Night, in the study of the Lord's Manor.
Veylin leaned back in his chair, watching the two men before him.
Leo and Valerius were arguing over a matter that would shape the fief's future-how to pave the roads connecting Newborn Town to the outside world.
"No, absolutely not!" Valerius's graying beard quivered as he pointed at Leo's sketch. "Reinforce the soil with an Earthbinding Spell, then inscribe basic Fortification Runes? Leo, that's a method fit only for some wealthy country bumpkin!"
"That road would turn to mud within three days of the rainy season! And it couldn't support heavy wagons. How would we transport our ore and timber?"
Leo flushed and offered a quiet defense. "But, Master, this method costs the least. We could lay more roads quickly..."
"Quickly lay down a pile of rubbish?" Valerius interrupted mercilessly.
"The proper approach is to use Molten Fire Core technology. Mix crushed stone with Black Rubber Grass resin, then catalyze it at high temperatures through an alchemical array to produce an obsidian-like road surface. Only that can guarantee at least fifty years of strength and durability!"
Leo's lips moved, but no words came out.
He had only ever read about Molten Fire Core in books. It involved complex material catalysis and energy conversion, far beyond his current knowledge.
He could not even calculate the cost of what Valerius proposed.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His knowledge was no longer enough.
Veylin watched without interrupting. He knew this was good for Leo. The young man needed to travel farther and see a wider world.
Just then, Caroline emerged from the adjoining room. She glanced at the embarrassed Leo, then at the smug Valerius, before finally turning to Veylin.
"Still discussing the roads?"
Veylin nodded and took over the conversation. "All right, you