Klaus looked toward the doorway where Francisco stood and asked with a curious frown,"Who are you looking for? Classes begin on the fifteenth, so you can't be a new student. And I don't remember seeing you before."
Francisco glanced around the workshop—scattered parts everywhere, unfinished machines, and even a small forge in the back where metal components were being shaped. Then he answered politely,"My name is Francisco Gómez. I am a new student in Natural Philosophy, but I'm not here for class. I came because the director—"
Klaus raised an eyebrow. The boy's neat appearance, fine clothes with traces of silk, and the cross around his neck told him he was wealthy and, despite the German-looking features, likely from a Catholic country—probably Spain.
Speaking more cautiously now, he asked,"Are you that Francisco? The one they say is General Krüger's son?"
Francisco blinked in surprise."You know who I am? Or… have we met before?"
