As the island cliffs drew nearer, Morana found they weren't as windy as the home of the gryphons. The water washed over the towering rock peacefully, cradling an island of lush summer when the mainland just barely unfolded into spring. The trees were heavy with fruit and some herbs and flowers which would only be found near the sea climbed across the rock to offer some test of courage for young magic novices.

Morana was intimidated by the looming tower. She could feel the magic that surrounded it, if lightly. It thrummed with an intensity that caused a constant whirr in the back of her skull, unpleasant yet not severe enough to cause a headache.

Wynn led them around the rocks in search of something. When she dived into the water along with her horse, San aligned his mount with Lillwen's. He silently watched over Morana.

Wooyoung was on their other side, gaping up at the spire with an open mouth.

"It looks much bigger from up close," Yeosang muttered, similarly awed.

"That trickster rules all of that?" Wooyoung huffed when he found his words and Yeosang was so kind to explain to him and Morana.

"It's a school. Less so than ruling over a kingdom, Hongjoong oversees their studies and research in all matters of magic. There is no mage in this empire who didn't learn at the spire or at least knows of it. Our books come from here as well."

Right, Hongjoong was special like that. His aura exuded prestige. Less so how nobles adorned themselves with needless glamour, but how one looked who was an expert in his field and the wisest of all.

Wynn resurfaced, and the water caressed down her bright hair and figure. When she neared their group, Lillwen addressed her quietly so no curious wanderers would hear them.

"Can we enter?"

"The cave is right below us. I need to ask you others to hold your breath briefly. It isn't for so long that Morana might get hurt," she instructed. Yeosang looked nervous about this, but Morana finally got her time to shine.

"No problem," she announced, sitting up straighter in Lillwen's arm. She met Wooyoung's narrow eyes with stony resilience.

"I can hold my breath."

"You are safe with me," Lillwen purred at her ear, endeared with Morana's stubbornness how a gryphon was endeared with a lizard before gobbling it down.

Smug about her attention, Morana nodded.

"I'm by your side," San also assured her and while Morana didn't need him, Wooyoung and Yeosang looked relieved about his protection. Neither of them did well in this element either, but at least their concern for Morana kept them distracted.

One by one, the horses dipped under the surface. Morana gasped in a breath and pinched her eyes shut before they went down, scared of glimpsing the fathomless depths. Yet, their darkness was soothing. The water was cool and Lillwen's arms steady, assuring Morana she would be safe.

Lulled by the ocean's song like a distant wail, Morana sunk into its embrace. She floated weightlessly and then, only a few moments later, the horses resurfaced.

Morana heard Wooyoung splutter and wiped at her eyes before she opened them. A cave surrounded them, not unlike the one she had grown up in. Its walls were dark without any source of light, but Morana could see a winding path leading away from the underground pool. Giddy, she climbed up onto the ledge when Wynn held out her hand for her.

How exciting! Would they sneak inside and steal Hongjoong away for their mission?

Giddy, Morana watched how San dragged his heavy wings from the water, soaked with liquid, whereas Wooyoung's feathers repelled it. He shook them out away from the others while Wooyoung sat on the ground like a wet dog, looking miserable. Mulberry and Onyx couldn't follow them until the spire granted them entry, so he was extra pitiful.

Lillwen came to stand next to Morana. She seemed neither wet nor dry, in a constant state of ever-changing liquid. She peered down into the corridor, blessed with vision in the dark like Morana was.

"I'm sure there was-" she began in search of light, but the magic in the air shifted, cutting her off. Morana felt it, something powerful coming near, but she couldn't tell if it was a protective spell or a creature stationed as a guard.

A gleaming portal opened in the wall before them. San's blade was drawn in a flash, and he backed Morana and Lillwen behind him, shielding them with his broad body. Wooyoung scrambled up and the horses hastily dipped, leaving their little group.

With bated breath, they expected an army of armed guards to storm in and capture them. Though exhilaration filled Morana's chest, she was also spooked by her foreign surroundings. They snuck in without invitation; that much was unmistakable.

But only a single person emerged from the portal. The cane in the man's fist tapped onto the rough ground and a swirl of golden magic curled around his body, visible only to those who had an innate sense for it. His hair was half black, half white, and golden eyes blazed in a face with pointy features. He wore a suit of red velvet adorned with golden brooches and chains, and each of his rings carried more spells on his fingers.

Morana knew him. His hair was easily his most memorable feature.

This was the Magus Maximus himself. Hongjoong, diplomat of her athair and strongest mage of the empire. And yet another of her uncles.

His brow was drawn in displeasure at their sight as he spotted San and Wynn first.

"What are you doing here, unsolicited?" He barked, but he didn't attack them. As expected, he knew of every move on his lands. And he felt their familiarity to check on them himself instead of sending guards.

Morana peered her head around San's protective wings, which had lowered at Hongjoong's vision. She made eye contact with the flashy mage and his face slipped in the same moment Wooyoung shook himself from his shock.

"There you are! Why did you make yourself so impossible to contact?" He bounced over on light-hearted talons, slinging his arms around the sorcerer. Hongjoong wrapped an arm around the snuggly gryphon-born who got him wet all over, but his attention was distracted with Morana.

He opened his mouth. Wooyoung smacked a kiss on his cheek and Hongjoong grimaced. He submitted to his fate of holding his eager companion to address the assembled adults at once.

"You brought Morana here? All this way?"

Yeosang looked happy to see Hongjoong, so he was lenient with his fuss. He patted the sorcerer's shoulder around Wooyoung, trying to ease the fury on his features.

"Nothing happened."

"That doesn't mean it isn't risky! Anyone could have spotted her!" Hongjoong protested while San put a hand on Morana's shoulder, gently tugging her forth so Hongjoong could witness her in one piece. He exhaled at the sight of her glimmering eyes and excited grin.

"I knew I shouldn't have left her with you moron," he grumbled as he plucked Wooyoung off his side. The gryphon-born pouted at him, but Hongjoong's anger was fleeting. His relief to see them washed it away and the two nymphs awaited his greeting patiently.

"I had an eye on them," San affirmed. Hongjoong conceded with a nod, trusting at least some of them.

"Good," he grumbled before he sunk down onto a knee before Morana. His grin was soft on her, fond of the one he recognised in her features.

"Have you been well, little imp? Was everyone nice to you?"

"The spire is so big," Morana shared, awed by the lofty dark building. "And Lillwen helped us a lot." She beckoned up at the queen, getting her acquainted as her most favoured ally. Hongjoong addressed her with a polite bow of his head.

"Thank you for guiding my family here safely."

"I figured you would want me to use the access you granted me for them foremost," Lillwen replied with a nod. "It's a pleasure to meeting you again, Hongjoong."

"The pleasure is all mine," Hongjoong replied, though his eyes were stuck on Morana. She felt his magic tickling her. Dancing around her and probing into her insides to make sure she wasn't hiding any aches from him. He was pleased to find her merely exhausted from the long trip.

"Follow me upstairs. I will provide you with a place to rest, then you can tell me what led you so far outside of your homes," the sorcerer suggested, opening his portal again. Though it was lazy not to take the stairs, Morana was all in. What did he have his powers for if not to ease his daily duties?

Morana held Yeosang's hand to step through the nauseating portal and they assembled in an entrance hall upstairs. Exotic mages peered at them, but they huddled past, knowing better than to discard their studies to meddle in the business of their Magus Maximus. Morana looked around, awed by the many books and instruments and spheres floating around light sources of all colours. As if to make sure she wouldn't touch anything, Hongjoong grasped her other hand to guide her along.

"Are you very wearied? I could take you to see your brother. Or you can sleep first," he asked her, but Wooyoung replied in her stead.

"I'm just hungry. Does your tower have anything but rocks to eat? After some food, we will have the energy for our assembled puppies."

Hongjoong glowered at him and Wooyoung stuck his tongue out at the mage. Yeosang snickered about the frowns that were so easily forgotten.

Wynn and Lillwen also seemed familiar with these surroundings. They conversed quietly while Hongjoong bickered with the rest.

"I would like to see my brother," Morana suggested. "Perhaps we can eat together and then sleep?" After all, she had to make sure Wooyoung wouldn't starve. He became so whiny if he wasn't fed in so long. What did the mages like to eat?

"Of course," Hongjoong replied to her right away, reliable like San was towards her.

This time, Morana stuck out her tongue at Wooyoung and got a grimace in return.

Since Aodhán had magic, he also studied at the spire. In the past, Morana always thought Hongjoong was his father, shining as his magic was. And the similarity was certainly there.

But Aodhán's father was human. A man named Yunho with a big smile and a dog by his side at all times. He was much gentler than Hongjoong and moved to the spire to tend to his son. Given how strict of a teacher Hongjoong could be, it was for the best Aodhán had the soothing hand of his other parent with him.

Sometimes Morana envied him. Yet, she was glad they had each other, and that she didn't have to learn magic. It looked incredibly more difficult than history.

Morana wanted to see him and play with Yunho's dog, but her body knew how drained she was. All those new things she learned today. Perhaps Aodhán could take a day off tomorrow so they could play.

Since the spire had no grand dining halls like palaces did, Hongjoong brought them to a cramped sitting room. He asked everyone to stay there and offered the two nymphs the basin of water to refresh themselves.

Morana sat next to Wooyoung, who was similarly thrilled to be there. She curled into his side, hoping she looked mysterious and interesting to Lillwen as she mumbled with him under their breaths about all the pranks they could prank as soon as Hongjoong left them alone. Morana was so curious if she could sit on those floating spheres and Wooyoung could easily help her with his wings.

San kept an eye on them while Yeosang conversed with the nymphs. He thanked their service for supplying the tunnels meant to meet the mages in to exchange information. As expected, Hongjoong's wisdom about his surroundings knew of every little movement at the spire.

Hongjoong brought them food first. He returned with some platters full of snacks, magicking up drinks and cups for them. He found something suitable for everyone and Morana crunched on some sweet bread while he disappeared again, going to fetch her brother.

With all the people around her, Morana didn't feel so lacking and lonely anymore. Finally busy, she felt as if a need of her being, or perhaps a need of her past, was momentarily at ease.

Cosy, she settled in their midst and listened to Lillwen's tales for as long as possible before the beautiful nymph would return to her home.