The private research institute the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau had arranged for Emerald was located in a commercial real estate district under the Bureau's jurisdiction, inside an office building that saw little foot traffic.
The advantage was that it offered peace amid the bustle and was not easily discovered. The downside was that it was not very large, much less grand.
While discussing the location, Emerald had once felt that such treatment was wholly unworthy of her status as a Gem Scepter and had voiced considerable objections. But Lin Yun had been unwilling to agree to her demand for "an entire floor," so they had ultimately compromised on two rooms.
Taking the elevator to the office building's corridor, Lin Yun walked alongside the Fairy Doll until they reached Emerald's research institute.
"Transform first," Emerald suddenly said.
Lin Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, but ultimately did not suspect anything. She took out the Heart Gem and transformed into Larkspur. Once the transformation was complete, she immediately noticed that the door before her had changed.
What had originally looked like an ordinary security door in an office building had become a metal gate engraved with intricate runes and shimmering with magical light.
"—"
Standing before the gate, the doll opened its mouth, releasing a string of sounds that bore no resemblance to human language. With each syllable it uttered, one previously dim rune on the door lit up, until, after it had finished an entire sentence, the glowing runes finally connected into a circle.
Click.
The door opened in response.
Larkspur followed behind the doll into the room, which had been remodeled beyond recognition. Looking around, she could not see a trace of its former identity as an office space.
The room's interior was mainly made of copper and iron, while the floor