{Back at the GMS office, an unusual quiet hangs in the air. Tally and Saffrey are at their respective workstations, tinkering and mixing in silence. The hum of magical devices and the occasional clink of a vial are the only sounds.}

Tally: Ugh, I need a break. And by a break, I mean a monster sandwich. Yeah, the works. Cheese, meats, lettuce—oh, maybe even that hot spicy mustard.

Saffrey: {not looking up from her project} Sounds great, Tally. Don’t forget to make one for me.

Tally: Do I look like your personal chef? You want one, make it yourself.

Saffrey: Woooowwwwww!  All the times I have picked you up something to eat and you do me like that?  Ok.  I’ll remember that.

Tally: Remember it.  Write it down.  I do not care ma’am.

{Saffrey throws a dirty towel at Tally as he heads to the small kitchen area. After a few moments, he returns with an absolutely ridiculous sandwich stacked high with layers of meats, cheeses, greens, and sauces. He places it triumphantly on the table next to the mysterious book Darwin brought in earlier.}

Tally: Behold! A masterpiece in sandwich engineering.

Saffrey: {glances over briefly} Why is it dripping so much.  Bleh…Looks gross.  Probably tastes like machine grease and regret.

Tally: Oh, ye of little faith. Hmm… Needs one more thing…onion.

{Tally strolls back to the kitchen, leaving the sandwich alone for just a moment. When he returns with a plate of sliced onions, he freezes. There's a small, very visible bite taken out of the sandwich.}

Tally: Hey! What the heck, Saffrey?

Saffrey: {startled, looking up from her project} What?

Tally: You took a bite out of my sandwich!

Saffrey: {rolling her eyes} Are you serious? Why would I touch that monstrosity?

Tally: Because you’re jealous of its perfection, obviously! Admit it, you couldn’t resist.

Saffrey: {getting annoyed}  I’m busy, Tally. I didn’t touch your sandwich. You probably just cut it unevenly and think a chunk is missing.

{They argue back and forth for a few moments, their voices rising. Midway through the bickering, Tally stops and points again.}

Tally: LOOK!

{They both turn to the sandwich. Another bite is missing, clear as day. They stare at it in stunned silence.}

Saffrey: Okay… That definitely wasn’t me.

Tally: {wide-eyed} Then who or what—?

Saffrey: It’s a rat. Gotta be a rat. A huge one.

Tally: {grimacing} A sandwich-stealing giant rat in my workshop? Not on my watch.

Saffrey: {cracking her knuckles} Let’s catch it. If it’s bold enough to mess with us, it’s about to get a taste of some magical pest control.

The two start brainstorming their “rat-catching” plan. Tally pulls out a small drone-like gadget from his workbench and begins modifying it with enthusiasm, while Saffrey digs through her stash of experimental potions for something “rat-appropriate.” Meanwhile, the mysterious book on the table remains quiet… for now.

Tally’s drone hums quietly as it hovers just above the ground, its mounted "seer" crystal ball scanning the floor. Tally grips a small handheld device, a smooth oval-shaped panel with a glowing interface, showing the drone’s perspective in real-time.

Tally: {whispering} All right, little guy. Let’s see where you’re hiding.

{Saffrey, crouched nearby, rolls her eyes and shakes a tiny vial of her mini sleeping potion. The liquid glows faintly, and she tightens the stopper.}

Saffrey:  Whatever it is, it seems to just want food and not to hurt us.  So we catch it alive and free it…understand?  I’m not about killing something over your dumb sandwich

Tally: {snapping back} YOU need to understand! This isn’t about just the sandwich. It’s about respect. {tearfully} The respect of me and my fallen sandwich.

Saffrey: Idiot.

{The drone sweeps silently across the floor. The hum of its movement mingles with the soft creaks of the building. Both of them creep forward, their eyes darting between the drone’s feed and the room around them. Suddenly, a faint thump echoes from the main table, followed by the sound of chewing.}

Tally: Did you hear that?

Saffrey: Yeah. Sounds like it’s back at the sandwich. Figures.

{They both turn slowly to the table. The sandwich is toppled over, and faint crunching sounds fill the air. They scan the area, but there’s nothing in sight.}

Tally: {frustrated} Where is it?!

{As the chewing grows louder, Saffrey inches forward, gripping one of her potion vials like a weapon. The faint scuttling of tiny feet darts across the floor. Tally adjusts the drone’s view, trying to follow the noise.}

Saffrey:It’s fast… Whatever it is.

{Suddenly, the two of them collide as they creep toward the same spot. Tally stumbles, dropping his viewing device.}

Tally: Watch it! This is precision equipment!

Saffrey: Precision my ass. I’m doing you a favor even caring about your sandwich.

Tally: Just hand me the viewer. PLEASE!

{Saffrey picks up the device and shoves it toward him. Tally fumbles with it, shaking it in frustration.}

Tally: {grumbling} Great. Just great. Now it’s busted.

Saffrey: {mocking} Oh no, the universe mourns your loss.

{As Tally shakes the device again, a sudden poof of smoke escapes from it. Both of them freeze as something small and furry pops into existence, squeaking loudly. Tally yelps and throws the creature in the air. The creature screams in surprise, and then Saffrey screams as well.}

Tally: {screaming} WHAT IS THAT?!

Saffrey: {screaming back} I DON’T KNOW!

{The small creature, round and covered in soft fur, scurries across the floor.  Its big eyes gleam mischievously, and its tiny paws leave faint magical sparks with each step. It looks like a cross between a Mogwai and an armadillo, rolling into a ball to bounce off a wall before darting toward the kitchen.}

Tally: {pointing after it} IT’S A DEMON BALL!

Saffrey: It’s adorable! But yeah, also probably a demon.

{The two race after it, Tally nearly tripping over his own feet as Saffrey storms ahead. The creature skids into the kitchen and disappears behind a row of cabinets. They stop at the doorway, catching their breath.}

Saffrey: {whispering} Okay, whatever it is, it’s cornered.

Tally: YOU catch it. I’ll supervise.

Saffrey: {glaring, raising a middle finger} Supervise this. 

{They creep into the kitchen, both tense as they scan the area. The faint sound of tiny claws scratching against metal echoes softly, but they still can’t see anything.}

Tally:  hold on…He transformed from my viewing unit…so it can transform?  Damn it!  It can be anything in here then.

Saffrey: If it wasn’t already a pain looking for the little cute bastard…now we are trying to see if the toaster moves on its own.

Merrick and Darwin stand in the middle of the vast, open field. The sun is high above, casting long shadows from the tall grass surrounding them. A gentle wind blows, rustling the grass and making it ripple like waves. Toro looms nearby, cracking his knuckles and grinning widely, his towering frame seeming even more imposing

MERRICK: {looking sternly at Darwin} This is your first real test. You’ll need to activate your Mage’s Eye, track Toro in this field, and dodge his attacks.

DARWIN: W-What kind of attacks are we talking about here?

TORO: Oh, nothing too dangerous, lad. Just a little roar blast or two. Let’s see if you can handle it.

{Toro lets out a soft chuckle, but even the sound of his laughter reverberates through the air, shaking the grass slightly.}

MERRICK: He’s going to hold back. But don’t take it lightly—three hits, and you’re out. You have thirty minutes to not only dodge his attacks but to catch him.

DARWIN: {gulps} Catch him?

MERRICK: Yes. He’ll be moving, and you’ll need to find an opening. Use your Mage’s Eye to detect where his magic is coming from and predict his moves.

DARWIN: He’s huge! How’s he going to be running around in all this grass and how am I supposed to catch him?

TORO: {grinning} Oh, don’t worry about me, lad. I’ve got a few tricks.

{Toro suddenly shrinks down to the size of a cat, disappearing into the tall grass with a faint shimmer. Darwin’s eyes widen, and he instinctively takes a step back.}

DARWIN: H-he shrunk! Did he just—?!

MERRICK: {impatiently} Focus! He can’t hold that size for long, but you’ll need to figure out when and where he’ll reappear. Now activate your Mage’s Eye and start tracking!

{Darwin takes a deep breath and places his hands together, concentrating and breathing as Toro had taught him. He mutters the incantation under his breath. Slowly, his left pupil glows faintly, the arcane circle forming within it. The grass around him seems to shift and shimmer as the world comes alive with faint magical auras.}

MERRICK: Good. Now, remember, watch for fluctuations in the grass and focus on the magic flow. He’s using the mana to maintain his small form. Track it.

{The grass sways unnaturally to Darwin’s left, and he turns just in time to hear a low growl. Toro suddenly bursts back into his full size, roaring loudly. The air ripples visibly as the roar blast sweeps toward Darwin like a shockwave.}

DARWIN: {yelping and diving to the side} Whoa!

{The roar grazes past him, shaking the ground where he had been standing moments before. Darwin scrambles to his feet, breathing heavily.}

TORO: {laughing heartily} Not bad, lad! Better be quicker than that though!

{Toro shrinks again and vanishes into the grass. Darwin, still panting, narrows his eyes, trying to focus through his Mage’s Eye.}

DARWIN: {grunting under his breath} Not now… I can’t— gotta keep going.

{The circle in his pupil flickers again, and Darwin grabs at his head. A sudden wave of nausea hits him as the Eye begins to fade. He stumbles and blinks hard, trying to force it back. He can’t lose the Eye now—not when he’s so close to figuring out Toro’s pattern. Darwin’s vision blurs momentarily, and he narrowly avoids another blast of Toro’s roar by diving to the ground. The impact knocks the wind out of him, and he struggles to push himself up.}

MERRICK: {sternly} Get up, Darwin! If you lose focus now, you’ll never pass this test!

{Darwin clutches his head, his voice shaking as he yells back.}

DARWIN: I’m trying! It’s… it’s too much!

TORO: You’re pushing too hard, kid. The Eye’s not about brute force—it’s about balance. You keep burning yourself out, you’re done for.

{Darwin takes a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He lowers his hand from his head, his expression turning determined. He tries a different approach, the Mage’s eye fades out  as he shifts his attention to listening and feeling the mana around him. He begins to pick up on the subtle vibrations in the air and ground. The faint ripple of Toro’s energy trails through the grass once more.}

DARWIN: Okay, okay… I’ve got this. Just focus…

{The magical energy flows through the field like faint, glowing streams. Darwin spots a small whirlpool of energy swirling rapidly about twenty feet to his right. He turns toward it just as Toro bursts from the grass, letting out another directional roar. Darwin leaps backward, barely avoiding it.}

MERRICK: Stop flailing and start thinking! This isn’t about dodging forever! Use your head, boy!

{Darwin mutters under his breath, frustrated but determined. He tries to steady his breathing, scanning the area again. He notices that each time Toro shrinks, the mana flow shrinks with him, but they never disappear entirely.}

DARWIN: {thinking to himself} His magic never fully vanishes… He’s leaving a trail when he moves.

{Toro reappears again, roaring toward Darwin, who ducks and rolls away. As he regains his footing, an idea starts to form in his mind. He notices that Toro takes a moment to transition between his small and large forms. The shrinking only lasts a short time, and when Toro reappears, he briefly stands still to stabilize himself.}

DARWIN: {smiling slightly} That’s it…

{Darwin crouches low, following Toro’s movements through the swirling trails of magic in the grass. He begins to anticipate where Toro will reappear, counting the seconds between each transition.}

MERRICK: {to himself} Good. He’s learning.

DARWIN: {exhausted} Damn it... I can’t keep this up.

TORO: {his voice echoing through the field} You’re in the wild now, kid. No time for resting. I’m still coming for you!

{Toro, in his shrunken form, darts around the field, his movements swift and erratic. Darwin steadies his breathing, closing his eyes briefly to concentrate. He reaches out with his senses, like he did when detecting magical residue on spellbound objects at the archives. Faint traces of Toro’s mana linger in the air, rippling like the wake of a boat in water. Darwin furrows his brow, focusing on the surges.}

DARWIN: The transformations...they leave traces of magic. Strong when he shrinks, weaker when he grows back.

{Darwin takes a moment to assess the pattern. Each time Toro shrinks, a surge of magic ripples through the grass, and when he grows back to full size, another pulse follows. Darwin’s expression shifts to one of realization.}

DARWIN: {a small grin forming} And right before he roars, he has to stop moving. Just for a second.

{Darwin opens his eyes, now using only his magical sense to track Toro.  A strong pulse behind him alerts him to Toro’s next move. Darwin leaps to the side just as Toro returns to full size, a massive roar shaking the ground where Darwin had just been standing.}

TORO: {laughing deeply} Not bad, kid. But thinking won’t be enough—you need to act.

{Toro shrinks again, disappearing into the grass. Darwin’s head tilts slightly as he tracks the lingering magic from the transformation. He begins to anticipate Toro’s movements, moving just before Toro unleashes another roar. Darwin’s confidence grows with each dodge, but his exhaustion is evident. Sweat drips from his brow as he mutters to himself.}

DARWIN: {panting} Okay, I’ve got the timing down...but how do I grab him?

{Darwin knows he is getting more and more exhausted, with that, he’s getting alot slower. He has to make the decision to try and use the eye well before it is ready.  He will hold out as much as he can, but he is thinking there is a way he can combine his sense ability along with the Mage’s Eye.

Toro grows back to full size again, releasing another deafening roar. Darwin barely dodges, the force of the blast throwing him off balance. He tumbles into the grass but quickly scrambles back to his feet.  He closes his eyes for a brief second, summoning all his remaining focus.}

DARWIN: {to himself} He has to stop moving to roar. That’s my moment.

{The pain in his head starts to fade, and Darwin risks activating the Mage’s Eye again too early. He grits his teeth as the arcane circle glows faintly in his left pupil, the pain duller but still present. He scans the area, spotting the rising surge of magic as Toro shrinks again.  He uses his last bit of strength to combine the two skills to pinpoint almost exactly where Toro is the very moment he changes size.}

DARWIN: {smirking slightly} Gotcha.