“We’re late?” Liliya was the first to break the silence. “What do you mean by that? Who are you?”Levi examined the man more closely. He looked to be in his late thirties to early forties, with messy medium-length brown hair parted down the middle, dark eyes, a thin scar cutting across his left cheek, and some light stubble lining his chin. He wore a grey cloak over a white shirt with its two top buttons left unbuttoned, baggy pants held up by a dark brown belt, and a pair of dark suede boots.“You don’t know who I am?” the man asked, sounding offended. “Jeez, what are they teaching you kids in the Institute these days? You’re telling me Aldy didn’t mention me even a single time?”Levi blinked. Aldy? As in Aldric? As in Professor Aldric Heimler? Liliya faltered, her brows furrowing as she searched her memory. Then, her eyes widened. “You’re–”“Now we’re getting somewhere,” the man interrupted her, grinning. “But let’s have this conversation out of prying ears, eh?” Without looking, he flipped another platinum coin into the bartender’s hand. “We’ll be taking your best room for the day, if you don’t mind.”With that, he strode past them, heading for the staircase in the back that led to the traveller rooms in the upper floors. The crowd parted before him, the locals gazing at him with a mixture of awe, fear, and admiration.“Wait sir, the key to your room!” the bartender called after him. He glanced back over his shoulder and flashed her a roguish (...)