tata was Talia's pseudonym.
She was thrilled at the prospect of seeing Talia, yet dreaded that Talia might have suffered too much hardship over all these years.
Sinora cared deeply about this question as well; she hoped Talia was doing well, yet found it impossible to accept the idea that Talia had genuinely caught a wealthy husband.
"She's doing very well. Don't worry at all," Asna smiled gently and invited the three to sit down. Bringing over a tray and black tea from the counter, she poured cups for each of them, then sat beside them and began recounting how attentively she looked after Tata's daily life.
Chapter 492