The stream of questions was unending and relentless. It felt like I was being grilled in an interrogation room rather than a club meeting, but I tried to maintain a cool demeanor, answering their queries to the best of my abilities.

As the room buzzed with excitement and curiosity about me, a smooth but powerful tenor cut through the chatter, silencing the room. "Alright, alright, give the poor guy some space to breathe, will ya?"

The crowd parted, revealing a towering figure pushing his way through. He was a giant of a student, easily a head taller than anyone else in the room.

He was built similarly to my dad — the way someone would be from working with their hands all their life, but chubbier with signs of growing awkwardness all over him. His black, ashen skin contrasted sharply with his shining silver eyes, and his body was accentuated by a fitted t-shirt that seemed to struggle to contain his bulk. His hair was cut neatly into a flat top, adding to his imposing presence.

The room fell into a respectful hush as the boy approached, his presence demanding attention. "Sorry about that, Ikazuchi," he said, offering me a friendly grin and an extended hand. "Name's Spencer. Spencer Williams. Second year student here. You've gotta forgive the others — they get a little too excited and curious sometimes. It's not every day we get someone from Earth joining us, you know?"

I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at his intervention. "Thanks," I replied. I shook his hand, taken aback by his friendly demeanor and grip strength. "And it's Ikki, by the way. My friends call me Ikki, not Ikazuchi."

Spencer nodded, his grin widening. "Got it, my man. Ikki it is. Welcome to the club. We're all looking forward to seeing what you can bring to the table. Why don't I show ya around?" he offered, gesturing for me to follow him. I shot Ena a nod and then followed him, grateful for the reprieve from the barrage of questions.

I followed Spencer as he led me around the bustling lab, introducing me to the various projects club members along the way. I found myself fascinated by their work, each project more complex and impressive than the last. I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around some of them.

We paused in front of a workbench covered in disassembled robotic parts. Spencer leaned against it, crossing his arms over his broad chest, his flat-top shifting as he did. "So, what do ya think so far, Ikki?" he asked, genuine curiosity sparkling in his eyes as he studied me. He was a strange mixture of intimidating and inviting.

"I think this club might be a bit over my head," I admitted with a nervous chuckle, glancing at the intricate components on the workbench. "There's just so much I don't know, so much I have to learn. I'm not sure where I'll fit in here or if I'll ever catch up to you guys."

Spencer nodded thoughtfully, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"It's really not as bad as it looks. At the end of the day, our focus is on gaining practical skills in maintaining, upgrading, and optimizing combat-ready robots for search and rescue missions. These robots are essential in aiding both Magical Girls and the various organizations sponsoring us to defend against magical threats."

He laughed, the sound booming in the busy lab. I couldn't help but feel a little more relaxed around him, his presence somehow making me feel like I could take on anything. He was so much more approachable than the others in the club.

"That's news to me," I muttered under my breath, looking around at the busy club members. Spencer's laughter faded into a warm chuckle.

"Oh, don't get me wrong," he continued, waving his hand dismissively, "There's still a lot to learn and plenty of complex projects to dive into, but the basics are really quite simple if a bit tedious. In other words, most of what we do is hands-on grunt work that you'll get a handle of over time. Even if it's only through a ton of mistakes. The big orgs like Sisyphus outsource their grunt work to elite academies like St. Antonia's or Feynman Tech."

I nodded, taking in his words as I looked around the lab.

"So, if I were you," Spencer continued, leaning in with a conspiratorial twinkle in his silver eyes, "I wouldn't worry about the complex projects too much right away. Focus on the fundamentals and learning from the others around you. You'll pick it up faster than you think. But don't underestimate the complexity of these things either, yeah?"

"I hear you. So, grunt work huh?" I mused, running a finger along the edge of a partially dismantled robot arm.

"It's actually pretty intense stuff, but also incredibly rewarding. Someone's gotta do it, after all!" Spencer explained, his voice filled with pride. "You see, a good chunk of the club also either moonlights as Support Operators for the city's Magitech Defense Force. Either that, or they have ongoing internships in the defense industry."

My eyes widened at his words, my mind trying to process the idea. "So, you guys get to work with real-world applications of robotics?" I asked, excitement creeping into my voice.

"You got it, bud," Spencer confirmed with a nod, his expression serious but filled with pride.

"What exactly are.... Support Operators?" I inquired, intrigued by the unfamiliar term. Spencer's eyes twinkled as he noticed my interest, and he leaned in, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

"See, Ikki, it's not all glamorous heroics out there. Support Operators are like the unseen backbone of the defense force. We're the guys that provide the crucial information and tactical support to Magical Girls, keeping them safe while they're out in the field, facing the real dangers. Guys and gals like us ensure all the tech runs smoothly so the Skirts can do their thing. It's a lot of responsibility, but it's also a chance to make a real difference in protecting our city. Of course, it's an open secret, but it is considered impolite to ask if someone works with them and who, you know?"

I nodded, understanding his words but feeling a tinge of envy. "That's really cool. You get to help in a big way even if you're not on the front lines. But that sounds like a lot of responsibility," I replied, impressed by the level of commitment and skill required to be a part of a Magical Girl's support team.

Spencer chuckled, a hint of pride in his tone. "Yeah, the system was actually set up because of Doctor Rachel Feynman's legendary relationship with the hero of the Third Chaos War — Nezha. I mean, how much of it was true and how much of it is propaganda to keep the Feynman Research Institute in good graces, I'm not sure. It's hard to believe someone can pull off the impossible. Still though, Feynman and Nezha were an amazing duo."

My eyebrows raised as a sudden rush of excitement surged through me. "Elaborate? I'm kinda unfamiliar with all this."

Spencer nodded. "So, the thing is that Skirts are usually pretty young. Like, they usually retire from active combat before they hit thirty-five for a number of reasons including but not limited to drastically reduced chaos corruption resistance, reduced stamina and mobility, and the sheer amount of psychological trauma that comes with the job. It can get pretty insane."

I nodded, listening intently.

"So yeah, it's not an easy job, and they end up seeing some pretty fucked-up shit," Spencer continued, his voice heavy with understanding. "That's why having a support system like the one Babylon set up is crucial. Not only do we provide tactical support, but we're also a lifeline. Friends. We help keep their sanity in check, and in return, they do their best to protect us and everything we hold dear. Not every Skirt chooses to formally form cells with other girls and support teams, but it's the kind of thing that helps everyone."

My brows furrowed as I processed the new information. It made sense when I thought about it, the idea that a Magical Girl would want a reliable team behind them, helping to ensure their safety and success in a high-stress, dangerous environment.

It sounded a lot like a special ops military team, and the idea intrigued me.

"So wait, how do people wind up becoming these Support Operators?" I inquired.

Spencer scratched the back of his head, considering my question.

"Well, that's where things get interesting," he said, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Support Operators have a lot of leeway. I mean, the city's Magitech Defense Force has an entire department that does the same things we do. However, they don't have access to all the classified info we do because they aren't members of an actual cell. It just... kinda actually happens, and usually they're childhood friends of the Magical Girls in questions. Magical Girls get free rides to these elite academies if they want to, and they can also vouch for a friend for a scholarship as well. Provided the friend is academically eligible."

"Interesting," I murmured. "So, is it a matter of personal choice, or are there specific requirements?"

Spencer nodded, his eyes taking on a more thoughtful expression. "There's no real official recruitment process or anything, but there is a lot of networking and referrals from other operators. If someone's looking for an extra pair of eyes, they might reach out to someone they trust. Or, if someone they know shows a talent for a particular area, they might offer a recommendation. You see, we're all a tight-knit group."

"You seem pretty open about all this. I figured it was something people would keep on a down low," I said, my curiosity growing. Spencer let out a low chuckle and shrugged.

"Well, here's the kicker. We may not know who our peers work with, but when a big bad Chaos Event happens, this place is actually one of the city's command and control centers," Spencer said with a hint of pride. "St. Antonia's is a designated staging ground, and we're responsible for coordinating emergency communications with our Skirts in the field and helping with evacuations and other essential functions. That's why the security here is pretty tight, and why there's a whole mess of classified shit hidden away."

"Wait, seriously? Aren't we like, all fifteen to twenty-one-year-olds here?" I asked incredulously. "No offense, but isn't that a little... huge?" My brow furrowed, and I looked around the lab with renewed interest. "Like, actually coordinating with freaking Magical Girls? That sounds like a huge responsibility for a bunch of techies."

"Yeah, no shit. But that's just the way it is. You see, Ikki," Spencer began, "When you're brought in on scholarship to the Robotics Club, there's a certain expectation that you're prepared to handle these responsibilities when shit hits the fan. Even for the two-thirds of the club that don't work directly in a cell. So yeah, there's an unspoken understanding among all of us that what we're doing is serious business."

I leaned against the workbench, nodding in understanding. "And the other third? I take it they have the qualifications and experience to be in the club?"

"Of course. We don't just let anyone waltz in here, no matter how impressive their background might be," Spencer replied. "They've gotta prove themselves and their commitment to the club and the defense force. There are also a ton of Support Operators that aren't 'techies' like you put it, but they usually wind up in the Occult Club or the Martial Science club. For the most part though, we're all just trying to support the Magical Girls who risk their lives for the world."

I looked around the room, suddenly feeling the weight of the expectations resting on all of our shoulders. I took a moment to consider Spencer's words. It was hard to imagine being entrusted with such responsibility at a relatively young age, especially when it came to working alongside a real-life superhero.

"Okay, I get that, but I feel a bit uneasy with how casually everyone talks about it. Isn't that a security risk?" I inquired, glancing around the lab.

Spencer shook his head. "Not really. We're pretty strict about not discussing our work outside of our cell. And even within the club, we keep things need-to-know. So yeah, you're going to see us discussing stuff in broad strokes, but never in any specifics."

As he spoke, he turned and led me further into the lab. I followed, taking in the sight of the club members engrossed in their various projects.

"So, what have you been working on, Spencer?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. He glanced around the lab and then lowered his voice conspiratorially.

"We're actually working on a top-secret project for Sisyphus that you'll get in on as you acclimate. It's been a bit of a challenge, but I think we've finally got a handle on it. It's been one heck of a summer, let me tell you," Spencer said, pride creeping into his voice. "Ena's always been great at getting us big projects to work on since she became prez."

"W-W-Wait. That I'll get in on?" I stammered.

He shrugged. "Doctor Feynman insisted. She saw your dossier, and she's convinced that you'll be perfect for it. I mean, look around you, this isn't a club for slackers. Everyone here is at the top of their game. So if you think you're going to get lost in the shuffle, you'd better think again."

"And you guys have been working on it all summer?" I asked, impressed.

He chuckled and gave me a sly grin. "Oh, yeah. And it's a real beast, too. Supposedly it's one of the most important projects Doctor Feynman herself has been working on. But we've been tearing our hair out over it, and even put it on hold."

He scratched his head and glanced at Ena, who was watching us with interest from her workstation across the massive lab.

"I gotta say, it feels like that project is cursed, though," he added with a hint of concern in his voice.

Spencer's mention of the project being put on hold caught my attention and sparked my interest. "What happened with the group over the summer?" I asked, sensing there was more to the story. "And uh, cursed?"

His expression turned serious for a moment before he sighed. "Let's just say there was a bizarre, unexplainable incident during a routine test run," he explained, his voice tinged with frustration. "It basically shut itself down."

"Er, wouldn't that be a massive problem with Sisyphus then? And why would they hand off a gigantic project off to a bunch of teenagers?" I asked, a bit of frustration seeping into my voice. "Surely you guys are smart, but you'd still be like, the equivalent of a group of sophomores and juniors in an Earth high school."

Spencer's face twisted into a wry smile. "Well, Ikki, it's a little different here on Terra than on Earth. I understand that Earth's history has an established track record of scientists hitting their stride in their late twenties or early thirties," he explained. "However, for some weird reason, when it comes to magitech development, it's almost the exact opposite here. It seems like the most innovative and creative breakthroughs happen when our pioneers are in their late teens and early twenties."

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I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Is that even true?"

"Yup. It's well-established in magitech research that younger minds tend to have an advantage when it comes to handling new breakthroughs," he replied with a chuckle. "It isn't just Sisyphus, too. Other major entities and companies like the Balor Corporation, Kong & Associates, and even the Institute of Historical Sciences come to us with projects. So, it's not just some random anomaly, and the school is more than happy to accommodate these partnerships."

I shook my head in disbelief. "I'm not sure I follow, but I guess it makes sense if the pattern holds up. Why's that so?"

Spencer glanced around the lab. "Well, to be blunt... Magic is a bullshit fickle thing, and kinda flips off what we know about conventional physical sciences sometimes."

"Are rules in Terran magic are different from established natural laws?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "I've read a bit, but education material on magitech is kind of dicey on Earth right now, to say the least."

Spencer chuckled, seemingly amused by my question. "Aw, man. The rules of magic. They're not something we can easily pin down, you know. Do you have some time? I'll have to go through a bit of a lecture on magic and magitech if you want to understand why we get all these projects."

I nodded eagerly, my interest fully captured by Spencer's offer. "Absolutely! I'd love to learn more about the rules of magic in Terra and how they differ from our understanding of natural laws on Earth."

Spencer stretched his arms before looking around the room. He led me to a small corner of the workshop, away from the bustling activity and in front of a whiteboard.

"Alright," he began, leaning forward. "So, on Earth, you guys have a more physics-based focus when it comes to understanding the natural laws governing your world, right? Gravity, electromagnetism, thermodynamics... all that stuff?"

I nodded, recalling all of my science classes. "Yeah, we rely on empirical evidence and experimentation to understand and explain how things work. Randomized controlled trials, the scientific method, peer review. The works."

Spencer grinned before letting out a whistle. "Hoo boy, this should be good. Prepare to have your mind blown, my friend."

He picked up a marker before beginning to scribble on the whiteboard. "Let's start from here, then. Magic in our world is... well... It's fickle. We've been researching it for centuries, but we've come to accept that it's more like a living, breathing force of nature. You've seen some of the shit the Skirts can pull off right? I'm not gonna lie — it's all pretty freakin' awesome, even though some of them get a little ridiculous."

I chuckled at his enthusiasm. "So, magic here isn't some kind of energy field? And that the rules are... fluid? Like, you can't nail down the exact rules, but you can establish principles?"

He laughed. "Kinda. Sooo, lemme start from the beinning. As we understand it on Terra, magic is deeply intertwined with the natural world and the energy that flows through it. It's more fluid and more adaptable than the centuries of physical sciences established on Earth - which is why we were probably half a century to a century behind Earth in science and conventional tech before first contact."

He paused momentarily as if searching for the right words. "The first thing to understand about magitech is that magic itself is alive," he continued. "It responds to emotions, intentions, and connections between individuals and their surroundings. It's almost like a dance. Individually, the more in tune you are with the universe - whether we define it as nature, humanity, rationality, or your own sense of ego, the stronger your brand of magic tends to become."

Spencer drew circles and lines on the whiteboard, illustrating his point. "These circles represent individuals, and the lines connecting them symbolize the flow of magic between them. It's a constant exchange, a give and take. And when you tap into that flow, when you understand the interconnectedness of all things, you can channel that magic into incredible feats."

He paused, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"But here's the thing," he said, leaning closer to me. "There's no one-size-fits-all approach to magic here. Everyone's connection to magic is unique, shaped by their own experiences and perceptions. And their teachers' experiences and perceptions. And their parents and role models — whether biological or adopted. To become a practitioner, it's not always about memorizing spells or following rigid rituals. It's about finding your own rhythm within this symphony of meaning and intention, you know?"

"Okay," I said, nodding along with his words. "I get that. It's a bit confusing, but I think I follow."

I frowned intently, captivated by Spencer's words. The idea that magic was alive and responsive, intertwined with the essence of existence, was like nothing I'd ever encountered on Earth.

"But how do you tap into this flow, then?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. "Is it something that can be learned or is it inherent within certain individuals?"

Spencer grinned, his eyes shining with anticipation. "It's a little bit of both, actually," he replied. "Some people are born with a stronger connection to magic, making it easier to tap into the flow. But that doesn't mean others can't learn. However, wrapping your head around a magical discipline usually requires a higher order of thinking and a deep understanding of yourself. It just... isn't worth it for most people to put in the effort. But for the crazy folks willing to dive deep into the mysteries of magic, it can be an incredibly rewarding journey."

I scratched my chin as I absorbed Spencer's words. The concept of magic being alive and responsive to emotions and connections was pretty difficult to wrap my head around.

"The rules of magic really do get bizarre, though," Spencer continued a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "In fact, I touched upon it a bit higher; more nebulous concepts such as belief, collective emotion, and legacy even seem to play a crucial role — which is why these old rituals and spells work. Often with conflicting and contradicting religious roots."

Legacy?

That word lingered in the air, leaving a hint of mystery behind. I leaned in closer, captivated by Spencer's explanation.

"Legacy?" I repeated softly.

Spencer nodded, a solemn expression crossing his face. "Yes, legacy," he said, his voice filled with reverence. "It's the idea that the actions and achievements of our predecessors echo through time and can influence the flow of magic. Just as the natural world evolves and adapts, so too does magic. It carries fragments of the past, the knowledge, memories, and power accumulated by those who came before us."

He gestured to the whiteboard again, adding more lines and symbols. "Imagine these connections not only extending to individuals but also reaching back and forward in time," he explained. "Through a an imaginary manifold, even. The legacies of ancient mages, legendary heroes, and even forgotten civilizations can still resonate within the fabric of magic today. It's like their presence lingers in the currents of energy, waiting to be harnessed by those who are attuned to it. That's why the rituals and spells passed down from generation to generation still hold power. Even if there's no science or math, or sometimes even logic and reason behind it."

I stared at the intricate web of lines and circles, my mind reeling with the implications of what Spencer had just revealed. I was fascinated by the notion that magic on Terra was not a fixed system but a living, evolving force intertwined with the very essence of the world.

"So, how does all that tie into magitech?" I asked. "Why is it they hand off these projects to people our age?"

Spencer smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now we're really getting to the meat and potatoes. This is where the real fun begins," he said. "Just bear with me because we've got some more fundamentals to cover."

He returned to the whiteboard, erasing the previous illustrations and drawing a new diagram. "Imagine magic in its entirety as this swirling vortex of energy where the rules change constantly. An eternal record of all distortions and adjustments to the reality that will be and ever was. The people of Earth and Terra both came up with the concept of the Akashic Records individually... which I won't pretend to understand well enough to explain in-depth. Regardless, many cultures have a concept for the function of akasha - the reality of mystical laws in the presence. Some call it Aether, some call it Barakah, but it's more or less the same thing," he said, pointing at a spiraling symbol. "The Akashic Records is a bit of a shitshow concept, because as far as we can tell, predestination doesn't really exist. It's a maelstrom of possibilities, like flipping through the pages of a cosmic choose-your-own-adventure book at lightspeed. But we've experimentally proven that the future affects the magic in the present and vice-versa. So, let's skip over that probabilistic causality headache for now..."

He drew a grid-like structure next to the vortex. "...And focus on the engineering function. So, moving away from that nightmare, we can work with something both of us understand. The ability to model classic technology and science as this rigid framework of gears and circuits. Predictable and orderly, built on the principles of cause and effect."

Spencer tapped the whiteboard with his marker, connecting the swirling vortex of magic to the rigid structure of technology. "The beauty of magitech lies in the fusion of these two seemingly incompatible forces," he explained. "By harnessing the fluidity and responsiveness of magic and combining it with the reliability and predictability of technology, we can achieve feats that were once thought impossible."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. I stared at the diagram, trying to grasp the concept before speaking again.

"But isn't magic inherently unpredictable then?" I asked, voicing my concern. "Wouldn't that make it impossibly difficult to integrate into modern technology? If the laws we operate on change because someone discovered a new spell or emotion suddenly shifts the flow of magic, wouldn't it cause chaos in a magitech creation?"

Spencer nodded. "You're... half-right on that. Magic does have an element of unpredictability, but it's not complete anarchy. The key is understanding the patterns and principles that govern the flow of magic. Just like physics, there are laws and principles that dictate how magic works, even if they're not as rigid as the laws of science. By learning and respecting these laws, we can make magitech more reliable and predictable. Magic and magitech as practiced by Terrans is all about channeling and controlling that power within currently defined boundaries, with wiggle-room for known abnormalities."

He continued, drawing a caged lattice on the whiteboard to illustrate his point. "Think of it like taming a wild beast," he said. "You can't completely eliminate its wild nature, but you can learn to guide and direct it, shaping it according to your needs. And that's why it's better to have people like us work on it."

Then he picked up a small device from his desk and handed it to me. It was sleek and futuristic, with a pulsating crystal embedded in its core. "This," Spencer said, "is a simple model of a rehashed age-old fundamental magitech device. We call it a Mana Resonator. Or a Resonator for short."

I took the Resonator from Spencer's outstretched hand, marveling at its beauty and craftsmanship. The pulsating crystal seemed to emit a soft, ethereal glow as if it was alive with magic.

"Wow," I whispered, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched onto the surface of the device. "I've... read about these a bit, but never wrapped my head around how they work. Our reading materials on Earth always try to explain magitech within our rational framework."

"So, you know what these do?" Spencer nodded, a smile crossing his face.

"Kind of. I know Terrans used to use finely chiseled crystals to store mana and amplify their magical abilities," I replied, recalling the limited information I had read. "I'm not sure exactly how they work, though. How do these bridge the Akasha or Aether or whatever with technology?"

Spencer's smile widened as he leaned against the whiteboard. "Great questions. Great questions for real," he said, his voice brimming with excitement. "To put it simply, a Mana Resonator is designed to resonate with the natural flow of magic, tapping into that swirling vortex of energy we discussed earlier."

He walked over to a nearby console and pressed a sequence of buttons, activating a holographic display. The display projected a three-dimensional model of the Resonator, highlighting its intricate components.

"As you can see," Spencer explained, gesturing at the hologram, "the Resonator contains a series of precise circuitry and enchanted studded crystals that interact with both the mana stored in the crystal, as well as the akasha - the basis and essence of all things in the material world and everything that is and will. It acts as a conduit, amplifying and channeling the magic into usable energy."

I watched in awe as the hologram displayed the inner workings of the Resonator. The circuitry and crystals seemed to dance and pulse with energy as if they were alive.

Spencer grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's where the Akashic Records I mentioned earlier comes into play," he replied. "The Resonator is not just a device that harnesses magic; it also has the ability to resonate with that intangible blob of information. The imprints of ancient spells and rituals left behind by previous generations of mages."

He pointed to a specific set of runes etched onto the surface of the Resonator. "These runes," Spencer explained, "are attuned to the frequencies of the aether. The modern magic world works off a spell library we call Common Magic. When activated, they awaken spells and connections pulled from the flow, at the price of raw mana paid. It's like tapping into a wellspring of knowledge and power that has accumulated throughout history. By accessing these ancient spells, the Resonator can replicate their effects and manifest them into the physical world. And sometimes, fluke accidents happen where an incorrectly inscribed spell formula designed to say, heat up water for example, instead, causes a minor earthquake as an extreme example. That event adds a new spell to the library we keep digitally."

My mind raced with the possibilities. It was both exhilarating and daunting to think that this small device held the potential to do so much.

"Does that mean anyone can use this crystal device as is?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.

Spencer shook his head, his expression turning more serious. "Not just anyone," he said. "Using a Resonator directly requires a basic understanding of magic to operate effectively. It takes practice, dedication, and respect for the legacy we're tapping into. The first mana resonators were things like staves and crystal balls that only seasoned mages could wield. But over time, advancements in magitech have allowed for smaller, more compact devices like this prototype that could be initiated with an input of mana. Then, well, we figured out how to put them into robots and other machinery, expanding the possibilities even further."

"An input of mana, huh? So if it isn't in the hands of a practicing mage, you'd use something like the core of a Chaos Beast, then?" I asked.

Spencer's eyes widened with surprise, and he nodded enthusiastically. "My man! You catch on quick," he replied. "The core of a Chaos Beast contains an immense amount of what we call 'xeno-mana' - making it a perfect energy source for magitech devices like a Sisyphus mech. Obviously, there aren't enough of those monsters around to run all of society, so we've developed ways to extract mana from other sources as well. Crystals, natural ley lines, and even natural elements like plants and minerals can all be used to provide the necessary mana input, albeit at a lower scale."

"So... how does this tie back to giving magitech research project to teenagers, then?" I asked.

Spencer chuckled, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Oh, that's where things get interesting," he replied. "According to the Zarathrustrans, the vast majority of breakthroughs in magical research and magitech come from individuals between the ages of 15 to 27. While traditional scienctific and technological advancements have been proven to usually come later on in someone's life, magic is different. It's a bit like being an athlete; you hit your peak at a certain age and then your performance gradually declines, although you can keep yourself sharp for longer if you keep in the game."

I furrowed my brow, considering his words. "But wouldn't experience and wisdom gained with age be more beneficial when dealing with complex magitech projects?" I asked, still not fully grasping the reasoning.

Spencer nodded, understanding my skepticism. "Sure, experience and wisdom can definitely be beneficial in many areas. But when it comes to cutting-edge research in magitech, it's a bit of a double-edged sword."

"Explain?" I urged.

Spencer sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, think about it this way: as you get older and gain more knowledge, you tend to be less inclined to take risks and more cautious. You are also more prone to confirmation bias. That's why the breakthroughs come more readily from younger people like us."

He gestured around the room, pointing to the various projects in progress. "We're more willing to question established theories and challenge existing norms," he said. "And since we haven't fully developed our egos as the old folks yet, we're also less likely to get hung up on personal biases or limit our imagination. Plus, our ability to absorb and adapt to new concepts is stronger than in adults. We don't have preconceptions about what's possible or impossible, which allows us to explore more unorthodox avenues of research."

I mulled over his words, nodding slowly. It made a strange kind of sense, considering everything I knew about magic.

"I think I'm beginning to understand," I said.

"Things that shouldn't work in magic have a funny way of working here. It's not that there aren't any rules - because there absolutely are - it's just that there are often exceptions to those rules as well, or hidden ones we haven't discovered yet. The laws of magic change slightly based upon where and who you are, or even what the local climate and collective spiritual awareness is," Spencer replied with a sigh, looking a little worn out by his long lecture.

I nodded in understanding, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. "So, by tapping into the creative and innovative minds of younger generations, organizations can accelerate the development of magitech and push the boundaries of what's possible," I said, summarizing Spencer's explanation.

"That's about the gist of it," Spencer commented.

I stroked my chin, taking in all the information Spencer had shared.

But there was still one thing that lingered in my mind, a curiosity that I couldn't shake off. "Spencer, you mentioned earlier that we were supposed to be working on a big project this semester, but it's been put on hold. Can you tell me more about that?"

Spencer's expression turned thoughtful, and he paused for a moment before responding. "Oh, right, the project. It's a bit of a rough subject, but I suppose you should know since you're part of the team that's gonna be working on it now."

He looked at a heavy metal door labeled 'Vault 3' and let out a sigh.

"C'mon, follow me."

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