"You could make it back by selling ten Magic Stones," Michael said, shooing Annan out. "If there's nothing else, I need to get back to researching the magical energy that will change Star-Moon Bay's fate."
With you as a fourth-level Mage? Annan thought. Michael was his friend. Saying that would be too harsh... even if Michael's habit of wasting money was infuriating.
"Do what you want. I'm not giving you any more money."
Michael was unmoved. He hadn't spent it all yet—
"What about the formula?" Annan asked.
Michael found the formula and ushered his backer out of the Alchemy Room. Michael's devotion to Alchemy was a good thing, Annan supposed. It would be even better if he were working on Gunpowder...
Annan lingered on the Alchemy Floor for a while, then knocked on the Elf Mentor's door. There was no answer.
A Magic Puppet came up to Annan. Mentor Irelanze had returned to the Ancestral Grounds.
"When?"
"Fifteen days ago."
Right when the Druids had left... Did the Elves know too?
"You went to the Royal Capital?" the Magic Puppet suddenly asked. Annan realized it was the Tower Spirit. "That's right. How did you know?"
"Tower Spirits can communicate faintly with one another. The Royal Capital's Tower Spirit said you appeared there."
Annan frowned. "Why didn't you say so earlier..."
If he had known Tower Spirits could contact each other, he wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to warn the Royal Capital...
"Mr. Ah Agawar wasn't here."
"Ogre-born Ah Agawar!" Annan couldn't help muttering.
Snap—
One of the Magic Puppet's arms fell off.
"Sorry. Force of habit..."
He had spent so much time trying to summon Ah Agawar lately that curses slipped out now and then. Before bed, he even devoted a few earnest minutes to cursing