Three hours passed in methodical efficiency.
Rey listened as Serena explained the various Artifacts, their functions, their dangers. She detailed which Technique Scrolls contained what knowledge, which ones required preparatory rituals, which ones would kill an untrained user.
The Senior Order members contributed their expertise, cataloging the treasures with the thoroughness of people who believed they would soon profit from this knowledge.
Rey absorbed every word, his enhanced mental processing storing the information with perfect recall.
He asked no unnecessary questions.
His queries were precise, surgical—extracting maximum understanding with minimum conversation. The Order members interpreted his silence as contemplation, perhaps even respect for their expertise.
They were wrong.
Rey was simply calculating.
When the last explanation finished, when Serena had detailed the final High Sequence Technique scroll, Rey stood.
