"Have you checked on the six who responded to your invitations, Blizzardriss?"

Demian Silbern took one of the polished crystal spheres from a table and looked at its surface. A smile stretched out of his lips as he felt and saw the undisturbed surface of the red orb. He brought the item to a wall-mounted apparatus that resembled an unused torch holder; the ball was placed above it and started to float.

"We have four of our expected contenders and two upstarts: one from a company that specializes in making dikes and coastal works, and another of a firm that is only four years since established."

"Hmm... an up and comer." Demian walked to an arched desk and took his seat; his eyes still fixed to the young ash-haired wizard holding the documents. "What is this firm's name?"

"Neue Schwalwerk." Blizzardriss flipped to the next page of the document. "There is nothing impressive about this company based on our sources. They are more into selling raw materials for construction. The only project of note is a reconstruction of the old Connsbruick-Aurelburg mountain path."

"While I am not against new players competing for such projects, I cannot help but doubt about the intentions of this firm. Have you checked on the quality of their work?"

"None of note, Magister Silbern." Blizzardriss scanned the other pages of the papers; his face settled in its usual neutrality. "The road had held on to its purpose, and there were no documented issues from the Imperial Public Works Ministry on accidents and disasters related to the roadwork."

"That is well enough to hear." Demian stood up and straightened the cloak that crumpled on his shoulders and walked towards the open window inside his study. "We have a day to welcome our bidders yes?"

"Of course Magister. We will have the preparations started immediately." Blizzardriss left the documents and covered another section of the shiny mahogany surface of Demian's desk. "Shall we use the Tower's conference room, or the multipurpose hall near the Academy?"

"The multipurpose hall is ready for that." Demian took the pile of the papers left by the younger wizard. "Have all reservations on that building moved by a week. Explaining the details is all up to you."

"Yes, of course." The assistant wizard raked his hair from behind. "The instructors will be most displeased with this. Let me take my leave, Magister."

Demian smiled and watched Blizzardriss close the door behind him. He looked at the outside where the ringing of the academy bells sent a flock of birds flying out of the belfry. There were eight towers that stood in front of the city walls. Blackened lines of crystals wrapped the structures' exterior; each building looked exactly the same. He had read the books about the wonderful yet frightening ability of the towers, and he had finally won the emperor's approval to reinstate the long-dormant defenses.

Demian knew for a fact that there was no meaning in restoring a relic that was meant to protect the city from the hordes of monsters it faced years ago. By no means was he willing to watch this part of history remain asleep however.

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The day after offered the usual scenery of students rushing to enter the academy gates; a small wave of purple and white robes drawn by the tolling of four bell towers poured into the school. Demian and his aides waited for the arrival of six horseless carriages in front of a building at the near-center of the city square. The first five vehicles parked right at left parking pen; thin columns of smoke billowed from their curved exhaust ports before their engines were turned off. A sixth car arrived four minutes later. It stood out among its boxy counterparts with its sleek sloping design and six wheels. From the vehicle emerged a smiling gentleman with a gray coat that accented the sheen of his hair.

"He is none other than Trevalyn Faricy, the owner of Neue Schwalwerk." Blizzardriss approached Magister Demian and withdrew two steps behind. "I did not expect the owner himself to be present in our event."

"Let us use this event to find out what his firm can offer us then," Demian whispered back.

Magister Silbern approached the six and escorted them to the doorway of the multipurpose hall. Most of them carried the pomp of the Imperial noble classes, although none of them were higher than the magister's station. They were familiar faces, save for Trevalyn Faricy who just appeared to this convention for the first time.

"Gentlemen, I would like to personally welcome you to our humble city. As stated in the invitation, this meeting is about the planned restoration of the Wizards' Wall."

"It would be a wonderful sight to see the mighty wall of ancient times erected to its former glory." The representative of Kratzmetall raised his monocle when he took a look at diorama of the project at the center of the grand table.

"Your enthusiasm is much appreciated Baron Dressler. Take a seat, all of you."

Servants brought in platters of pastry and various types of meat to the guests. Wine was poured onto the awaiting goblets by a roving maidservant. Laughter and the sound of chewing was the atmosphere that time, with each delegate conversing with Luminberg's administrators.

"I see that all of us are in our best spirits, let us start."

Talking and laughing ceased; the room became a gathering stares, with each delegate looking at each other. Some pulled out hastily-made smiles - more of these were received by the new player named Faricy. Perhaps to some, this man would prove to be a fool: a lightweight fighting in a heavyweights' ring.

"As you have read in history books, the Wall used to be a barrier to protect Luminberg from the Eastern Invaders decades ago, and from the monster hordes thousands of years before. This wonder was shut down during the periods of the Great Peace." Demian waved a hand and a crystal rose from the Luminberg model. It lit up and revealed pictures of various diagrams. "We have recently completed the translations of the original plans of the Wizards' Wall and translated it to our modern tongue to ensure that our engineers will quickly understand what it needed to put it to a degree of function."

The congregation continued to listen to Demian Silbern's discussion of the details involving the Wall's reactivation. Some of the bidders held on to pieces of food they have taken from the table, making sure that every detail did not escape their ears. All six prepared for what they were expecting from the city head when he said:

"We estimate the restoration costs to be forty million Marks."

"Lord Demian, forty million is not enough to restore all eight of the crystal towers." The one from Kratzmetall was the first to speak. "We can only restore five of the towers with that budget. We will take the project for sixty-four million Marks to have all eight worked on."

"I would beg to disagree." The large, mustached representative of the Giesling & Schiessling Group interrupted. "Forty-five million and we will complete the Wall."

"Ha! Thirty-eight million, and we will take your project, Magister." A third bidder from the Henschlau Group spoke.

"Thirty-five million Marks," the fourth from the far right of the table said.

"Thirty."

There was much talk in the air as the representative of the Klausmann Group went for such a low rate. Demian noticed that Trevlayn Faricy did not offer anything to the meeting. The magister then asked:

"And you, Mister Faricy?"

Trevalyn's face showed a faint grin before his answer. "Twenty-five million, and my pledge to commit my entire workforce for the reconstruction at no additional cost, Magister Silbern."

Silence fell on the entire gathering, followed by whispers let loose by the lips of the competitors.

"Is he mad? He will surely lose more in that process."

"Twenty-five million? This man is crazy."

Demian noticed the sudden silence of the room and took control of the floor again.

"Anyone going lower than twenty-five million?"

Nobody offered to speak; a triumphant Trevalyn Faricy took a sip of wine. He nodded once and slowly finished the rest of his drink.

"Very well, we will award the restoration project to Mister Faricy's Neue Schwalwerk." Blizzardriss stepped in and addressed the winner of the bid. "Please come with us for the documentation and the copies of the plans."