The Arcane Research Institute
It was here, far from the prying eyes of the public, that Emperor Alberto had authorized his most ambitious project: the creation of artificial mages. If this is successful, ordinary people will also be able to gain magical powers.
The doors to one of the more secure wings of the institute opened with a quiet hiss. Inside, a harsh fluorescent light illuminated the cold metal surfaces of workstations. A lab technician, glanced up from his monitor, nodding briefly to Circe, who entered, her heels echoing sharply in the silence.
"Is everything prepared?" Circe's voice was sharp and commanding as she surveyed the room.
"Everything is ready, Chief," replied the technician, his fingers hovering nervously over the keyboard. "We've secured twenty subjects for the experiment—slaves from Britannia, as you ordered. The most promising ones have been prepped and placed in the holding cells. The others are in varying stages of readiness."
