Ponders was dimly aware that people had begun returning to the large stone hall he had spent the night in. He could see it all clearly of course, but his focus was not on the world around him. He was still trying to analyse one particular thing that had occurred during the demonstrations of magic. A strange and swift thing, something that had seemed to overlap his vision when a pink haired woman had proposed a toast. He played it back in his memory once more, to see once more if he could discern any meaning from it. It seemed to show the Harmony, the still lakes shimmering below them, then flashing lights, and then it was over, all far too swift for him to pick out any detail. For some reason it filled him with a sense of dread that nagged at the edges of his mind, the kind that he felt when he thought about what it would be like for a piece of him to be shattered.

Then a being was speaking to him. He returned his focus to the world of here and now, taking in the bustling of people finding and eating breakfast, with one being standing directly in front of him. Khan, the red Esyire that was in charge of this place. Asking if he was alright. What a strange question to ask him. He hadn’t been damaged, so of course he was. Wasn’t it easy to see? He rearranged himself then, moving the constituent stones around to lower his height slightly, bringing his sensory center in line with Khans head. “I am alright.” He said after a pause, keeping his deep voice soft so as not to disturb the students going about their morning business. “I have a question.” He added after a moment.

Khan’s concern expression softened when he heard Ponders speak and then mentioned he had a question. Immediately the Headmaster turned to his side and reached for a chair, his hand pulled it closely until he could sit comfortable. Unlike Ponders, who could likely stand all day without feeling the pains of living, Khan couldn’t stay standing forever. He spoke to the student with a small smile which warmed his face. “By all means, I’m all ears to your question.” 

Ponders, after having adjusted himself, saw the Headmasters height had lowered again as he sat. Seeing this, he decided to alter again, disregarding his usual humanoid shape for one that helped him think. All of the smaller parts that made his form began to circle at different speeds gently around the central, both clockwise and anticlockwise, always maintaining the same height from the ground. “A strange event occurred during the psychomancy event. The event seemed to have nothing occur, though a strange speeded up haze overtook my vision. Others seemed very perturbed by this.”

The headmaster sighed after he realized what event Ponders had spoken of. It was time for the Esyire to deal with the aftermath, unable to avoid it or even sure he could ease it over, but he had to try. “Satori’s demonstration affected a number of student’s minds and caused some serious pain. Namely she brought up painful memories then slightly altered them to cause a worse reaction. Had I known, I wouldn’t have allowed her to carry out her own demonstration. I’m deeply sorry if what she gave you hurt you in anyway. That is not what this College about.” 

He took a deep breath then continued with the last bit. “Currently she has been warned and precautions are being taken to assure the student’s mental safety. Namely without hindering those with Psychomancy. I hope you’re not considering leaving because of this.” 

Ponders focused on the initial thing Khan said, setting aside the confusing statement about leaving for the time being. “This…. Makes sense.” He said. Obviously Satori hadn’t been able to affect him the same way as the rest of the students. The feeling that was supposed to accompany the image still struck him, but the image itself was not meant for his mind. He was unable to properly see it. “You say it hurt the others deeply? I think it… did not work on me.” His limited understanding of psychomancy and the minds of fleshlings was frustrating him here. He couldn’t say why whatever happened seemed to of half worked, only that it clearly didn’t have the intended effect.

The Headmaster wasn’t sure what to think when Ponders had spoken, the reaction wasn’t what he expected. Most students would’ve been upset, angry, or afraid yet Ponders hadn’t display any of those emotions. At least in the manner he had thought was normal. The large Golem seemed rather disappointed, it seemed to Khan, that it didn’t work. Something he found curious to learn. 

He cleared his throat and spoke. “Some memories are best left alone and not re-lived. It might be for the best it didn’t work, but then again you seem disappointed. Why? Is there some reason you wanted it to work or merely hungry for the knowledge?” 

Khan had heard how Ponders had instantly asked to be taken to the Library after his arrival and stayed there for some time, it seemed the Golem was busy reading every book within. He had been meaning to ask the student how he fared but hadn’t gotten around to it, yet right now, it wasn’t the right moment. 

Ponders was confused again. Disappointed? Perhaps he was. He did want to know. Knowing was his purpose after all. Perhaps it was also that the answer to the question he’d been considering all night was so simple. Still, the Headmaster had asked him if he was leaving because of it. He had to answer that too. “I would not leave this place. It is the foremost center of magical knowledge in this world. No event save destruction will drive me away until I have learned all there is to learn. I did not expect such a simple answer to my question however.”

Khan was relieved upon hearing Ponder’s words. His posture relaxed from the tension, the muscles finally let the stress flow away. One problem down, thought the Esyire. Now if only he could have quelled the other students’ high emotions this easily then everything would’ve been perfect. Sadly, not everyone’s mind was the same. This student proved this, one of the many curiosities the College had managed to collect from the vast world. 

Khan started to rise but he spoke last comment to Ponders, a meaningful one. “That is good to know. Sometimes the simple answers tend to be the most meaningful ones.” 

With that, the Headmaster back to his breakfast and soon after his work.

Ponders reformed into his standard form as Khan wandered away. Perhaps the simple answer was the best one. He would go back to the library now, and find a large book to read. Maybe he could find somewhere with a view and read there. That way he could observe any interesting events in the strange twilight land while he read. His form moved off towards the library at reasonable pace. Thankfully he had memorised the route and would not need one of the Golems to get there.