"""
In the lake, thick clusters of reeds parted, revealing a white bird riding the wind. It floated delicately before Ivan, making it evident that this was yet another summoned puppet creature.
The white feathers bore a striking resemblance to those on the wings of Lahr, his magic pet.
"Fine, let's see what sort of trick you're playing now," Ivan muttered.
Seeing that Sorcerer Toyennes had merely sent a puppet creature, he didn't hesitate. He leapt onto the back of the white bird, letting it carry him toward Toyennes.
The white bird flapped its wings and headed deeper into the boundless lake.
It circled him a few times without stopping or revealing any other figures. Ivan wasn't in the least anxious about this.
Eventually, a two-headed monster snake appeared, its grotesque visage carrying a familiar aura. *Toyennes—it had to be. From his scholarly appearance to this decrepit state, anyone would recognize the fall from grace he had suffered.*