As always, let us begin by taking stock of the situation. Through our previous investigation, we learned that the founders had sealed away the primal Eureka on this isle.

However, Ejika then came along and, acting at Eureka's behest, sabotaged the proto-aetheryte─what may be considered the beating heart of the ward. On account of which the ward has ceased to function.

For a blessing, we discovered a way to restore it: by infusing magicite with copious amounts of aether to create a new focal point. It took considerable time and effort, but the preparations are now ready. All that remains is to reach the primal and seal it away once more.

In order to do that, as per our original objective, we must gain entry to the Students' headquarters. However, this has been rendered complicated owing to a number of factors.

Aside from lying beyond impassable terrain, the structure is protected by a ward of its own─did you ever doubt it? Ordinarily, members of the Students are able to teleport inside, but the high concentration of aether we've measured makes doing so extremely dangerous. We must ascertain the conditions first, or we risk not emerging from the Lifestream.

So I've a mind to enter via the "back door," as it were. Yet this method of ingress, too, isn't without its problems, but it's better to explain it out in the field.

...And that's where we stand. Now, before we set out, there's one last matter I'd like to attend to.

Despite their many divergences, however, all are united in one detail: that Eureka was a repository for transcendent weapons hidden beneath the Crystal Tower.

Curious, though... Assuming Eureka was born of prayers, one would expect a deity the likes of Byregot to manifest. A brawny smithy working the forge.

Yet what we have is a primal possessed of an autonomous avatar, which goes around promising power and glory. Not the kind of entity that would arise from homespun legends. No, it feels all too purposeful. Calculated.

But such musings are for another time. I have some few things to prepare in order to make use of the aforementioned back door. In the meantime, would you go and pay Gerolt a visit?

It pertains to the members of the Students believed trapped inside the headquarters. We've been speaking of rescue, but based on what we know, that may be an overly optimistic view.

The concentration of aether we've measured inside the tower is, to be blunt, not conducive to life. Certainly not over long periods. And all this time, there's been no observable movement from within.

Of course, the Students are knowledgeable and skilled folk, and they may have found some way to survive. But even as we cling to this hope, we should prepare ourselves for the worst.

First, regardin' the logos manipulator. We've improved the vials we use to store transubstantiated mnemes, meanin' ye can carry around more o' the stuff. The expedition alchemist can tell ye all about it.

Next, yer magia board. If ye was already impressed with six pieces o' magicite─rejoice! We can now augment the thing to hold seven stones. If ye talk to the expedition engineer, he'll fix ye up rightwise.

An' last but not least, me favorite topic.
...No, not me godsdamned debts, ye cheeky bloody sod. Weapons! I've found a way to make yer weapons even stronger. If this tickles yer fancy, ye jus' let me know.

Ah, an' while yer here...

...Is what I'd like to say, but I'm afraid I need more time to complete my tasks.

First, let us head to the Central Columns. It's due south of here, at the Val River Source. I'll explain everything once we arrive.

Without the lessons of your field investigations to draw upon, I don't think I would've made it here in one piece.

So, the back door. It's an aetherbridge that conveys you to the tower's entrance, built for those who lack the ability to teleport.

It's usable only by those with special permission, and right now it's not usable at all due to the obstruction in the Lifestream.

In order to restore operation, we must repair the three sets of columns of the aetherbridge.

This requires that we seek out spots of pooled aether...

...And deploy these regulators to restore the flow. I would be grateful if you could assist with this task.

According to my readings of the nearby area, the aether has pooled in two locations along the river source, one in the north and another in the south.

Yes, everything appears to be in order. Hopefully the remaining two sets of columns will prove no more difficult.

...Forgive me, I'm all right now. So, it appears there are two spots of pooled aether in this area as well.

Sorry for keeping you waiting! I've finished with my adjustments─let us see if they did the trick.

Good, no dramas here either. That leaves us with just the Eastern Columns.

But on to business. Again, we have two spots of pooled aether to account for. One is due east of here, while the other appears to lie at the northern edge of the river bank area.

See, what did I tell you? With all three sets of columns thus repaired, the aetherbridge should be operational again. At long last, we may enter the tower.

Well, I don't think any of us expected it to be right by the entrance. I know for a fact that it wasn't here before. One can only assume it was moved from its hiding place.

At any rate, this saves us the trouble of a search, so I shan't complain. Now, as much as I would like to restore the ward at once, that restraint will interfere with its effects.

It's a safety measure that prevents Eureka from escaping, but by the same token it prevents us from acting against it.

I'll wager that Ejika is searching for a way to deactivate the restraint and release Eureka. Which means that we must find it first.

Hmmm, if Ejika had been here, he is long gone. What could that boy possibly be up to...?

Grandfather describes the ward the founders raised, the contrivances they employed to keep Eureka hidden, and─most pertinently─instructions on deactivating the restraint.

He also writes in detail about Eureka's avatar. Contrary to what we first assumed, the entity appears to be more akin to an instrument. 'Tis Eureka's means of manipulating aether, without which the primal cannot forge its weapons.

So long as Eureka itself exists, the instrument can be recreated over and over again, but it will disappear if we sever the aetheric connection between them. This we can accomplish by restoring the ward and sealing Eureka away.

While it falls short of outright eliminating the primal, it presents an effective way to keep it in check. I wonder, perhaps Ejika is...

Well, all will come to light in due course. That is all from me. Let's hear what you have learned.

I see... Yes, I remember. On that fateful day, Grandfather gave the order for immediate evacuation.

But when I attempted to teleport away, the magick failed owing to an unnatural surge in the Lifestream. So I turned my steps towards Port Surgate to find a boat.

I never got there, of course. I was swallowed up by the Lifestream.

Judging by the state of the headquarters, the others too were pulled into that raging torrent. But there was no divine intercession for them.

I had braced for this. From the beginning, I had resigned myself to being the sole survivor. But to now be confronted with the truth...

Confound it all! Aaahhhhhh!

Right. There'll be time for tears later. We have work to do, and Grandfather would expect us to do it.

Come, Forename. Let us deactivate the restraint.

This, Forename. According to Grandfather's notes, this little thing is the crux of the restraint. Apparently, it shares a history with Eureka...but such details aren't relevant at the moment.

What matters is it allows us to release the restraint. Here I go.

That did the trick. Let us return to the hall.