Kael paced back and forth in Theron's room, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he began, "if there's even a chance my mate is at Astoria Academy, maybe we should... I don't know, test it out? Narrow down the possibilities."
Theron, sitting cross-legged on his chair, tilted his head curiously. "Test it out? How? It's not like there's a magical scanner for mate bonds."
Kael grinned. "No, but there's you. You're a genius, Theron. You could figure something out."
Theron leaned back, a spark of interest lighting his eyes. "Huh. Hypothetically speaking, if I could design a device to detect mate bonds, it would revolutionize relationships. Imagine the implications! A portable mate-detection system..."
Kael raised a hand. "Whoa, slow down, Einstein. I was joking."
Theron didn't seem to hear him. He was already muttering to himself, his hands gesturing animatedly. "I'd need to understand the bond's frequency, maybe something to measure the emotional or spiritual resonance between two people. Oh! And compatibility markers! It'd be like... creating a gnomish radar for soulmates!"
Kael waved a hand in front of Theron's face. "Earth to Theron. I said it as a joke."
Theron blinked, his focus snapping back to Kael. "Right. A joke. But still... it's an intriguing idea. If I could isolate the factors that trigger a mate bond, it could lead to groundbreaking advancements in technology."
Kael sighed, flopping onto the bed. "You're really taking this seriously, huh?"
"Why not?" Theron replied, already reaching for a notebook. "It's not every day you get a chance to solve one of the universe's greatest mysteries."
Kael groaned. "Fine, knock yourself out. But you're not dragging me into some crazy experiment. I don't need to be hooked up to one of your machines."
Theron smirked. "Relax, Kael. I wouldn't use you as a test subject... at least not without consent."
Kael gave him a wary look. "That's not reassuring."
Theron laughed, but his mind was already racing. He could picture it now—a sleek device, perhaps embedded in his AI, Rex. If successful, it would not only help Kael but could also make history in the technological world. The possibilities were endless.
Meanwhile, Kael rolled over, propping his head up on one hand. "If you're so determined, maybe start with the basics. Like, who do you think might actually be my mate?"
Theron raised an eyebrow. "You mean you don't have a list?"
Kael grinned sheepishly. "Well... there are a few candidates."
Theron's curiosity piqued. "Alright, let's hear it."
Kael sat up, counting on his fingers. "There's Ingrid, the siren. She's been practically throwing herself at me."
Theron snorted. "Not exactly subtle, but mate-worthy? Highly doubtful."
"Then there's Lirien," Kael continued, his tone playful. "She's an elf, and she's got that whole elegant, untouchable vibe going on."
Theron shook his head. "Lirien would probably skewer you with her bow before admitting to being your mate."
Kael chuckled. "True. Alright, what about Amy? The fire Elemental? She's mysterious and her breasts are massive"
Theron rolled his eyes, then shrugged. "Possible, but unlikely. She doesn't seem the type to fall for your... charms."
Kael grinned. "Ouch. You wound me, Theron."
Theron smirked, but his mind was already elsewhere. If Kael's mate truly was at the academy, could he really devise a way to find her? The idea consumed him, sparking a new wave of ideas.
Kael stretched, his tone light. "You know, you're putting way more thought into this than I expected."
Theron grinned, his eyes glinting with determination. "Call it intellectual curiosity. If I pull this off, Kael, you'll owe me big time."
Kael laughed. "Sure, sure. But don't get your hopes up. The mate bond is about fate, not science."
Theron's smile didn't waver. "We'll see about that."
Kael leaned back on Theron's bed, tossing a ball into the air and catching it repeatedly. "You're really serious about this mate-detection thing, huh?"
Theron, hunched over his desk, didn't look up. "Of course. The implications are massive! If I can isolate the bond's resonance, I might be able to—"
"Blah, blah, science stuff," Kael interrupted, sitting up. "Look, I'm flattered you're putting so much thought into my love life, but when was the last time you slept?"
Theron waved a hand dismissively. "Sleep is overrated. I'm running on pure gnomish ingenuity."
Kael smirked. "And coffee, judging by the smell."
Suddenly, Rex beeped from the desk, projecting a holographic clock. "Theron, you have class in twenty minutes. And Kael, you're already late for combat training."
Kael groaned, grabbing his jacket. "Guess that's my cue."