Ten sonorous bells ring out. Before their echo fully fades, Ezio launches into the day’s lecture. “Class, it’s time to submit your proposals for your research project. Because I am a kind and benevolent taskmaster, I will continue to allow you to work in teams—assuming your proposals have merit. Don’t let me down!”

Melina nudges me with her elbow. “Rakesh has some ideas. Let’s meet with him after class to go over them in more detail.”

“Awesome. I’m glad we’re in this together. I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up with all the work on my own. You’re a lifesaver, Mel.”

Melina gives me a flat look. “Nuri. Really? Flattery doesn’t work on me. You just want me to do your project for you.”

“Transparent as clear glass, eh?”

“You’d make a poor window, Nuri,” Melina sighs.

“It’s just a saying, Mel.”

She rolls her eyes and doesn’t dignify my teasing with a reply. Class goes by in a flash, and I even manage not to derail the discussion when I bring up the mana-soaking technique as an alternative means of expanding Capacity. Apparently, it’s already well-known to most of my classmates.

When Ezio releases us to our teams, Melina and I shoot to the back of the room, which we’ve designated our meeting spot since Teuria is too shy to sit up front.

“What do you think? Should we all go in together for this research project? We have a topic already,” I offer by way of explanation.

Zviad sneers. “Do what you want. I have more important things to do than play around with glass trinkets.”

“You seemed to like your eagle. I’m looking forward to what you do on your own. So, just the five of us?”

Kuuper shrugs. “Got nothing better.”

Eliakim surprises me by shifting over to sit next to Zviad. “Count me out. I need to make a name for myself. No one put you in charge last I checked.”

“Respect. Don’t ride coattails,” Zviad says, nodding at Eliakim.

“Wait. Aren’t you two working together?” Melina asks. “I could have sworn that I heard you making plans earlier. That’s not making a name for himself.”

Eliakim’s face flushes. “I don’t owe you an explanation. Stop acting like you’re better than everyone just because you’re older and lucked into a rare Skill you don’t deserve. You wouldn’t even be here if that [Researcher] didn’t have a crush on you.”

“Whoa, she’s not here because of Rakesh,” I interrupt, stepping in front of the young student and crossing my arms. Up close, it’s obvious that I’m coming into my strength as a man, while he’s still barely out of puberty, and he shrinks back a bit in nervousness.

“I invited Melina to join me in class, because she’s smarter than I am and keeps better notes. Her connection with Rakesh is helpful, but don’t insult her intelligence or hard work.”

Melina places a hand on my arm to stop me. She slides me out of the way and smiles at Eliakim. “Honestly, I’m flattered that you think he’d be interested. I can assure that our affections lie elsewhere. Good luck on your project. Rakesh will assist with ours, but I’m sure yours will be adequate. Goodbye.”

With that, Melina turns and strides away with as much dignity as she can muster. I glare at Eliakim and Zviad and follow Melina back to our desks in the front. To my surprise, Tueira gets up and rushes after us, with Kuuper right beside her. It’s a bold move to cut ties with Zviad and show that they’re allied with us, but I’ll do my best to make sure it pays off for them.

“That was awesome!” Kuuper says when we sit down. “I’ve never seen anyone tell off a noble like that before.

“I hope they aren’t mad at me,” Teuria whispers. Sparks dart from eye to eye, as though she’s about to erupt in lightning, and she covers her face with her hands in embarrassment.

Melina pats her shoulder. “You’re just fine, dear. If you’re worried that they’re looking at you, then we can meet at the library. Rakesh often reserves a study room there.”

I stuff my books and training orbs into my back and stand up. “Perfect. Let’s go to the library. I’ve been meaning to return Marko’s books before I lose them, so this way we’ll be able to take care of both tasks at once.”

The four of us make our way to the library, talking about the class and our future plans. I never noticed how little Teuira talks around Zviad. Without his domineering personality looming over our conversation, she lights up and chatters away.

Prepared this time for the mind-bending presence of the Library, I steel myself against its influence. The others bear up well, too; no surprise, since Melina meets with Rakesh here on a regular basis.

Marko glances up in surprise when we enter, and his eyes widen even further when I lift up the primers he checked out for me, waving them in the air in greeting.

“Done with these already?”

“Yep! I won’t claim mastery, but I understand the concepts now. There’s no point reading the same passage over and over again. I know what I was doing wrong, so now it’s just a matter of practice. Thanks again for trusting me.”

“Oh, uh, no problem. Good to see you again, Nuri! Guess I won’t get to make any money off your late fees,” Marko says with a small shrug.

I slide the books across the counter. “Aha! I knew you had a devious plan. No one in the SCA does anything for free.”

“Worth a try,” Marko says. He grins at the rest of the students. “Anyone else need a loan while you’re here? I’m always here if you need me!”

“Shameless,” Kuuper mutters.

“That’s me!” Marko boasts, puffing out his chest and jabbing both thumbs at himself. “Are you studying with Ezio? Is he as scary as the rumors make him sound?”

“I like him!” Tueira declares. “He’s helped me control my lightning so I don’t hurt anyone. And sometimes he puts cookies in my homework when he gives it back.”

“Wait, how come I don’t get cookies?” Kuuper complains. “Is this because I don’t have an exciting aspect?”

“Well, I only get a cookie for perfect scores,” Teuira says. She chews on her lip, looking at Kuuper for a long moment. “Maybe you just don’t get perfect scores?”

“Ouch,” Kuuper says, clapping his hand over his heart and staggering back as though shot. “And here I thought you were the nicest student in our group.”

Tueira giggles at Kuuper’s antics, which makes me smile. I didn’t realize how withdrawn she acted with Zviad around. Maybe it’s really for the best that he and Eliakim are doing their own project without us.

“Is Rakesh here?” Melina asks.

“Yep. Study room three today.”

We thank Marko and follow Melina to a section of the library I’ve never seen. Unlike the tall shelves stuffed full of esoteric writing, the study rooms are in a separate wing, with windows overlooking the commons. Each room is closed off to afford some privacy, but there’s sunlight streaming through the windows when we enter room three.”

“Melina! You made it,” Rakesh says, standing up and bowing when we show up. He’s lanky and earnest, the very picture of a young, easily-distracted [Mage]. I know he’s a scholar of sorts, not a pure magic practitioner, but he fits the absent-minded stereotype.

“I hope we’re not late. We came as soon as class finished,” I say. “Let me introduce the students with us.”

Rakesh rakes his fingers through his flowing hair and smiles awkwardly. “Ah, I already know them. You forget that I am an assistant, in addition to my graduate studies. Master Ezio makes me grade their papers and meet with them for tutoring if he’s otherwise engaged.”

“Oh. Excellent. That speeds things up,” I say, suddenly feeling like I’m on the outside; not only do they know each other already, but they actually belong here. I’m just an overly-ambitious crafter.

Six padded chairs fill out the study space, surrounding a rectangular table in the center of the room. I pull out a chair and take a seat, hoping no one notices my embarrassment.

“Well. If everyone’s here, then let’s begin,” Rakesh announces. He pulls out a packet of papers from within his flowing black robes, looking inordinately happy about the reading in front of us. Going over details is probably exciting for him. “I’ve been looking through the archives for any information I can find on glass. It’s a surprisingly overlooked subject. Versatile medium, but underrepresented in scholarly studies.”

“We can’t just take your research,” Kuuper says, sinking down in his seat. He gulps. “I don’t have as much backing as most students here. I can’t afford to get caught cheating.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll have to do your own research. I simply have a lead for you. Besides, Master Ezio came up with the idea. He got waylaid by a colleague a few weeks ago who has been studying and cataloging the differences between saltwater and freshwater crustaceans and shellfish. Fascinating developments, but more in the realm of [Biology] than mana and the Foundations of scholarship.”

Melina raises her eyebrows, mirroring the skepticism I feel. “You want us to look at crustaceans?”

“Did you at least bring us crab legs?” I tease.

“I have something better,” Rakesh declares triumphantly. “Read about his findings. I believe the salient portions to us can be found on page thirty-seven.”

“I’m struggling to see the connection between crustaceans, glass, and mana. Could you summarize it for us, Mel?” I ask, unsure what exactly I’ve gotten myself into.

Melina dutifully takes the packet. She taps on the top of the document with her forefinger and smiles. “One moment. I’ll speed-read with my temporal field and give you an overview.”

Melina flips through the numbered pages in a blur as her magic takes hold, much to my delight. I’ve never been so grateful to have a teammate.

“You’re so awesome,” Teuria squeals.

Kuuper raises his hand. He looks back and forth between me and Melina for a moment before I realize that he’s waiting for one of us to call on him, so I ask what’s on his mind. “Well, what am I supposed to bring to this project? It sounds like you have experts already. I’m just a tagalong.”

“I’m sure we’ll find plenty for everyone,” I say, although I’ve never done anything like this before. “If working in the studio is any indication, there’s always more work than people when a big project comes through. Many hands lighten the load.”

“Well said,” Rakesh chimes in. “We’ll find a role for everyone. I’m always happy to help, too, if you’re stuck.”

“All right. This is a treatise on nacre, also known as mother of pearl. It’s about how the material is exceptionally strong for its density, and the secret is found in layering, more or less. It’s built with small geometric shapes, almost like a honeycomb.”

I have an inkling where Rakesh is going, but I prefer to get confirmation rather than head in the wrong direction. “Does it apply to mana sensing and manipulation? I’m afraid I don’t see the correlation.”

Rakesh shakes his head. “Not precisely, but you’re thinking too narrowly. Foundations is more than mana—it’s about how to think in a scholarly fashion. Sure, mana is a big part of it, but the world is more than Classes and Skills. Tell me, what do you know about composite materials vis-a-vis glass?”

I lift my head, intrigued as I put the pieces together. “Oh, you have an idea how to make better glass?”

“More or less. Melina, what do you think?”

“It’s got incredible potential. I’m not sure how we’d gain such fine control over the glass on a fundamental level, however. I have [Compositional Analysis], but nothing for compositional formation. But glass that’s able to withstand kinetic impact? That could make great armor.”

“I’ll bet you could earn a Skill like that with practice, Mel. Maybe there’s some sort of [Glass Manipulation] line just like my [Heat Manipulation]? I used to think working with glass was useless compared with magic, but it’s the same kind of research and fundamentals. It’s just a different medium. Is that what you were getting at, Rakesh?”

Rakesh’s dark brown eyes light up. “Exactly! Remember: the medium changes, but the core principles do not—everything’s built on the same foundations. Glass is ancillary, although it is your particular path to power.”

I scratch my jaw, considering his insightful words. “It’s a rare path, but Mel and I will take it as far as it can go. I suppose that’s why a master [Artificer] is usually known for mana-imbuing. Craftsmanship is important, but only insofar as it’s the vehicle to allow magic to flourish.”

Rakesh surprises me by clapping. “Marvelous phrasing, Nuri! I couldn’t have put that better myself. There’s hope for your academic career yet.”

“Thanks, but I’m not wasting a second Class on scholarship. Not a chance.”

Rakesh waves me off. “Not all things in life are Classes and Skills, just as not all magic is fueled by mana. They’re simply predominant, and therefore the subject matter studied first. No sense in trying to fly before you can walk.”

“In my case, maybe you should say before I can even crawl,” I say with a laugh. “That’s why we need you, Kuuper. You’ve got fundamentals I don’t. We have access to a glass studio that you don’t. Together, we’re a good team.”

“What about me?” Tueira asks. She glances around with her big, bright blue eyes that flash with lightning, as though she’s worried that she’ll be left out.

“Did you know glass is an amazing insulator against lightning?” I say, leaning forward with my elbows on the table. I cup my chin in my hand and offer my most winning smile. “How would you like to help us design something new? With your lightning, we could test all sorts of applications without having to wait for a storm.”

“Really? That sounds great!”

Melina folds up the papers. “Then it’s settled! We’d love to have you two join us. Let’s head down to the studio and get started.”

Rakesh clasps his hands together in front of him and bows in his seat. “Glad I could be of assistance. Melina, Nuri, I’ll keep you apprised on future findings related to glass. Good luck!”

=+=

Life in the glassworks bustles around me with a familiar rhythm. Since Melina and I have a project to research, we’re allowed to requisition a workbench . Completing a new mana pattern on my last visit with Ezio was satisfying, and it’s already paying off. Even Ember congratulated me, although she immediately started teasing me by asking how long it will take until I pay her back by learning to mana imbue.

Lionel gives me a thumbs-up when saunters in a few minutes after the bell announcing the start of the morning shift. He shrugs off the [Foreman]’s admonishments and joins me at the workbench, whistling and drawing way too much attention. “Look at you, Nuri! A bigshot now, installed at the prestigious workbench number one.”

Several of the more tenured workers scowl at me, and I can’t really blame them. I still haven’t shed my [Assistant] Class prefix, and I’m gone half the day twice a week. Undaunted, I jog over to the crucible to grab a scoop of molten glass. I’m rolling out thin sheets today, so I need a big batch to keep up with the sheer volume of material required.

“You brought the crew back!” Avelina exclaims as she bustles up from our right. She plops down on a stool next to the workbench to greet me as I run back from the crucible.

“Hi, Aunt Ava!” Teuria says, waving at Avelina with a big grin. Her shyness seems to have disappeared entirely now that Zviad is gone.

“Ezio is even more demanding than Ember, but he’s smart,” I say instead of offering a proper greeting. I’m too focused to spare any niceties, since I’m jogging with a massive metal shovel. It looks like an oversized spoon instead of the usual rod that I wield for smaller pieces. As soon as I draw near enough to the workbench, I spin the shovel and slap the glowing orange blob of glass inside onto the metal slab on top of the workbench.

Another two [Assistants] run up behind me with their own scoops, and soon a mound of molten glass gleams on the workstation.

“Are you sure we need that much?” Kuuper asks. He’s standing to the side in a leather apron, preparing to write down notes. Usually, that’s Melina’s job, but she’s assisting me with the work more directly.

“We’ll make multiple prototypes,” I explain. “Bet you didn’t think you’d end up back here so soon, huh?”

“I admit, it’s growing on me. My family would kill me if I dropped out of the Academy to become a crafter, though.”

Melina nods along, although her eyes linger on the notepad. I wonder if she feels like he replaced her role on the team. If so, she doesn’t show it, smiling graciously at our classmate. “No worries. We won’t kidnap you and force you to make cups. How about a [Researcher], or maybe an [Inventor]?”

Kuuper smiles. “That might work.”

I snatch up a two-pronged fork and turn the clump of glass, marveling at how I’ve grown stronger thanks to exercising with Ember and Mikko. The huge clump of amalgamated glass is heavier than a similar chunk of concrete, thanks to the quasi-magical materials we added as flux. My tools look like a kitchen ladle and serving fork for a giant, but I’m able to swing them around with relative ease now.

Strong body, strong mind, as Mikko likes to say, although I always make fun of him that it’s clearly not working in his case.

“Make yourself useful if you’re taking up space,” I tease Avelina, nudging her boot with my toe and earning a dirty look in return. “I need to roll the glass out into sheets; this is just the first one of the day.”

“Ooh, can you help us, Aunt Ava?”

Avelina usually doesn’t work with anyone but Melina, but she obliges Tueira. I wonder if it’s because they both have strongly-aspected elemental mana. That reminds me; I should ask Ezio if he has any suggestions for working with fire magic.

Our [Flameworker] summons forth a flame to keep the glass at the temperature I prefer while I wheel over the heavy assembly of metal rollers. I spin a winch on the side, narrowing the gap between the metal rollers until a single piece of paper will barely fit between them.

“Kuuper, how thick are we testing first?”

My glassmate refers to his notes. He’s prepped a series of tests and control groups so that we have a baseline for performance. “Eight of an inch first.”

“Got it.” Once the roller is eventually calibrated to specification, I spread out the clumped mound of glowing glass, stretching it almost like dough until I’m satisfied with its dimensions. I feed the edge of the molten glass between the rollers, pressing the red-orange mixture flat onto a waiting metal tray.

“Can you keep this malleable? I’ve gotta get the next batch,” I call over my shoulder as I jog back to the crucible. Avelina scrunches up her nose, but to my surprise, she keeps working the flame, following my request without any complaint. Maybe working with a young apprentice is the key.

I wave away the heat from in front of my face, reducing the warping effect in the air so I can see the furnace more clearly. Gray metal arches converge into a point, all reaching toward the top of the ceiling. Several crucibles in a row form the metallic structure of the furnace. I grab another of the scoops, which are made from some sort of special alloy designed to resist the extreme heats in this part of the studio, and ferry another load back to my workbench.

“I’ll take back over with [Heat Manipulation] in a moment. Could you keep this new batch warm while I get more? I appreciate your help.”

“Curious what you’re making. Ember’s eyes bugged out when she saw the order you put in; that’s a lot of glass for a school project. My boring sister won’t tell me.”

I retrieve another two scoops and add them to the mix, stirring up the batch and using my Skill to check the heat and consistency of the glass before judging the mixture ready to roll out. The first sheet I’ve moved to a cooling rack, where it’s annealing quickly thanks to Melina, who’s overseeing the operations while I get more glass.

I pause for a moment, keeping the heat steady with deft mana manipulation. It’s so much easier now than ever before. Ezio’s puzzles have helped me leap forward with my control. “I’m always happy to have your help, Ava, but don’t you have your own orders to work on? I don’t want Ember to get on my case about distracting you.”

“We’re a team. That means Mel doesn’t get to have fun without me,” Avelina replies, her face completely impassive.

“Mel doesn’t look like she’s having fun.”

“That’s because you’re bad at reading people, Nuri. Clearly, this is her favorite part of the day. She’s having the time of my life. With me. Her twin. And with our friend, who’s clearly got some stories to tell.” Avelina coughs, prompting me to speak. Fishing for information isn’t her game. She’s about as subtle as a fireball to the face.

I meet Melina’s eyes and smirk, not saying anything while I press the next batch of glass flat between the rollers, letting Avelina grow anxious. She remains outwardly cool and collected, but I know from past experience that it’s a brittle facade. Just like glass, she looks impressive, but she will always crack under real pressure.

“Nuri! Stop being mean,” Avelina chides me, kicking me in the shins as though there’s no hypocrisy in her actions.

“Tueira will tell you all about our project,” I promise. “Mel, could you help me anneal the next sheet?”

Melina lifts away the second sheet, holding it firmly in place with her trademark [Lesser Object Manipulation] Skill. She examines the thin glass with a faint frown, then nods and adds it alongside the first sheet for combination treatment later with her Skills [In the Blink of an Eye] and [Flawless Annealing].

“Thanks. We can cool all the sheets at once.” I turn to Kuuper. “Next measurement?”

“Sixteenth inch. Then we try a new batch.”

“Got it! Tueira, can you turn the dials until it reads sixteenth of an inch? Kuuper, grab a couple [Assistants] and have them roll out the next sheets while we work on composition. You don’t need to know any glassmaking to tell them what to do. Linas, come with me. I need your help to figure out which flux we’re adding to the next batch. Ava, did your sister tell you about the mana control test? Worst pain of my life.”

“Intriguing. I always assumed that the worst pain was when I singed your eyebrows off when I first learned [Flametouch],” Avelina says, smirking.

“That’s still second,” I hasten to assure her, wincing at the traumatizing memory. “But I’ve never experienced anything that claws and burns at my insides like a mana control test. It’s the most fiendish invention known to mankind. If I ever meet the inventor, why, I’ll shake his hand and thank him for developing such a clever contraption. And then I’ll punch him in the face and call him a blight upon humanity.”

“Sounds like a kindred spirit!” Avelina says cheerfully as she marches across the shop next to me. “I wanna try it. I’ll bet the students at the academy are all fancy and rich. Melina is always going on about the nobles there. Ohh, and did you meet anyone cute yet?”

“Ava, seriously? They’re all way younger than I am,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“I don’t mean in the intro class! The grad students are older than Mel. Can’t you find someone dreamy?”

I give her a flat stare. “Let’s just stick to the mana control test. Trust me, you don’t want to try it. Taking in foreign mana is like fire ants marching up your arm, holding a parade inside your stomach, and then dancing their way out your other arm while kicking you the entire time. It’s not fun. But I’m learning a lot about how Skills work.”

Avelina leans in conspiratorially, her eyes alight with a spark of fire mana. “Did you learn a new Skill? Tell me you at least got to experience the glorious sensation of burning things with fire mana!”

I laugh at Avelina’s excitement about fire as I drag open the heavy sliding door to the glass storehouse. We keep the storage room well insulated in case of an accidental fire in the hot shop; if the glass reserves melted, we’d all be in big trouble.

“No new Skills. I’m doomed to an eternity of mediocrity. And I’m unaspected, so no fire mana for me. Besides, Ezio won’t let me play with any exciting mana aspects. It’s all artificial and academic strands right now while we work on control.”

A bloom of white flame appears over her hands. “I’ll bet he listens if I have a little chat with him, if you catch my meaning. Just say the word, Nuri!”

Melina slaps her sister’s hand, dousing the flame. “Door’s open, you idiot! No fire in the glass storeroom. You know better.”

We all glance around, but Ember isn’t in sight. We’re safe from a severe scolding, unless one of the other workers rats us out. Avelina doesn’t have the good graces to appear ashamed, but I know that Ember will let her have it if she finds out.

Inside the glass storehouse, I shut the door behind us and run my hand over a raised rune enchanted for mana-powered light, so that we can see the various glass chips, chemicals, and flux in the storage room. Only magical illumination is allowed near the glass as a safety measure—a rule that Avelina knows as well as any of us. She’s fortunate we’re not getting kicked out for the day, or docked pay for her thoughtlessness.

I rummage through the bins, searching for the right ingredients for a flexible acrylic. The first bin holds a smattering of gray and black mottled rocks, but I’m not familiar enough with the material to know if it will suit. “Melina, can you test these with your composition Skill? They don’t seem to have the right properties, but I can’t confirm.”

“What are you looking for? Kuuper wrote out the list, but I don’t recall which batch we’re testing second.”

“I need something soft and flexible, preferably almost like putty after it anneals. I’m going to sandwich it between the other sheets, and then re-heat and compress the entire thing. I might need an actual press for that, unless you’ve gone and gotten the upgraded version of [Object Manipulation] in the last five minutes.”

Avelina glances between us. “Intriguing. What exactly are you planning on doing with that particular combination, Nuri? It’s a lot of work for a flat bit of glass. You’re usually more, um, fanciful with your artwork.”

I snicker at Avelina’s second attempt at subtlety. “Should I feel insulted? I think I should feel insulted.”

“Definitely,” Melina chimes in. “Whenever Ava pauses like that before searching for the right word, she’s trying to hide that she thinks you’re weird or stupid.”

“Mel! That’s not true. I don’t look down on Nuri. He’s a bright, talented [Glassworker]. I’d say he’s easily top a twenty crafter in the studio.”

“Wow. Thanks,” I say, wincing.

“What! I’m giving you a compliment.”

Melina laughs melodiously. “Ava, we only have eighteen full-time workers. The rest are assistants.”

“Oh. Um. You’re top, uh—you know what? You’re great. Let’s leave it at that.”

I snicker at the distressed look on Avelina’s face. “It’s a good question. I’m not so fragile that I’ll shatter if you bump me. And to address your question, the answer is found in 'the infinite myriad of mysterious possibilities in seashell structures.’”

Avelina looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head. “I dunno what it means, either. Ask Mel about the ridiculous research paper she read. I only skimmed the introduction, but it was over the top, let me tell you.”

“Is that what you’re studying now?”

I sort through another basket of flux, discarding it like all the rest, and nod. “We’re trying to copy the properties of mother of pearl. We’ll have to show you the research paper sometime. Turns out that Ezio is the most normal of his peers. The rest of the Silaraon City Academy? Downright weird.”

“Sounds pretty! But why?” Ava asks.

“Impact-resistance. Ezio speculates that with only a thin sheet of the right compounds, we can absorb kinetic force with roughly the same efficiency as basic enchanted armor. This way is likely a bit more expensive to prototype, but glassmaking is also far more accessible for non-[Enchanters]. Any of us could theoretically make it once we find the right materials and properties.”

“If it’s expensive, then why would a noble choose it over an enchanted set?” Avelina asks, butting in with a frown.

Mel purses her lips, humming thoughtfully to herself. “That’s a great question. We’re probably years out from any meaningful production capabilities, but that’s how research goes. Slow, small steps.”

I nod eagerly. “Exactly. Future versions will help us discover more inexpensive materials. Anyone with glass skills will be able to copy us, but enhancements require a specific Class and mana Skills. We could license it out to other studios and eventually streamline the process. We’ll see how it turns out.”

Avelina pokes me in the ribs. “You sold me. I want a suit of armor! I’ll look like a Hero of Densmore when you’re done.”

“Sure, you can commission one after Ezio and I are done experimenting on the ideal glass composition. I’ll even give you a twenty-five percent discount for helping me,” I reply, savoring her reproachful glare.

“You’re as bad as Ember. As tight-fisted as they come,” Avelina pouts. “Mel, c’mon, give me a good deal. We’re sisters!”

“Nope. It’s good business practice,” her twin retorts. “We’re doing the research, so we’ll hold the rights.”

“But I’m helping,” Avelina points out. “Shouldn’t that be worth a free suit of armor?”

“You can invest in our scheme once we’re closer to actually making something.” I scratch the back of my head awkwardly. “This is day one. We don’t have any plans yet. I won’t say no to money, but we’ll need to talk with Ezio about a plan. He’s smart, and he has surprisingly good contacts around the country.”

“Now, we’re wasting time. Let’s just keep looking for the things we need.” I fumble with a folded piece of paper in my pocket, and hand it over to Melina. “Forgot about this. Here’s the list of potential materials that Kuuper put together. He’s pretty good at looking up information in the library. This should work for our trial run. Hm. I don’t really see any matches for any of the chips available in the storehouse. Help me check the order lists to see if we have any better options coming in with future shipments..”

“Do you have the budget for this?” Avelina asks, scanning the list. “Or does the SCA pay students? Sign me up if that’s the case!”

“Rakesh is sharing a portion of his graduate student stipend,” Melina explains. “It’s held in escrow by Ezio’s cousin, who happens to be a [Merchant]. We can fill our orders through him, and he’ll take care of the rest.”

Avelina snorts. “You trust him not to rip you off?”

“Yeah, his cousin has a mana-binding Skill. [Trustworthy Transactions]. Better than using the bank and paying a fee,” I say.

“And you know this because Ezio told you?” Avelina asks, wrinkling up her nose as her natural skepticism comes through.

I shake my head at her, tutting as though I’m disappointed. “So suspicious. Do you really think I’m that dumb?”

“Yes,” she shoots back.

I stick out my tongue at her. “I checked the Silaraon city registries. He’s certified, so I’m all set. Seriously, did you think Melina would get suckered in by a scam?”

Avelina mimes wiping away tears. “It’s like he’s growing up right before our eyes. Our little Nuri! Who’d have thought?”

“Your discount is plummeting by the moment.”

“Twenty percent is fine. I’m rich, since I don’t waste my money on hitting big metal toys in the backyard like you. I can get two suits of armor if I feel like it,” Avelina says airily.

“Oh? In that case, it sounds like you’re gonna pay extra for the privilege of becoming an early adopter.”

“At this rate, there won’t be anything to adopt,” Melina points out. “Let’s get that order list finalized, or you won’t have a product to sell.”

“Ah. Friends. Where would I be without you?”

“Probably drunk in a ditch again,” Avelina cackles, poking me in the ribs again.

I strike a pose, my right hand over my heart, and attempt to look affronted. “I’ll have you know that I’m moving up in the world, thanks to my overflowing talent and natural charm. I won’t listen to your baseless accusations!”

“It’s not baseless if it’s already happened,” Melina interjects. “In your defense, that was a very potent mulled wine at the lamp lighting festival. I felt tipsy, and you know I barely touched the stuff. Besides, Ava does like to sensationalize one-time events.”

“Like your proclivity for mind-magic-mushrooms?” I reply innocently. “Can’t forget that!”

“Exactly,” Melina says with a nod. Then her expression darkens like rolling storm clouds on a hot summer day. “Hey, wait a minute! I thought you were on my side!”