Qifrey .⋆♱⃓

Qifrey walked through the forest, holding a magic compass whose needle pointed the way to the village he and his students were heading to. They could have gotten there using magic, but he insisted on making the journey on foot.

"Master…" Agott murmured as he gazed at the sky. "It's getting dark."

"Yes," she replied calmly, giving him a gentle smile. "Before that, we'll find a place to camp."

But all the calm vanished abruptly.

“W-What was that?!” Coco screamed, so scared she almost lost her balance.

Suddenly, the bushes shook violently and the small animals hid. Then came the roar, deep and monstrous, accompanied by a column of smoke rising into the distance. The four girls hid behind the sorcerer almost instinctively, and he finally looked up.

There was the dragon.

Qifrey remained motionless for a few seconds. His calm expression didn't fade… but his entire body tensed instantly.

"Stay back," he finally murmured, without taking his eyes off the dragon. "This one is much more dangerous than the one from a few weeks ago."

Despite the situation, her voice remained calm. But her students could sense the tension in her shoulders and the firmness with which she held her wand.

And then, his gaze turned towards a distant tower.

"Listen carefully," he said, turning to the girls. "Do you see that tower? I want you to run up there and stay inside."

"And you?" Tetia asked, visibly nervous.

"I'll catch up with you in a moment."

---

Shortly after, inside the tower, the apprentices discovered something far more unexpected. Or rather… someone.

The original plan was to take refuge downstairs, but the noises and bursts of magic piqued their curiosity. So, inevitably, they went upstairs to investigate.

And when they reached the top floor and opened the door… the four of them stopped dead in their tracks.

Was that elegant young woman a princess?