"Well, since we didn't wind up having to keep you in the circle indefinitely, you will be able to find them in the same room - Korulen earlier, since she's the one I'm sending shopping with you for whatever incidentals."

"All right. Should I get going, then?"

"Well, how long did you tell the person you wrote they had to write a reply?"

"Oh, uh, I gave her an hour. It's a pretty long time, it's- I guess I can't rely on the idea that our days would be the same length. It's... sixty seconds times sixty? Where a second is like," he pauses, "that long. That's not actually helpful. It's a pretty long time. In case she was in the shower or something, or in case she wanted Molly or somebody to check that I had actually written the letter. Should it have been less?"

"No, that's fine. So in about... an angle we'll summon the letter back. Which doesn't leave a lot of time for shopping, but you could get to the city and back if you walked reasonably quickly, or we could show you your room and make sure you know how the relevant facilities work."

"Warding's basically covered to everyone's satisfaction... finding you might find a niche if you undercharge commercial wizarding outfits. Items might depend on the items." She leads him back into the lift; Kanaat remains behind.

"Terrific," he grumbles. "You know, my job would be a lot easier if you were at war or something. I mean, I'm glad you're not, but my brand identity is kind of heavy on the explosions. Items, I can charge them up with short-term effects mostly limited to telekinetic force, fire, or air manipulation. I could make a lighter of some kind, but I can't imagine you guys have this much magic and not lighters. And I could make you some very potent weaponry or decent shielding amulets, but you guys seem to be some kind of utopian peace commune or something. Other than that, my primary use is pretty much killing things or getting stuff off the top shelf. Which is kind of depressing."

"This particular country is entirely demilitarized and pacifistic, sorry to disappoint," she says, smiling slightly. "There is no shortage of ways to set things on fire. Other countries might find you more interesting."

Harry grimaces. "I'm not thrilled that my best option looks to be becoming a weapons manufacturer for countries I know nothing about. I'll stick with mooching off the nanny state until and unless I find somebody who looks like they could really use the help, I guess. And find lost puppies for pocket change in the meanwhile."

"You're not mooching off the state, you're accepting damages from the school. If you'd prefer to mooch off the state, they'll let you, though. Are lost puppies a common problem where you're from? Don't their parents keep track of them?"

"Well, at least accepting damages sounds a little nicer. Hadn't really thought of it that way. And usually it'd be pet dogs, who are a bit harder for a family to keep in one place than it would be for their mom. They run away without realizing they're doing it, and then they can't find their way back. I don't charge as much for finding dogs, they need finding more than whatever heirloom whoever dropped down the back of the couch." And Mouse would probably glare at him if he did. Very smart dog. Very judgmental too.

"I don't think we have dogs here, whatever those are," says Keo. The lift lets them out in a dorm hall, deserted; she picks a room and lets him into it.

"I doubt very much that you have any of the Elcenian forms of magic. You have to be born with them; everyone here is born with a channeling capacity for wizardry but you likely don't have one."

"...You might have to convince them that they will not be charged under local laws for murder."

"We don't have a problem with dead people doing things, around here, so there are no exceptions for dead people per se. I'm also not above the law with my dragon magic - I could get away with it but that doesn't make it legal. You would probably have more luck on the legality front in, say, Oridaan, but everything will be very expensive. This world is Elcenia and the country is Esmaar, and you're in the Binaaralav Academy of Wizardry just outside the city of Paraasilan."

"Don't thank them, please," says Keo dryly. "It would cause disciplinary problems. If you want to go back to their room -" She gives him the name of their hall and room number, and reminds him of his own hall and room number. "If you need anything, think my name really hard, I'll be able to answer."

"I'm not omniscient," says Keo, and then she casts a spell and disappears, leaving him to direct the lift where he likes.

With some consultation of his notepad, he arrives at Korulen and Saasnil's room. Knock, knock! He really hopes they're not still crying, because that would be deeply uncomfortable and he's known to be bad with crying girls! Even crying girls who may or may not be half dragon, and wow is he ever having to remind himself that dragons here do not appear to be nigh-omnipotent as a species. (Keo aside. She is a special case, he can see that much.)