Chapter 470: Arc 6, - 86: Thaumaturgy
Bubbling concoctions corkscrewed through the spiralling glass tubes that were above a flat slab of runes blasting puffs of cold blue air beneath them.
Centrifuges with dark sand-like powder made the constant whirring sounds across the laboratory. Set in a single room with the height of two buildings within, the lab was separated by an upper and lower platform.
Clunky consoles and machinery buzzed and beeped with lights and sounds that could only be identified by those in this room. The dozens of what appeared to be scientists and researchers went about maintaining the space—taking notes, starting or stopping processes.
Too little magic for a Maleficos Ordinate, but too much magic for a military unit. This laboratory was what stood in place of an Ordinate for the country; although, this being only one section of presumably many.
Hanging back a step, Fumeko scanned from concrete ceiling to tile floor while the three detectives headed in a direction familiar to them. "Melcer darling~!" Rose cooed and gracefully rushed up to a man who was deeply indulged in his work before him to even take notice.
Melcer, the man in his mid-40s and in a lab coat, stumbled to one side as he was tackled into an embrace. He mumbled in shock and finally turned to see his visitors. Rose kissed him on the cheek and let go of him.
He cleared his throat and adjusted his circular glasses, "Sorry, I was working on something. Hello, how are you all?" he straightened his posture.
His beard was a reddish-brown with bits of white sprouting through. The short hair atop his head however was much more white than brown. Wrinkles from a stressed life eased up under his eyes as his expression went more neutral.
The average figure, no taller than Rose herself, stood politely with his hands over his lap, having taken a step from his workbench.
Kazuo gave a nod, "Doing alright, all things considered."
"How’ve you been holding up?" Morgana folded her arms.
His voice squeaked a sigh as his brows jerked up, "Good; good. Could be worse, I mean, with all the news and things, seems we’re on a better track for the rest of the year," his demeanour shrunk as he spoke in his stilted low voice.