“Yes,” Zorian confirmed. “I heard that use of crystallized mana as train fuel is really driving the prices up lately. I’m sure there are some who find that disconcerting, but it’s very convenient for me.”
“Shame it’s only useful for powering items,” Kael said. “Having some kind of personal mana battery would have been a nice way of sidestepping your limited mana reserves. Have you looked into making such a thing? Even if it only lasted a few weeks, that should be enough to be useful in your circumstances.”
“Of course I’ve looked into it,” Zorian scoffed. “It’s impossible. Personal mana loses its affinity with its maker rapidly once expended, becoming indistinguishable from ambient mana in a matter of minutes.”
“Ah.”
“Indeed. What about alchemical solutions? Is there a potion that i
