This was a spacious hall.
The lighting was dim, and it was quiet.
In the enormous hall, only four or five figures in black robes stood around an experimental table at the center, Crow Masks covering their faces as they busily conducted an experiment.
Above them hung the hall's only source of light: several shadowless alchemical lamps arranged like petals, casting a solid, bright white glow.
Within that white light, a two-headed monster lay unconscious on the experimental table, its neck, wrists, and ankles bound with Dragonhide Belts. Its chest had been cut open. Two rows of clamps extended from either side of the table, gripping the edges of the incision and pulling them apart to expose the monster's still slowly writhing organs.
The black-robed wizards in Crow Masks worked without a word, wielding silver knives, scissors, forceps, hooks, needles, and other tools as they meticulously carved rows of dense Runes into the monster's organs. Their movements were swift and practiced. Occasionally, one uttered a word or two, and the companions beside them immediately understood and cooperated seamlessly.
Clang.
As a golden needle fell into a tray, the wizards all let out a breath of relief.
"Why isn't the professor here yet?" A wizard whose Crow Mask bore the number "07" turned to look toward the depths of the hall, sounding somewhat agitated. "We're only missing the final step... Didn't he complain just yesterday that the experiment was progressing too slowly?"
Perhaps because of the Crow Mask, the wizard's voice sounded hoarse, making it impossible to tell whether he was male or female.
Beside him, the wizard marked "19" immediately reassured him. "Perhaps the school held him up with meetings because term is about to begin... Didn't they say the New Student Trial is happening today?"
"They aren't new students.