Several days later.
The exchange meeting took place as scheduled.
In the early morning, the sun rose in the east, casting its light over the forest and awakening all slumbering creatures, heralding the arrival of a new day.
In the Dark Forest Gathering Place of the Jungle Hut, life began to stir as Wizards and Wizard Apprentices emerged from the wooden buildings and made their way toward the center of the gathering area. There stood a gigantic hall, the venue for the exchange meeting.
Richard blended in with the crowd, walking leisurely without any sign of panic, appearing every bit the student of Wizard Gulo—Richard Austin.
As he walked, he greeted the people he was more "familiar" with from time to time.
"Wizard Ron, we meet again,"
"Wizard Bottes, hello,"
"Wizard Feili, er, my teacher certainly didn't come, and honestly, I didn't want to either. But my teacher wanted to know if anyone's speaking ill of her at the meeting."
