At the front of the classroom, on a simple stone lectern, a figure stood with its back to him.
The figure was hazy and indistinct, as if formed from flickering shadows and fractured light. Its specific form was impossible to discern, but he could feel a placid gaze fixed upon him.
Deng Lun dared not be disrespectful and hurriedly bowed low.
He knew his teacher's disposition—a deep aversion to pointless pleasantries and superfluous talk. He thus got straight to the point. "Reporting to Teacher. Sir Casimir returned to the Eternal Night Territory the day before yesterday and brought back a reply from the Undead Forces of the East Swamp."
"They did not directly refuse your proposal, but... they presented a condition."
"They require that we first provide them with three thousand Gold Coins in 'aid'."
The blurry figure on the lectern remained silent, as if pondering, or perhaps, as if it didn't care at all.
