My eyes lit up so fast I'm pretty sure they could've qualified as low-grade energy stones themselves.
This had to be them. The energy stones. My glorious, shiny, financially liberating babies.
"—pen… Open! Agatha! Open!" I barked—well, not barked, because I have dignity—but I definitely did an excited little circle around the box like an over-caffeinated house pet who just heard the word treat.
Agatha, who had the patience of a saint and the reflexes of a seasoned assassin, reached into her apron and pulled out a knife from absolutely nowhere.
I blinked. 'Where did she get that?'
Does she keep weapons in her apron pockets? Is there a hidden armory stitched into her uniform? Is there a spatial storage enchantment in there? Should I be concerned?
Before I could spiral into that mystery, she sliced the tape cleanly down the center. Not even a dramatic rip—just one smooth, professional motion.
The lid creaked open as I practically shoved my face inside.
There they were.
