Starlight does their best to become unremarkable. They quietly approach Bandit groups and try to bribe them out of their chosen lifestyle. Grimm approaching unaware settlements sometimes just disappear at first as part of experiments with transposes and other technologies but later in an effort to improve people's lives. Other attacks are stopped by the timely arrival of Huntresses and Huntsman transposed into the vacinity. Medical supplies become more abundantly available. Food also becomes more abundant.

Quietly they obtain a small animal with an activated aura and perform the tests Ozpin requested.

Deep within the oceanic crust they begin to build a facility to conduct experiments with Salem's help.

Riley is sent to examine the Pool of Light.

Some bandits are amenable to bribery. A few are amenable to being given money and supplies, but seem confused about the whole "stopping banditry" thing afterwards. But this is a fairly rare problem even in Vacuo; banditry is not a healthy occupation on a planet covered in Grimm. More common are insular communities, distrustful of outsiders. Occasionally, the line between "peaceful settlement" and "raiding party" is blurred by fortune or famine.  

People feel the reduced Grimm presence like the lifting of a massive weight. Population booms. A handful of settlements expand into areas formerly deemed borderline unsafe. Most survive the attempt, but the one that tragically doesn't is international news. 

Starlight's tests prove fruitful. An awakened animal taken outside Remnant suffers no observable ill effects. Outside Remnant, Aura continues to regenerate after being drained. Aura is neither conserved nor localized to Remnant. Intrigued and somewhat disturbed, Ozpin proposes increasingly esoteric follow-up tests involving human volunteers, magic, and Semblances, most of which Starlight is able to perform. The results strongly suggest that immortality is safe on Remnant. Ozpin admits to being mostly convinced, pending results of the Well of Light experiments. One of the major convincing points is Starlight's ability to measure ambient "exotic effects" on a global scale, to a precision previously unheard of. Ozpin names three thousand, seven hundred and seventy-three independent magical variables to monitor at multiple locations ("a small but adequate sample"), and tentatively backs Starlight's push to roll out immortality, although his proposed timeline is still more cautious than they might prefer. 

The Well of Light is true to its name; a pool of shimmering liquid not unlike water, surrounded by golden flowers. It sits in a valley in the mountains, cliffs on all sides save one. A path of ancient stone leads from a stair in a nearby canyon, but the path is marred and the canyon sealed off by several impact craters. 

Flight and teleportation are convenient. Before she gets into Ozpin's requested tests she takes some initial scans. How far off the scale is this place relative to the rest of Remnant?

Several dimensions of ambient magic are an order of magnitude higher than baseline in Remnant, and one (commonly associated with Aura and life-forms) is several orders higher. The Well itself is the magical equivalent of radioactive, although not in an obviously harmful sense. 

Have previous studies identified the function of those dimensions? Also does the Well itself bear any similarities to Aura?

The most potent measure is one of two "fundamental forces" underlying most of Remnant's magic, with the other being more associated with Grimm and the Land of Darkness. In Starlight's observations, complex interactions between these two forces produce most of Remnant's exotic effects, analogous to the way that electrons and protons interact to form matter. The other measurements are mostly second-order observations, analogous to chemical tests or spectrum analysis, which indicate but do not govern the presence of certain specific effects. Riley can detect elevated levels of metrics known to be associated with various types of Dust, Salem and Ozpin's magic, awakened Aura, and high concentrations of people or flora and fauna. Magic and Dust have a larger proportion of "Dark" than "Light." Aura contains a near-equal balance of the two forces, and unawakened life-forms have higher "Light" concentrations. 

The Well itself is almost pure "Light" force. This is one component of Aura, but obviously not Aura itself. Notably, the "Dark" level in this region is only slightly below baseline. Also notably, no connection has yet been drawn between either force and Semblances. 

A more thorough survey of semblances is definitely on the list to research later.

Riley does some more thorough mapping for archival purposes. She follows up with the specific tests agreed upon with Ozpin meant to determine if the well contains souls waiting to be reincarnated she doesn't expect that it does given the previous results though.

There is no indication that the Well contains anything more complex than pure Light. It lacks the necessary interweaving of Dark to contain Aura, and none of the usual indicators for presence of an interface in Starlight parlance. The edge effects are moderately interesting - some highly complex magic is confining the Light to liquid form and preventing it from evaporating, so to speak - but Ozpin's proposed tests for reincarnation come up negative. 

"I expect everyone is happy about these results." On the more mixed side of being an explorer is being under constant monitoring while under assignment but it does mean someone is likely to reply to her absent comments.

Caroline replies in her head as she expected. "A couple contrarians in our context pool are annoyed but yeah generally we're glad to be able to move forward. We'd already secured locations in the major settlements so now we just need to slowly ramp up."

"Contrarians will be contrarians. Onto the next tests." She pulls out various material samples to see what happens when they're exposed to the pool. First set is a piece of machined wood, a bar of iron and a quartz crystal rod. All long enough to be partially submerged while still having pieces outside the pool. She inserts and end of the first sample with telekinesis just in case.

Nothing happens. According to measured readings, the rods never actually touch the Light. The edge effects - identifiable as a ludicrously more complex variety of the kind of protections in Oz's sanctum - keep them separated. 

"Not too surprising Ozpin likely would have mentioned if there were obvious effects though a bit disappointing." Presumably the same effect is keeping it from effecting any bacteria in the air. Still she'll run the next test for throughness sake. Is there any difference when exposing a caterpillar to the pool? If not she'll proceed to the next test of conjuring a small mote of Grimm flesh first outside to be pushed in.

The caterpillar is unaffected. 

The Grimm flesh experiences a strong repulsion, originating not from the Light but from the magical protections surrounding it. Even when pushed into the pool, the two substances refuse direct contact. Teleportation doesn't seem to bypass this, either. Forcing the issue would (presumably) require damaging or dismantling the protections keeping the Light in the pool. Riley might be able to accomplish this with what Starlight knows about magic thus far, but the results would be hard to predict. 

Destroying the pool would also probably alienate Ozpin so it's not something she's allowed to experiment with. At least not for as long they're trying to maintain a good working relationship with him.

She absently fiddles with the beginning of a design to make portable bottles of "light" but puts them aside. Anything that potentially explosive she wants to test by remote and designing stuff that works remotely isn't a casual project.

She sends off her results to the general queue and returns to her personal lab. There are a few things she's been fiddling with since she finished the dust stabilization system design to make emergency evacuation safe.

Siobhán takes some time out of her schedule to have another meeting with Ozpin.

Ozpin is always happy to make time for a representative of the ludicrously advanced universe-hopping civilization currently uplifting his species in a manner that may or may not invite armageddon. 

"I must admit," he begins once they have settled into his office, "I've been following your tests with a keen interest. Your methods are quite thorough, but the results are frankly astonishing. I've had to reevaluate quite a few assumptions these past few weeks." 

"It's good that you've retained that flexibility. We're going to start the rollout of reincarnation as agreed. We'll continue to update you as further results come in. This meeting is mostly to check if there's any reason to change that plan, and also to ask if you have any further leads on combatting Salem. The pool was the best lead we had and while Riley does have some thoughts about harvesting a bit of the pool's liquid and destabilizing it later that seems a bit too tenuous to be actually tested unless we're desperate."

"Your studies of the pool present some fascinating insights. You are right to be cautious, though. If your observations about the fundamental structure of our world's magic are correct, the Wells of Light and Darkness are the world's only known sources of their respective elements in pure form. Even Grimm make some use of ambient Light in order to function. We do not know what would happen if either pure element were to be released upon the world. Fortunately, the protections you described are quite thorough." Ozpin sighs. "Would that I had the time to study them farther..." He trails off wistfully. "Ah, well." 

After a pause to sip from his ever-present mug of coffee, Ozpin fixes Siobhán with a penetrating stare. "You are aware of my concerns about working with Salem on Grimm experiments, or allowing her a chance to manipulate or corrupt your scientists. Your precautions are impressive and admirable, but Salem's propensity for sowing malice is equally so. Still, I've seen enough of Starlight's methods to develop a measure of much-needed trust. I think it's time I elaborated on the few tools we have available, tools of which Salem herself is already aware, so there is little risk of exposing them indirectly. In addition to the valor and Semblances of Huntsmen and Huntresses, and the old magic, I know of three unique assets that humanity possesses. 

"One, you know already: the four relics of the gods. In addition to their stated purpose, to resummon the gods to Remnant, each relic also possesses a unique power. The Staff of Creation can conjure and maintain a single object or magical effect, provided the user can precisely specify its function and workings by description or analogue. It is currently being used to levitate Atlas and protect it from ground-based Grimm. That use was initially somewhat contentious, but it has proven quite valuable; protection from a large fraction of Grimm attacks has enabled Atlas to pour resources into technological advances that, before Starlight's arrival, were our most promising new tool against the Grimm. But I digress. 

"The Lantern of Knowledge can truly and completely answer any three questions in the span of a century, though it does not answer questions posed about the gods or the deepest workings of magic. It has helped me considerably to fill in the gaps in my knowledge of Salem's past and the nature of her immortality, though its limitations render each question a scarce and valuable resource. It is currently being kept in Mistral. 

"The Sword of Destruction can bring ruin to physical objects or magical constructs alike. Unfortunately, since it does not work on creatures of Grimm, the danger of its falling into the wrong hands were deemed far greater than the benefits of its use, and was locked away in Vacuo. 

"The Crown of Choice grants uncontrollable visions of the future. I have tested them enough to confirm that they are visions of possible futures, rather than guaranteed outcomes, but their frequency and usefulness are limited. I suspect there may yet be more to discover of the enigma of the Crown, which is why it is kept here in Vale.

"The existence of these relics is a closely-guarded secret. It was not always so, but when the relics were common knowledge, bitter and devastating wars were fought over their possession, wars that nearly destroyed humanity. Misuse of the Sword in particular caused much death and suffering. Rather than invite the excesses of greed and lust for power, I allowed the knowledge of these and other magics to fade into myth and obscurity. 

"Potentially of interest to Starlight, all four relics manifest a spirit that can converse with the user, though they are unwilling to speak much on topics unrelated to their relic's core effect. I am unsure whether the spirits themselves are possessed of consciousness, but if they are, they do not seem in any way displeased by their limited scope of action." 

"I see, we did wonder about what was keeping Atlas up. We had studied the effect but hadn't determined what was causing it beyond that it was almost certainly not gravity dust and that it was for some reason a secret.  We can likely provide alternative security for Atlas if nessecary but no immediate plans for using the artifact come to mind. The possibility of asking questions with accurate answers is intriguing but the limitations you spoke of means it will take careful thought we'll likely ask you further details about those limitations. Unless there's more to the sword I'm unsure what the benefit might be. We can study it in the hopes of determining whether it's able to disrupt magics like Salem's immortality but it doesn't sound promising if it has no effect on the Grimm. We would be happy to assist in your studies of the crown. Precognition of any sort is something we regard with a great deal of caution. Though showing possible futures is less concerning than if it was known to be accurate."

"Security would be helpful, but I would be more concerned with the problem of maintaining Atlas airborne if the Staff were to be otherwise employed. An emergency reserve of gravity Dust can keep Atlas from falling immediately, but it would not last long. Thankfully, there is no urgent need to solve this problem; the Staff is safely sealed away. 

"The Sword can injure Salem, as she was once human, but her brand of immortality - and mine, for that matter - is beyond its scope. Otherwise, our war might have gone far differently." Ozpin sighs, looking away. 

"The relics are not the only relevant magic, however. There are others able to wield the old magics, but their story is somewhat more...personal." 

"We could assess options if we had a need. I don't anticipate one though. If the story behind other magic users is personal does that mean they were once friends or perhaps something closer still?"