In Archmagus Sterling’s private observatory, ancient grimoires were stacked from floor to ceiling. Sterling placed an ancient black obelisk on the table—a relic retrieved from the Abyssal Trenches that no imperial scholar had been able to decipher for six centuries.

“Solve the cipher on this monolith, Derek,” Sterling said gravely. “The Emperor's court believes it is a curse. What do you see?”

Derek leaned close, tracing the geometric grooves etched into the dark alloy. His lips curled into an incredulous grin. “It’s not a curse, Archmagus. It’s an electromagnetic blueprint for an atmospheric energy shield.”

He tapped four coordinates along the circumference. A humming dome of golden force resonated into existence, neutralizing the surrounding gravity and lifting every piece of furniture in the room three feet into the air. The era of blind superstition in Mogar had officially ended.