Ludwig looked up.
"I spent half an hour making that."
"Yes."
"After a week of failing."
"I remember. I was here."
Ludwig turned toward the communication crystal.
"Anything to add?"
Van Dijk regarded the bead, then him.
"Do you want applause?"
"At this point, I'd accept a convincing nod."
"You'll survive the disappointment."
Ludwig put the crystal down beside Kaiser's. His was larger, uneven, and apparently unworthy of basic encouragement, but it remained on the table. Neither of them could complain it into disappearing.
Kaiser had already returned his attention to the next part of the experiment.
"Now we introduce Authority."
Ludwig's hand paused above the bead.
"Already? I've made one."
"And you understand how you made it. Wrath is your strongest and most recognizable Authority. We will begin there."
"You want me to put Wrath into the Mana while it condenses."
