Almost five minutes later—an agonizingly long time for the people waiting—Takeshi returned, a Silver Dragon mage and Old Jin in tow. They had been distracted by Takeshi's enthusiastic comments about a drink called bubble tea, but as soon as the doors closed, Takeshi's nerves finally gave out.
"Quick! Old Jin, Instructor Lanling made me call you—"
Old Jin firmly planted a hand on Takeshi's shoulder, halting his panicked babbling. His usually angry face straightened into seriousness. Only after Takeshi nodded frantically in understanding and mimed a zipping motion over his lips did Old Jin give him a nod of acknowledgement before moving forward to check on the situation.
"Aetheris, Kathaya," Lanling began, gently placing Haruki's hand to his side. "They are all under Alba's territory." His tone was one of familiarity, as if this man were not Aetheris' instructor but someone from the Silver Dragons.