The golden haze of the Royal Communication Node in the center of the laboratory began to thicken, coalescing into a majestic figure. Although it was a hologram, Queen Xylaria’s presence immediately filled the sterile room with a comforting warmth. Her aura radiated absolute serenity—the kind only a mother can possess when she sees her children safe within the sanctuary of Aethergard.

  Xylaria looked around the lab, her gaze softening as she saw her children gathered together. "I am glad to see you all," she said with a kind smile that instantly dissolved the last remnants of tension following Kaelis’s outburst. "Though, judging by the crystalline dust on the floor, I imagine you tested Anaris’s latest innovation quite... thoroughly."

  She turned her gaze toward Anaris. "Tell me then, daughter. I want to hear it directly from you. What is this new project of yours that has inflamed your brothers’ tempers and so terrified Eronis?"

  Anaris cleared her throat and, with renewed energy, began to explain the principle of the NANO-CRYSTAL lattice. She spoke of how the grid could stabilize and streamline the flow of Ether for the common citizens of Silvarie, the massive energy savings in civilian sectors, and how this technology could relieve the overburdened Core as the next phase of expansion drew near.

  Xylaria listened intently, her fingers moving slightly in the air as if she were mentally scrolling through invisible diplomatic protocols.

  "Interesting," the Queen began, her fingers tracing glowing symbols in the air, representing the foundational Seats of Sylvaria. "Let us analyze who would jump at such an opportunity. The selection is narrower than you think."

  She swiped her hand, dismissing the first symbol. "House Aethelgard, the Seat of Etheric Architecture? No. They shape crystals directly through the power of their Cores into solid matter. Your delicate grid holds no meaning for them; they work with monumental stability, not minor flow efficiency. To them, architecture is an expression of will, not a conservation of data."

  She moved to the next. "House Aura Symphony, Eronis’s own kin. They manage the global network and synchronize billions of souls. They would view your invention as a toy for local use, while they handle the energy stability of the entire planet. They are too consumed by the macro-scale to concern themselves with the efficiency of a single household."

  "House Auraglow?" She shook her head. "They are connected directly to the Golden Core. Their task is to ensure the pure flow of raw energy. To them, your grid is too far from the source—too 'superficial.' They are the river; you are offering them a drinking cup."

  "House Vitalcryst, guardians of Biogenesis? Unless your technology directly aids in shaping the life force for new generations during the 30-year cycles, they will view it only as a technical curiosity. To them, life is a sacred process, not a circuit optimization."

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  "House Omniviz, the Keepers of Archives? They would only store your project as another energy imprint in history. They archive knowledge, they do not apply it. House Ion-Shield? They are obsessed with densifying Ether into impenetrable walls. Your grid is too fragile for them; they would see it as a weakness in their electromagnetic shell. And House Ferallink... they rule through organic bonds with fauna. A mechanical grid is an abomination to their philosophy."

  Xylaria gradually, with surgical precision, ruled out seven pillars of civilization until only the last remained. Her eyes met Lyrahel’s, who offered a knowing nod.

  "Eronis is right about one thing," Xylaria continued calmly, the final symbol glowing brightly in the hologram. "House Stardrift, the Seat of Etheric Navigation. They are visionaries who study the currents of Ether in the cosmos. Their management of civilian flows in the sectors is becoming increasingly chaotic as traffic increases. This would anchor them."

  She paused, a natural queenly certainty in her voice. "Let us be clear—I do not need this deal. I can handle Stardrift even without your grids, Anaris. A favor from them is good currency, but nothing I couldn't secure by other means."

  The Queen smiled again, her expression turning very personal as she looked at Anaris. "However, the Academy needs resources to remain independent of the Council's political pressures. If you need to throw this bone to Stardrift to ensure sponsorship and peace for your students... then you have my permission. Market it to them as a revolution. At least we will have our own leverage among the navigators."

  At that moment, Sinthia emerged from the shadows of the lab. Her aura was the color of liquid gold, and a dangerous intelligence sparked in her eyes. She walked toward Anaris, casually inspecting one of the remaining crystalline samples.

  "Permission is one thing, little sister," Sinthia began in a honeyed voice, "but the art of selling it so that Stardrift begs you for more is another. If you go there alone with your graphs and scientific zeal, they’ll give you a few grains of quartz, pat you on the back, and send you on your way. Those navigators are ancient misers."

  Anaris raised an eyebrow. "And what do you suggest? Do you want to be my escort?"

  Sinthia smirked mischievously. "I suggest a symbiotic arrangement. I will help you with the negotiations. We will scrape a few hundred thousand more Credits out of them than you ever hoped for. I’ll ensure the sponsorship for the Academy isn't just a one-time gift, but a lifetime annuity. And in return..."

  Sinthia paused for a moment, her smile growing even more predatory, "...I’ll secure certain political leverage within their Council of Elders. They possess navigation charts of the outer sectors that might be useful for my future diplomatic... missions."

  Anaris looked at her Mother, who watched with amused detachment as her daughters began to haggle over the spoils like true heirs to the throne. Then she looked at Sinthia. She knew her sister wouldn't miss an opportunity to "stock her larder" for future intrigues, but she also knew no one could squeeze House Stardrift better.

  "Fine, Sinthia. You're my partner for this venture. But remember—the priority is the crystalline core for the Academy’s East Wing," Anaris said, extending her hand to her sister.

  "Of course, darling," Sinthia purred, taking her hand. "The East Wing will shine so brightly it’ll be seen from the moon Lumina. And Stardrift will thank us for the privilege."

  Anaris grinned triumphantly at Aurelion, who merely rolled his eyes in disgust at the diplomatic horse-trading. "Did you hear that, brother? A toy it may be, but with our sister's help, it’s going to pay for a whole new future for the Academy."