By the third week, Gwen could take Caliban out for a jog without inciting a public incident.

At the same time, it didn't take long for a new 'Great Mystery of Fudan' to circulate the campus.

"If you go to Gouding Rd and Unversity Bullevarde around 8 AM, you may see a ghostly gweilo beauty jogging with a Mongolian Death Worm."

It was an absurd rumour, of course, but then Lumen-Pics began to circulate of a beautiful girl in varying sports-tops fleeing from a monstrous Death Worm.

Thankfully, Gwen was by now blissfully immune. If passersby wanted images of Caliban, who was she to deny them? She was in public and on common land.

Her routine traversed through Fudan's shaded avenues, where the early spring's wind hung heavy with moisture as it blew through blooming sycamores and mulberries, filling the air with the fecund scent of future fruit. With an elfin grace, she meandered between the dappled trees, her hair swaying from side to side. Fellow joggers, able-bodied and clean-cut, nodded as she passed, then fled Caliban at thrice her cadence.

Her monstrous 'Mongolian Death Worm' trailed closely behind, slithering across the pavements with its rasping, chitinous underbelly raking the pebble path. Despite lacking a 'face', the worm seemed to sense its surroundings, avoiding the occasional pale-faced pedestrian too weak with revulsion to flee. Occasionally, when the armoured creature grew tired, it split its obsidian carapace four ways and panted from its lamprey's mouth, drooling profusely as its tentacled tongues tasted the air. That was when the sidewalk became a private resting area.

Occasionally, Chengguan stopped them—though the city guards were polite to a fault, more often asking Gwen for a Lumen-pic to show their colleagues.

As Lumen-recordings of the woman and worm spread, Gwen's infamy grew. At first, Gwen would presume the news of her Void talent would catch the popular imagination, but alas, it was Gwen's cohabitation with the 'Ice Queen' that set tongues wagging.

Were she and Petra an item?

Was THAT the reason why the Flower of Fudan refused to date anyone?

No, no, they're cousins.

Oh, thank Mao.

Or so it goes.

[https://i.imgur.com/BJhWXZ0.png]

Over time, the stress of Caliban's constant company grew numb.

In Conjuration, Lily and the unfortunately phonic Pu took only a few days to acclimatise to Caliban's presence. From Gwen's perspective, the physical interaction with Caliban must have been a real thrill, for Lily squealed with such delight that half the lecture must have turned their heads. Consequently, a new vogue began in her Conjuration classes. Every student and their Familiars wanted to touch Gwen's Mongolian Death Worm.

As to why they kept calling Caliban a "Death Wor", Gwen could only search her audience's eager faces for answers they did not have. But—she was okay with the misnomer. She was fine with anything so long as people were willing to give Caliban a fair go.

Evocation was a more significant problem.

Overstimulated by sound and the flurry of rough magic and volatile elements in the air, Caliban had unsummoned itself twice in as many weeks when it escaped her mental leash and fled into the fray, or tried to investigate some Mage only to be blasted by flame, ice, magma, air and stone.

Spell Shaping degenerated into a hot mess.

The first time she showed up with Caliban, she cleared half the lecture. Micho Lee, the Magister presiding, became so upset that he made Gwen sit in the far corner by herself. Then, after news had spread of Caliban's obedience in the subsequent week, the problem became curious students trying to attract Caliban with LDMs. When Caliban got overexcited and opened its carapace to catch a shard, it cleared the lecture again. After a third incident, Magister Lee personally Banished Caliban.

It was an impressive spell—but the show of force also incapacitated Gwen for a whole evening.

Ariel, meanwhile, took advantage of the situation to win hearts and minds, stuffing its mouth pouches full of crystal fragments.

For Bestiary, Chen grilled the students on their performances and recorded metrics for control, obedience and compliance from each student's Familiars. Caliban waffled below average, while Ariel shone like a beacon.

"That is an uncommonly intelligent beast," Chen remarked. "That Evocation-channel ability is something else, as well."

Happy that her 'good boy' received recognition, Gwen ruffled Ariel's fur and snuggled it against her bosoms. The marten purred and whined, licking her face with its little pink tongue.

At the same time, the marten had struck up a friendship with Luyi, Eunae's doe, though both of them seemed to antagonise Wanli, Lu's Lightning Hawk.

Thanks to Ariel, Eunae had taken fondness of Gwen as well. Unlike herself, the timid girl remained uncomfortable around the men, especially the braggadocio Lu. As Gwen watched the lithe healer manipulate her Familiar, she couldn't help but think of Elvia and her Sprite, Kiki. What were they doing now? She wondered. When would they install her LRC Device?

The one Conjurer who remained aloof of their group was Lu Fung, which wasn't surprising. Lu came from a wealthy Clan, he had a rare Affinity, and he owned an aerial mid-tier Spirit.

When Eunae complained to Instructor Chen, their teacher told them an interesting factoid. According to Chen, the side effect of Lightning affinity manifested as quickened metabolisms and an irrational sense of pride and possessiveness.

Oh? Gwen attempted a little introspection. Was she proud? Indubitably, though no more than her favourite femme, Elizabeth Bennet. Was she possessive? Which woman wasn't? Metabolism? She doubted her absurd ability to digest enough food for three adult males was a product of Elemental Lightning.

At any rate, Chen persisted in his hypothesis.

"Lightning is closest to the mentality of Dragons," Chen spoke as if that explained Lu's bratty braggadocio. Gwen could only presume he meant Chinese Dragons: four-footed serpents with tiger paws, eagle claws, demon eyes and fish scales, sailing through the heavens without equal.

"Yes, I meant the Shenglong," Chen clarified. "The one said to possess the Kunlun Mountains."

"Oh? Is there dragon-kin about the place? Can we harvest Draconic cores from the demi-Dragons?" Gwen asked a critical question for her Creature Core munching Ariel.

"Don't," the Master Creature-Mage hewed her enthusiasm with a single stroke. "Dragons are avaricious and licentious. There's not a species of creatures within a hundred kilometres of that nest which ain't half-dragon something. Imagine a pack of lightning-breathing half-dragon rabbits, half-dragon flocks of geese, or draconic fish. The whole damn range is guarded by Hobs as well: Draconic Hobs."

"Are they—"

"Are they dangerous? What do you think, little Miss? Magic slides off their scales like water off a duck's back."

"But surely—"

"You wouldn't want a Dragon Core anyway," Chen interrupted her. "If another Dragon senses that you've captured, robbed, usurped, or fed your Familiar one of its species, prepare for heavenly retribution. No one. And I mean NO ONE fucks with Dragons for a reason."

"How about—"

"BUT—I suppose a pseudo-draconic Core is fine. I mean, there's a shit load of them, whole bloody mountains worth!" Chen laughed. "Good luck getting one, though. They're resistant to magic and near-immune to lightning. What are you going to fight them with—Oh right, you're Void as well—Look, focus on training, alright?"

[https://i.imgur.com/BJhWXZ0.png]

Friday night of the third week, Gwen sat with Richard in her living room.

The two listened to the demonic trill of the modem, aka her LRM Device, singing its song of unholy Divination. When the device finally connected to Sydney, they were treated by a vision of Alesia, invariably in red.

"Okay, Tiger—Dick's folks are here. Call me if you need me."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

It was a session Gwen had arranged for Richard. She had planned it since his return from Nantong.

"Richard! Oh my God, Richard!" Aunty Tali burst into uncontrollable sobs as soon as Richard's image appeared to her in Sydney.

"My boy! How's life in Shanghai?" Kwan's eyes were red as well. "Gwen, it's good to see you're doing well. Has Richard been taking care of you? Is he being good?"

Gwen made polite small talk, then retreated to her room to give Richard some privacy. Petra had already withdrawn for their benefit as well. The walls were thin, though, made from pre-fabricated fibro, meaning everyone caught every word between her cousin and his doting parents.

In the living room, Richard spoke of recent events, his adventures with Gwen in the Dungeon, his work, and his progress on gathering the necessary CCs. His parents grew into a frenzy of worry, bidding Richard that they were in no rush and that his priority should be his safety. It was all very heartwarming, nurturing in Gwen a prickling, resentful envy as the call progressed.

"Gwen!" Richard called for her.

Gwen emerged to see Opa. Her kindly Opa, gnarled like an old branch but hale as sunshine, standing before the crystalline projector.

All her accumulated discontent diffused at once.

'Opa!" Gwen cried out. "Opa! Opa! Opa!"

"My cute cucu perempua!" her grandfather's familiar voice rang out. "I've missed you so, little one!"

She couldn't embrace the illusion, of course, but Gwen made an effort.

"How are you? What have you been doing? What is going on over there? Where have you gone? How are the Songs treating you? I heard there was a Dungeon? Duels? University! Scholarships?!" A barrage of questions assailed Gwen from Opa's thick lips.

Watching Opa's face, Gwen forgot about the 1 HDM call rate. She answered Opa's questions one by one in meticulous detail, everything from Singapore to the Songs, to her Dungeon, her exams, her farewell with Helena, her apartment-hunting and her university courses. When she had finally finished, they were well into the evening.

“Very well, my cucu perempua, remember Opa loves you! No matter what the Songs say, there will always be an Opa here in Sydney waiting for your return."

"Thanks, Opa!" Gwen wiped away some moisture from her eyes. "I'll come back soon, I promise."

Opa's visage went away to be replaced by a very sleepy Alesia.

"Gwen! I am happy that you enjoyed your time together, but all of this is happening in my apartment."

"Sorry!" Gwen apologised. "Please, I release you, O Djinn of Fire, return to your Plane."

Alesia laughed.

"Earlier, I contacted the Pudong Tower, and they said that your care package should be arriving at the Song Estate. My God, ocean freight is so slow."

"My old address?"

"Where you first hole up."

"Ah," Gwen affirmed rigidly. "Okay, I'll call Babulya tomorrow."

"Right, I am going to hang. This whole session will cost you 200 odd HDMs. Are you alright with funds over there? I could… you know."

"I'll be alright," Gwen dismissed Alesia's generous offer. "I can do with some part-time work myself. Even if just to get out and get some air and exercise."

"Kay." Alesia leaned in closer. "Guess what? The "Shard" Tower in London Messaged me today as well. Elvia's LRC Device is slated for installation! I'll send you her Glyph codes soon!"

"Awesome. Cheers, Allie," Gwen beamed. Elvia! So close at hand!

"Ha, it's a pleasure, Gwennie," Alesia replied. "Ciao!"

The image faded.

Gwen laid back against the couch and took in the afterglow her Opa's boundless affection. She wouldn't be able to return to Australia for at least three to four years, but she was free to dream and fantasise about the eventuality at her will. What would it be like when she did return? Would Gunther have finished repairing the city? Would it once again be safe? What about the Mermen?

Gwen poured herself a glass of milk from the fridge, heated it with a simple cantrip, then nursed its warmness in her hands. She watched the city blinking below, winking and glowing with all the lust for life that a metropolis of 22 million souls engendered. Arterial highways in streams of red and white formed three massive loops, each larger than then the last, reaching into a cityscape that illuminated the horizon.

She had a parcel to pick up.

Therefore, she would see babulya on Sunday, and maybe, hopefully, Percy as well.

[https://i.imgur.com/BJhWXZ0.png]

The lesson of the day for Conjuration was "Mass versus Mana transfer over Distance."

Gwen felt lightheaded as soon as the mess of formulas appeared on the illusory projection board.

"The amount of mana expended for mass transfer is inversely proportional to the square of the distance," Magister Birch explained. "Be extremely wary of object density. If you should fail to translocate an object, the feedback will be of equal or greater force."

Translocation was Birch's speciality, and he was helping her recognise the nuance of being a "Transportation Specialist". She recalled Paul, the Translocation Mage specialising in Teleportation and other transit spells working for Alesia. The mousy man had been the one responsible for evacuating the students at Rosebay, not to mention the one who set up the Mandala array that allowed Magister Irene Ferris' team to penetrate the Sydney Tower. Gwen hadn't thought of the Mage as unique back then, but now she knew Paul was an irreplaceable expert.

"The understanding of what one's limitations are, therefore, central to any Translocation Specialist."

Magister Birch had installed two Mandala arrays on either side of the auditorium, one near the entrance to the hall and the other where Gwen and Caliban had been segregated from the rest of the class. The Mandala itself resembled a six-petal lotus drawn onto the floor with glyphs that Gwen had seen before underneath the PLA Tower, at the ISTC when she'd first arrived in Shanghai.

"For small objects, the mana capacity of an average Mage is plentifully enough."

The Magister demonstrated transporting a 5kg cube of iron between the two teleportation circles, filling the dark auditorium with the silvery light of Conjuration.

He then materialised a chunk of what resembled lead from his storage ring. An indent inscribed alongside the knee-height block of mystery metal shows "50kg".

"Unlike living bodies, which can be tuned to project astrally—objects without life must be given a Teleportation Metric Index or TMI. Furthermore, the simpler the makeup of the item you are transporting, the less chance of complications."

The Magister transported the cube back and forth a few times, allowing the students to gauge the volume of mana required. Where the 5kg block had been near-negligible, the 50kg block strained the Magister.

"Now for a cautionary demonstration."

Birch produced an overly complicated gearbox within a glass-cased mechanism and wound up the clockwork. He then teleported the construct between the two Mandalas. After the thirtieth time, there was a clonk, and the box ceased its purposeless function.

"The more mixed material and intricacies are involved in an item, the more difficult it is to transport without the item becoming warped as it travels through the Astral Plane. This phenomenon likewise increases with distance, volume, and weight. There is currently no known way to mitigate Tellestolle's Paradox. However, Translocation Mages can alleviate degradation with minor tweaks, or interface aid from Divination and Transmutation."

The students duly noted Birch's wisdom.

"Now, some material variations."

Birch materialised blocks of hard metal, collated shale, sandstone, a slab of crystal and a chunk of fragile-looking glass.

"Material resonance during the transportation is likewise impacted by distance and mass."

The Magister made the students record the volume and weight of each object, then began a practical on 'teleportation fatigue' and the stress exerted on different materials.

The crystal shattered after the fifteenth excursion, while the sandstone crumbled after the tenth.

"Who here has experienced Long Range Teleportation before?"

No one answered.

Magister Birch pointed to the girl with the Mongolian Death Worm.

"Gwen."

Gwen looked up. Caliban hissed. Ariel flattened itself against her legs.

"You're from the Frontier. How did you get here?"

"Teleportation, Sir," Gwen felt her face glow as a few students in the audience snickered.

"How did you fare? Be honest with us."

Gwen felt pressured to satisfy the Magister. The gaze of her fellow Conjurers made her skin crawl.

"I was sick all over the shoes of my escort," Gwen spoke just loud enough to be heard. "I was disorientated and dazed for almost a day and night after."

"Indeed, thank you, Gwen, for sharing." Birch turned to the lecture. "The human body, capable of channelling mana and responding to the magical energies of translocation, is largely exempt to the small inconsistencies of dislocation and displacement. However, not even the human body is immune to teleportation fatigue. Your organs and innards will be shifted and shunted before being set back in place by the Incantation. The more distance is undergone, the more severe the sickness. That is why long-range translocation must be executed in a place of absolute safety. Even the best of Mages will be disabled by the disorientation of distance."

"My escorts were unaffected by the compression," Gwen pointed out to the Professor.

"As they should be," Magister Birch answered, then walked away.

Gwen stood awkwardly for a few more moments, waiting for an answer before realising none was forthcoming.

She sat back down and ran a hand over Caliban to dispel her annoyance. Ariel ran its face against her other hand as well to quell her upset.

"EE-ee—" Ariel nudged its nose against her palm. From her Empathic Link, the Familiar communicated that it sensed the gaze of a predator.

Gwen subtly turned, then glanced up.

Far above her, seated at the rear, she saw the always silent Lu Fung, dazedly stroking the Lightning-Hawk perched on his shoulder.

Just a week ago, he had entered the hall, the very centre of praise and envy. Then Gwen had walked past him, sat at the bottom of the lecture with her friends, and the world instantly forgot that the fourth son of the Fung Clan existed.

The man appeared surprised that she would so unexpectedly turn to address her. A split second later, he masked his awkwardness with a smile and a nod.

Gwen nodded back, then returned her attention to Magister Birch.

Lu Fung of the Nantong Fungs.

Her dearest hope was that his interest in her was the Netflix and chill kind, and not something... more interesting.