The others' expressions changed in a flash when they heard Elma.
The atmosphere around them seemed to freeze at her quiet words.
Benjamin's heart gave a violent jolt at the term, too.
A Singularity was a point where the existing patterns, models, or laws of a system broke down, becoming infinite or undefined.
It was a concept that crossed disciplines, most commonly appearing in physics or mathematics, though it was occasionally used in technology.
The best-known Singularity was probably the initial state of the Big Bang in the universe of Benjamin's previous life. At that point, every known law ceased to apply.
If planes were miracles of order and elements gathering in the endless chaotic void, then a Singularity was their opposite pole.
"Impossible." Edgar's first reaction was to reject the idea. "Most Singularities have only ever appeared in theoretical models. The only one that's actually been observed is probably at the center of a black hole. Even that requires the stable laws inside a plane to form. In an environment like this, the conditions for a Singularity simply don't exist!"
"Exactly—and what evidence do you have for calling it a Singularity?" Tori asked.
"I didn't say it was a complete Singularity." Elma drew a deep breath, a trace of fear showing in her half-lidded eyes. "But this thing definitely has some of a Singularity's characteristics, because I saw the starting point of the threads of fate here!"
The other wizards, who knew little about the Fate School, showed no reaction. Benjamin, however, could not help widening his eyes in surprise.
Having also begun studying the Fate Law, Benjamin understood what Elma's words implied.
Fate had neither beginning nor end. That was practically a law of the Fate School.
Then again, a Singularity was precisely a point where models, patterns,