"Another shame. Science is the way individuals study and so understand their world. It allows them not only to understand, but to better deal with their environment, and even improve upon it."

He nodded. "My time is ample. I'm pleased to discuss it with you" There were still so few things to do here. He was pleased to talk, especially about things that were within his sphere of knowledge and interest. "There are objects known as Materia, which contain energy--life energy, you might say, but not all aspects of its nature are known. Some of these have the power to call from another plane entities both small and great. Each particular Materia calls only one particular creature, again and again. They have form, and some possess sentience or even sapience. I have studied them somewhat."

New and different forms of energy were also intriguing. "I see, I see. Does the added number of swords and the presence of your master, or masters, increase your spirit energy, or is it a constant?"