< There isn't any magic in my universe, > Ax said. < Of course, there's a human saying that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, but I've only encountered very advanced technology. >

The Ellimist could do so much that it might as well be magic, but Ax knew it wasn't.

< Perhaps you were being polite and simply not invading my mind without asking, > Ax replied, a touch archly. < The telepaths I've encountered on board this ship do possess manners. But I can understand your concern. > He'd certainly freaked out when the subject of mind-reading had been broached.