The morning after the academy partnership's first breakthrough felt different somehow—like the air itself carried new possibilities.
Ethan stood on a hillside overlooking the second Light Guardian facility site, watching workers transform what had been a forgotten mountain monastery into something that would soon house the most advanced formation research on the continent.
Unlike the forge's calculated urgency or the academy's careful diplomacy, this felt like building a dream into reality.
"The location's perfect," Eyra said, her usual efficiency softened by something that might have been excitement.
"Ancient spiritual formations already woven into the mountain's bones, natural energy flows that enhance rather than fight formation work, and isolation that lets us work without curious neighbors."
