After Scarlett’s meeting with Grand Wizard Gaspar Hartford, she and Fynn waited for the rest of their party to return from their exploring. After they did, they also waited for Principal Wizard Bunce, who had the finalized arrangements for their stay.

“I hope that everything will be up to your standards,” the man said as the group began to exit the meeting room.

“I trust that it will,” Scarlett replied somewhat coolly. Her earlier frustrations—if you would call them that—had mostly subsided, though she’d be lying if she said there wasn’t still some lingering dissatisfaction after her conversation with Gaspar.

“If not, we could always pitch up a tent and camp out under the stars,” Rosa chimed in cheerfully. “Sing a song. Keep each other warm. Wouldn’t that be cozy?”

Bunce laughed awkwardly, seemingly uncertain if she was joking or not.

Scarlett glanced at the bard, who shot her a bright smile. Rosa had probably noticed her mood and was trying to lighten the air.

“So, how was your discussion with Grand Wizard Hartford, Baroness?” Bunce eventually asked, adjusting his collar as he turned his attention back to Scarlett. “I hope you reached a satisfactory agreement regarding your stay.”

“We came to an understanding,” Scarlett answered. “The Grand Wizard will present my proposal to the council, and we will see how things unfold.”

The man’s eyes widened slightly. “He’s taking it directly to the council?”

“He is, yes.”

“I…see. I will admit that is quite surprising. But if that’s the case, your afternoon appears to be open. Now that your accommodations are ready, you’re welcome to check in whenever you like. Alternatively, I can personally guide you around the Isle to any places you may be interested in. I’d particularly suggest the Mistral Observatory or the Crystal Sanctum.”

“Oh, we went to the Crystal Sanctum,” Allyssa said. “It was that huge white tower we saw outside. Inside was even more spectacular — like stepping into another realm.”

Scarlett nodded. “While I am grateful for the suggestion, Principal Wizard Bunce, I think I will postpone any such visits for now. Instead, I had been curious about meeting with an associate of an acquaintance of mine. Would you happen to know a Magister Penney?”

Bunce’s eyebrows lifted. “Magister Penney? Certainly. He might be busy during the day, however, but I can see about arranging a meeting for you.”

“Please do,” Scarlett said. According to Adalicia, the man had already agreed to help her a bit. “Meanwhile, I am interested in seeing the Arcanum Spire, if possible. Is that one of the places I can visit with an escort?”

“Certain sections of it, yes.”

“In that case, let us start there. You made it sound rather intriguing earlier, and I have heard much about the Isle’s collection of texts and manuscripts. It will be fascinating to see it firsthand.”

Scarlett exhaled softly, setting aside the hefty volume she had been studying next to a tall stack of assorted tomes, scrolls, and other documents that cluttered the right side of the table. She then reached for a new book from a separate collection to her left, immediately beginning to skim through its pages.

“I found two more,” Allyssa’s voice reached her as the young Shielder approached, placing two scrolls atop the expanding mound on Scarlett’s left. “I think these two are actually about mythical creatures, but they seemed to mention things from before The Severance.”

“Thank you, Miss Astley,” Scarlett said, and the girl turned to head back down the aisle of bookshelves.

Across from Scarlett, Rosa picked up another volume, donning an unusually serious expression as she looked through it. Scarlett gave her a brief glance before diving back into her own book.

They were currently inside the Arcanum Spire, in one of the less restricted sections devoted to the historical texts amassed by the wizards of the Rising Isle over generations. The interior of this place was a complex beast, but its center was dominated by a single grand atrium, bathed in a mix of natural sunlight filtering through the see-through ceiling and the soft glow from whimsical, floating orbs of light that were spread around the place. At the heart of the atrium was a single, large crystal orb suspended in mid-air, displaying ever-changing natural landscapes, some clearly not of this realm.

Scarlett and her companions had settled on the third floor, overlooking the main space. Here, shelves brimming with ancient tomes, scrolls, and magically imbued artifacts climbed to the ceiling. Busts and portraits of renowned wizards lined the long reading tables scattered throughout.

Here, Scarlett and Rosa had claimed a quiet corner for their work, while Allyssa and Shin combed the nearby area for relevant material. Bunce, further down on the same table, was engrossed in his own studies, though he was likely subtly keeping an eye on Scarlett so they weren’t going anywhere they weren’t allowed. The two Associate Wizards were following Shin and Allyssa.

Scarlett’s purpose here was to perform some research. Because of this, she’d actually initially suggested that her companions continue exploring the Isle while she visited the Spire. However, to her surprise, they’d all insisted on coming along and helping with her research, claiming that they’d already seen enough of this place for the day. Thus, Rosa was currently absorbed in some treatise on Zuver architecture opposite her, while Allyssa and Shin scoured for any literature even tangentially related to Scarlett’s subjects.

Fynn was the only member of the group not involved in the research efforts, quietly meditating in his own corner, communing with his ancestors, as he often did lately. Though he could read, he had himself admitted to lacking the skills and experience for this type of ‘academic’ research.

Scarlett frowned slightly as she continued to leaf through her current volume, eventually concluding that it likely held little relevance to her and setting it aside.

Frankly, she wasn’t holding out much hope for finding anything particularly groundbreaking here. After all, the topic she was researching was the Anomalous One, an entity so enigmatic that even gods were largely in the dark about its true nature, if Anguish was to be believed. Learning more about it likely hinged on the records of those who had sealed it, which in this case meant the Zuver. In particular, the divinarch Thainnith.

Of all the places Scarlett knew about, only two seemed like they could reasonably hold knowledge left behind by him. The first was Beld Thylelion, which was currently beyond her reach, and the other was Rising Isle, where they now were.

She couldn’t be certain that there was anything useful here, but she at least had to make the effort while she had the opportunity.

Still, the Arcanum Spire probably wasn’t where she would find what she sought. If there was information relevant to this matter on the Isle, it was much more likely to be hidden inside the Veiled Library. But with time at her disposal, it wouldn’t hurt to comb through what she could of the Spire as well. Although knowledge about the Anomalous One in general seemed obscure in this world—from what she knew, even people like Dean Godwin hadn’t heard about it—that didn’t mean references couldn’t exist that the uninitiated might overlook.

After more than three hours of diligent research already, though, she was leaning towards there not being much of value here after all. Or if there was, it was hard to locate. Despite finding lots of fascinating facts about the Zuver as a whole, not even a hint of a mention relating to the Anomalous One had surfaced.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“This one’s funny,” Rosa remarked in front of her, showing a passage from her book. “Apparently, the Zuver had specific chambers simply for whispering to each other. ‘Whisper Chambers’, they were called. Their elite often used them for all kinds of conspiracies and clandestine gatherings. Can’t help but respect their commitment to the bit.”

Scarlett glanced over the passage. “…That is incorrect. The Whispering Chambers were acoustic rooms designed to let natural elements like wind produce music or carry the spoken words of a teacher throughout a complex. They had nothing to do with conspiracies or the like. I suggest you abandon that book and proceed to the next. It clearly is not trustworthy.”

She had actually read about that herself a while back when she had been reading up on the Zuver. It reminded her of certain historical misconceptions that were normal back in her world as well.

“Really? That’s far less interesting,” Rosa said in a disappointed tone.

Scarlett arched a brow at the woman. “I beg to differ. The presence of chambers engineered to educate and entertain carries far more interesting implications about their society at large.”

The woman shrugged. “I suppose you’ve got me there.” She put the book to the side and picked up another one.

Suddenly, a faint blue light began emanating from one of the volumes at the top of their ‘reviewed’ stack.

They both paused, staring at it.

“Um, are you doing that?” Rosa asked with a puzzled expression.

“I am not,” Scarlett replied.

“Then is it supposed to do that? Do books magically signal when they’re overdue here?”

Scarlett’s forehead knitted together slightly. “Not that I am aware of.”

Their attention shifted as footsteps echoed nearby. Scarlett expected either Allyssa or Shin to return, but instead, an unfamiliar figure emerged from behind a bookshelf.

A woman, perhaps slightly older than Scarlett, approached, dressed in deep emerald robes with golden highlights. Her dark purple hair was cut just above the shoulders, contrasting sharply with her attire as a pair of round, scholarly glasses framed her eyes, with gold chains dangling from the ends. Her attention seemed aimed squarely on her right hand, where a glowing blue arrow floated like a guide, while she clasped a sizable stack of scrolls and books tightly against her with her left, precariously balancing them as she moved.

She walked past Rosa and stopped abruptly when the blue arrow turned to point directly at the glittering book. Her gaze followed suit. “Ah, there we have it.”

The woman—presumably a wizard—closed her fist, and the arrow disappeared. She then leaned forward, dumping her burdensome collection of scrolls and books on the table with a soft thud. Several scrolls tumbled to the floor, but she didn’t seem to mind as she plopped down next to Rosa, reaching out to pick up the now-previously glowing book, studying it intently.

Rosa shared a bemused look with Scarlett before greeting the newcomer with a friendly smile. “Hello.”

“Hello.” The wizard gave her a quick nod in acknowledgment before returning her focus to the book.

“Um, you might have dropped a few things,” Rosa pointed out, gesturing towards the scattered scrolls on the floor.

The woman turned her head, glancing down. “Oh, those are just props.” With a cursory wave, the items transformed into fading motes of light.

Observing quietly, Scarlett assessed this new arrival more closely. There was a subtle mole above her right lip, and the gold embroidery on her collar suggested her rank was between that of Principal Wizard Bunce and his two Associate Wizards. Her demeanor lacked most of the professional formality exhibited by her peers, though.

After a few moments, the wizard finally looked up at Scarlett, as if just now realizing she was there. Adjusting her glasses with a deliberate touch, her eyes narrowed slightly as she examined Scarlett’s clothes before giving Rosa a similar appraisal.

“Forgive me if I’m mistaken,” she began, “but your attire seems atypical for wizards.”

“Oh, these?” Rosa replied, pulling at her clothes with a casual flourish. “These are just props.”

“They are?” The woman’s eyebrows lifted, intrigued, as she reached out to touch the fabric. “It’s quite sophisticated for an illusion. Did you use some umbramancy spell to mimic this texture? I have never seen someone go to such lengths for simple clothing.”

Rosa’s face broke into a mischievous grin. “Even better. It’s the work of the finest of arcane craftsmanship, each thread painstakingly woven from the mana of an eclipsian glitterglop’s spinneret by hand, all to ensure the utmost authenticity. I’d say they did a rather exemplary job.”

The wizard gave a half-smile. “Yes, it’s almost as though these are real clothes, not magical constructs. The glitterglops certainly live up to their reputation.”

Scarlett found the surprised expression on Rosa’s face amusing, but she kept her eyes on the woman who had returned her attention to the book.

After a short pause, Scarlett asked, “May I know your name?”

The wizard looked up again. “I’m Yamina, a Senior Wizard.”

“I am Baroness Scarlett Hartford, and this is Miss Rosalina Hale, my retainer.”

A slight furrow appeared on Yamina’s brow. “Are you by any chance familiar with Grand Wizard Hartford?”

Scarlett nodded. “I am, but there is no familial relation between us.” Supposedly. “I am here as an envoy from the empire.”

“You must be that noble who’s been the subject of recent debates here on the Isle.” The woman’s gaze drifted to the assortment of texts strewn across the table. “Are you delving into Zuverian studies?”

“…We are, yes,” Scarlett answered, trying to gauge the other’s thoughts.

Yamina read aloud some of the titles on the table. “‘Divinity in Decline — Zuverian Pantheons’, ‘Lost Languages and Scripts’, ‘Regents of Ruin: Zuverian Leadership and Governance, ‘Harvests of Echoes; Agricultural Practices of the Zuver’. That is quite a range of subjects. Have you found that the Spire’s collection meet your needs?”

“It would be premature to say now, but the Rising Isle certainly has an impressive repertoire here. However, we have yet to find what I am searching for, which has come as somewhat of a disappointment.”

Yamina gave her a curious look. “And what are you searching for?”

Scarlett didn’t immediately answer.

Seeing her reticence, the wizard spoke with a touch of sincerity. “Ah, you prefer to keep it to yourself. I understand.” She cast a look at the surrounding shelves. “While the Arcanum Spire boasts a remarkable collection compared to most places, that doesn’t mean it can’t fall short of one’s needs. Even the more restricted areas can leave one wanting on occasion. Sometimes, for the more elusive information, one must explore the truly restricted sections.”

Scarlett regarded her thoughtfully. “And which sections would those be?”

Yamina pushed back on the rim of her glasses, looking back down at her book. “The sections that someone like me unfortunately cannot disclose to a mainlander like you.”

“I see…”

“Could you tell a mainlander like me, then?” Rosa asked playfully. “I’ll pinky swear not to tell a soul.”

“Certainly,” the woman replied. “Provided you consent to a magical contract involving…toadification.”

“Toadification?”

“It transforms you into a toad should you break the agreement.”

Rosa pulled a face. “I think I’ll pass on that, then, thanks.” She shuddered. “Who even thought up a spell that turns people into toads?”

“His name was Eastaughffe,” Yamina said. “He was an arch wizard known for his very peculiar interests.”

“I’d say. Toads are the mucus-mantled squatters of the amphibian aristocracy. Why anyone would prefer them over frogs is beyond me.”

Yamina didn’t seem to disagree with the bard’s assessment, as her eyes seemed to land on the stack of unreviewed volumes and scrolls to the side. A slight frown appeared on her face. “Am I interrupting your studies?”

“…Somewhat,” Scarlett admitted.

“That wasn’t my intention.” Yamina shook her head. She picked up the book she’d come for—at least it was one Scarlett had already looked through—and stood, preparing to depart. With a wave of her hand, the light around her coalesced into an untidy collection of scrolls and tomes, awkwardly secured against her robes by her arm. “I’ll take my leave. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Baroness Hartford, Miss Rosalina.”

With a respectful nod, she turned and left in the direction she’d come, vanishing from their view a few moments later.

“…Do you think it’s something genetic that makes all the strange ones want to become wizards?” Rosa asked after a few seconds.

Scarlett gave her a sideways glance. “If that were true, you would have become a wizard long ago.”

“…Because I have such a big—and now shiny—heart, I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment.”

“Very well.”

Scarlett’s eyes remained where Yamina had disappeared for a short while longer before eventually returning to her own work. She didn’t want to jump to any conclusions about the wizard, but Rosa was right that this encounter had been somewhat peculiar. For now, though, there wasn’t much point in belaboring that fact.

Time passed as Scarlett and Rosa resumed their research, with Allyssa and Shin occasionally popping in with new findings. Scarlett wasn’t sure what time it was when Principal Wizard Bunce eventually approached, hands clasped behind his back.

“The hour is growing rather late, Baroness. A meal should be ready for you in your lodgings, so perhaps it’s time to make our retreat for the day,” he suggested politely. “And please, leave the matter of returning the materials you’ve been studying to the Spire’s archivists. It will be taken care of.”

Scarlett considered him for a moment before deciding to follow his suggestion. They hadn’t found anything of particular relevance, anyway, and pressing on for a few more hours wasn’t likely to be particularly fruitful. It would be better to get something to eat and rest.

Gathering the group, with Rosa fetching Fynn, they soon left the third floor of the Arcanum Spire. As they descended to the main atrium’s ground floor, now dimly lit by the night sky visible through the transparent ceiling, Scarlett turned to Bunce. “Are you acquainted with the wizard who conversed with Miss Hale and me earlier?”

The man gave her a perplexed look. “I’m not certain who you are referring to.”

“You did not see her?”

He shook his head. “When was this? I must have missed them.”

Scarlett studied him for a moment with a thoughtful frown, then turned away. “Disregard it then. It is hardly important.”

She decided to leave it for now, resolving to confirm things later.