There was quite a bit of awkwardness with Zenobios remark, it makes the atmosphere in the room very weird. It looks as if Zenobios was trying to see their reactions.
Igor and Barbara went silent and made their expression very subtle. Zenobios watched their expressions then smiled.
"Alright, how do you plan to reverse the effects of the magic plague, you can't come all the way here without having some solid plan". Zenobios asked.
"First, we want to see the ingredients and formulas used in the dust, then we will try to reverse engineer it and try new formulas that could counter the magic dust ". Barbara replied.
"What makes you think you are going to succeed, it not like we haven't actually tried what you just mentioned ". Zenobios said.
"Well please, have a look at these things i wrote in this book ". Igor said as he handed over a little book with purple cover to Zenobios.
"Igor, what is that book, I've never seen it with you before ". Barbara whispered to Igor.
"It is the book i use to write down spells that i learned and the ones i formulate that i have yet to try, as well as ideas on what to do with the plague ". Igor responded.
Zenobios opened the book and read what was inside, with numerous scribblings and diagrams portraying mana circulation, manifestation, methods for breakthrough and devices for magic aids.
He was quite impressed with the ingenuity of the books work, he couldn't hide his interested face as he buried his face on the book.
"Oh, oh, this is ingenuous, despite my years in magic research, i delved little on mana's circulation in the body of a regular Theronite, I've been focusing on... This is great, just great ". Zenobios said out loud and couldn't hide his excitement.
"Is that a yes that you will work with us?". Igor asked.
"Of course, there is no way I will let immaculate genius like you two slip from my hands". Zenobios said zealously.
"Why don't we start now by telling you the real purpose of the dust before it became a plague ". Zenobios said as he got off his seat and walked towards the door. His two guests followed suit.
"The dust was meant to stop anyone from conversing with demons, as there were reports of dark magicians emerging and using Theronite sacrifice as a medium for communication ". He said walking along the hallway.
"But as you can see, the work backfired and it mutated every single person here in Theron or as they call it now, Magical nation". He said.
"I'm sure you of all people knows mutating the people of Theron wasn't the only thing that dust did". Barbara said grumpyly.
"..."
Zenobios was silent for a while, he turned his head and looked at Barbara then he smiled.
"Indeed, we three are guilty of it, as you know, that dust also opened a portal to the underworld, the very place we were trying to block from being accessible". Zenobios said.
From his left pocket, Zenobios took a whistle like device and blew into it. Strangely, rather than making a sound, it seems to absorb the surrounding sounds in the area.
"Speaking of the underworld, what sort of devil did you contract with". Zenobios asked still walking along the hallway.
Igor and Barbara were a little hesitant to talk but Igor spoke since it not a secret that they contract with a devil.
"He called himself Baran Valier, the duke and ruler of the Valier duchy". Igor said.
"What is his title ". Zenobios asked.
"The duke and ruler of the Valier duchy ". Igor replied.
"No, not that kind of title, i meant his celestial title, he wouldn't be a devil if he not not high ranking ". Zenobios said.
"?".
Igor and Barbara looked at Zenobios with a blank face.
"Celestial what now?" Barbara asked.
"Celestial title, how do i put it, celestials are like gods and each of these gods have a title attributed to them, usually based on their powers and things they like to do. For example, the celestial i signed contract with is Inzak Dragomir, the Celestial of madness and curse, Valier would have his own title too, he can't be a devil without having one ". Zenobios said.
Barbara and Igor looked at each other, they have no idea what Zenobios was saying, they don't know the celestial title of Valier. They stared at each other and at him, blank.
"You signed a contract with a devil and you don't know his title? This is quite surprising". Zenobios said.
"Well, he didn't tell us, he only kept shouting he is the duke and ruler of the Valier duchy, don't blame us". Igor said.
"And you read the contract, no?" Zenobios asked.
"..."
Barbara and Igor were silent with sheepish expression on. Zenobios was beyond shocked, he left his mouth hanging, he literally just called them genius a little while ago, well being a genius does not equate to being wise.
*Sigh* "i will tell you, Baran Valier is the Celestial of perpetration and sabotage. Whoa, you two are quite funny". Zenobios said.
"!"
"How did you know that, you don't happen to sign a contract with him too, right?". Barbara asked.
"Nah, you can only sign a contract with one celestial at a time ". Zenobios replied.
"So how did you know... Wait how do you even know we get to sign contract with one celestial at a time ". Igor asked.
"I'm a researcher, i search for answers about the world we live in ". Zenobios smirked as he walked with pride to a room filled with beasts placed in cages.