Nights came early during the Month of Frost. Fine yet dense snowflakes danced and drifted beneath the glow of the arc-lamps like sprites — hallowed and hazy.
The streets were nearly deserted. Pedestrians, bundled in thick coats of every description, shook the snow from their shoulders as they hurried onward, unwilling to stop and admire the beautiful scene.
"How lovely... but why do they have to melt?" Afris muttered, watching the glittering crystals in his palm dissolve into wet splotches with barely concealed anguish.
The shimmering, exquisitely formed snowflakes appealed to his aesthetic sensibilities perfectly. Had he not known their true nature, he would have been sorely tempted to collect them — which was precisely why Afris rather detested winter.
As Lucian's "century-long contracted companion," Afris had wolfed down half a whole roasted lamb, then happily followed him to Lontart. To avoid frightening the ordinary citizens, he had cast an illusion over himself, transforming into a boy of seven or eight with flaxen hair, amber eyes, a little suit jacket, and a tiny necktie.
Inside the carriage, Arthur Doyle — who knew the true form lurking behind that adorable boy — pressed himself tight against the corner, body trembling slightly. For all his worldly experience and considerable status, coming face to face with a legendary "monster" was enough to unnerve even him.
"Arc-lamps produce too much heat and cost far too much. Even a city like Lontart hasn't been able to spread them widely — only the Nobility District and the busiest parts of the Market District have them." Lucian, now dressed back in the style of the Holm Kingdom, gazed with a smile at the night beyond the carriage window.
Greed for wealth overcame Arthur's fear. He followed Lucian's gaze outward and spoke eagerly: "Once the arcane crystal lights prove reliable in everyday use and production costs drop further, I'll negotiate with the magistrate of the Lontart municipal council and have our arcane streetlamps installed on every road in the city. The profits would be staggering — and afterward we could expand to other cities in other countries..." His imagination could no longer keep pace.
At the word "profits," Afris whipped his head around, fixing Arthur with a piercing stare as he tried to piece together what they were discussing. The intensity nearly sent Arthur toppling the white-glazed porcelain teacup on the table.
"It's a highly lucrative venture, Afris. If you want in, you'll need to contribute your own collection — gold, gems, and crystals as your capital stake." Lucian was just teasing Afris, though in truth, if the creature did want to invest, the Elemental Will probably wouldn't object. Initial production and promotion would require enormous expenditure, and before costs dropped further, there was no guarantee of widespread adoption — which would certainly make the miserly Morris clutch his chest in anguish.
"G-Gold, gems, and crystals..." Afris could no longer maintain his composure, caught in a maelstrom of indecision. On one side lay rich long-term returns; on the other, the glittering treasures hoarded in his vault — lovely gold, gleaming gems, sparkling crystals. He wanted *both*!
In the throes of this fierce internal battle, Afris didn't even notice that the carriage had already arrived at Duke James's villa in the Nobility District.
"Welcome to our youngest and most handsome Archanist Review Board member, Evans! If only my daughters and granddaughters weren't already married — they'd certainly have begged me to introduce you." Duke James, who looked every bit the bald-headed brute, greeted them with a broad grin. He and the other guests were gathered in the garden, waiting before a warm bonfire.
Lucian smiled as he stepped down from the carriage: "To receive a personal welcome from Duke James — that's a reception reserved for kings and princes. I'm truly honored. Has everyone not gone inside?"
The villa was pitch dark, without a single light showing, as though it had merged with the night itself.
"Because every candlestick in the villa has been replaced with arcane crystal lights. They'll be switched on one by one in the darkness shortly. Something this momentous naturally calls for waiting until all the guests have arrived." Duke James's bald head reflected the orange glow of the bonfire.
*Well, you really are a romantic at heart — no, a romantic old man,* Lucian thought with private amusement.
The garden had been specially arranged. Even with only a bonfire for warmth, no one felt the cold. Noble ladies, young women, and matrons alike showed not the slightest complaint — quite the opposite. They were thoroughly intrigued by this unusual form of banquet.
"The Crown Prince is in poor health, and the cold night air isn't suitable for him, so I didn't invite him. Come, let me introduce you to a few friends." After Lucian had exchanged greetings with the familiar nobles — Duke Russell, Earl Haisong, Viscount Harrison, and the rest — Duke James led him toward a group dressed in mage's robes. These appeared to be the electromagnetic-division mages Arthur had mentioned, who had helped with the wiring and conversion devices.
Approaching the trio — two men and a woman — James gestured toward Lucian: "I need hardly introduce this one, surely? You should all know him. Sixth-rank Archanist, fifth-circle mage, the youngest member of the Archanist Review Board, and the genius who claimed the two highest honors in both Elemental and Necromancy — Mr. Lucian Evans."
Lucian had not yet submitted his official magical rankings, intending to wait until the current buzz had died down.
"Good evening, Mr. Evans." The elder, his salt-and-pepper hair combed meticulously back, spoke first. The young man and woman beside him both bowed respectfully: "Good evening, Committee Member Evans."
"This is Mr. Barak Pefos — a sixth-rank Archanist and seventh-circle mage of the Electromagnetic Division, and a student of His Excellency Brooke, the 'Emperor of Dominion.'" James introduced the stern-faced elder with flaxen eyes to Lucian. "These two are his students — mid-rank mages Lilian and Isaac."
Lilian was a slender girl with long brown hair. Isaac, by contrast, seemed to carry fire-giant blood in his veins — tall, powerfully built, with hair the color of flame.
"Pefos, Lilian, Isaac — a pleasure to meet you all." Lucian acknowledged each with a nod.
James chuckled: "Barak was a childhood friend of mine. He set out on the path of magecraft when he proved unable to awaken his bloodline power. Who would have thought he'd shine so brilliantly — caught the eye of His Excellency Brooke, rose smoothly to senior Archanist, and before too long may well surpass me, who had a much earlier start."