Chapter 4: Archimedes’ Laboratory

When the day came for the party, Cassian walked briskly through the academy grounds, his excitement tempered by the uncertainty of the night ahead. He still hadn’t made much progress with magic, and he was starting to think maybe Aria and Professor Lyra had been wrong about him. He had planned on returning to the forest once he made some progress. But even the information he gleaned from the books he checked out from the library (after he finally got his library card) wasn’t much help to him. He’d even tried to smuggle out a kids book he’d found tucked in a dark section of the library. Introduction to Magic for First Readers. The librarian took pity on him and didn’t make a fuss when she found him out, rather she discreetly helped him Check it out, and even had several more sent to him in unmarked packages.

In theory, he understood what he was supposed to do. Sense the mana, drive it to its purpose through his will and words. But no matter what incantation he recited, the most he accomplished was dry mouth.

He’d been looking forward to this get together as a chance to forget his inadequacy.

Their meeting place was a prominent fountain that served as a central landmark in the academy’s Grand Courtyard. The fountain was a marvel of magical engineering, its waters shimmering in ever-changing hues, casting colorful reflections on the cobblestone paths surrounding it.

Intricate carvings adorned the base of the fountain, and went all the way around, depicting scenes—whether allegorical or historical, he couldn’t say. The fountain was split in two sides with a particularly prominent scene that met in the middle. One side showed the sun worshippers, the Sunnites, their figures bathed in golden light as they raised their arms in worship. Opposite them were the moon worshippers, illuminated in silvery hues, performing their own rites under a starry sky.

Where the images converged in the middle, they seemed to portray a grand event where leaders (identified by their silly hats) from both religions came together. Above the fountain, holographic images of the sun and moon were projected into the waters, giving the illusion of celestial bodies floating within. He’d spent some time studying the fountain when he had some time. It felt like a clue to something important in this world. Or maybe it just reminded him of how different things were here than they were on earth.

When it came to Earth, he remembered lots of things. Facts, places, people. But his role in the world, his life, his memories of friends or family—of those there was only an empty void.

As Cassian approached the fountain, he was surprised to see Isolde already waiting there. She was gazing at the carvings and illustrations, her expression a mixture of reverence and something else. Something painful.

She wore a long, dress that hugged her body well, and he saw for the first time since he met her, her fit figure. Her flowing dress was deep blue, adorned with silver embroidery that mirrored the constellations. Her moonlit hair fell over her shoulders, and a delicate green pendant shimmered in the moonlight. “Isolde,” Cassian greeted her, unable to hide his surprise. He realized he sounded breathless and cleared his throat. “I…didn’t think you’d actually come. I’m glad you did.”

Isolde turned to him, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I almost didn’t. But I decided it was time to break out of my shell a little. And besides, we’ve only spent time together in class. I thought maybe it’d be nice to spend time doing something else. If anything, just so you won’t think I don’t have a life. Even though I don’t. Not really.”

She was awkward, but Cassian didn’t mind. It was cute.

Before Cassian could say anything more,, Gareth appeared, a wide grin on his face. He was dressed in a more casual style, with a light tunic and trousers, a stark contrast to the more conservative attire of some of the sun worshippers. His tunic bore the symbol of the sun, but his manner was relaxed and easygoing. “Did Cassian have to drag you here, Lady Wyrmbane?”

He bowed to her like a lord to a lady. He joined index finger and thumb in the universal “okay” gang sign but which could also be interpreted as “excellent.” It was a compliment to her dress, and his expression was genuine enough that it couldn’t be mistaken for mockery.

Isolde blushed slightly but stood her ground. “No, Lord Ra’Sinclaire. Cassian did no such thing. I can make my own decisions, thank you kindly.”

“Of course you can,” Gareth replied, his tone teasing. “But I have to say, you, coming out at night, a private party at a secret hideout… Cassian might turn out to be a bad influence on you.”

Cassian laughed, shaking his head. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

Gareth clapped him on the back. “Definitely a compliment. You’re shaking things up around here, and that’s exactly what we need.”

As they chatted, the fountain’s waters shifted colors again, catching Cassian’s eye. He stepped closer to get a better look, the hues now a deep blue with sparkling silver accents.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Gareth remarked, joining Cassian at the fountain. “It’s said that the fountain changes colors to reflect the current state of harmony or discord between the Sunnites and Lunars. Right now, it seems... hopeful, but tinged with sadness. Don’t you think?”

Cassian looked closer. “Sadness?”

Gareth nodded. “Yeah. The conflicts between our two cultures are growing. It’s a shame, really. I was born into a sun worshiper family, but I don’t consider myself particularly religious. My inclinations are far more liberal than they should be, given my upbringing.

“Alright,” Gareth said, clapping his hands. “Enough serious talk. Let’s get to the fun part. Follow me!”

He led them through the campus, navigating the familiar pathways until they reached one of the academy’s renowned gardens. This particular garden was part hedge maze, its tall, leafy walls creating a labyrinthine path.

“Welcome to the Hedge Maze,” Gareth announced with a flourish. “Legend has it that students get lost in here for hours, sometimes even days. The routes shift constantly, creating illusions that can disorient even the most experienced navigators. Some say people have even starved in here.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “And you’re taking us right into it?”

Gareth grinned mischievously. “Don’t worry. The secret paths have been passed down from reprobate to reprobate—those who defy the rules and enjoy a good adventure. Follow me, and you’ll be just fine.”

With that, Gareth led them into the maze. The tall hedges loomed overhead, their leaves rustling softly in the night breeze. Cassian tried to keep track of their path, but it wasn’t long before he felt completely disoriented. Just as he was about to question Gareth’s navigation skills, Gareth stopped and spoke an incantation.

A section of the hedge shimmered and parted, revealing a hidden door. Gareth opened it, and a set of stone stairs led down into the darkness.

“Here we go,” Gareth said, gesturing for them to follow. “Watch your step. Welcome to Archimedes the Riftwalker’s secret laboratory.”

Archimedes? The Riftwalker? There was an Archimedes in Earth’s history as well. He’d been an inventor and regaled as one of the greatest scientific minds ever. His inventions by his contemporaries had often claimed his works were actually magic. Could there be a connection between the two?

Gareth led them down stairs that spiraled down, deeper and deeper, until they finally reached an ancient stone door, reinforced with iron bands and covered in mystical runes. Gareth pulled a key from his pocket and touched it to Cassian and Isolde’s wrists, then entreated them to push the door together. “You are now marked as welcome guests. You can come here anytime, though it’s not much fun when I’m not around.”

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The lab was a sprawling, dimly lit space filled with the remnants of ancient experiments. Framed and hanging from the walls were old diagrams, geometric drawings, and even an illustration of a screw covered in arcane sigils. They all looked like they’d been hung up recently compared to the aged look of the papers, as if someone had found neat drawings and put them up for decoration to add to the ambiance.

Shelves lined the walls, crowded with polished but chipped potion bottles, alchemical equipment, and jars containing curious, preserved specimens. Strange, glowing runes covered the stone walls, pulsing with a faint, eerie light.

Despite the clear signs of its past as an alchemy lab, the space looked like a mad scientist’s speakeasy.

Bright carpets covered the floors, music played softly—a pretty cat-eared girl sang a jazzy tune with instruments played by spectral hands floating behind her. There was even a small dance floor, though it was currently unoccupied. The place wasn't packed, but it was clear that everyone here were good friends.

Students mingled, their clothing reflecting a mix of sun and moon worshippers, as well as those without any particular religious affiliation. The Lunars wore revealing outfits that showcased interesting tattoos, often of the phases of the moon. Sunnites by contrast, donned more conservative attire, with flowing robes in warm hues of gold and orange.

A group of students smoked a mysterious substance from long pipes and blew clouds of smoke in the shapes of cute animals and a dragon. Nearby, a pair of students—a half-elf and a dwarf—were making out passionately, their different races seemingly irrelevant in the relaxed and accepting atmosphere.

Gareth gestured around. “Here, it doesn’t matter who you worship or what your background is. The only rule is be yourself and let others be themselves, and then we can all be friends.”

One side of the room was dominated by a large window, seemingly looking down at the academy from above. The view was breathtaking, but the window was unyielding; it didn’t open, and Gareth explained that someone had once tried to break it with a conjured hammer, only for the hammer to shatter against the unscathed glass.

“This place is amazing,” Cassian said, his eyes wide as he took in the scene.

“It’s more than that,” Gareth replied. “It’s a relic from a time when chaos magic was openly studied here. Only the Bearer of the Key is worthy.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “Bearer of the Key? That’s quite the ostentatious name.”

Gareth grinned, pulling that key he’d touched them with earlier from his pocket. It was a curious object, shimmering with a kaleidoscope of colors. Even with Cassian’s limited awareness of magic, he could see the threads of its weave, intricate and mesmerizing.

“Ostentatious or not, I have the power.” Gareth said, twirling the key between his fingers. “No one can enter this place without my explicit approval, making it an ideal sanctuary. The key, passed down through generations of degenerates is a tradition older than… Well, older than who know when.”

Cassian looked impressed. “Have you ever entered the secret places that only this Bearer of the Key can access?”

“Why, you wanna see? Of course you do. Let me take care of a few things, and I’ll come get you later. Why don’t you and Isolde relax. Enjoy the music. Grab something from the bar or something. Maybe dance? Ha ha.”

Gareth went around schmoozing, which was presumably what he meant when he said he needed to take care of things. He was the consummate perfect host.

It impressed Cassian how smooth Gareth could be, moving from person to person, ever so slightly adapting his body language to better connect with his guests.

Cassian turned to Isolde, noticing her nervousness. “Let’s get a drink,” he suggested, leading her to the bar.

Today’s volunteer bartender, a tall, imposing panther Ian, a race that literally resembled a humanoid panther, greeted them with a fanged smile that was almost more intimidating than friendly.

“What can I get for you?”

Cassian glanced at the menu, which was written in neon chalk on a board behind him, listed drinks with wild names like "Lotus Blossom" and "Raging Bull."

“I’ll have a ‘Sutra’s Embrace,’” Cassian said, choosing a drink named after a particularly intricate position in the Kama Sutra.

Isolde raised an eyebrow but ordered a “A Gentle Kiss,” which seemed more to her taste.

As they waited for their drinks, Cassian noticed Isolde glancing at the dancers on the floor. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled.

“Do you want to dance?” Cassian asked, leaning closer to her.

Isolde hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I’d like that.”

They moved to the dance floor, the music a sensual rhythm that filled the air. Cassian placed his hands on Isolde’s waist, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their bodies swayed together, the warmth and proximity making Cassian feel pleasantly hot. He couldn’t ignore the feel of her soft and firm places pressed against him. Her perfume was intoxicating.

They danced through several songs, the world around them fading into the background. Cassian felt a connection with Isolde, a shared understanding and acceptance.

After a few songs, they took a break and returned to the bar. Gareth approached them soon after, grinning. “So, ready for the grand tour?”

Gareth led Cassian and Isolde to another wing of the laboratory. This part of was darker, more mysterious, with several locked doors adorned with intricate carvings and large symbols as they crossed the halls to what Gareth called “the good stuff.”

Eventually they reached a big room with ten archways. Each with a different symbol adorning the door within. Cassian’s eyes were immediately drawn to the one with a rusty metal tree. An iron tree. Cassian immediately recognized it as the tree where Aria was imprisoned.

Cassian pointed to the door. “What are these?”

Gareth shrugged. “I really don’t know. I can open one if you like, but you shouldn’t go through. It’s dangerous.”

Cassian pointed at the one with the iron tree. “That one.”

Gareth gave him a sideways look. Then he unlocked the door, revealing the tunnel beyond.

There, at the far end, was a large rift. A cut in the fabric of the world. It swirled with wild light, shifting colors and a buzzing that seeped into his mind. Cassian felt a familiar pull towards it. The same he’d felt with Aria.

As Cassian took a step forward, Isolde grabbed his arm. “Don’t get close. The chaos magic in there could shred your body while keeping your consciousness alive in eternal torment, or something worse.”

Gareth chuckled nervously. “There’s something worse than that?”

Cassian’s mind raced. This rift had to be somehow connected to Aria. But was this rift somehow connected to her? He didn’t want to risk perpetual torment to find out. First, he needed to return to the forest the first chance he got, and ask her about it.

He was long overdue to get some answers.

"Let's head back.” Gareth sounded a bit nervous that Cassian was staring at the rift so intently. He cleared his throat. “As host of this little shindig, I should be making sure everything goes smoothly and that Leonard doesn't drink too much. He might try another stunt like the hammer. He's a sweet guy, but... Anyway, we should go."

After it closed, Cassian stared at the door, feeling like it held an important but currently unfathomable clue.

As they headed back, Gareth rubbed the back of his neck, looking awkward. “Maybe I shouldn't have shown you that."

"No. Thanks,” Cassian said, shaking off his questions and trying to get back to normal. “It was interesting. I'm glad you did."

Back at the party, Gareth introduced Cassian to several students, each one adding to the eclectic atmosphere of the party. The highlight of the evening was a series of unique magic drinking games.

One game involved betting with magical cards that cast projections onto a central console, creating vivid illusions of creatures that battled in a manner reminiscent of the trading card games from Cassian’s previous life, like Yu-Gi-Oh! or Pokémon.

“Want to join in, Cassian?” Gareth asked, handing him a deck of magical cards.

Cassian hesitated. “I can’t cast any illusion magic. I can’t cast anything at all, actually.”

Gareth laughed. “That’s not a problem. The tables are artifacts and work without you having to cast. It’s just a game. But I warn you, if you lose too much, you might get drunk.”

Cassian shrugged, accepting the challenge. He placed his first card on the console, and a small dragon appeared, roaring as it took its place on the battlefield. Holy hell…it’s a Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Across from him, another student played a black mage, and the two illusions clashed in a dazzling display of fire and magic.

The game was fast-paced and exhilarating, with each round becoming more intense. Cassian lost a few rounds, causing his drink to refill magically, and he quickly realized how easy it was to get drunk playing this game.

During a break between games, Cassian quit to deal with his growing inebriation, when he overheard Gareth speaking to Isolde in a low, earnest tone. “I don’t believe any of that nonsense about your father being a traitor. I think there’s more to the story. But know this: you have friends here who believe in you.”

Isolde looked at Gareth, a tension Cassian hadn’t noticed before sliding off her shoulder. “Thank you, Gareth. That means more than you know.”