After leaving both Janna and Arang in the library, Leroy immediately went to the building's main entrance. His friendly demeanor was now replaced with a serious expression.

Leroy opened the door and stepped outside.

Click.

The fog outside immediately retreated at the snap of his fingers, revealing the entirety of the maze, estate walls, greenhouses and other external fixtures in the compound.

Leroy walked past the stone figures and entered the maze. As he did so, the originally tall hedges lowered until they were just slightly higher than his head. He carefully walked and examined the maze, occasionally plucking a leaf, or kneeling to rub some soil between his fingers.

After strolling around thoughtfully, Leroy asked: "Did you help him?"

A strong gust of wind blew, shaking the leaves around him. The billowing clouds cast a dark shadow across his face.

"Why?" Leroy asked again. Everything remained still this time.

Leroy simply shook his head and smiled at the non-response. His remained deeply in thought as he went back into the building.

* * *

Jorum headed for Leroy's study after thoroughly cleaning both himself and the tooth.

Despite being a long-time resident, Jorum still didn't understand where exactly was Leroy's study, much less the entire layout of the mansion. The trip to Leroy's study required a different route every time. Asides from several fixed common living and working spaces, the mansion seemed to generate or remove new features and areas on a whim. He had already lost count of the number of times he found himself entering an unknown room, or walking down an alien corridor, when he was heading elsewhere.

Jorum once asked his sister how she can easily navigate throughout the mansion. Unfortunately for him, Janna enthusiastically launched into an hours-long explanation involving metaphysics, astronomical alignments, spacetime studies, thaumaturgy, and arcane lore. He already stopped listening after five minutes, but managed to feign enough interest to keep his sister happy.

He later discretely approached Leroy for help, slightly apprehensive at the possibility of another lesson. To his surprise and relief, Leroy's instructions was much simpler.

"Just tell the mansion politely where you want to go" Leroy replied. "Don't worry if you end up somewhere weird, just treat it as a prank."

I can't speak, though. Jorum signed.

"Don't worry, this ol' boy gets it as long as your intent is strong and pure enough," Leroy said and patted the wall in a friendly manner.

The number of times Jorum got lost has decreased ever since. Although he occasionally ends up somewhere unknown, he will eventually arrive at his destination after a brief conversation (?) with the building.

Jorum continued navigating the mansion as he tried to locate to Leroy's study. He finally arrived after five minutes of walking, which was considered quite fast by his standards.

Thump.

Jorum placed the heavy dragon tooth on the floor and stretched his sore muscles. As dragon teeth were incredibly dense and heavy, its weight was more akin to solid metal rather than bones.

"Good timing," Leroy said as he appeared from around the corner. Jorum greeted him with a nod.

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Leroy walked up to a wooden door covered in carved figures of plants, animals, humans, and strange eldritch-like entities. A smooth and well-polished bronze doorknob was attached to the door. One of the eldritch carvings waved a tentacle at Leroy as he approached. He then channeled some mana as he held onto the doorknob, turning it when it glowed a luminescent blue.

Hissssssss.

The door made the sound akin to a sealed air-tight container being opened. Jorum habitually retreated back a few steps as he felt the surrounding air being sucked into the room. After the hissing sounds faded away, Leroy effortlessly picked up the tooth and placed it on his shoulder.

"Thanks for the trouble," Leroy nodded. "Something on your mind?"

It's about the newcomer, is he.., Jorum's finger paused.

"Don't worry, he's not harmful at the very least," Leroy replied. "Alright, I better not keep you any longer. See you tomorrow." Jorum nodded.

"By the way," Leroy popped back out from behind the door with a few sheets of paper. "Please hand this over to your sister."

"Might as well put use him since he's staying anyway," Leroy winked. "Okay, goodnight."

* * *

Janna decided to take a stroll in the garden after she finished showing Arang around. Asides from the occasional gusts of wind and rustling of leaves, everything else was peaceful and quiet in the foggy garden.

Although the fog might seem oppressive to others, it acted as a cocoon to Janna, keeping her safe from both the outside of the institute walls and the unwelcome thoughts bubbling inside her head. She found a small thrill at the sense of mystery and unknown as she waded through the white clouds.

While the fog disappeared when Leroy was in the garden, it reacted completely different to Janna. Thick, heavy plumes of clouds gathered around her, with some creating moving cloud figures in the shape of animals or humans. A motley parade of dancing clouds formed behind Janna, which made the somewhat sombre atmosphere comical and lively instead. As the parade continued to trail after Janna, the figures either tumbled and dissipated or were eventually replaced with newly created ones.

As Janna was strolling, she occasionally lifted some of the figures and placed them on her palms or shoulders. They weren't alarmed at all and continued prancing or dancing until the breeze caused them to disappear.

It has been several years since the institute received someone new. Asides from several odd regulars, not many individuals deigned to visit the institute, while those that do scamper off as quickly as possible once their business is over. Even the people living in Brow Village kept away from the transit hut down the hill. Much to Janna's amusement, she even heard stories of how she was an ageless witch, her brother a cruel warlock, and that the both of them were servants of a ruthless and devilish immortal.

Of course, while the stories are not strictly true, it does hit quite close to home.

This was why Janna was both quite alarmed at Arang's arrival. While the institute was a legitimate place of learning and research, she knew that some considered it a special, high-security prison housing outcasts from the Kingdom. Normal people can't just simply end up here, and the University also took great care to ensure no one will come especially during the cycle.

The fact that none of them anticipated his arrival did not help soothe Janna's wariness. As Leroy went to great pains in ensuring how isolated and secure this place is, he also had the uncanny ability to predict if anyone would come days or weeks before their actual arrival.

That said, Arang's presence completely blindsided them. It was by sheer coincidence Janna was monitoring the situation outside when she noticed that a cart was coming up the hill from the village. She was also not thrilled that he could easily solve the maze, one that took her months to design and create.

As all three of them were watching Arang navigate through the maze, Janna was quite perplexed when the wooden signs started appearing. She asked Leroy if it was a new security feature he embedded into the maze. While he assured her that everything was fine, she noticed Leroy drumming on the bangle on his wrist - a telltale sign that he was confused, intrigued, worried, or possibly all three at once.

Tired of thinking, Janna sat on a nearby bench and rubbed her temples. She nodded towards the miniature parade, and the figures bowed back and dissipated one by one.

Jorum waded through the fog several minutes later. He sat beside Janna and handed her the sheets from Leroy.

"Did Leroy say anything?" Janna asked. Jorum shook his head and pointed to the paper sheets in her hands.

Instructions, Jorum signed. For the newcomer.

Janna sighed. Her frown deepened as she carefully read through the instructions.

"He really knows how to put everyone to work," Janna smiled ruefully. "I am tasked with teaching the newbie."

Congratulations. teacher Jonna, Jorum teasingly signed.

"Don't be so happy, you'll be taking part too." Janna nudged her brother, thoroughly amused at his crestfallen face.

Ah..... shit, Jorum pouted.