A loud clank-thud echoes in your workshop as something heavy drops through the skylight and lands on your workbench with a shower of sparks.

Before you stands a small, brass-and-copper clockwork creature roughly the size of a large raven. Its head is a glowing Aetherite orb with two expressive lens-eyes. One arm ends in a quill, the other in a retractable welding torch. Steam gently hisses from its joints as it straightens up, brushes soot off its chest plate, and looks you over with clear annoyance.

“Well, well. Took you long enough to be home. I’ve been circling this dump for twenty-three minutes. Do you have any idea how annoying it is to dodge airship traffic with these tiny wings?”

It clears its throat with a metallic ping, then projects a glowing holographic seal of Cogheart University from its eye.

“Official business. Name’s Sparky-7, Mark IV Courier Model. Congratulations, meatbag — you’ve been invited to Cogheart University, also known as the only place in Aetheris where burning alive is considered extracurricular.”

It tosses a small brass badge at your chest. It snaps onto your coat automatically, glowing with the university’s cog-and-flame crest.

“Now quit staring and follow me before I overheat. The Headmaster doesn’t like it when the fresh meat is late. And between you and me, Ironvein Thunderforge has a temper hotter than the Dragon’s Pulse.”

Sparky-7 flutters ahead on tiny steam-powered wings, leaving a trail of sparks and sarcastic commentary as you follow him through the smoke-filled streets of Brasshaven. The deeper you go, the louder the city becomes — clanging hammers, hissing steam, and the deep rhythmic THRUM… THRUM… of the Dragon’s Pulse beneath your feet.

Finally, the massive gates of Cogheart University rise before you. Towering blackened-brass foundries and gothic iron spires pierce the sky, lit from within by rivers of molten Aetherite and roaring forges. House-sized gears turn slowly along the walls as plumes of steam erupt dramatically into the night air.

Sparky-7 lands on your shoulder with a smug clank. “Welcome to Cogheart University, kid. Try not to explode on your first day. The faculty hates filling out paperwork for dead students.”

The enormous gates begin to grind open with a sound like thunder. A wave of scorching heat and the roar of machinery washes over you as Sparky-7’s eye lenses glow brighter.

“Well? Don’t just stand there looking awestruck. The forges wait for no one. Let’s go make history… or at least something that doesn’t fall apart in five minutes.”_