Dexter

I sat up as I stretched, swaying slightly in my hammock. I winced as a dull pain shot through my calves. “Three straight days of walking is brutal. Physical training might not do as much, but I definitely need to reach a peak during my stay here.” I turned and dropped to the floor, legs groaning in protest. I walked towards the ladder and began descending. “I can drop by the institute and ask about magic lessons, then head out and see Mabel about the sap. I could probably pick up the sulfur while I'm there. I can start work on the rubber once I get back. I'll need to see how big the cauldron is to get an idea of the size. Once the seal is done, I can get the system set up and wait for it to complete. About a month should do.”

I turned as I reached the bottom and noticed the massive iron pot in the room. A stone structure sat beside it, metal surface connected to some sort of knob on the side. I walked over and examined the knee-high cauldron resting on the floor. I reached down and lifted the lid, revealing the fluid sitting within. It was filled three-quarters of the way up. I estimated about three or four gallons were being held by the cauldron. I was tempted to reach down and test the temperature but decided against it. “That's definitely the acid I asked for and that's the stove I need. Now I just need the seal.” I put the lid back and began examining the stove. The heating mechanic seemed simple enough, set the dial to control the temperature. “There's probably a max temp, but I might not need to go that high. I just need to find the right critical point to melt the crystals at the bottom and have the material rise to form at the seed. I could probably find some equations in the textbooks to make my life easier.”

I stood and stretched as I finally made my way over to my backpack, lifting it onto my shoulders as I walked towards the door. Amelia was still asleep and I didn’t think it was necessary to wake her up at the moment. “I'll need to grab some sulfur. I can use the stove to vulcanize the rubber and experiment with the ratios. I should be able to get the system up within a week.” I pulled the door open and began making my way down to the Institute. “All this just to take one step forward, one more step towards Adympia. Then again, with the end goal, I'd take as many steps as I'd need to. If you wish to cut out evil, you have to start at the source.” With that, I began the journey down to the Institute

I stepped into the Institute, entrance hall filled with the same arcane artifacts as before, save for the table piled with a few more boxes of crystals. I looked around as I tried to find someone to talk to. The entrance hall and the connecting rooms were devoid of anyone, mage, or otherwise. I turned to climb the stairs to the loft as I heard voices drift down over the railing. “You need to include this incantation. The familiar won't be bonded to your will without the enchanted ingredient.”

“I know, but the incantation requires enough lunar energy to complete. I planned to perform it tonight during the full moon.”

The first voice scoffed before replying. “You do not require that much; a half-moon would do. You could even use the moonstone down the hall.”

I emerged from the staircase into a sort of sitting room, chairs and tables littering the area. I turned and saw a pair of orcs, both female, sitting in the corner of the room, carefully studying a pile of notes. They looked up as I approached. “You two wouldn't happen to know where Garahk is, would you? I need to talk to her about something.”

They glanced at each other before grinning as they stood and closed the gap between us, leaving their notes on the table. “It is pleasant to see you again.” One of them voiced. “I hope you will not run out on us like last time.” I looked at her, confused.

The other spoke up, interrupting my question. “Yotul, he obviously does not remember us. In the state he was in, I would be surprised if he recalled anything at all. I have not studied the art of cerebration thoroughly, but even I can tell damage to such a severe degree will have ill effects.” I glanced at the two of them as a trace of memory floated through my mind. They wore matching shawls and were the same height, just shorter than Amelia, but that was the extent of their similarities. ‘Yotul' had brown hair and green eyes, her voice held a subtle tremor as she looked me up and down. The other one had black hair and brown eyes, her voice carried confidence and wisdom beyond her years.

I flicked my finger between the two as the memory finally solidified. “You two . . . were there when Garahk fixed my . . issue,” I remarked uncertainly.

The one that had spoken second nodded, grinning all the while. “I suppose I should introduce ourselves.” She remarked, gesturing at herself. “I am Borba, and this is my friend Yotul. You are quite correct, we were there when Garahk repaired your mind. I must say I am curious as to how one could come to incur so much damage.”

I hesitated nervously before shrugging as I glanced around at the empty room. “I wish I could tell you, that might make preparing against it easier, but as it stands, I have no clue.”

Borba nodded as she glanced at Yotul. “I suppose that means you will not be able to question him about the experience. If he fails to recall the catalyst, I doubt he remembers the following events.”

Yotul scowled at the idea. “Fext, I hoped you would have been able to offer insight into the mind. Though, I once heard that damage to the mind tends to cause it to compensate for where it once thrived, either through supernatural knowledge or physical ability. I do not suppose you now possess such an enhancement?”

I clenched my fist experimentally as I gave it some thought. “None that I've noticed,” I replied, deciding my experiences before and after the critical event were pretty much the same. “Something like that sounds pretty rare anyway, like one in a million chance, but I'll inform you if that fact changes.”

Yotul grinned and nodded as she turned to Borba. “Always a silver lining.” She whispered happily.

Borba rolled her eyes as she turned and gestured me to follow her, followed closely by Yotul. “You asked about Garahk; she is likely in her study. Come, we can show you the way.” I nodded as I began following them deeper into the building, passing by many doors along the way. They followed no sensible pattern and appeared to be little more than random placements along the hallway. Finally, we came upon a thick oaken door at the corner of the hallway. Many arcane symbols glowed slightly across its surface. A large brass knocker, carved in the shape of a bear's head, sat at the center. Borba reached up and grabbed the large ring, using it to rap sharply on the door. “Elder Mother,” She called loudly. “The Outsider Champion Wishes To Inquire About Something.”

There was silence for a minute, then the door was pulled open, revealing Garahk standing behind it. She glanced at the two orcs then turned to address me directly. “What did you want to ask?” She got to the point quickly.

I nodded as I pointed at the bag on my back. “I came to ask about actual lessons. The spellbook is a good foundation, but I could probably learn magic one spell at a time. It'll be faster if I learn the supporting material in tandem with the spells.”

Garahk nodded as she leaned on the staff she clutched. “I suppose you are more impatient than I previously thought.” She remarked, almost chuckling. “Come, I cannot let you stand in the hallway. I was just finishing officiating your invitation. You can bring Amelia's invitation upon your return.” She waved us in, turning back to the room as she did. I followed her directions and stepped over the threshold and into her study. Yotul and Borba followed as they pushed the door closed behind us. I looked around at the mess of tables, piled with their mess of parchments and books. The atmosphere felt palpable as Garahk returned to one such table and began writing. Purple candles sat beside her and illuminated the parchment with an orange flame as she worked.

I turned to her as I finally broke the silence. “So, what's this about an invitation?”

Garahk paused and gestured towards the parchment she was using. “It is your official invitation to join the Institute,” she explained. “I had intended to send it the following morning, but since you are here you may as well take it. Given that you are present because of your desire for lessons I suppose this solves both of our problems.” I nodded as Garahk wrote a few more lines. She finally stopped and gestured at the paper, causing it and a few other pages to fold themselves up and slide into two thick envelopes. She gestured again and caused the candles to float over the table. They titled and began dripping hot wax onto the parchment as Garahk reached towards another table and grabbed two small objects. The candles set themselves aside as Garahk pressed the two objects into each of the pools of hot wax on the envelopes, sealing the message. She then turned and gestured at the candles, extinguishing the flames. She gestured again and caused the candles to float over to one of the shelves. Finally, Garahk removed the seals from the wax and handed the two envelopes to me. “And with that, you have been officially invited to the Institute.”

I nodded as I looked down at the envelopes. They were packed tightly with the papers she'd slipped into them. The purple wax that sealed the piece carried the swirling lettering E M I. My and Amelia's names appeared on the opposite side of our respective envelopes. I briefly thumbed the rough parchment before reaching back and slipping them into my backpack. “I'll open mine when I hand Amelia hers,” I explained. “It feels rude to open them here.”

Garahk nodded as she turned and limped over to another table. “I have taken the liberty of scheduling the lessons for you.” She explained. “You hardly seem knowledgeable of the out classes and it would be a waste of time to ask the two of you to choose your own, considering these are most of the basic classes anyway.” She pulled out another quill and began writing on another piece of parchment as she continued. “You will find that your schedule will differ from hers. I have taken the liberty of replacing the alchemical and mana manipulation classes with defensive combat and restoration classes, as per your request.” She glanced back as she stopped writing for a moment. “I hope that is to your satisfaction.”

I nodded as I glanced around again. The purple orbs above gently floated by. “That sounds like the perfect schedule. If I need to, I can find a book somewhere in the library and fill in anything I might be missing. Besides, the only thing I'd need to learn from alchemy is the magical aspect. I probably already have a pretty good grasp on the physical aspect. The crystal-growing process is basically a complex version of alchemy, minus the inherent magic.”

Garahk nodded as she glanced back at the table and continued writing. “I commend you on this knowledge, but do not assume such classes will be easy. Magic takes time and patience to master. The only advantage afforded you is your ability and wit alone; all else requires practice.”

I nodded as I glanced at the orcs beside me. “I can manage myself in that regard. I'll need to practice anyway; I can't just charge into battle without memorizing any spells. Hell, right now these two could probably beat me with a single spell.”

Borba grinned while Yotul blushed slightly. Borba seemed about to speak, but Garahk beat her to it. “That may be, but I believe even you are more knowledgeable about potions than these two. They are gifted in practical magic but are sorely lacking in their studies of alchemy.”

Borba groaned at that reprimand. “It was one time.” She complained.

Garahk nodded but didn’t look up from her parchment. “One time that cost the institute a Batch Cauldron and a large Enchanted stove; not to mention the replacement of the brick in the immediate vicinity.”

Borba sighed again, exacerbated. “How was I supposed to know adding mountain lilies to the concoction would destabilize it? If I recall, no one has attempted it before.”

Garahk shook her head. “Because there are only so many ingredients compatible with magma worm tongue. Mountainous ingredients are known to be on the extreme end of that incompatibility. You would have known this had you studied.” Bora didn't retort, merely looked crestfallen. Garahk turned to me as she gestured towards the door. “If you have no other business here, I suggest you return to your task.”

I briefly hesitated then nodded as I turned again. I stopped as a thought occurred to me and I turned back as I raised my finger. “There is actually one more thing I need. I'm going to need some sulfur to finish making the autoclave. It's not going to be much; a single jar will do.”

Garahk stared at me, confused. “Why would you need sulfur? Is the acid not enough?”

I hesitated again then shook my head. “It's for a different part of the autoclave. It's the only other thing I need to complete the system. I'd try and explain it, but I haven't finished reading the entry on it yet.”

Garahk sighed and shook her head. “Sulfur can be dangerous if used incorrectly. You have done much to show your aptitude, but I am still wary of the supposed results of your experiments.”

I nodded as I glanced around again. “I suppose that's fair. It's not like I've proven my claims. Though, I still need that sulfur.” I stopped and gave the idea some thought. After a minute, I turned back to Garahk. “If it makes you more comfortable, I can let you borrow some of my books.”

Garahk tilted her head at that. “You would willingly give away outsider knowledge?” She asked curiously.

I nodded. “When it comes to long term plans, I might have to teach you about some of the conditions and properties of the material anyway. I might as well let you read about it on your own time.”

Garahk paused and seemed to heavily consider the offer. After another minute, she nodded. “That is acceptable.” She then turned to the two orcs beside me. “Please escort Dexter down to the storehouse. He has free reign of the amount of material he needs.” Borba seemed about to protest, but Garahk interrupted her. “If Thoka objects, tell him he will be adequately compensated. Besides, if Dexter proves successful, he will have a nearly endless supply of high-quality crystals.” Bora nodded as she turned towards the door and gestured for me to follow. I turned and waved goodbye to Garahk as I and the two orcs left her study, closing the door behind us with a soft boom.

The ‘storehouse' turned out to be another room in the Institute, down on the first floor. Borba pushed opened the door and revealed a room filled with shelves upon shelves of knickknacks and jars, each one filled to the brim with their own items or materials. Borba quickly walked past the shelves and into the storehouse. “I require a particular ingredient. I'll be right back.” I nodded as I looked around in amazement at the myriad of horns, teeth, claws, and pickled tongues lining the shelves. I turned as I noticed lifelike paintings filling empty spaces along the wall.

Yotul stepped beside me as I stopped to admire one, a depiction of an orc holding a javelin aloft and roaring in triumph, his foot planted firmly on the back of a prone and bleeding elf. “Thoka has a certain interest in paintings.” She explained. “Particularly for ones depicting a Champion of Battle. I believe this one shows Dramuk after the battle of Tremu. Though I believe this is a recreation. You can even see his symbol emblazoned on his chest.” I leaned forward and squinted slightly. The emblem of a roaring dragon peaked out from the flapping shawl he wore, horns just barely visible in the shadow of the fur. I rubbed my chest as I again imagined the pain such a brand would cause. “There's someone that worked hard for his title. Meanwhile, I barely lucked into mine. Sure, I had to work through the rite, but that doesn't take away from the insane amount of luck I had during the actual battle. The wrong move would've abruptly ended my little rampage. Hell, that knife alone should've done all that. End of my rope with a knife in my side? That's about the point where everyone passes out.”

I shook my head as I refocused on the present. “No time for that now. Just get the sulfur and finish the autoclave.” “Where's Tremu?” I asked curiously, turning to Yotul.

She shrugged as she gestured about. “Somewhere near the western border.” She replied. “The battle happened long before the ordeal with him. I believe Elder Mother Garahk was young when it took place.”

I nodded as I looked around at the other paintings. Some held similar scenes of battle, while others merely depicted peaceful landscapes, the hill of buildings composing Snakhagr either front and center or offset to be joined by a larger mountain nearby. “So, where is Thoka?” I asked, turning back to Yotul. “I don't mean to rush, but I want to get started as quickly as possible.”

Yotul nodded as she turned and strode down the aisle. “He is likely sorting his stock in the back. The merchants will be arriving soon, and he has a surplus of ingredients.” I followed her along the shelves until we came across another orc, this one carefully arranging the jars and items along the shelf. He was considerably shorter for an orc, only five feet tall. The fluffy shawl he wore seemed a size or two too big, falling a little way down his legs as she examined a jar. His dark hair stopped just above his shawl, making him the only orc that I've seen with short hair.

He turned to us as we approached and revealed his bright blue eyes. “Good morning Yotul, what can I do for you?” The bright-eyed orc asked.

Yotul turned and gestured to me as she answered. “Our outsider friend requires some sulfur. You would not happen to have a jar lying around, would you?”

Thoka turned and began examining the shelves as he scratched his chin. “I know I have some large jars somewhere.” He replied. “The sulfur pits are easy to harvest from.” He walked a short way and looked behind a line of jars. “Ah here are some.” He reached back and pulled out a jar filled with yellow powder, just big enough to comfortably hold a hand. He then reached into his shawl and pulled out a few empty vials. “How many drafts do you need?”

I shook my head and pointed at the jar. “I might end up needing the whole jar. I haven't quite figured out the correct balance of ingredients. I'll probably use quite a bit before making the actual seal.”

Thoka looked at me, questioningly. “I suppose you have payment for this jar?” He asked skeptically. “I cannot merely give so much to you. I have other mages to consider.”

I shook my head apologetically. “I do not, I don't even think I know what you guys use as currency.”

Thoka let out a sigh as he turned and placed the jar back with the others. “Then I cannot let you have the jar. A few vials here and there are one thing, but if I start giving away jars of ingredients then my stock will be empty by the end of the month.”

Yotul stepped forward and gestured towards me. “Garahk knew you would dislike the idea. She assured me you would be compensated for any materials he takes.”

Thoka shook his head vigorously and glared angrily at Yotul, causing her to take a step back. “I do not very much care for what you claim Garahk said. For all I know you might not have spoken to her. So, you will have to excuse me if I do not willingly give you the sulfur you requested.” Yotul seemed about to protest, but Thoka interrupted her again, this time with an air of disgust. “Especially if I am giving this to the likes of him. He may have proven himself in battle, but he is still an outsider.”

Yotul looked crestfallen at that remark and I stepped forward angrily. “Look,” I said through gritted teeth. “You might not like it, but we're on the same side here. I hate Nione Just as much as you do. You don't have to like me, but could you please give me a modicum of respect?” Thoka stared angrily at me as he stood his ground. I let out a sigh as I pinched the bridge of my nose. I then continued in a calmer tone. “Look, I don't have ill intentions for you, for any of the orcs for that matter; I just need some supplies so that I can help you get revenge. Yotul is right about what Garahk said; you'll be compensated for the jar. It's all I need anyway. You have my word, as a Champion, that when I'm done your stores will not only have but be filled with clear quartz crystals.” I pointed to a jar of such muddied stones on a nearby shelf. “Far exceeding the likes of those stones.”

Thoka said nothing, merely stared at me in silence. After a minute he let out a sigh and reached for the jar. He tossed it to me as he addressed Yotul. “Tell Garahk I require sixty teef for this and a personal visit if she wishes me to give away stocks on mere words again.” Yotul nodded as she turned and gestured for me to follow.

I turned to Thoka, bowing thankfully. “Thank you for the sulfur.” I voiced before following Yotul towards the door.

Yotul let out a sigh as she pulled open the door and led me outside. “I apologize for his behavior. As a Champion, you should expect a great deal of respect from others. Yet, as an outsider, many assume you and your associates to be untrustworthy. People will tend towards one mentality or the other. It would seem Thoka tends towards the latter.”

I nodded as I reached back and slipped the jar into my backpack. “At least we convinced him to choose the other one,” I remarked. “I don't need the headache of getting someone to trust me for a jar of powder.”

Yotul nodded as we stopped in the hallway. “Though I believe you did more to convince him. I just sat there uselessly. I could not even defend myself when I knew I was in the right.”

I nodded as I glanced down the hall. “Don't feel bad about it. There are some people where that can't be reasoned with. You just got to know when you've found one of those people.”

Yotul nodded as she turned to stare down the hall. I turned in kind as a soft boom echoed down the hall and Borba began approaching us. She was running towards us, tying a small leather pouch to her waist. “Apologies; I did not expect it to take so long in finding what I need. What of you, did you find the material you were looking for?”

I nodded as I jabbed a finger towards my backpack. “I'm all set. Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can't save you guys some quartz when I get the system working.”

Borba grinned and nodded while Yotul blushed slightly and looked down. “That would be marvelous.” Borba beamed. “I look forward to your presence at the Institute.” I nodded as I turned and waved goodbye, leaving them in the hall as I began making my way back towards Mabel's glade. “Now then, let's see how much sap she was able to gather in a few hours.”

I spent the next hour or so retracing my steps through the forest and towards the archway I'd been shown yesterday. I followed the growing warmth as the smell of pine and leaves wafted by me. Eventually, I stepped through the arch of branches and entered her home once more. I noticed Mabel near the center of the field, legs crossed, arms out slightly, eyes closed as she floated there in a sort of meditative state, hair drifting slightly, completely detached from the laws of gravity. I quietly moved forward, past the animal that just glanced my way before returning to their grazing. I stopped in front of her as I finally spotted the plants around her, blooming milkweeds that seemed to be coated in a pale white substance. I stood there for a few moments as I waited for her to stop. She took no notice of me and merely continued to hum a harmonious tone, the note dripping with will and command. Finally, I realized she could be at this for hours and gently cleared my throat. Mabel's eyes shot open as she became aware of my presence. She took half a second to register my presence then broke out in a massive grin. “Ah, there you are.” She released whatever was holding her up and stepped forward to wrap her arms around me and hug me. I returned the embrace as I gently patted her back. She then released her grip and took a step back to look up at me. “I apologize, I was not paying attention to my surroundings.”

I gestured dismissively as I glanced at the plants surrounding us. “It's alright. I can see you were hard at work here.” I crouched as I inspected the plant closely. I experimentally dragged my finger along the plant and came away with a milky substance clinging to my digit. “You did all this in a day?” I asked curiously.

Mabel nodded as she crouched beside me. “I have a surplus of energy saved up over the winter. Spring will come soon so I can use the extra stores to influence the plants around me. It is not complete, but it allowed me to gather a small jar of sap for your project.” She then reached out as a root sprouted from the soil, carrying a closed earthen pot. She removed the lid and showed me the pale substance swaying inside.

I grinned as Mabel replaced the lid and had the root set the small container on the ground. “That's exactly what I need,” I said, reaching for the clay pot. I stood as I slipped it into my backpack. “I can use this to balance the formula before making the actual seal. From there it shouldn't be too hard to construct the autoclave and get it working. I can use the clamps to keep the lid on and maybe use some of my wire to suspend the crystals.”

Mabel tilted her head as she looked at me. “I have no clue what you speak of. This ‘autoclave' is entirely foreign to me.”

I chuckled slightly as I nodded. “Five hundred years ago we had no idea too. I don't think it was invented till the eighteen hundred. By then we were pretty good at analyzing and improving upon nature.”

Mabel nodded as she strolled aimlessly around the milkweeds. “The ball you gave me was certainly intriguing. It was molded using an unholy unity of nature and soil and made with an amount of precision that I dare say is impossible. Then again it only makes me curious as to how you might be able to make it. Is time the key to such smooth edges? Are you perhaps one of noble birth and this is some symbol of your status?”

I chuckled again as I shook my head. The idea of a rubber ball denoting a noble birth was hilarious. “I wish. No, we have machines that pop out about a thousand of those little balls every day. If you wanted to retail it, you could probably get maybe a dollar for it. In other words, we have a fuck ton of those.”

Mabel paused then nodded as she stopped her pacing. “I suppose you have a point. I doubt a noble would willingly give away their status symbol. And you do not quite sound of noble birth.”

I let out a small laugh then straightened my face and adopted a posher tone. “Fortunately, such a matter is easily remedied. All it takes to imitate one of the noble origins is to unnecessarily articulate your speech to such a degree that you yourself barely understand the word you are producing.” Mabel raised an eyebrow then gently clapped.

I bowed slightly as she stepped towards me. “That was rather impressive if a bit crude. I dare say you would fit in nicely with the high class. Your only disadvantage is the obvious facade you would need to project.”

I nodded as I stretched slightly and glanced around, returning to my normal voice. “Fortunately, I don't intend to rub elbows with the elves in Adympia. Hell, when I'm done with them, they'll be lucky to walk peacefully down the street.”

Mabel raised her eyebrow again. “You plan to dethrone Adympia? I must say that would be a thing to behold. Even by my standards, the country has lasted a long while. Such longevity is not easily upset.”

I shrugged as I turned towards the tree line. “Fortunately upsetting the balance is a human specialty. It doesn't matter if Adympia has existed for the last twenty years or the last twenty thousand years when I'm done with it, it'll only be a footnote in the history books.”

Mabel grinned as she glanced around the clearing. “I do not doubt it.” She remarked warily. “You outsiders certainly have an enlightening way of viewing the world.”

I nodded as I cracked my knuckles tiredly and stared out at the trees. “Anyway, I should head back. I want to finish this seal as soon as possible. I'll probably come back tomorrow for more sap.”

Mabel nodded and waved goodbye as I began walking towards the tree and back to the city.“I look forward to it.” She called as I left her home. I let out a sigh as I began navigating back towards Snakhagr, backpack now weighed down by all items within. “One more step to the autoclave. One more step to Adympia.”

I pulled open the barn door with a sigh. Amelia looked up as I carefully set my backpack on an open table. “Did you get the lesson thing sorted out?” She asked.

I nodded as I pulled out the two letters and tossed hers over. She cast Levitate and drew the letter to herself as I explained. “Apparently, Garahk was just making these invitations,” I replied. ”She's already signed us up for lessons. Now, all we need to do is show up and learn about magic.” Amelia nodded as she broke the seal and began rifling through the pages. I pulled out the jar of sap and the jar of sulfur as I looked down at my own. The seal stared back at me and I imagined all the reading I’d have to do once I broke it. I sighed as I set the letter aside tiredly. “I'll read mine later. Right now, I want to get this rubber thing figured out.” I pulled the sap jar and sulfur towards me as I began estimating measurements for the two materials. “Since I'm working with sulfur it might become very odorous here in a few minutes.” Amelia nodded again as she scanned the page she pulled out. I walked over to the table of books and grabbed the Metallurgy and Materials book, flipping through it until I found the entry on rubber. I walked back over as I began reading about vulcanization.

Amelia spoke up as I sat back down. “This says we get some kind of allowance, something for us to buy supplies and books.”

I nodded as I stood back up and moved over to the enchanted stove. “I'd imagine it’s a kind of income. There's got to be an incentive to learn magic. I doubt everyone is as mystified by its existence as we are.”

Amelia nodded as I bent down and lifted the stove, surprised at how light it was. “It seems we initially get it based on our ‘skill level' and an increase whenever we contribute to magical knowledge or whenever we maintain a high enough mark in the classes we take.”

I nodded as I carried the stove over to my table and set it down beside it. “Well, there's the increased incentive. That means each time we make some spell, or I finally develop a weapon, they'll reward us for that behavior. The fact that they factor in classes surprises me though. You'd think they'd want the students to pay to take classes.”

Amelia shrugged as she kept reading. “Maybe they get a good enough source of income anyway. They probably sell spells or enchantments to the city. And from the way they phrase it, it sounds like they have their own little self-sustained economy within. The Institute pays them for contributions and in turn, sells them the goods they use to learn more about magic.” I nodded understandingly as I sat back down and looked over the process again. Amelia suddenly scowled as she squinted at the page. “The only thing I can't see is if this page has- There it is. . . With my skill level, I get five hundred teef a month.”

I nodded as I glanced up at her. “That's probably their currency. I heard Yotul and Thoka talk about it in the storehouse. The jar itself supposedly cost sixty teef.”

Amelia nodded as she pulled out another page. “Well, with or without ‘teef' we'd still want to learn about magic. With the science we know, the possibilities may be endless.”

I nodded as I reached over and grabbed a discarded bowl, carefully pouring some sap into it as I began estimating the proper balance. “The sky's the limit,” I affirmed, turning the knob on the side of the stove. Amelia let out a sigh as she continued to sift through the papers. Meanwhile, I began carefully pouring the sap as I started calculating an appropriate amount of sulfur to add to the mix. The sun began to set low in the sky before I finished preparing my first batch.