Near the portal hall, bright lights shone inside an independent laboratory. Mary stood before an observation window facing the hall, her gaze passing through the reinforced crystal glass with its double-layered Energy Barrier as she watched the portal at the center of the hall.
The immense magic transmitted from the three energy hubs surrounding Pact Fortress converged in one place, igniting striking blue flames at several Energy Tower junctions within the hall. The flames pulsed endlessly within tubular crystal glass containers, continuously pouring into every component of the portal. Technical Personnel in different Typhon and Cecil uniforms moved constantly among the vast, intricate facilities, refining the portal's auxiliary structures and adjusting every parameter of the precision equipment.
Master Camil and Master Windsor Maper stood beside the portal, apparently discussing something. They shook hands and seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.
"How long are you planning to stand in front of that window?" Her mentor's voice suddenly came from behind her, jolting Mary awake. "Come over here. Break time ended ages ago, and you still have plenty of work unfinished."
Mary hurriedly turned around and strode back toward her station, looking at the old mage seated at a calculation table nearby. "Sorry, I got a little distracted."
Her mentor's mildly reproachful voice followed. "Don't lose focus while working on a project. It's not a good habit—sometimes it can get you killed."
Nodding, Mary came before the energy conduits embedded in the wall and the silver-white alloy tracks. She began observing the blue-white streams of light flowing through the conduits, as well as the ever-changing runes and luminous curves appearing on the alloy tracks. These conduits were "analysis branches" diverted from the main energy pipeline, while the alloy tracks connected to the enormous underground magic hub—the Cecilians called it the "Power