The merchants' excited chatter still echoed through Bryndis' streets as Lucien stepped into Hangar Two, the cavernous space dominated by the sleek silhouette of the second Skyward Sentinel. The vessel's polished hull gleamed under mana-lights, its anti-gravity runes pulsing with a quiet, ready energy.
Cedric Orlan stood by the starboard thruster, his calloused hands tracing the intricate wind-forged enchantments. The 4th-class magician's brow furrowed in concentration as he double-checked each rune sequence.
"You're late," Cedric grunted without looking up.
Lucien rolled his shoulders, the newly tailored Bryndis engineer's uniform—a deep blue tunic with silver piping—stretching across his back.
"Had to finalize the merchant manifests with Harold. The Baron wants—"
