music behind the following scene

NARRATOR
The three friends shared tales of their adventures since last meeting, though Sage and Savant were careful not to mention the times they had met Wei Boyang in the future. Mid-day faded to twilight as they talked and the conversation turned to darker things.

PROF SAVANT
In addition to our private tragedy, the fire was a devastating loss to
the University, all of the history department, Petra's laboratory...

DR SAGE
My laboratory was a personal loss, not a University one. They, after
all, did not know of it.

WEI BOYANG
So you have been working all this time in secret and silence?

DR SAGE
Not complete secret. Abigail and Erasmus...

WEI BOYANG
I mean no offense. Sometimes alchemists must retreat to the
mountain top in order to perform their work uninterrupted.

DR SAGE
Wei Boyang, there is something I need to ask of you.

WEI BOYANG
I am at your service, as always.

DR SAGE
Since I have lost my position at King's and am most likely to be
stripped of my Doctorate in the autumn...

PROF SAVANT
That is not a certainty!

DR SAGE
No, but it is a likelihood, and there is no reason to spare my feelings over it, Erasmus! As I was saying, Wei Boyang, before I was so rudely interrupted, I would like to request that you take possession of the entirety of my research.

WEI BOYANG
That is a large responsibility.

PROF SAVANT
Are we wrong to assume it is a task you would shoulder.

WEI BOYANG
No, you are not mistaken. I simply wish you to know that I understand
the gravity of such a request.