The Cat Boss still reminisced about the cuisines of the Northern Continent.
Perhaps it was because, during that ti, it had just been rescued from a shipwreck with Lanci, and without a sense of security, everything it ate seed extraordinarily delicious, leaving a mark in its mory.
"I've heard that Rocky's student Zestira is the daughter of the Viscount of Lilom City? Zestira even took my class once."
Tolyado recalled.
It was during Zestira's history class that she had a good impression of him and introduced this history departnt associate professor to Lanci. Curious, Lanci decided to sit in on the class as well.
As they chatted, they realized they'd encountered each other back in the Northern Continent and shared many common topics. However, the Cat Boss had always hidden in Lanci's shadow and hadn't co out to et Associate Professor Xido.
"Let see how far it is."
The Cat Boss sniffed the air for the scent of oils, floating up from Tolyado's hand into the air. Its large yellow eyes were fixed straight ahead, as if they had already seen a crispy roasted fish.
"Hey, don't rush, you'll get to eat soon enough."
Tolyado waved, softly signaling the Cat Boss to co down.
The Cat Boss had started attracting attention.
Sure enough.
"Look, that cat is flying!"
"What a cute little kitty, how is it doing that?"
"I've heard that a professor from our academy has contracted a powerful Fifth-order Elf Cat."
The surrounding crowd murmured in curiosity, casting their gazes toward the extraordinary little cat.
Tolyado reached out and pulled the floating Cat Boss back into his arms.
"Keep a low profile, Little Black Loaf. I don't want to be mistaken for a cat thief, nor am I part of a circus."
Tolyado warned the Cat Boss.
He could feel the peculiar gazes around him.
"Why would you be mistaken for a cat thief, ow...?"
The Cat Boss asked in confusion.
But when it looked up and saw Tolyado's familiar and cautious sweeping gaze, as if ready to flee at any mont, it understood.
This guy probably had stolen sothing before.
The man and cat continued lining up in the crowded masses. No matter which direction they looked, the sea of people seed endless and dazzling.
From the Southern monastery's Holy Sanctuary Garden drifted the scents of herbs. At a glance, the garden was vibrant even in winter, lush with greenery. Priests in simple white robes carried herbal hoes, bustling through the flowerbeds.
Many townsfolk stopped here to pray, picking spiritual herbs or consulting for redies in hopes of curing stubborn ailnts and regaining health. The dicinal garden also sold products crafted by the dicine College of Saint Kray Monastery.
Outside Elliot Building's plaza, the streets were thronged with bustling crowds and temporary storefronts.
Students from the Materials College enthusiastically promoted their textile goods, claiming they were made from their newest Sixth-order mimic butterfly cocoon silk—light, soft, and perfect for crafting festival attire or fabric armor. anwhile, the Faculty of Magical Engineering mostly sold chanical plates for armor assembly and Empire-made magic device jewelry.
In front of the Culinary College's stalls, a half-ter-tall tal kettle was displayed, with branches of frost-dusted pine inserted into its lid, and steam billowing from its spout. Beastman Clan students called out in a Southern Empire accent, "Warm and comforting cal milk tea," attracting curious passers-by to stop and sample.
At Elliot Square's edge, a traveling bard sat holding a seven-string lute, singing songs of the Holy Sanctuary's legends and the virtues of ancient sages.
His lodic tunes drew a large crowd of enchanted listeners, many tossing coins into the bowl at the bard's feet in appreciation.
Children ran through the crowd, shouting excitedly with pure, joyous gleams in their eyes. So clutched candy canes made by confectioners, smiling ear to ear, while others wore laurel wreaths on their heads, mimicking the grown-ups, pretending to be solemn Moon God Priests.
Knights of the Temple of the Moon Goddess escorted nobles and dignitaries through the crowd with a grand display. Their deanor was stoic and reserved, but the masked excitent in their eyes betrayed their genuine holiday joy.
"I want to eat, eat, eat, and shop, shop, shop! Be a piggy ow!"
The Cat Boss, swept up in the lively atmosphere, could hardly wait any longer.
Though its gaze constantly searched for a glimpse of Lanci, the aroma of grilled fish grew stronger, making its tail waggle keenly back and forth.
"Get ready to indulge; I spotted fresh trout being grilled earlier."
Tolyado lifted the impatient Little Black Cat higher and said to it.
As the two exchanged witty remarks, the line slowly moved forward.
"ow ow, let check."
The Cat Boss, feeling the line was still long, gracefully floated into the air to scout ahead and see the queue's full extent.
"Xido ow, I bet we still need to wait half an hour."
But this ti, it planned to glance for a mont and quickly descend.
Yet as its words fell, there was no response from Tolyado.
"If they're working quickly, maybe just ten more minutes, ow."
The Cat Boss, displaying its chef expertise, estimated the timing.
But when it finished surveying the distant hustle and returned to its original spot, it suddenly noticed not only Tolyado's silence, but his absence entirely.
Bewildered, it looked around and realized it had been squeezed out of the line amidst the bustling crowd.
Tolyado was truly nowhere to be seen.
None of the people had treated a floating little cat as part of the queue.
The crowd was so dense that its vision was completely blocked, making it impossible to discern the direction.
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