"Master! Dale! It's wonderful, you're both safe and sound!"
The tree spirit extended its vines, gently and irresistibly pulling Ron and Dale into the workshop.
Her vines wrapped around their arms, with a protective tenderness, as if confirming that they had indeed returned unharmed.
"Everyone calm down." Ron tried to keep his voice steady to soothe the two obviously overwrought women:
"We're all fine, it's just that the time flow inside the altar is different from the outside world, so we were a bit later than expected."
Lilia looked up, holding back her tears, trying to regain a bit of composure:
"We were very worried...There were many terrible rumors circulating in the school, saying there was a problem with the Bloodline Altar, and some apprentices were trapped inside forever... And Miss Trish and Master Holt returned before you..."
Her voice trembled slightly, her face pale, clearly having been in a state of high tension these past days.
"Those were just rumors."
