Across from me, Coffi stood straight-backed, quill moving quickly across parchment as she took notes. Gone was the terrified girl I'd first met. In her place stood a competent, sharp-eyed assistant in a tailored dress, hair tied neatly, eyes bright with purpose.
"My lady," she said, glancing up, "if this teleportation circle works… Agro will be the only territory capable of traveling such long distance travel in seconds."
"I know," I replied, rubbing my temples. "That's why we're building our own magic tower. Because I refuse to spend another seven days on a horse questioning my life choices."
She snorted—then caught herself and coughed politely.
Outside, the garden buzzed with activity. Workers passed carrying crates of finished soap bars. A gardener argued with a mage about enchanted roses. Somewhere, someone laughed loud enough to echo.
"This is… revolutionary," Coffi continued. "Days of travel reduced to seconds. Trade, diplomacy, emergency response—everything changes."
