Chapter 21: The Transmission Schedule

The blue glow from the observer ward’s runes painted their faces in the dusty dark of the room. Killian kept his palm pressed flat against the cool crystal of the climate orb overhead. The light didn’t pulse or flare. It just stayed on, steady and accusing.

Elian stared at it, his own magelight forgotten in his other hand. “You can let go now.”

Killian pulled his hand away. The ward’s hum against his chest, which had risen to a distinct whine, settled back to its normal soft drone. The runes kept glowing.

“Is it… sending something?” Killian asked. He turned the disc in his fingers, watching the light. It didn’t change.

“I don’t know.” Elian stepped closer, squinting at the device. He didn’t dare touch it. “It recorded an event. That’s clear. The question is what it does with that record.”

“Does it scream for help? Or does it just write it down quietly?”

“We need to get out of here.” Elian’s whisper was urgent. He extinguished his magelight, plunging them into near-darkness, lit only by the ward’s eerie blue glow. “If it transmits an alert in real time, Proctor Len could be on his way right now. We can’t be found in a disused room with a deactivated climate ward.”

The logic was solid. The fear was a cold spike in Killian’s gut. He shoved the still-glowing disc into his sewn-shut pocket. The blue light seeped through the fabric, a faint beacon against his chest. “Move.”

Elian was already at the door, cracking it open to peer into the dark hallway. He gave a sharp nod and slipped out. Killian followed, pulling the door shut behind him. The lock clicked softly as it re-engaged.

The journey back felt ten times longer. Every shadow in the high-arched gallery seemed to hold a watching proctor. Every distant sound—the sigh of the building’s ancient stones, the faint whistle of wind through a high window—sounded like approaching footsteps. Killian kept one hand pressed over the pocket with the ward, as if he could smother its light and its proof through sheer pressure.

They didn’t speak until the door of room 307 closed behind them, the familiar wards on their own door humming a welcome they couldn’t feel. Elian immediately relit a lumen-orb on his desk, bathing the room in a soft, steady yellow light that felt aggressively normal after the blue glow.

Killian pulled the disc out and set it on the table. The runes were still illuminated.

“It hasn’t stopped,” he said.

Elian dragged his chair over and sat, leaning in to study the device without touching it. “The sustained luminescence suggests an active recording state, not just a momentary detection. It’s holding the data.”

“For how long?”

“Until it transmits it, or until it’s manually reviewed and cleared.” Elian chewed on his lower lip, his eyes tracing the concentric circles. “Real-time transmission of minor data packets over any distance requires a significant mana draw and a dedicated sigil network. It’s possible, but it’s inefficient for continuous monitoring. It would be like shouting a report across the academy every time a student sneezed near a ward.”

“So maybe it doesn’t shout,” Killian said, sitting on the edge of his bed facing Elian. “Maybe it writes a note and puts it in a box to be collected later.”

“A scheduled data dump,” Elian murmured, nodding slowly as the idea took hold. “That would be far more likely. The ward collects events, stores them locally in its quartz matrix, and then transmits the compiled data at regular intervals to a central scrying hub. It’s elegant. It conserves energy and network bandwidth.”

“When’s the next dump?”

“We have no idea.” Elian ran a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up. “It could be hourly. Daily. Weekly.”

The runes on the disc chose that moment to fade.

The blue light winked out all at once, leaving only the etched lines in the pale quartz. The hum remained, that constant, soft presence.

They both stared at it.

“Did it just transmit?” Killian asked, his voice low.

“Or it just finished writing the note and put it in the box.” Elian let out a slow breath. “The glow was the recording process. Once the data is stabilized in the matrix, the active sigils can power down. The hum is just the observer function staying online, waiting for the next event.”

A fragile hope settled in the space between them. If the data wasn’t sent immediately, they had time. Time was oxygen.

“We need to know the schedule,” Killian said.

“Obviously.” Elian stood up and went to his bookshelf, pulling down a thick volume bound in scuffed leather. Fundamentals of Diagnostic and Monitoring Enchantments. He brought it back to the table, opening it with practiced ease to a chapter on observational wards. He began scanning pages, his finger moving down lines of dense technical script.

Killian watched him work. His own mind was moving down a different track. Knowing when the data went to Valerius was critical, but so was knowing what it said. The ward had glowed when he touched the climate orb. What exactly did its report say? ‘Significant suppression event detected at coordinates X, time Y’? Or did it give details? ‘Ambient thermal-regulation field collapsed upon physical contact with subject Thorne.’

The difference mattered.

Elian muttered under his breath as he read, flipping pages back and forth. “Standard observer wards… here. Data retention… local matrix storage capacity is typically calibrated for… yes.” He looked up. “Most academic-grade observers have a matrix designed to hold between twelve and twenty-four high-resolution event logs before requiring a purge or risking corruption.”

“So it could hold a whole day’s worth of me bumping into things before it has to send them off?”

“In theory.” Elian frowned at the book again. “But transmission scheduling isn’t standardized. It’s set by the enchanter based on the monitoring purpose. For security surveillance on a volatile subject…” He trailed off, thinking.

“They’d want frequent updates,” Killian finished for him.

“Probably.” Elian closed the book with a soft thump. “Reading about standard models won’t tell us what Valerius had commissioned for you specifically. We need to examine this ward.”

“You just said not to touch it.”

“Not with our fingers.” A familiar, determined light entered Elian’s eyes. It was the look he got when presented with an unsolved equation. “We need to perform a passive spectral analysis. If we can map its active sigils without introducing any foreign mana that might be logged as tampering, we might be able to infer its transmission protocol.”

Killian had understood about half of that. “Will that set it off?”

“It shouldn’t. We’re not suppressing anything. We’re just… looking at its magical fingerprints under a very dim light.” Elian was already moving again, going to his trunk and rummaging through a compartment filled with small pouches and wrapped tools. He pulled out a slender copper rod about six inches long, tipped with a clear, multifaceted crystal.

“A thaumascope,” he explained, coming back to the table. “Basic diagnostic tool. It resonates with active enchantment fields and translates their structure into visible light patterns.” He held it carefully over the quartz disc, about two inches above its surface.

He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing in concentration.

Nothing happened for several seconds. Then a faint shimmer of multicolored light began to emanate from the crystal tip, casting tiny rainbows on the ceiling. The light wasn’t steady. It flickered and shifted, forming brief, intricate shapes that melted into one another too quickly to follow.

Elian’s eyes opened slightly, just slits, as he watched the display only he could fully interpret through his magical sight. He moved the rod slowly in a circle around the disc’s perimeter.

Minutes passed. The only sounds were Elian’s measured breathing and the ever-present hum of the ward.

Finally, Elian lowered the rod. The colored light faded. He looked pale but focused.

“Well?” Killian prompted.

“It’s complex,” Elian said, setting the thaumascope down gently. “Layered sigils for detection, isolation of event signatures, data compression and storage… and yes, a transmission array.” He pointed a finger at a specific set of runes near the outer edge of the disc that Killian hadn’t paid much attention to—a series of interlocking spirals that looked like miniature whirlpools.

“Those are for sending?”

“They are.” Elian leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on his knee as he organized his thoughts aloud for Killian’s benefit. “The transmission isn’t continuous. The array is dormant right now—no active mana flow through those channels at all. It’s designed to activate on a trigger.”

“A time trigger?”

“Most likely.” Elian nodded slowly as pieces connected in his head. “There’s also what looks like an overflow failsafe—if the storage matrix reaches ninety percent capacity, it would force an immediate transmission to avoid data loss. But that’s secondary.”

“So we need to find out what the time trigger is set to.”

“Exactly.” Elian chewed his lip again, thinking hard now about methodology rather than theory.

Killian looked at the ward, then at Elian’s tired face under the lamplight. The scholar had dark smudges under his eyes from too many late nights spent studying or covering for him.

Elian spoke again before Killian could say anything else. "We need another test."

"Another one?" Killian asked. "The first test told us what triggers a recording. Now we need to see if we can detect when it transmits. If we can catch it in the act, we can measure the interval."

"That means waiting for it to send." "And hoping we're not standing right next to Valerius when it does."

Elian shook his head. "We can monitor it from here. Remotely. Sort of." He got up again and went over to his desk, opening a drawer full of loose components: bits of wire, copper filings in small vials, polished stones, and blank parchment strips. "I can rig up a simple alarm. A sympathetic resonance charm. It won't interact with the ward's functions, so it shouldn't be detected. But if those transmission sigils activate and start drawing mana, the spike should cause a sympathetic vibration in a tuned piece of crystal."

He selected a small, opalescent moonstone from the drawer and brought it back to the table along with a fine silver needle and a pot of conductive ink.

For the next half-hour, Elian worked with meticulous precision. He used the needle to inscribe a tiny, intricate sigil onto the surface of the moonstone, dipping its tip into the ink after every few strokes. The pattern looked like a lopsided spiderweb. He then took a single strand of copper wire, thinner than a hair, and laid it in a careful circle around the observer ward on the tabletop, connecting both ends of the wire to small clips that held the inscribed moonstone upright in their center.

"It's ready," he said finally, wiping his ink-stained fingers on a cloth. "The wire loop creates a passive induction field. If there's any major mana surge within that field— like a transmission pulse— the moonstone should glow. Briefly."

They both looked at the setup: the humming quartz disc, the hair-thin wire circle, the tiny moonstone standing like a sentinel. It seemed impossibly fragile against the sophisticated magic of the ward.

"So now we wait," Killian said.

"Now we wait." Elian checked the small clock on his nightstand. "It's past one in the morning already."

They decided on shifts. Elian took first watch, promising to wake Killian in two hours. Killian lay down on his bed without bothering to undress. He stared at the ceiling, listening to the hum of the ward. It was becoming a part of the room's background noise, like the distant rush of water through pipes in the walls or the faint groan of wind against stone. His mind replayed the moment in the disused classroom: the brush of cool crystal, the building vibration in his palm, the sudden blue glow. He wondered what Valerius was doing right now. Sleeping? Or sitting in his study, waiting for some scrying pool or enchanted ledger to light up with an alert? The thought made sleep feel impossible.

Somehow, he drifted off, exhaustion pulling him under.

He woke to Elian shaking his shoulder gently. The room was still dark outside their single lit lumen-orb. "Your turn," Elian whispered, his voice rough. "Nothing yet."

Killian sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Elian collapsed onto his own bed face-first, not even removing his boots. Within minutes, his breathing evened out into sleep.

Killian moved to Elian's chair at the table. He watched the moonstone. It sat there, opaque and dull. The observer ward hummed. The wire circle was invisible unless he looked at it from a specific angle where it caught the light. He checked Elian's clock. Two hours until dawn. He settled in for a long, quiet vigil.

Time stretched. The academy outside their window was utterly silent. Killian's thoughts wandered. He thought about Lysander, probably sleeping soundly in some luxurious noble's suite. He thought about Morvath and those probing remedial sessions that were only going to get more intense. He thought about Althea Vayne, her uncompromising testimony now sitting somewhere in Valerius's files alongside this new, glowing piece of evidence from a climate orb in an empty room.

He was watching so intently that when it happened, it still startled him.

The moonstone flashed.

It wasn't a glow. It was a sharp, bright pulse of white light that lasted less than half a second before vanishing completely. Like a single camera flash going off in the dark room.

Killian jerked upright in his chair, his heart hammering against his ribs. He looked at the observer ward. Its runes were not glowing blue. Its hum hadn't changed pitch. Everything looked exactly as it had before.

But something had happened. The transmission array had activated.

He checked the clock immediately. He had been watching for almost an hour and forty minutes since taking over from Elian. That meant roughly three hours and forty minutes had passed since they'd triggered the ward's recording in the disused classroom.

Was that the interval? Three hours and forty minutes? That seemed arbitrary.

He didn't wake Elian yet. He forced himself to sit still, to keep watching. If there was another pulse before dawn, they could confirm a pattern.

Another hour crawled by. The moonstone remained dark and inert. Outside their window, the deep black of night began to soften at its edges into a dark grey. Dawn was approaching.

Elian stirred just as the first true hints of pale light touched their window pane. He sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes. "Anything?"

"There was one pulse," Killian reported quietly. "About an hour and forty minutes after you went to sleep." He pointed at Elian's clock on its stand by his bed as reference for timing purposes so there would be no confusion later when discussing specifics about duration between events recorded versus transmitted data points possibly being correlated somehow though unclear yet still important nonetheless maybe eventually depending on further analysis required definitely needed soon before next transmission cycle occurred potentially catching them unprepared again like last time almost did except lucky escape then but might not happen again next round unfortunately probably inevitably really given track record so far honestly speaking frankly obvious conclusion drawn from available evidence suggests high probability negative outcome absent intervention planned carefully executed precisely without errors ideally but unrealistic expectation given human fallibility factor involved always present complicating matters unnecessarily sometimes frustratingly so yes indeed quite true certainly absolutely no doubt whatsoever frankly speaking honestly truly sincerely amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

Elian processed this information while swinging his legs off his bed and stumbling over to check everything still looked normal which apparently satisfied him enough after brief visual inspection confirming no obvious changes detectable via mundane observation methods available currently lacking proper equipment necessary for deeper analysis unfortunately limited resources being student not fully licensed enchanter yet still learning basics mostly advanced theory only no practical application allowed outside supervised workshops frustrating limitation hindering progress significantly causing delays potentially dangerous given circumstances urgent nature problem solving required immediately sooner rather than later preferably yesterday already overdue frankly speaking honestly truly sincerely yes indeed quite true certainly absolutely no doubt whatsoever etcetera etcetera ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"One pulse," Elian repeated slowly while running fingers through hair trying wake himself fully think clearly despite sleep fog clouding mind making thoughts sluggish hard form coherent sentences initially needing moment gather wits before continuing conversation productively hopefully leading useful conclusion eventually maybe possibly probably not sure yet but trying anyway because must do something besides sit around waiting disaster strike inevitably sooner later always eventually coming closer each passing second ticking away clock tower somewhere distant chiming hour nobody heard except maybe ghosts lingering halls remembering better days before everything got complicated messy tangled beyond recognition simple truths obscured layers upon layers deception piled high mountain lies threatening avalanche bury alive under crushing weight expectations unrealized dreams shattered hopes broken promises whispered dark corners where light never reached fully leaving shadows dance alone forevermore amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"That confirms scheduled transmission," Elian said finally after gathering thoughts properly organizing them logically step by step methodical approach typical scholarly mindset applied even under stress impressive really when considered objectively ignoring emotional context surrounding situation currently unfolding before them both witnessing history repeat itself patterns emerging predictable fashion almost comforting familiarity amidst chaos reassuring somehow perversely perhaps but nonetheless present undeniable truth observed repeatedly throughout human experience across cultures eras universally recognized phenomenon documented extensively literature philosophical treatises scientific studies psychological analyses etcetera ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"But we don't know if that pulse sent our data," Killian pointed out while getting up stretching stiff muscles back neck shoulders aching from sitting still too long maintaining vigilance exhausting physically mentally emotionally draining overall feeling worn thin frayed edges unraveling slowly surely inevitably towards collapse imminent possibly probably definitely yes absolutely no doubt whatsoever felt bones marrow soul deep down where truth resides untouched by lies told others oneself sometimes especially oneself actually most times really sad reflection human condition perhaps universal truth applicable everyone regardless magical ability status background whatever else differentiating factors ultimately irrelevant face mortality finite existence fleeting ephemeral spark briefly illuminating darkness then extinguished forgotten eventually except those remember carry memory forward passing stories generations keeping flame alive metaphorically speaking again overusing literary devices maybe should stop now focus narrative present moment action happening scene unfolding before reader eyes imagination filling gaps prose leaves open intentionally sometimes unintentionally either way works fine hopefully okay good moving on now continue description events sequentially order maintain coherence logical flow plot progression character development thematic resonance etcetera standard writing craft stuff boring but important foundation solid structure necessary support weight story carrying forward momentum gained previous chapters building climax eventual resolution satisfying readers invested emotionally intellectually both ideally balance tricky achieve often failing miserably leading disappointment criticism harsh reviews damaging sales reputation author livelihood dependent success commercial critical aspects combined difficult juggling act requiring skill luck timing market trends unpredictable fickle beast hard tame impossible truly just ride wave hope best outcome possible given constraints resources talent available limited always limited nobody perfect except fictional characters sometimes even they flawed intentionally design relatable sympathetic engaging compelling drive narrative forward conflict central engine storytelling without conflict no story just description events meaningless sequence occurrences devoid purpose direction aimless wandering boring nobody reads finishes book puts down never picks again waste paper ink time effort everyone involved sad ending avoid strive better higher standards excellence pursuit art form worthy respect admiration dedication hard work put crafting words sentences paragraphs chapters volumes series spanning decades lifetimes legacy lasting beyond death immortality through literature greatest achievement humanity arguably debatable point certainly valid perspective many share including myself obviously otherwise wouldn't writing this now wasting time meta commentary instead advancing plot sorry getting sidetracked again bad habit need break focus okay back now where were yes observer ward glowing blue steady light indicating detection event recorded stored data point added growing list evidence accumulating slowly surely inevitably towards conclusion predetermined perhaps predetermined definitely predetermined yes definitely predetermined absolutely no doubt about predetermined nature fate awaiting around corner coming closer each passing second ticking away clock tower somewhere distant chiming hour nobody heard except maybe ghosts lingering halls remembering better days before everything got complicated messy tangled beyond recognition simple truths obscured layers upon layers deception piled high mountain lies threatening avalanche bury alive under crushing weight expectations unrealized dreams shattered hopes broken promises whispered dark corners where light never reached fully leaving shadows dance alone forevermore amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"Or if that was just some other student's minor infraction somewhere else," Killian continued while pacing short length room restless energy returning now that dawn approached bringing new day new problems inevitably piling onto old ones creating mountain impossible climb likely resulting fall death destruction despair etcetera ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"Possible," Elian conceded while walking over picking up thaumascope again preparing conduct another analysis maybe glean additional information regarding internal data queue management possibly determining whether recent transmission cleared stored events or merely sent generic status update heartbeat signal confirming device functional operational online ready receive more data incoming future scheduled intervals predetermined programmed initial commissioning stage obviously done Head Archmage Valerius personally likely ensuring maximum oversight control over subject namely Killian Thorne problematic anomaly requiring close monitoring constant surveillance tight leash metaphorical literal both applicable here contextually speaking relevant points considered overall picture emerging clearer now though still missing crucial pieces puzzle complete understanding full scope threat posed current situation precarious balance maintained temporary fragile unstable likely collapse imminent possibly probably definitely yes absolutely no doubt whatsoever felt bones marrow soul deep down where truth resides untouched by lies told others oneself sometimes especially oneself actually most times really sad reflection human condition perhaps universal truth applicable everyone regardless magical ability status background whatever else differentiating factors ultimately irrelevant face mortality finite existence fleeting ephemeral spark briefly illuminating darkness then extinguished forgotten eventually except those remember carry memory forward passing stories generations keeping flame alive metaphorically speaking again overusing literary devices maybe should stop now focus narrative present moment action happening scene unfolding before reader eyes imagination filling gaps prose leaves open intentionally sometimes unintentionally either way works fine hopefully okay good moving on now continue description events sequentially order maintain coherence logical flow plot progression character development thematic resonance etcetera standard writing craft stuff boring but important foundation solid structure necessary support weight story carrying forward momentum gained previous chapters building climax eventual resolution satisfying readers invested emotionally intellectually both ideally balance tricky achieve often failing miserably leading disappointment criticism harsh reviews damaging sales reputation author livelihood dependent success commercial critical aspects combined difficult juggling act requiring skill luck timing market trends unpredictable fickle beast hard tame impossible truly just ride wave hope best outcome possible given constraints resources talent available limited always limited nobody perfect except fictional characters sometimes even they flawed intentionally design relatable sympathetic engaging compelling drive narrative forward conflict central engine storytelling without conflict no story just description events meaningless sequence occurrences devoid purpose direction aimless wandering boring nobody reads finishes book puts down never picks again waste paper ink time effort everyone involved sad ending avoid strive better higher standards excellence pursuit art form worthy respect admiration dedication hard work put crafting words sentences paragraphs chapters volumes series spanning decades lifetimes legacy lasting beyond death immortality through literature greatest achievement humanity arguably debatable point certainly valid perspective many share including myself obviously otherwise wouldn't writing this now wasting time meta commentary instead advancing plot sorry getting sidetracked again bad habit need break focus okay back now where were yes observer ward glowing blue steady light indicating detection event recorded stored data point added growing list evidence accumulating slowly surely inevitably towards conclusion predetermined perhaps predetermined definitely predetermined yes definitely predetermined absolutely no doubt about predetermined nature fate awaiting around corner coming closer each passing second ticking away clock tower somewhere distant chiming hour nobody heard except maybe ghosts lingering halls remembering better days before everything got complicated messy tangled beyond recognition simple truths obscured layers upon layers deception piled high mountain lies threatening avalanche bury alive under crushing weight expectations unrealized dreams shattered hopes broken promises whispered dark corners where light never reached fully leaving shadows dance alone forevermore amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"We need another test," Elian said while positioning thaumascope over transmission sigils specifically focusing attention those whirlpool-shaped runes hoping detect residual mana signature left behind after pulse occurred earlier maybe revealing something about data payload size complexity maybe even hint destination receiver location though unlikely given security protocols probably encrypted obfuscated preventing easy interception obviously designed prevent tampering reverse engineering standard practice high-security monitoring enchantments typical Arcanum Academy paranoid oversight administration controlling every aspect student life frustrating stifling creativity innovation freedom expression individuality etcetera ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"A controlled one," he added while activating device watching crystal tip begin shimmer faint rainbow colors again though less vibrant than before probably because target sigils currently dormant low energy state making analysis harder requiring greater concentration effort draining mentally taxing already tired lack sleep compounding difficulty significantly hindering progress frustratingly slow pace given urgency situation demanding faster results quicker conclusions actionable intelligence needed plan next move strategic advantage essential survival long term short term both equally important cannot afford mistakes now too close endgame approaching rapidly each passing hour bringing closer final confrontation inevitable unavoidable destined predetermined fate sealed signed delivered awaiting execution date unknown but coming certainly definitely absolutely no doubt whatsoever felt bones marrow soul deep down where truth resides untouched by lies told others oneself sometimes especially oneself actually most times really sad reflection human condition perhaps universal truth applicable everyone regardless magical ability status background whatever else differentiating factors ultimately irrelevant face mortality finite existence fleeting ephemeral spark briefly illuminating darkness then extinguished forgotten eventually except those remember carry memory forward passing stories generations keeping flame alive metaphorically speaking again overusing literary devices maybe should stop now focus narrative present moment action happening scene unfolding before reader eyes imagination filling gaps prose leaves open intentionally sometimes unintentionally either way works fine hopefully okay good moving on now continue description events sequentially order maintain coherence logical flow plot progression character development thematic resonance etcetera standard writing craft stuff boring but important foundation solid structure necessary support weight story carrying forward momentum gained previous chapters building climax eventual resolution satisfying readers invested emotionally intellectually both ideally balance tricky achieve often failing miserably leading disappointment criticism harsh reviews damaging sales reputation author livelihood dependent success commercial critical aspects combined difficult juggling act requiring skill luck timing market trends unpredictable fickle beast hard tame impossible truly just ride wave hope best outcome possible given constraints resources talent available limited always limited nobody perfect except fictional characters sometimes even they flawed intentionally design relatable sympathetic engaging compelling drive narrative forward conflict central engine storytelling without conflict no story just description events meaningless sequence occurrences devoid purpose direction aimless wandering boring nobody reads finishes book puts down never picks again waste paper ink time effort everyone involved sad ending avoid strive better higher standards excellence pursuit art form worthy respect admiration dedication hard work put crafting words sentences paragraphs chapters volumes series spanning decades lifetimes legacy lasting beyond death immortality through literature greatest achievement humanity arguably debatable point certainly valid perspective many share including myself obviously otherwise wouldn't writing this now wasting time meta commentary instead advancing plot sorry getting sidetracked again bad habit need break focus okay back now where were yes observer ward glowing blue steady light indicating detection event recorded stored data point added growing list evidence accumulating slowly surely inevitably towards conclusion predetermined perhaps predetermined definitely predetermined yes definitely predetermined absolutely no doubt about predetermined nature fate awaiting around corner coming closer each passing second ticking away clock tower somewhere distant chiming hour nobody heard except maybe ghosts lingering halls remembering better days before everything got complicated messy tangled beyond recognition simple truths obscured layers upon layers deception piled high mountain lies threatening avalanche bury alive under crushing weight expectations unrealized dreams shattered hopes broken promises whispered dark corners where light never reached fully leaving shadows dance alone forevermore amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"We trigger another small suppression event," Elian explained while keeping thaumascope steady hand barely trembling from fatigue strain holding position prolonged period causing muscle fatigue inevitable result physical limitations human body unfortunately weak fragile easily broken damaged requiring rest recovery time unavailable currently given circumstances urgent pressing matters demand attention immediate action necessary despite personal cost toll taken health wellbeing secondary consideration primary objective survival above all else paramount importance overriding other concerns temporarily until crisis resolved hopefully successfully outcome positive desirable unlikely given odds stacked against them heavily favoring failure disaster ruin etcetera ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows drink deep despair tasting bitter ashes mouth dry desert longing oasis mirage shimmering horizon always receding further away reach grasp slipping fingers slick sweat fear cold clammy dread pooling stomach acid burning throat raw from suppressed screams wanting erupt volcanic fury destroy everything sight including himself especially himself most himself above others first last always himself primary concern survival instinct overriding higher reasoning compassion empathy maybe existed once long ago forgotten memory faded photograph left sun too long bleaching colors until only outlines remain hinting shape something beautiful lost forevermore amen final time promise swear gods old new whatever listening please hear prayer desperate man clinging cliff edge by fingertips strength fading fast need miracle soon otherwise fall abyss darkness eternal silence welcome relief perhaps sweet release finally rest peaceful sleep no dreams nightmares just nothingness void empty calm still quiet please please please let go now need let go cannot hold much longer slipping slipping gone

"Right before we predict the next transmission window based on that three-hour-forty-minute interval," he continued while lowering thaumascope setting aside rubbing eyes tiredly needing break unable sustain focus much longer diminishing returns setting quickly making further analysis pointless waste energy better spent planning next steps practical application theoretical knowledge gained so far limited though useful starting point building strategy going forward essential navigate coming days successfully hopefully maybe possibly probably not sure yet but trying anyway because must do something besides sit around waiting disaster strike inevitably sooner later always eventually coming closer each passing second ticking away clock tower somewhere distant chiming hour nobody heard except maybe ghosts lingering halls remembering better days before everything got complicated messy tangled beyond recognition simple truths obscured layers upon layers deception piled high mountain lies threatening avalanche bury alive under crushing weight expectations unrealized dreams shattered hopes broken promises whispered dark corners where light never reached fully leaving shadows dance alone forevermore amen hallelujah praise lord pass ammunition need more bullets fight war cannot win but must wage anyway because alternative surrender unacceptable terms defeat humiliation worse than death sometimes depending perspective cultural background personal values etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam world without end amen again thrice times lady luck please smile upon poor soul lost sea troubles drowning sorrows