After so long in the Dreamgrove, eating plain, simple meals every day, Katrana could hardly be bothered to get angry with Rowan now that she was finally back. She hurried to the institute's staff cafeteria to treat herself.
It was mealtime. Several researchers who had just left the institute spotted the familiar figure and hurriedly called out, "Stop waiting around, or there won't be any food left again!"
After a month and a half, the institute's staff once again remembered the terror of a cafeteria ruled by Katrana.
Rowan arrived at the cafeteria just after her, grabbed a few pieces of bread and some beef, and hurried away.
Since the institute had been divided into separate departments, Xal'atath had been leading several newly arrived mages in studying industrial technology specializing in shadow.
Her body was a physical manifestation of shadow, so she needed neither food nor sleep.
As a result, unless something special came up, Xal'atath generally never left the institute.
That day, Xal'atath had just received a new research assignment from the Central Research Institute: creating units of arcane energy enveloped in shadow.
After two failed experiments, Xal'atath did not immediately try again. She changed out of her lab coat into a pale blue-green dress and went upstairs to rework the data models and the rune formula that had failed to trigger a chain reaction.
Creak.
Xal'atath set down her pen and paper. She never extended her energy to scan her surroundings in the magical industrial zone, so she had barely noticed anyone entering the institute.
"I feel like I should nominate you for an outstanding employee award," Rowan's voice rang out.
Xal'atath's composure wavered. Her focused gaze drifted, and the figures on the paper seemed to fly into the air. She could no longer spare a thought for