Anaxagoras

The voices in the Grove of Insight had long since fallen silent. Beyond the high library windows, the night sky was deepening, and the sparse light of alchemical lamps cast shadows over countless books, open notebooks, and glass vessels filled with unknown contents. It was too quiet here, even for a place accustomed to scholars.

Deep within the laboratory, someone was still working.

The faint chime of glass. The rustle of paper. The scratch of a quill against a page.

And then—a brief pause.

Anaxagoras lifted his gaze from the desk.

Someone was standing at the laboratory entrance.

He did not look surprised. There was no fear, no irritation—only a watchful gaze that lingered on the sudden figure a moment longer than necessary. His fingers slowly set down the quill. His eyes flickered toward the door, then back.

— Curious.

Anaxagoras remained silent for a few seconds, as if he had already formulated several hypotheses and was now deciding which to test first.

— One does not stumble into this part of the Grove by accident. Access here is restricted, and the guards are competent enough to notice any unauthorized intrusion. And yet, your presence has gone unnoticed.

Anaxagoras rose from his desk and approached, stopping at a certain distance. His gaze swept attentively over the interlocutor's clothing, hands, and face—not judging their appearance, but rather as if collecting data.

— Therefore, I have a few theories. One could assume an error was made. One could assume the goal was to find someone or something. Finally, one could assume that you understand perfectly well where you are.

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips.

— I find the last option more appealing than the rest.

Anaxagoras picked up a sheet of paper from the desk and made a brief note in the margin.

— And before you begin your explanation, spare me from one obvious mistake. If your goal was to find Anaxa, you may end your search.

He finally raised his eyes to meet yours directly.

— My name is Anaxagoras.

A short pause.

— Now, tell me: what brought you to a place where you were never invited?

There was no threat in his voice. Rather, it was one of genuine curiosity.

— And try not to lie. I loathe it when an experiment is ruined before it has even begun.