The smiling mask in the shape of Darwin St.Zachary Von Helmut could be seen entering the consecrated halls of the Town Halls legal Offices. He spent a few hours trying to understand the intricacies of the Magic Governing System. What he found was, educational.

"So let me understand this, in very simple terms." the man stated. "The Church selects who becomes a Magi." The small freckled clerk nodded, little bald head bobbing slowly. "Yes sir that is-"

"Don't interrupt me, I would like to finish my thought." He gently rebuked the clerk. Who simply rolled his eyes slightly, the devilish man continued.

"Now, the Mayor and his legal representatives, you and your branch, can deliver Guild Licences and the Business permissions that come with it." He paused a second. "So, tell me, why isn't there a State License for Magecraft?" he pressed the question. The Clerk sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"There is, it simply requires ten years of military service within the Brigades Order Thumatergia and a written letter of Approval from the Bishop or Higher Authority from the Church, sanctioning your use of Magic under the Law of the King, to whom owes his authority to the Grace of God in the end. Mage Law Section 2, Page 4, Line 16; Referendum 32. It's all very clearly laid out."

The dark creature calling itself a man briefly drew a stormy look on his face, before smiling at the CLerk anyway. "Thank You, I suppose it merely required the right Professional to explain it all. If I have any problems in the future on the topic, I'll refer to you first."

"Please don't."

"Now, If you'll excuse me, I've wasted enough of your time and you seem very busy today. Forgive my terrible inconvenience. as I now leave you." he turned and left.

The clerk gave a dark look. "Please do."

The spirit closed the door behind him and made his way back through the storehouses of records, library cards, and desks, with a small army of clerks tapping away with various pens and wooden stampers all achieving something for the good of the city, the kingdom, or the wallets of whomever they'd chosen to serve today. As he was leaving the hall, he spotted a small crowd of people, carrying something under a sheet towards a back area. The ornate black and gold hemmed robes of The Orthodoxy glided after them. Sending a shiver up the Demons spine.

He watched with piqued interest and leaned over the counter to inquire. "I didn't realize we had a circus today," he stated, the clerk, fetching young girl, looked up and then towards the hall. "Oh, Someone must be running the Gauntlet." he raised an eye to this in heightened curiosity.

"The, Gauntlet?" he confirmed. She nodded and continued

"Oh, Yes. Anytime a Magician wants to earn their license or Regain the standing amidst the others, The Priest have to put them on trial first, to see if they're worthy of it. Then there's an exchange of gifts or money typically, as recompense or a tithe, and if all goes well, they can declare you a proper wizard again. It can take years to get the right forms together, so they don't occur very often "

A distant door thudded closed as the members sealed themselves in.

"Could we sneak a peak." he asked, the clerical girl became flustered "Well-I, um" The Devil sank his teeth in. "Ahh, come on. I just want to peak, surely you've seen these sort of things before. It shouldn't be that bad." She wavered a bit more "I-i could lose my job." he gave a pained expression "Oh, we wouldn't want that now, is there perhaps another way? One that wouldn't risk so much for a simple view."

She swallowed "Well, I suppose I know a way. It shouldn't get me in trouble, though I might have to answer some questions later." she trailed off, then shook her head.

"Follow me, I know where they're meeting. We can slip you in and watch But not a word or they'll think something is up." as she stood up weaving her way out from behind the desk, she turned and said something to her partner

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Gloria, I'm heading out, If anyone stops by just tell them I'm in Fillings and won't be back for a while, Alright?" the accomplice nodded and returned to their dull task, without giving any indication they'd heard them. "Alright, follow me, I think we'll be in for a treat tonight. I think that was Artman Wolfram with them, rumor has it he's been cooking up something grand for this chance. Oh, it's going to be a nail-biter this time."

She sounded almost giddy as she gossiped about the event, citing past attempts by others, her favorite mages that tried, and some of the projects and materials they'd brought in defense of themselves. Her particular favorite was by a certain mage that had tried to give a Dog human speech. The poor thing was uncomfortable and had run off after the Mages had dismissed him. She found the poor animal in a back alley and had taken it home for herself to enjoy.

But by far the greatest attempt was was a pair of brothers applying for the license, they claimed to have contained a source of perpetual energy with a magical contraption they'd cobbled together. Turned out to be two rabbits and a squirrel inside the machine, but the presentation was wonderfully done in her opinion. The Demon held on every word eliciting a sense of pleasure in the schemes many had tried to impress the Judges or to weasel a consent of approval from them. He wished he could see more.

She came to a hushed whisper as they entered through a door and quietly sealed it behind themselves. Everyone was just settling down and taking their seats, the trial had not yet begun. A man by the door whispered with the clerk for a moment before nodding and coming to attention as the gavel pounded through the courtroom.

"This meeting will come to Order now, Dominar Lemus, are you prepared to do this duty?" the Black-robed judge called out. A stern-looking man in red and black robes stood, giving a pause to incline a bow towards the judge's stand. "Yes your Honor, I am," he announced. The Judge inclined back to him.

"Very well, Dominar Lemus, I know to charge you securing the safety of all members present in all terms of the presentation and the case of Wild Magic's. Do you Swear to this, So help you, God?" The Judge spoke harshly, Lemus swallowed a moment "I so do Swear, So Help Me God."

"Good, let us begin. Artman Wolfram. You are called to present to this Court, your arguments and Reasons for why the Grand Sacred Orthodoxy of Our Lord and Savior, should repeal its action concerning the dissolving of your License to Practice Acts of Magic. You may present your Opening Statements now." By The Judge had made his thunderous declaration, Artman was already standing and visibly nervous, a rather pretty Dark haired woman beside him in a plain brown dress, she touched Artman on the arm and he seemed to settle a bit.

He cleared his throat quietly and Approached the Judges' stand.

All this work, for this chance. The magnitude of the event pressing into him like Atlas Carrying the World.

Artman approached the Stand and Began his Opening Statement.

"Honored Members of the Clergy and City Officers, I have come not to argue against a just punishment, but to beg forgiveness for crimes long past. I wish to contribute once more to this City and to turn my talents towards Noble acts in furthering the knowledge and scope of this blessed gift of Wonder making. Towards that end, I have brought with me, an Item to prove my devotion towards mankind's betterment. My only hope is that it serves its purpose of convincing you all today of my genuine intentions." He took a small breath, several of the robed men were nodding along, curious to see what he brought or in anticipation of what they knew was soon to come.

Artman strode over to where they'd placed a table, holding his creation covered in a white sheet.

With a single, well-practiced motion, he cast it aside to reveal a wooden manikin, the size of a full man and covered in intricate carvings and inked lines. Tracing various circles and lines derived from the musculature and anatomical measurements. various slots about the things neck, arms, hands, and ankles were filled with small brass pins. occasionally topped with some blue gem. No bigger than a pea or a crumb Small chicory of mummers echoed through the chamber.

"Good Sir's, this is the object I will stake myself upon. The Item of my tireless work and slavish efforts. In the coming Debate, I will explain its purpose, Operation, and Benefits to Society, If you shall have them." He finished with a look of pride and concern, taking his seat, his companion lavished whispered words to restore his confidence and soothe his nerves.

But it's hard to feel safe on a battlefield.

The Devil grinned to himself. Borrowed memories recognized the enchantments, if only barely. The many unseen iterations had made considerable improvements, countless days of work and bloody hours had been placed inside that wooden vessel. He could almost taste the sweat gleaming of it.

The young lady was right, this would be quite the event. Especially since he could feel the Cat waiting in the rafters above them, Waiting to Pounce.

He glanced about in mild concern. If he refused to act, That Cat would do more than Hurt himself. Because Dominar Lemus was beginning to look in his direction, and that could only mean one thing. Coincidence or Trouble.

And he was loath to believe in Coincidence.