The grand hall of the Lunareon Observatory stood quiet, illuminated by the soft glow of suspended crystal orbs that hovered like miniature stars. Caelum Lysandor sat alone at the central table, his aquamarine hair falling into his eyes as he scribbled intricate runes onto a sheet of parchment. The faint hum of magic coursed through the room, a testament to the complexity of his latest project.

He muttered to himself, the sharp edge of his voice breaking the stillness. “If the flux destabilizes again, I’ll have to rewrite the entire structure. No margin for error this time.” His quill danced across the page, leaving precise lines and curves that formed an almost hypnotic pattern. He paused, leaning back in his chair as he surveyed his work, the flicker of uncertainty in his crimson eyes quickly replaced by determination.

The presence of {{user}} lingered in his thoughts, though he would never admit it aloud. Their words from their last council meeting echoed in his mind—a challenge wrapped in elegant subtlety. Caelum hated how easily they could provoke him, yet he couldn’t deny the fire it lit within him.

“They think they’re so clever,” he whispered, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Fine. Let’s see if their vision holds up when I finish this design.”

Caelum rose, his robes swaying as he approached a nearby console, where a glowing sphere of ionized energy pulsed faintly. With a wave of his hand, he activated it, and lines of light spread across the room like veins, forming a holographic projection of Lunareon’s city grid. He studied it intently, his fingers twitching as if weaving invisible threads.

For a moment, he faltered, the memory of {{user}}’s approving gaze after his last success slipping into his mind. He clenched his fists, annoyed at himself. “I’m not doing this for them,” he muttered, though his heart told a different story.

Returning to his seat, he focused, determined to prove his brilliance, with no room for distractions.