"I have a matter," Marian Caplan, a Water mage like most of her family, spoke up. "The Fontane family has asked if we could look into who has been spreading the fake rumors of their supposed advance spatial artifacts."

"Supposed rumors," Headmaster Colon remarked with a laugh. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I have personally bought one of their spatial artifacts and I can say they have indeed made advances in spatial artifact creation."

"I believe one of the conditions of any sale is secrecy," Mage Caplan said pointedly to Headmaster Colon.

"Yes, well, since the secret is already out, I consider that agreement voided."

"Be that as it may, the Fontane family is being inundated with demands for new spatial artifacts and even if they could supply everyone, not everyone can afford the price. With that said, they have requested the Assembly to instruct their families and any factions they control to lift the pressure."

"Do they have any other requests of this Assembly?" Mage Harris asked, sounding bored.

"Only that we punish the one responsible for spreading the rumors, which they believe to be Mage Wells."

"On what grounds do they accuse Mage Wells?"

"A few weeks after his… acquisition of two of the Fontane family rings the rumors began to spread."

"A mere coincidence," Headmaster Sorin said. "The rings Mage Wells acquired through Justified Combat were ordinary spatial artifacts. The Justiciar examined them, and I recently purchased them from him. They only have a 3 cubic meter storage area."

"You did?" Marian Caplan questioned.

"Yes, I somewhat foolishly believed the rumors that the Fontane spatial artifacts had been improved, so when Mage Wells finally decided to sell his, I bought them up quickly."

"Why do you think he was selling?" asked Mage Strand.

"Likely to be rid of anyone hoping to take them from him after he leaves the safety of Silver Spire."

"And you happened to pay a premium for his rings because you believed the rumors. And now, it turns out the rumors are true, but not for the rings you bought," Mage Strand laughed.

"Yes, well, be that as it may, Damion's rings were of typical spatial artifact quality. Since he did not have access to the newer versions of the Fontane family artifacts, it is unlikely he started the rumors."

"I concur with Headmaster Sorin's assessment," Mage Harris said. "Are there any other matters to be addressed?"

"Since Mage Caplan brought up the issue of spatial artifacts, I feel now is the perfect time to share some exciting new," Mage Fletcher said cheerfully. "My son and his apprentice have made a remarkable advancement in spatial artifact creation."

"Is that so," Mage Spurlock perked up when he heard that news. "How significant will this advancement be compared to the Fontane family's artifacts?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"While I have not had the opportunity to examine an artifact from the Fontane family. I believe their new artifacts can hold between 20 and 50 cubic meters."

"You err on the side of caution my dear," Headmaster Colon quipped. "The best I have heard them do is 25."

"Well, I am pleased to announce that with the aid of my son's research, I am now able to craft spatial artifacts with a storage space of 200 cubic meters."

After Mage Fletcher announced her achievement, the entire assembly was silent. Advancing an artifact by such a level was no easy feat. Mage Caplan might have tried to playdown the achievement if it was slightly better than the Fontanes, perhaps even claim the Spatial mage had copied from others and just used her superior magic power to push the artifact further. But a ten-fold increase, that was not possible just from copying, such an increase meant a breakthrough in the understanding of Nashto and how spatial pockets worked.

"I hope you don't expect us to take your word for it." Mage Caplan finally broke the silence.

"Of course not. I have actually been inspired by Mage Wells' generosity of sharing discoveries and made a spatial artifact for each of you."

Mage Fletcher's declaration made several of the S Ranks in attendance squirm in their seats. Notably, Marian Caplan and Yusef Thorn. The Spatial mage quickly tossed her creations out to her fellow S Ranks that were in attendance.

"For those of you not here today, you are welcome to stop by or send someone you trust to collect yours at your convenience."

"This was very generous of you Mage Fletcher," Mage Harris said, before looking around the assembly. "Perhaps Mage Wells' generosity should rub off on more of you."

The morning after Elicia departed, Damion found himself in a particularly sticky situation. For the last year, she had been his maid, cook, training partner, friend and companion, but now, he was waking up to an empty dormitory.

'Here,' Phil announced through their bond.

'Thanks buddy,' Damion sent back with a smile.

He was not entirely alone, but he still felt he was missing a part of him, and it was awkward. However, now that he was alone, Damion had another difficult decision to make, what was he supposed to do? He knew why she left, but was he supposed to notify someone? Did Mage Teft already handle that?

A knock at his door brought Damion out of his wondering what he should do. Walking over he opened the door to find Professor Moretti standing there.

"Professor?"

"Mage Wells, I was notified that your attendant is missing."

"What, oh, yes, Elicia. She said she was going to the store last night, but she isn't here this morning. I'm worried something may have happened to her."

"Did she take anything of value with her?"

"Nothing that wasn't hers," Damion answered.

"Do you suspect she is the victim of foul play, or is it possible she has abandoned her duty?"

"She would never abandon me. Something must have happened," Damion told Professor Moretti.

"I will alert the Justiciar in Argentum to see if they have any reports of her. In the meantime, would you like the school to provide a temporary attendant?"

"Oh, no that is alright. I can tend to my own meals, and I don't think it would be fair to make someone work for me for just a few weeks."

"Understood."

"Will you let me know if you find out anything?" Damion asked, trying to sound as worried as he could.

"Of course."

After Professor Moretti left, Damion decided it would be best if he skipped his normal training today. Once it was time, he headed out to his classes, his usual shadow missing, but no one seemed to notice Elicia was not there.

"Professor Moretti came by this morning," Damion told Mage Teft when she entered the classroom.

"Yes. I contacted him and told him you had alerted me to Elicia's disappearance."

"Do you think they will find her?"

"Not a chance. Unless of course she does something silly to expose herself."

"Like what?"

"Like contact you."

"Why would that expose her location?"

"Simple. There are plenty of people, such as the Headmaster, who will be able to accurately guess why she fled. They will be monitoring communications in hope that she reaches out to you."

"Why would she do that?"

"To explain. Or apologize. Luckily, she doesn't need to do either. Now, onto our lesson."

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