Chapter 11: Magic is Science is Magic?Location: Azmar Luminary Institute, neutral kingdom of Azmar in the world of Aethalgard.
A shot while earlier when Callum returned from escorting Vivian to the library, the professor was pacing behind his desk as he muttered fragmented thoughts to himself.
"From another world," Cyrus whispered, his eyes wide as he stared at the floorboards. "Two consciousnesses trading vessels. The magical expenditure required for such a phenomenon defies every established principle of arcane theory."
"Professor," Callum interrupted, keeping his voice measured to ground the frantic man. "Right before the transition, I saw a strange shimmer surround Ally, as if she were fracturing into a reflection. She managed to warn me that the transition was abnormal, and she believed whoever was behind it was specifically targeting Vivian."
Cyrus stopped pacing and looked at Callum, his mind visibly racing to process the new variable. "Targeting her? If we assume a natural bridge exists between their minds, applying enough pressure to manipulate it would require a staggering amount of focused mana. Could someone have found a way to locate that tether?"
Callum frowned, his protective instincts flaring. "Furthermore, Shadow-mages attacked us inside the palace moments after she arrived. I suspect they acted solely as a retrieval team sent to collect Vivian. They likely knew she would be defenseless in Ally's body, while an entirely different party orchestrated the switch from afar."
"A coordinated effort," Cyrus breathed, his voice a mix of academic thrill and genuine bewilderment. "We are in completely uncharted territory, Prince Callum. One force manipulates the tether, and another secures the vessel. We might infer they intend to exploit her unique state for their own gain."
Callums posture went rigid, displaying his tension. "We need to teach her how to defend herself. However, I worry about her broadcasting her presence. If she learns to access Ally's magic, might she accidentally alert whoever is orchestrating this to her exact location?"
"A valid concern," Cyrus agreed, rushing to a nearby chalkboard to quickly sketch out a rudimentary diagram of two intersecting spheres. "We need to observe more before we can draw any conclusions. We must observe how she interacts with the ambient magic of Aethelgard. I will prepare a basic assessment."
Cyrus turned back to Callum, his eyes gleaming with insatiable curiosity. "We need to see what happens when a person from a realm completely lacking the ability use energy touches learns to reach out and touch it for the very first time."
Callum nodded, pulling a heavy wooden chair closer to the professor's desk. "Then let us outline the structure of this assessment and draft a training schedule. We require an approach that maximizes her time while she is still here. And she expressed she would like to pursue physical training. Oh, and we need to make sure that she has reading time. Otherwise, she will not be able to focus."
For the next hour, the prince and the professor pored over pristine parchment, debating the safest methods to introduce a person completely unaccustomed to channeling to Aethelgard's ambient forces. They charted out theoretical exercises, pairing them with physical conditioning to ensure Ally's body built-up the necessary endurance. Cyrus sketched complex diagrams mapping the pathways of energy flow, while Callum provided pragmatic insights into defensive maneuvers and tactical awareness. The resulting schedule was demanding, yet carefully calibrated to protect their otherworldly guest.
By the time Kel returned with Vivian, Callum was waiting at the entrance to the lecture hall. The trio returned to Professor Aethelstone's office, where the professor —once again—only acknowledged Vivian. This time, however, he treated her as a precious and fragile being who might disappear suddenly: a notion that was not entirely untrue. Kel gave a slight bow as he fulfilled his escort mission and resumed his sentry position outside of the office door.
A few moments later, Kel's arm shot out suddenly to block the door. On the other side of the arm was Tristan, holding a stack of books and looking a little panicked. Kel had no expression at all.
"He is fine, Sir Muscles. This is one of my research assistants I was going to introduce you to, anyway. I think he will be helpful while we work on the other thing," Aethelstone explained while keeping his eyes glued to Vivian. "This is Scholar Tristan. He is, admittedly, an excellent researcher. But feel free to make him go fetch things as you need them."
Tristan looked at the professor half-lidded. He walked over to a messy table of books, scrolls, and random items haphazardly shoved away from a small half-circle clearing. It was if someone was sitting in that spot and pushed everything away just enough to fill the space with more. And did so over and over again.
Vivian nodded at Tristan, her face flushing as she remembered their intense hour of collaborative theorizing.
"Ally," Callum said to regain her attention, moving his seat next to her. "The professor and I worked out a schedule for you to review. We hoped it would make the best use of your time while you are here." While he spoke, he refused to look at Tristan, yet he inched closer to Vivian in an awkwardly protective way he had perfected over the years.
"I trust you, Cal," Vivian said, then added with a bright smile, "And if I decide the schedule is too grueling by the end of the first week, I will give you the hardest arm punch I can muster."
Callum grabbed his arm at the thought, playing along with her threat.
Observing the strange dynamic of the room, Tristan landed on one obvious truth: the woman, Ally, was at the center of it.
He stepped forward, fluidly navigating the tension. He held out the thickest tome from his stack—the one detailing the accounts of the earliest channelers. "I suspect you might require this for your evening reading, Lady Alura. Consider it the first step in our collaborative efforts."
Vivian accepted the heavy book, her eyes lighting up with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Tristan. I plan to read every page."
The departure from the Institute was quiet, which Vivian found comforting. It gave her time to reflect on the books she had seen and to formulate a plan for attacking each one. She clutched the borrowed book in her hands, anxious to discover its wisdom.
Once they were settled inside the velvet-lined carriage, Callum watched her with curious interest. "I know that goofy smile. You are going to disappear down that book, and we are going to have to drag you around in your newfound stupor."
Vivian faked a pout at Callum's teasing. "It's not my fault there are so many things in this world I have not read, yet."
Callum noticed her fake pout and covered his mouth to hide his smile. "And that makes you much more trouble than Ally. Somehow, you have turned me into the stuffy old father warning you to behave yourself."
Vivian looked at him, narrowing her eyes as she studied his features with a highly analytical gaze. "I never noticed it before, but Cal... you do have a resting-dad-face."
Staring at each other in the dim light of the carriage, Vivian lost the standoff and started laughing first.
Callum shook his head in disbelief. "I do not even know what you mean. I am pretty sure it is some form of you teasing me."
Vivian nodded vigorously. "I will explain the 'resting-x-face' expression in exchange for something to eat?" Vivian asked hopefully.
"As I expected. But we are almost to the Royal Eldorian Manor."
"This must be like an embassy for your world," Vivian guessed, peering out the window.
Callum shook his head. "Maybe? If I knew what one is. It is common for royals and distinct noble families to have a place here for international meetings and for children attending the Institute."
"But why the carriage? It's easily walkable and probably faster," Vivian said.
"We are also carrying a lot of things requested by the professor. We will be working out of the manor, which is a lot easier to keep secure."
Vivian looked up at Callum with another pout. "But… the library… the books?"
Callum patted her head as if he knew she would react exactly that way. "Professor Aethelstone says he can recommend some of interest and will have any others you might like sent over."
"You really have thought of everything. But Cal?" Vivian said in a teasing yet warning voice. "Never mess up a girl's hair."
Callum threw his hands up in immediate surrender as Vivian smiled brightly.
The carriage rolled to a gentle halt. The Eldorian Royal Manor presented a dramatic shift from the crystalline geometry of the Luminary Institute. The manor's architecture embraced the natural world that was reminiscent of Eldoria, featuring living timber seamlessly woven into sweeping archways and walls draped in vibrant, blossoming vines. The air carried the rich, earthy scent of damp soil and blooming flowers that looked perfectly natural in a place that was a hodgepodge of all things Aethelgard.
As the Barklars began unloading the heavy crates, the sound of wooden wheels grinding against the spongey cobblestone driveway announced the arrival of a second transport. Callum turned, his posture shifting into a rigid, defensive stance.
Professor Cyrus Aethelstone stepped out of the newly arrived carriage, his sapphire blue coat catching the evening breeze. Tristan followed closely behind him, smoothly directing several Azmarian porters who were carrying massive, iron-bound trunks.
"Professor," Callum stated, maintaining a strictly neutral tone. "I anticipated the arrival of the reference materials via courier."
"Theoretical research requires practical, hands-on observation," Cyrus proposed, gesturing toward the heavy trunks. "We must accurately gauge Vivian's capacity, necessitating my personal supervision of the initial energy assessment. Furthermore, Tristan's research expertise will prove essential."
Tristan offered Vivian a disarmingly charming smile, seamlessly slipping a ledger out of his vest pocket. "I assure you, Prince Callum, we only intend to occupy a small wing of the manor."
Callum let out a slow, measured exhale through his teeth, recognizing he had been entirely outmaneuvered by the scholars.
Later that evening, the group gathered around the grand dining table. The manor staff served plates of roasted fowl and spiced root vegetables. Cyrus sat across from Vivian, his teal eyes reflecting his insatiable curiosity.
"Tell me about what you do in this other world," Cyrus requested, leaning forward. "Callum mentioned you combat fires. How does one do that without energy manipulation?"
"I rely heavily on physics and specialized equipment," Vivian explained, slicing into a root vegetable. "My world operates entirely without ambient energy. To extinguish a fire, we use pressurized water systems and chemical retardants to interrupt the combustion process. My colleagues and I study thermodynamics, structural integrity, and the behavior of heat in enclosed spaces to safely rescue people from hazardous environments."
Tristan paused, his fork hovering above his plate. "I am not familiar with a lot of those words, but… Is it that you study the physical degradation of structures to predict their collapse? That implies a highly analytical approach to survival."
"Exactly," Vivian agreed, her analytical mind engaging. "We calculate the fuel load, the oxygen supply, and the thermal layers. Every fire acts as a chemical puzzle. And then I use that information to determine if the fire happened on accident or was set on purpose."
Cyrus practically beamed with fatherly pride. "A brilliant, systematic methodology. Your analytical mindset should greatly assist you in visualizing the flow of our world's energies."
Following dinner, Cyrus requested they move to the manor's enclosed garden for the preliminary assessment. The night air was cool, carrying a sharp, fresh scent.
"We will begin with a simple transfer," Cyrus instructed, reaching into his coat pocket. He presented a pale, smooth seed. "This originates from a Glimmerwood tree. It serves as a natural, living channel for ambient energy. Hold it in your palm. I will direct a small part of my personal energy toward the seed. I ask you to observe the physical sensations."
Vivian took the seed, her fingers curling loosely around it. Cyrus raised his hand, his skin emitting a faint, bioluminescent aqua glow. A delicate ribbon of energy drifted from his palm toward the Glimmerwood seed in Vivian's hands.
The moment the energy made contact, the garden's atmosphere shifted violently.
The temperature plummeted. A harsh, metallic tang—like the acrid bite of a lightning strike—flooded the air. The pale seed immediately turned pitch black, absorbing the aqua light and violently pulling the ambient energy from the surrounding environment.
Vivian gasped, a reflexive panic setting in as the ground beneath her boots began to sink. The seed crumbled to fine ash in her palm. The lush grass around her feet lost its color, turning dry and brittle. A localized vacuum of gravity pulled the dead soil downward, creating a small, sunken crater where she stood.
Callum lunged forward, his hand gripping Vivian's shoulder to physically pull her away from the collapsing earth.
Cyrus stumbled back, his eyes wide with a terrifying, ecstatic realization. "Incredible. She consumed the energy entirely. This exhibits properties of an Aether Tear, or perhaps Void Weaving." The professor looked at the blackened grass, his mind racing to formulate a new theory. "This is absoleutley fascinating! The historical texts mention this phenomenon, but I have never seen it before."
Cyrus grabbed Vivian's hands and looked at them, turning them over to inspect bother sides. "Vivian, my dear, I think it is what was once described as Void Magic."
Vivian stared at the dark ash coating her trembling hand, realizing her connection to this world was far more dangerous than she had ever calculated.