The prospect of unlocking the secrets of spatial and gravity magic excited the university so much that he had a meeting with a grant proposal committee first thing on Firstday morning. When Nox entered the conference room, he found four people waiting for him.

“It's nice to see you again, Sir Ratra,” Dean Amit Gupta, the leader of the research department, said. He was among the most serious men Mox had ever met. He introduced the rest of the committee even though Nox knew them well. “I believe you’re familiar with Professor Diya Sen, Professor Reginald Dwight, and Professor Leisel Wyrd.”

“I wasn’t expecting to see you, Professor Wyrd. You either, Professor Dwight.”

“Researchers need to report to someone,” the latter of the two staff members answered. “Spatial magic is almost all manipulation—or so the records say, at least. If we were to approve the project, you’d be reporting to me.”

“And I donated a spatial artifact to the university,” Leisel Wyrd said, eyes narrowed. “Given my donation's monetary value, I've earned the right to sit on this committee. Will my presence hamper your presentation in any way?”

“Not at all,” Nox replied. “The pair of you just caught me off guard. I expected a spatial mage, another researcher, or one of the other deans.”

“The university currently lacks an expert on spatial magic,” Diya, the university’s top spell weaver, said. The grandmotherly professor had been there for Nox after Kris’ passing and had also attempted to fix his mana system problem. “Much like with your Crystalize Essence spell, you'll be at the forefront of arcane development. Professor Reginald and I will ensure you don't cause a natural disaster in the process.”

“Given what happened with your flame slime and myconid research, it’s best if we err on the side of caution,” Diya said. “It was the Singhs that caused the incident, but it was still a product of your work. So, you understand our concern.”

“I do.”

Nox had prepared five copies of his proposal and handed one to each of them. He showed off his new spell while doing so. Diya gasped, and Professor Reginald Dwight laughed. The other two committee members offer no such reaction. In fact, Dean Gupta appeared thoroughly bored and annoyed by the time wasted on conversation and pleasantries.

The committee members unrolled the parchment and read through it as Nox began his presentation. He had included spell scripts and also diagrams.

“Current gravity spells are mere evolutions or modifications of the Heavy cantrip,” Nox said. “They rely on multiplying or reducing the planet's natural forces to act as control mages. They haven't truly harnessed the power of true gravitational magic as my former companion, Lillin Grey.”

“You mean the monster Professor Kris disguised as a human and slipped under our noses,” Dean Gupta commented, looking at Nox over his bifocals.

“The very same one. Most of you might not be aware, but Lillin and I were in an arcane contract, and my second star was born as a result of it. When she and I started working together, she only had the natural spatial magic of an ordinary mimic. I was the one who helped develop that into the gravity orbs she used in combat.”

Nox unfurled a scroll on the table provided for him. He placed two mana crystals on it and then activated the script. A purple and black Sphere flickered into existence. It was barely as big as an eyeball, but the parchment and gems plated off the table and started rotating around it.

“This is true gravity. We discovered that it's not just an attractive force with the correct configuration. We can use it for repulsion as well. Unlike mages using evolved Heavy cantrips, Lillin didn't just make things drop heavier and faster. She could make them fall sideways or up.

“If we produce two or more identical spheres, the space between is a vortex of tumultuous forces. You can rip, break, twist, and eviscerate. We can do a lot with the overlapping of conflicting gravitational fields. Lillin never explored the possibility, but I believe we can also use this magic to achieve true flight and change the airship industry, too.”

“Are you trying to tell us that her magic was of your creation?” Diya asked, eyes narrowing. “You were a skilled spell weaver when you came to me, but not that good.”

“You have to understand that we were children when we came up with that and didn’t completely know what we were doing,” Nox replied. “There was a lot of trial and error. We had several accidents and incidents that would’ve killed most. Lillin Grey’s unique and inhuman physiology meant she could take such risks without concern. I’m older, better-equipped, more knowledgeable, and smarter if I dare say so myself.”

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Nox approached the diminishing gravity orb and added a quill to its orbit. Then he fed the scroll personal mana and had it conjure a second gravity orb. The two spheres began orbiting one another, and the feather in between crumpled. Meanwhile, the mana gems and parchment adopted a wider orbit around Nox's stars the same way Otis’ planet did. He hoped the act displayed his wariness and control. Nox expected the Manipulation involved to impress Professor Dwight, too.

“As you can see—”

“Hold on a moment, Sir Ratra,” Dean Gupta interrupted. “We were under the impression you wanted to research spatial magic, not gravity.” He took a moment to scan the entire scroll. “I see no mention of your space folding, portals, or dimensional storage in the document. Will they not be a part of your research?”

“No,” Nox answered. “I intend to cover whatever is relevant to the creation of gravitational orbs and their best use, but I will not be studying other fields of spatial magic.”

“But these spells are a natural part of your mana system?”

“Temporal Sphere and, the still in development, Fold Step are my personal spells. Meanwhile, spatial storage and portals are my great aunt Sapna Ratra's field of research. She'd like to keep all information related to the field until she has recreated a true spatial-storage device, patented it, and is ready to put it on the market.”

“So, let me get this straight.” Dean Gupta rolled the parchment and put it aside as he spoke. “You want to research spatial magic and develop gravity magic using university resources and funds. But the bits we actually want and would like to use, namely spatial storage, teleportation, quick transit, and the like, you want to keep for yourself. Don’t you think that’s self-serving selfish?”

“Is that any different from the norm?” Nox asked. “Michelle Beaufort developed everything she did to save her brother and preserve her family’s knowledge. Sure, she did great research but never shared her groundbreaking discoveries, inventions, secrets, or patents with the university. You, Dean Gupta, research arcane forging techniques, namely the creation of aether steel using mana gems. You share your knowledge with the university and the Department of Production. Yet, no creations match the durability, flexibility, or sharpness that come out of your family’s workshops. Is that because Dean Oleg and his subordinates are incompetent, or there is some variation, some more advanced or variant technique that you haven’t shared?”

“How dare you?!”

“I’m just asking whether this is any different. Others can use gravity magic and the base runes to create what you want. Professor Wyrd’s donation would help you in that department. I specifically want to develop gravitational magic to assist the transportation industry and help create spells that can help deal with future titan attacks and delving. Lillin Grey used our creation for attack, defense, and control. It's versatile.”

“Before we continue our discussion, Sir Ratra, there is something you need to consider.” DIya joined the conversation. “You need to know that whatever magic you develop using university time and resources will not only be patented to you. You’ll need to share the patents with the university. This means they’ll be taught by lecturers and accessible to all students. Neighboring city-states, the Imperium, and mages will use it for more than just delving. Are you ready for gravity orbs to become instruments of war? This could kill thousands.”

“That’s the case with any magic, is it not?” Professor Reginald Dwight asked. “I don’t see the point in this—”

“Sir Ratra and I know each other on a personal level,” Diya said. “I want to ensure he considers the consequences of this research. I respect and value academia and development, but it’s important we also think of who can access our accomplishments and what they do with it.” The older woman waved at her department’s dean. “It’s true. Amit has discovered several variations when it comes to melding natural metals with those born of dungeons and mana gems. However, the only thing he developed using university resources and time is public knowledge, and the truly destructive and dangerous is his family’s private knowledge. He used the resources to build our and his foundation before venturing out on his own.”

“It doesn’t matter. Proposal rejected.” Dean Gupta rose from his chair and walked toward the door. “Come back to us if you want to research spatial magic. I already have students dissecting Lillin Grey’s magic. We might not be where you are now, but we will get there eventually.”

“Just so you know, the spell form and scripts in the proposal documents are already patented,” Nox said.

Amit Gupta ignored Nox and marched out of the room.

“He’s an awfully serious and hotheaded man, isn’t he?” Reginald Dwight sighed.

“I think Sir Ratra’s success where he and his apprentices failed is beyond frustrating for him,” Leisel Wyrd said. “It’s understandable. Most of Sapna Ratra’s past works might not be public, but she’s among our time's greatest artificers and spell weavers. I’m not surprised the pair of you successfully cracked the secret.”

“I think it's untoward of us to talk poorly of a fellow staff member in front of a student,” Diya said as she left her seat. “It was nice seeing you again, Nox. I’d love it if you visited me at some point. Since your magic system is functional again, perhaps we can see about your incomplete courses.”

“Thank you, professor.”

Professor Reginal Dwight departed soon after her, leaving Nox along with Leisel Wyrd. She lingered while he packed away his scrolls and gems. “You know, Sir Ratra, the university isn’t the only organization with resources for such projects. Whenever my organization dismantles a cult, we share confiscated resources with the local government.”

“That explains how you can afford to throw thousands away on a relic you can’t use.”

“So, you have evidence of our wealth and resources,” Leisel said. “This magic could prove useful in our ventures and hunting our prey. I’d be willing to discuss sponsoring your research—after discussing it with my colleagues, of course.”

“Thank you for the offer, Professor,” Nox said. “I’ll think about it.”

He left the meeting room before she could tempt him or use Mind Magic.