Both Caleb and Keane were busy so it took a while to meet them at the same time. However, this wasn’t something I could just tell to one or the other. I needed both of their help with this.

“So, what is this about?” Caleb demanded immediately, “I know you wouldn’t take the time to call both of us here for nothing.”

I nodded. “Do you remember what Mickey said about me establishing trains in Tethia?” I prompted.

“You already started that?” Keane asked, “but you ran into a snag and need our help.”

“Yes,” I replied. Sometimes it was unnerving how those two always seemed to know what I was thinking before I said anything, but in this case it was convenient, “Beraud won’t agree to give us their technology unless we can offer something big in exchange. I thought of using a charm but there is no guarantee it would work over there. That is why I would like you to help me create something that generates its own magic.”

“Something more like an artifact?” Caleb clarified, “I made something like that before but it is too dangerous to send to another country. However, if I can succeed once, I might be able to succeed twice. Unfortunately, this method has only been tested once so it is impossible to say what effect this will have.”

“Why don’t we just focus on generating magic?” Keane asked, “It would only spread to the castle at most but having his own personal magic generator should be enough to convince the king of Beraud. It will also be difficult for him to use it against us.”

Keane’s viewpoint was a bit harsh but I had to say that I agreed. “Do you have any ideas on how to make this generator?”

“I will have to look at Caleb’s research records,” Keane replied, “but I might be able to help him improve it. Since it is a gift to foreign royalty we will also have to make it look grand.”

“I just hope this doesn’t cause any major problems,” I sighed, “I can think of many ways this could just go wrong but I can’t give up the idea of using trains to further our economy.”

“True. It is easy for small lords from the farther provinces to become corrupted due to the distance. Incidents like those at the seaports would be easier to prevent if we could get there and back faster. Installing gates in each and every town would take too much magic and could cause problems of its own.”

“Definitely,” I agreed, “Actually, my first thought was to give the king of Beraud a special gate, but if he managed to connect to Tethia’s private gates that could be problematic.”

“I’ll get to work on the magic generator,” Caleb promised, “It should be easier this time with Keane to help me, and I might find some useful items in Alois’ stash.”

“His stash?” I asked cautiously.

“He has a habit of accidentally picking up cursed or enchanted items. The items themselves are worthless or too dangerous, but they can be broken down to their rare materials.”

“How long would it take to get those materials otherwise?” I questioned.

“I have no idea,” Caleb admitted, “Those I can find elsewhere are lower quality and mining and creating objects like those is not a very popular profession due to the high level of skill and low demand.”

“But if we start demanding all at once the already lofty prices will skyrocket and we will bleed the few craftsmen we have dry,” I muttered, “How about from other countries? Maybe Silas might be able to get a hold of the materials.”

“Silas might have some but it won’t be cheap from him either. The only kingdom I know of that produces magic stones through alchemy hoards them all for their own military.”

I paused. “Caleb, you don’t think that is the militant kingdom, do you?”

“I suppose it is possible,” he agreed, “I will let Nero know to keep an eye on them, but for now we have our hands full.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

After that I left them to their work and found myself busy with my own lessons, paperwork, and preparations. After about twelve days the two of them called me to Keane’s lab.

“I think we succeeded,” Keane announced the moment I entered.

“Can I see it?” I asked.

Keane stepped aside to reveal something that reminded me of an ornate lantern full of a dim pulsing blueish glow.

“Is this it?” I asked, gesturing to the lantern.

“It is,” Caleb replied with a victorious smile. He had dark bags under his eyes. “It may not seem like much now but watch what happens when we expose it to sunlight.”

He walked over to the shuttered window and threw it open. Bright beams of sunlight fell upon the lantern and the deep blue hues of light inside it suddenly grew radiant and bright. It was too blinding to look at it and I could feel an intense buildup of magic growing. Caleb quickly closed the window again, but the lantern only slightly dimmed.

“It is made to produce immense amounts of magic every time it is exposed to sunlight and distribute it evenly for a long time after. You will have to be careful, though. There is no telling what might happen if it gets too much sun.”

“You are going to have to write a guide for use,” I muttered, “Beraud doesn’t understand magic that well.”

“I already thought of that,” Caleb replied proudly and showed me a stack of unbound papers. “You will have to make that presentable yourself.”

“Definitely,” I agreed, “Good work, Caleb. Now, go take a nap.”

“Nap?”

“Yes,” I said and took him to the waiting room outside and made him sit down. “Nap.”

Caleb blinked at me a couple of times before immediately laying down.

“Thank you. I couldn’t convince him to sleep,” Keane told me.

“How about you?” demanded, “How much sleep have you gotten?”

Keane chuckled with a guilty expression. “I’ll sleep,” he promised, “Autumn has been nagging me about it constantly so you don’t need to worry.”

“You two are fairly close,” I commented.

“Yes… We have been partnered for so long he feels like part of me. I suppose that is his job. He provides the magic I need for all of my medical research,” Keane answered, “Sometimes I forget he is human and treat him like a cat.”

“Just be careful not to upset him,” I sighed. I had to admit, I had also thought of Autumn as a cat. It was probably his beastkin traits. Still, I decided to talk to Autumn later. I wanted to make sure he realized the danger of getting too close to one of the capture targets he was so afraid of before.

I went to visit Autumn right after I was done speaking with Keane and he opened his door right away. “Cassandra? Is something wrong?”

“Can I talk to you for a bit?” I asked.

“Of course,” he said and invited me in.

“It’s about Keane,” I began, “Are you certain it is safe for you to work so close to him.”

“This isn’t the time to be doubting each other,” Autumn replied with a frown.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Autumn paused and then seemed to realize something. “If it is about him being a capture target, don’t worry. From what I heard he was chosen as a target out of popular demand but his route was impossible. Even the happy end feels more like a friendship route.”

“That makes sense,” I decided, “Keane doesn’t seem like someone compatible with romance.”

“That is why I decided to work with him,” Autumn explained, “I think we are close friends now and I made sure to crush all of the love flags.”

“You know more about it than me. I just wanted to make sure you were alright,” I told him and started to leave.

Autumn smiled. “Thanks, Cassandra. That means a lot.”