When Rey explains her relationship with magic, Hella's interest is visibly piqued. She finishes off her drink and sets it down, wiping her mouth. She's not as tense as she was just moments ago, leaning forward in her seat.

"Where I'm from, magic is a curse on the land. It's rare. But those that use it... Pattern magic is still in common use by the Archivists, but that's different. There is no good use of true magic. It's dangerous."

Fantasmo proved that to the rest of them when he turned out to be a construct. Ever since the trouble in Rosemerrow, Hella's stance on magic has doubled down.

Magic comes in many forms in Hieron; there is divine magic of the gods, and pattern magic or semiotics, and there's whatever Fero is, but it's the true magic of the university's remains that cause Hella the most unease. And it feels much the same as the Door's power to transport people into this place -- the whole thing reminds her strongly of Arrell's pocket universes. Pocket universes and false gods, as Caedra explained.

"I'd feel blessed to be from a place that hasn't been touched by it," is how she finishes her thought, eyes traveling away from her focus on Rey, a little awkward in their retreat.