[Fortescue nods. Her father had had a similar opinion. The world's academics, on the other hand, are always arguing back and forth. But usually, the science team wins.]

It is energy. When I say magic, I don't mean... visual illusions or hocus pocus. I do mean energy. That's how we understand it. It's one of the few things people generally get right.

[The other kind is fake magic and not looked well upon in Imperium. Except by five-year-olds.]

Faking magic carries a heavy price, back home.