Ashlin, Gallian, Hog, and Mirna all left Mindslip Alley and proceeded to go straight back to Glintlade Hotel. The walk back to the hotel has been quiet, with Ashlin leading them, Hog and Mirna minding their own business, and Gallian reading the book they’ve bought for Selica.

“Hmm this is way too technical for me.” Gallian says while she browses the book. “I would get it if there’s a spell or two here, but they’re all just writing techniques. I guess Selica does indeed live in a different world from us.”

“All our magic has that kind of technicality, right?” Ashlin answers her friend. As a Spellgraph mage, Ashlin is too familiar with the necessary technicalities her magic entails. But unlike the typical writing and incantation type of magic, hers is akin to an engineer fixing a machine using tools. She remembers having to learn how to use a spectral driver to twist the arcane nodes in her Spellgraph in the correct way or else it would short circuit and cut off her magic entirely.

“Well I don’t know mine so who knows.” Gallian reacts as if she doesn’t care. She closes the book back and returns it to its leathery cover.

When they reached the hotel’s foyer the floor seemed to be more populated than they left. Ashlin assumes that these must be all the other Hameza residents who have strolled outside the hotel just like them. ”Please telepathically state your name as you enter the elevator and say “Hameza Hallway” once inside. Please use the elevator in an organized manner. Thank you.” Another mental message pops in their head as they approach the concierge of the hotel. Ashlin sees the concierge, who is apparently a Ravenite, stare at them as the message in their head places.

“Oh she’s the one who’s been messaging us.” Gallian whispers as she nods at the concierge as she nods back to them. The line for the elevator is long. Surprisingly so as the girls can already hear some clamoring from some of the non-Hamezan tenants around them.

The line is annoying, but Ashlin recalls the turmoil of the test they’ve previously gone through and somehow feels glad that this was the peak of their problems today. She looks back at Hog and Mirna who have been quietly conversing with one another. She doesn’t know yet what’s the details of their relationship, but she can tell that Hog has been unblinded by Mirna’s natural prowess, and is in fact acting in her best interest.

After a few minutes of arduous waiting, the group is finally next in-line for the elevator. ”Hameza Hallway” Ashlin commanded the elevator and after a few short moments the platform slowly raises and then moves automatically. They first expected the trip would be a simple go up or down, but were completely caught off guard when the platform suddenly moved diagonally.

With a minute of traveling, the elevator finally reached the designated hallway. The platform’s landing pad exists towards a small terrace that connects to a large open golden door. The disparity between the golden embroidery outside of the door and the stark white interior on the other side quickly catches their eyes. It was as if peering through an entirely different world. Ashlin’s group exits the elevator and immediately gets caught in the crowd of people loitering at the hallway’s terrace. Aside from the mages filling up the limited space, there are also some Silencers standing guard right at the door’s precipice. Seeing the white garbs once more made Ashlin flinch in combat mode, but her reaction calmed down as she quickly reorientated herself to the current situation. They are just guards now, she says to herself. They’re no longer the enemy. She takes a deep breath as she watches one of the Silencers casually talk to a mage opening up a conversation with him.

“Are these all our neighbors?” Mirna asks as she looks around the crowd. From a first glance it looked like a mishmash of people from all walks of life. There are soldiers, nobles, civilians, and of course mages all conversing deeply or casually with one another under a ghostly yet brightly lit hallway. Ashlin has been to many parties, mostly as a plus one for her father during conventions, but oftentimes she would feel inadequate being in there as she feels more like a prop than a person when she attends them. This time however, despite the hectic company they are all in, she feels right at home.

“Mirna!” From the other side of the crowd a familiar boy walks through. His usually bandaged body is now free revealing a toned brown skin with dark burnt patches all over his body. His head, once covered with bandages, reveals a small tuft of black hair and the once sheathed blades on his side are now gone, but is instead replaced by a phantasmal presence hovering over his hands. ”Marian!” Mirna quickly jumps and hugs towards her friend. “Apologies. You were sleeping soundly so me and Hog had to leave you.”

”No worries.” He brushes his friend’s head. “I assume you two have had a good time together.” He looks at Hog with a sprinkle look of teasing.

”O-of course.” Hog blushes for a bit but waves it off, “Anyways. Looks like your bandage is finally off. Did the aides help you with your wounds?”

”Like I said before, if even Mirna’s healing can’t help me with them, I doubt the aides could have done anything much.” He shows the side of his body that is still burnt. “I really don’t know how I got these marks, but if a cleric as talented as Mirna can’t cure them, then it must be something bad. I only really took off the bandages as I felt like it would be inappropriate for the party at hand.” He answers eloquently.

“You have amnesia?” Ashlin can also see more burnt marks scarring the side of Marian’s face as well. Whatever happened to this boy must have been truly graphic.

“Partial amnesia I’m afraid. Which is actually worse.” Marian corrects her, “I can still remember my past, but if it weren’t for these burnt marks I wouldn’t have expected something bad might have happened to me before. That’s why I’m at a loss, and it’s also why I’m in Magecraft City.”

“Wait, you went through the test just so you can get medical help?” Gallian intervenes. “Can’t you just, you know, ask some mage in Wizard Ward at least to help you get fixed?”

”That was the plan, I initially came to this city to get myself cured, but-” He looks at Mirna and Hog. “After meeting them, I decided that someone has to look after these two.”

”Buzz off, I can take care of myself.” Hog scoffs and walks forward.

“That’s mean, Mirian.” Mirna pouts, “I can take care of myself as well.” She then walks defiantly away as well. Ashlin just giggles at the entire commotion. Just like her, Gallian, and Selica, these three have also forged a strong bond with one another and it was further strengthened during the test. “Speaking of, Selica should be around here, right? Have you seen her, Marian?”

”Selica? Your bookish scholarly friend, right?” Marian places his hand under his chin, “I think she’s at one of the tables inside the hall, last I saw her she was copying something on her book.”

Typical Selica. “Thank you. Come on Gallian.” Ashlin grabs Gallian by the wrists and drags her inside the white hall. The girls cross through the open doors and are greeted to a more impossibly spacious area inside. Ashlin inspects the hallway’s interior and the seemingly endless breadth of space inside it seems to be the work of magic. The way the magic is applied in this space felt similar to what they did with the spacious hall during the test, which made Ashlin quickly ask herself how exactly did they maintain that spatial distortion during such an anti-magical deluge?

Inside, tables and people are adequately spaced within the hall compared to the crowdedness just outside it. The tables are circular and from what Ashlin can see has consoles on them that can create projection at the center of the table. ”Planning Tables?” Ashlin is very familiar with these kinds of tables. They’re usually the centerpiece of any hero’s hideout and are the focal point of information before a sortie is done. Seeing many of them here and being used for both information and display makes her feel nostalgic of home a bit.

Both Ashlin and Gallian scan the hallway looking for their studious friend. If Marian is correct, she would be right beside these tables scribbling at her book not caring about her surroundings. It’s a rather difficult task because most tables are occupied and even some of them are busy taking notes as well.

”There!” Gallian points towards one of the farther tables from the door. There’s an occupied table there with some people loitering around it, but on the table itself there’s a curly black haired girl studiously writing something. The two immediately walk straight towards Selica, crossing through busy conversation and tiptoeing against heated arguments, navigating through the crowd with ease. Once the girls reach Selica’s table, Ashlin looks up at the table’s hologram to see what her friend is writing about. It looks like some sort of four legged animal similar to a dog or a hound, but its body is made out of metal rather than flesh instead. Selica is fully planted on her chair writing with a half finished soup beside her.

”Hey Selica!” Gallian calls out to her friend, but there’s no answer. Gallian immediately sighs. “Hey, Sel!” ”Selica, we’re here.” Ashlin touches her friend's shoulders.

“Woah!” Selica flinches back from Ashlin’s touch. “Oh, it’s you guys. Didn’t see you coming.”

”You do have your back turned on the door.” Gallian sighs again. Selica looks behind her and sees the crowd of people coming. “Oh wow, people are really flooding in, what’s going on?”

”We received a message that something is happening soon.” Ashlin looks at the hologram. “Sel, what’s that?”

Selica turns around and tilts her head, "Not exactly sure. Shellon's group calls it a "Sand Hound", and I'm trying to figure out how exactly it moves." She then starts pressing buttons on the console to move the information. Ashlin quickly notices how singular Selica presses the console, as if a child is learning how to use the computer for the first time.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Honestly," Selica continues to tap on the console while she reads the information. "Based on what I've read, a golem is supposed to have a core somewhere that acts as its main source of energy. But browsing through these records there doesn't seem to be any semblance of that kind of core inside the body of this dog." She scratches her from frustration. "It's either the mages doing the research here are sloppy or the method of creating this golem is so advanced that its basic anatomy goes far beyond what I know. Or maybe it's not a golem? But a homunculus or a familiar? But then what would be supplying its energy?" Selica continues to ramble on and on from her chair as the two girls watch.

"She's at it again." Gallian quickly comments as she looks for a chair to sit beside her scholarly friend.

"Maybe it's not a golem? or any of that?" Ashlin meanwhile breaks through Selica's train of thought.

"Huh? But that's impossible." Selica just stares at Ashlin with a blank face. "It's obviously mechanical, even internally there's nothing organic about it. So how can it not be a golem or similar to that?"

"I mean, Ravinities are not organic, per se." Ravinites are lifeforms who are much better described as sentient rocks than humans made out of rocks.

"True! But they are also born, right?" Selica continues the debate. She then stares at the Sand Hound projected on the table. "From how they looked, they're more made than born right?"

Ashlin doesn't have much of a rebuttal to Selica. She too just stares at the creature in front of them in silence. The ponderings of her friend now dwell in her mind. What is that thing? Is it "alive"? Is it made or born?

"Oh yeah! Here's something I found while I was snooping about the Sand Hound." Selica pressed another few buttons and a video appeared in front of them. “It’s amazing how magic is able to capture moments like this, right? I found this while I was tinkering this thingamajig here. It’s like a captured event from the past being shown about these “Sand Hounds''. ”

”I keep forgetting Selica is an actual bumpkin.” Ashlin whispers to herself. Having knowledge of what a video capture device herself is, she felt like she had to educate her magically scholastic friend here on some of the more modern advancement now available everywhere or at least in Mashkanor.

The video captures a Sand Hound tied up and restrained by the mages. ”Test 1, begin.” One of the mages speaks as another begins casting a simple fireball. The ball is of adequate size and strength. “Fireball!” The mage throws the ball at the Hound, completely blazing it entirely. Ashlin expects the Sand Hound to be smoldering into cinder after that hit, but is instead unharmed after the fire subsided. ”Test 2, begin.” Another mage comes up and flings magical ice shards at the Sand Hound. The shards are long and sharp as it pierced through the wall behind the target. But instead of having the same fate happen to it, the ice shards that did hit the Sand Hound barely scratched and actually broke on contact with the Hound’s skin.

After that, more and more tests are done to the Sand Hound using magical spells and the result ends with the Sand Hound barely harmed by any of the prepared spells at all.

“Test 35, begin.” Then another test begins, but this time instead of a mage casting a spell. One of the Silencers brings out a dull piece of sword and tries to jam it at the Sand Hound’s side. Ashlin expected the blade to bounce off, but instead the blade dug deep at the creature without much effort.

The Sand Hound howled, as if to indicate the blade attack is finally the one thing that caused it pain. The next couple of tests were done using mundane methods like swords, axes, and the like. ”So, they’re immune to magic, but are prone to swords and shit?” Gallian concludes while she watches the video. “Then why the hell are we even here in the first place?”

“Apparently politics.” Selica explains the given reason why they were gathered instead of just hiring a bunch of adventurers instead. Ashlin listened to it and almost laughed at how roundabout their decision was regarding this specific situation.

“This is stupid.” Both Gallian and Ashlin said in unison. Really, using their “mage haven” card to just not deal with an adventuring party?

”Yeah, that's the common consensus around here.” Selica looks around the hall and everyone seems to be talking about it as well. Word of mouth regarding their entire situation seems to be spreading and voiced opinions are growing rapidly. Ashlin guesses if it weren’t for the supposed “benefits” added to their residency most of these people would have walked away by this point.

While Selica and Ashlin are busy talking about the politics of their stay. Gallian casually took command of the console and started flicking through the hologram. Compared to Selica she seems more familiar with the device and can even do stuff that Selica did two handed one handed. She then stops at a picture portrait of a Sand Hound.

"Huh, this reminds of the Silverscale Whales back home." Gallian starts to blurt out. "Wiry body, metallic skin, looks robotic. Yup fits those whales like a T."

"Whales back home?" Selica suddenly notes Gallian's ramblings. "Are they golems? Do they have a core?" She immediately jumps at her friend with renewed excitement.

"I-I don't think so? Some of the hunters who shored one was really disappointed about it though. They were expecting to haul some meat to sell, but they ended up just getting a huge metal ship instead. Sold really well in the junk shop though." Gallian answers but Selica is still eagerly awaiting, but then she realizes there was not follow up to her friend’s statement.

"So they don't have any cores as well." Selica slumps back, but then she swivels facing towards the pedestal in front of her. "I wonder if that guy has a core as well."

"Which guy?" Ashlin follows Selica's direction and sees the man in the pedestal.

At first Ashlin didn't much the people around them, but when Selica pointed the person out on the pedestal, she slowly realized who that person was. Metallic body and face, amber glowing eyes and from what she can hear a silvery tongue. Ashlin knew exactly who that was.

”Machilic is here?” Ashlin’s eyes widened. Silver Machilic is a notoriously famous con man during his prime. He, along with his crew, used to be celebrated thieves who would often challenge casinos and banks by sending their business letters. But one day they all got caught and were sentenced to jail due to a mishap. From what she can recall from her profiling studies, Machilic and his crew surprisingly lie low after finishing their sentence and eventually disappear altogether.

“You know him?” Selica asks immediately. ”Yes, profiling class. Once a famous conman, but was captured and released because of good behavior. What is he doing here?” Ashlin tries to recall him from during the test and she can’t seem to do so.

”He’s supposed to be our new representative to the city’s council. Basically our supervisor.” Selica answers immediately.

“He’s what?!?” Ashlin could not contain her voice at all. Some of the closer table swiveled towards them, but after a few moments of silence they all returned back to their own discussions. “Really, a conman as our supervisor. What a fucking joke of a situation this is.”

”Honestly, I kinda like it.” Gallian answers back. “You did say he’s released due to good behavior right? So he might be turning a new leaf.”

”But he’s-!”

”What? Once a thief always a thief for you, princess?” Gallian stares down at Ashlin before she could respond. Ashlin’s emotions were about to spill over. But thankfully she catches herself and takes a deep breath. Relax Ashlin, Galli is just being a bitch about it that’s all, she says to herself. She closed her eyes then opened it to look at both her friends. “No you’re right Galli.” She answers, but in the most annoyed way possible. Can’t have Gallian get a full win of course. She then looks at Selica. “He’s...he’s not a golem. How do I say this? If I recall he’s a-!”

”A machine.” Metallic footsteps slowly close in. The girls look around and see Machilic walking towards them. “Ashlin Gollaza, right? To think I would actually meet you here. I wouldn’t have been able to see you if weren’t for your little outburst awhile ago.” Ashlin’s instincts screamed danger, so her body immediately raises her fists, but midway she catches herself again. This is not the place to be hostile to anyone, especially your supposed supervisor. Machilic noticed her movement and smiled. “You seem to know quite a lot about me to have such a reaction like that.” He nods, “I assure you my past is my past. As I have stated earlier, I now only dedicate my craft for the betterment of everyone.”

Machilic then looks at Selica. “In regards to your question, young scholar. It might be deceiving to think that I am a golem as I emanate mana but that can’t be farther from the truth. A machine is simply a creature born from circuits and gears rather than veins and blood. You can compare me to your local Ravinite, different bodily composition, but still have the intellectual sentience similar to a human.” Selica is just utterly stunned at this point. She then swivels back at the image of the Sand Hound in the projection.

“Th-then that mean thing is also-.”

”Yes, if we compare it to what you know, they are akin to dogs. Ancient, magic resistant dogs to be rather precise. That’s also another reason why I was chosen to be this district’s supervisor. Dealing with sentient machines is a foreign concept amongst mages, so having a sentient machine akin to these things is already a great boon for my selection to this position.”

Selica slowly sits down on a nearby chair and holds her head with both of her hands. Ashlin can sympathize with Selica. Even her who mostly lived her life amongst humans and Ravinites is having difficulty that a machine, the same entity that makes up the appliances in her home before, can actually be sentient and capable of deep thought.

“Wait, then how exactly do you know magic?” Ashlin then picks up. “Did you program it to yourself like how other non-sentient machines are capable off?” For once Machilic seems stunned with the question. “It’s...actually a lot simpler than you think. Tell me, how did you girls get to access your mana?”

“By chance,” Selica answers. “Both my parents didn’t practice any magic so me being mana-born was a surprise.”

”Same.” Gallian raises her hand. She seems to be the most level headed person during this whole conversation. “Among the street kids I was the only one who seemed to emanate mana as well.”

”I feel like my chances are a lot more controlled than these two.” Ashlin answers. “Though it’s still by chance since there are mage couples who don't give birth to a mana-born child themselves.”

“Exactly, and that’s the same for me as well.” Machilic looks at the girls with his pondering eyes. “The mystery of becoming a mage is as mysterious to your kind as to ours. In our race, having an affinity to magic is akin to having a “glitch” in my system. A deviation of what is normal, and is often praised or scorned depending on the tribe.”

“I-I see.” Ashlin softly replies. There’s a genuine softness to Machilic’s answer. I guess it was a stupid thing to ask since even amongst other races, self emanating mana is still indeed a rare occurrence. Such a notion only gets diluted when you’re often exposed to people who have that capability all the time.

Machilic looks towards the doors, watching as the number of people entering lessens by the minute. “I guess it’s about time. My doors are open if you have more questions regarding my kind, young scholar.” He nods at the still frazzled Selica. “But now I must do my duty as both the district’s supervisor and today’s host. Let the party begin.”