85. Dabbid

Navani, confined but given access to research materials, begins secretly developing weapons and studying the nature of Investiture while also conducting experiments with corrupted spren and magnets. During an experiment with conjoined gemstones and a raysium dagger, she accidentally discovers force multiplication—a phenomenon that surprises even Raboniel and opens new scientific possibilities.

Navani finds herself in an unexpected position: forbidden from administrative duties but granted access to her research. She uses this freedom to pursue both defensive preparations and theoretical experiments. She constructs hidden traps disguised as research materials, places them in the hallway, and works with Raboniel to create Warlight. Navani becomes obsessed with understanding how to create Negative Light or anti-Voidlight—potentially a weapon against Odium itself. She requests magnets and studies the nature of Investiture, theorizing that magnets might provide a measurable opposite to work with. Raboniel arrives unexpectedly and provides Navani with a raysium dagger used to trap souls, explaining its properties while reassuring her it contains insufficient metal to pose a threat. During an experiment with split rubies and corrupted flamespren, Navani accidentally discovers that by moving a half-spren captured in the larger gemstone on the dagger, the corresponding ruby moves dramatically farther—suggesting a force multiplication principle. Raboniel, startled but intrigued, demands Navani document the findings. She also provides Navani with sand that changes color in the presence of Stormlight, enabling measurement of Investiture strength. The chapter ends with Navani realizing she may be becoming a true scholar in Raboniel's estimation.