The faint hum of the generator filled the mansion halls, and moonlight streamed through the large glass windows, casting pale silver across the floor. Alvin sat cross-legged on the carpet, parchment papers spread before him in neat rows, covered in notes and sketches.
Across from him, Xavier leaned on the edge of the bed, twirling a pen between his fingers and glancing at the plans. "You really think we can get the wall up before next month?" he asked, his tone casual but his expression sharp.
"If we had enough mana users to reinforce the foundation, yes," Alvin replied, tapping the schematic. "But since most of the survivors can't use magic, we'll have to rely on manpower and physical barriers."
Xavier chuckled. "You make it sound so simple."
Alvin's lips curved slightly. "It's not. But I've dealt with worse."
They were deep in discussion, debating resource allocation, work shifts, and mana-conductive stone patterns, when a soft, hesitant knock echoed from the door.
