Joji sat through dinner and played the part expected of him, but when he returned to his room, his thoughts were still fixed on the leather book and the abyss winds.
Daisy came in not long after, dressed in soft youthful sleepwear, her hair loose and her steps quiet.
She slipped close at once, took Joji's arm, and drew it over herself as though settling into a place she already belonged.
Daisy was just about to close her eyes when her gaze fell to the book in his hands.
Tempered Through the Abyss.
Curiosity drew her in. She began reading beside him, her eyes moving faster than most nobles could manage.
"Daisy," Joji asked, "do you know how to make magic circles?"
"I'm pretty good at it," she said without hesitation. "Do you want my help?"
She kept reading a little longer, then once she had grasped the method, she tapped Joji lightly on the arm.
"I can help," Daisy said. "It would be best to use blood from creatures whose blood does not coagulate easily."
