At Hubert’s suggestion, the elders exchanged uneasy glances.

“Vanessa... you mean that Vanessa?”

“Yes, that Vanessa. The one who supposedly reached the 6th circle,” Hubert replied.

The mention of Vanessa caused their expressions to sag even further. Even Hubert himself looked gloomy at the thought.

Rumors about Vanessa had been circulating widely. Thanks to Claude’s strategic spreading of tales to recruit mages, it was nearly impossible not to hear about her. While her identity wasn’t explicitly named in these rumors, it wasn’t much of a secret. Especially within the Scarlet Tower, which had a nominal branch in Fenris, it was …