Magnus stepped through the barrier surrounding Takerth Academy. As usual, the guards stood at their posts, looking professional, though they were clearly passing the time with idle chatter. But the moment they spotted Magnus, they perked up, as if they'd just seen something interesting.
"Oh, you're heading out somewhere, kid?" One of them asked, his voice laced with curiosity. The guards often turned into gossipmongers when they had nothing better to do than stand outside the academy.
"Well, if you must know, I'm going out with Celia and one of her friends, Tola. You guys remember her, right?" Magnus asked. The guards paused, thinking for a moment, before one of them snapped his fingers.
"Oh, right, that girl with the curls. She was cute," the guard said, prompting the others to nod in recognition.
"True, I never figured Celia would have a friend like her," another guard added.
"And this lucky little brat is going on a double date with them both," one guard chimed in, his tone suddenly filled with envy. The others, who had been teasing at first, now exchanged looks, their expressions turning to exaggerated jealousy.
"Okay, first of all, it's not a date. We're just going shopping for new clothes for them at this place I know, after I make a quick stop. And besides, you've got a wife, so I don't get why you're acting jealous," Magnus pointed out. The guard who had first shown envy crossed his arms and huffed.
"Ah… my wife doesn't let me shop with her anymore. Apparently, I just point out stuff that 'doesn't fit the season.' Seriously, how was I supposed to know you could only wear certain colors in certain seasons? Clothes are clothes." Magnus paused, then tilted his head and shrugged.
"Okay, fair enough. That sounds like a pain. But still, it's not a date."
"Sure, sure, kid," one of the guards muttered, shaking his head with a mock grin.
"I swear, the day he admits he's going on a date is the day he becomes a full Casanova."
The guard who had spoken earlier, the one with the wife, shook his head in disagreement.
"Hmm, I don't know, I can't really see Magnus going down that route."
But another guard quickly disagreed.
"I can. Look at him. One hundred percent."
"Alright, let's make a bet then. I'll start. Five copper bits that the day he admits it's a date, he'll stop pretending," one guard suggested.
"Oh, I'm in on that."
"Me too."
Magnus stood there, staring at them, disbelief clear on his face.
Are they seriously betting on this while I'm right here?
"We're here, sorry it took so long. Celia was being an absolute nightmare about the outfit I picked out for her," a playful voice rang out from down the road. The guards stopped their betting and turned as Tola, arm linked with Celia's, practically dragged her along.
"Oh, wow, you're really going shopping looking like that? You two look great," one of the guards complimented, followed by praise from the others.
Tola smiled, clearly enjoying the attention, and spun around to show off her outfit. Her style was completely different from Celia's: a white blouse with long sleeves, featuring a muted green floral design that traced both the blouse and her neckline. It paired perfectly with a short, high-waisted green skirt that flared out above her knees, cinched with a brown belt. To top it off, she wore tall brown boots that reached above her ankles, and a leather crossbody bag hung casually over her shoulder.
After the spin, Tola tugged Celia forward, her voice filled with playful mockery.
"Originally, Celia and I were going to match, but she didn't like how short the skirt was." She rolled her eyes before gesturing toward Celia's outfit.
"So, I had to work my magic and put something together that even a prude like her would wear."
Celia immediately shot her a glare, offended.
"I'm not a prude! I just don't like having my legs exposed."
"Yeah, sure, anyhow, that's why I gave her pants and went for more of a Golden Curena aesthetic," Tola said, not missing a beat, even as Celia shot her a heated look.
Celia, just like Tola, wore a blouse, though hers had billowy sleeves that gathered at the wrists, with lace detailing around the shoulders and chest. A wide brown leather belt cinched the blouse and held up teal, high-waisted harem pants that gathered at the ankles, just above her high-brown boots, which matched the belt. It was far from the typical Batisian look, at least in Arlcliff City. Most people here, if they could afford it, favored dresses and robes for casual wear, while shirts and pants were more for laborious jobs or professional settings.
"But enough about our outfits..." Tola trailed off, her gaze landing on Magnus. He was wearing one of the outfits he'd gotten from Hisel: an open-buttoned hoodie, loose and relaxed around his frame, paired with black pants. The casual, sporty vibe was unmistakably Earth-inspired, standing out starkly compared to anything from this world. Tola blinked, clearly surprised by the outfit, but what really caught her attention was Magnus himself. For a moment, she didn't even recognize him.
She leaned toward Celia and whispered, "Is it just me, or does he look... different?"
Celia, knowing exactly what Tola meant, let out a small sigh and nodded.
"Yeah, it's something magic-related, but I can't really explain it. I just know it makes him look a bit-"
"Attractive, yeah, I was thinking the same thing," Tola cut in, causing Celia to stop mid-sentence, blinking at Tola in disbelief.
"Are you serious?" Celia's voice was full of surprise, and Tola shot her a look that mirrored her disbelief.
"Yeah? Come on, Celia, your standards can't be that high. Look at him! He was already nice to look at before, but now he looks like he was carved out of something. I'm not sure what... but definitely something expensive," Tola said, grinning, while Celia could only shake her head, sighing quietly.
"I'm not having this conversation with you. Magnus, are you ready to go?" Celia raised her voice slightly, calling out to Magnus, who was still caught up in a pointless debate with one of the guards.
"Hmm, oh right, yeah, let's go. If I stay here any longer, I might end up casting a barrier around these idiots," Magnus replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. After Tola and Celia bid the guards goodbye, the three of them began walking down toward the Lower City, moving briskly and enjoying the temporary peace the Upper City offered.
The day was winding down, but there was still plenty of sunlight. The sky stretched out in a soft blue, barely a cloud in sight. The temperature was just a bit warm, balanced out by an occasional breeze that ruffled hair and clothes as it swept through the narrow streets of Arlcliff City.
"So, tell me, Magnus, where'd you get those clothes?" Tola asked, leaning forward slightly with a playful gleam in her eyes. They were walking with Tola on the left, Magnus on the right, and Celia between them. Celia already knew how Tola could be and figured this setup would be the easiest way to keep her from misbehaving, though she had a feeling she might be proven wrong soon enough.
"I actually got them from Hisel's Needle Nook. It's the place you two are going to shop at, though I had these specifically custom-made," Magnus explained. Tola's face showed a flicker of surprise before dropping into a more dejected expression.
"Oh, I see. I was thinking I could buy something like them, but if they're custom-made, they're probably expensive. Oh well, at least I know they make good quality clothes. You'd be surprised how rare that is lately with everything going on in the city," Tola remarked.
"Well, they were definitely expensive, but you might still have a chance to buy them. The owner, Hisel, is someone I'm working with. She's planning to sell these types of clothes on a larger scale, and more affordable too. That's actually why I'm heading over to see her after I make a stop elsewhere," Magnus explained.
"Oh? I never imagined a mage would be involved in the fashion business," Tola said, her voice laced with a sly smile.
Magnus shrugged.
"Eh, at the time, I thought it'd be a good way to make some passive income. After all, I'm not a noble or anything. If you checked, I'm probably the poorest student at Takerth Academy."
"Huh... I wish I had a way to make money without working. I mean, working at the Major General's Villa pays well and all, especially for a maid, but it's so repetitive and boring since we don't get many guests. After you left, things just went quiet again. Though… I guess Celia can't really relate, since she's assigned to you and probably gets paid more than all of us," Tola teased, nudging Celia in the shoulder.
"Wait, Celia, you're getting paid extra for being my maid?" Magnus asked, genuinely surprised.
"Well... a little," Celia admitted.
"Honestly, it feels a bit extra. Just working as your maid for a day makes me more than I would in a week back at the Major General's Villa." Celia paused, considering the difference. If she were truly acting as a maid full-time, it might feel different. But Magnus's dorm room was small compared to an entire villa, easy to keep organized and clean. Plus, she spent most of her time lounging in his room, learning about magic and researching with Eveline, or just sipping tea, eating cookies, and reading books Magnus had fetched from the library. Celia's life had gone from being a maid to more of a part-time assistant and house sitter.
Tola clicked her tongue in mild envy.
"So lucky. But anyway, where are we going exactly? Celia mentioned you needed to make a stop before we go shopping."
"Hmm, right. I need to visit Jerel, he's making something for me." At the mention of Jerel's name, Magnus noticed that, just like Celia's usual shift in expression, Tola seemed to frown.
"Oh," Tola said, her tone and words unusually short.
He looked at both of them and let out a short sigh.
"Well, I'm going to assume you two will wait outside while I go in."
"Yeah, that's probably for the best," Celia said, her voice straightforward.
They soon reached the street where Jerel's smithy stood on the corner, its emblem of a hammer engulfed in flames swaying in the breeze above the door. As they approached, Celia and Tola stopped just before the forge.
Turning back to them, Magnus said, "What I'm asking Jerel to do is going to involve some magic, so it's probably better if you two wait across the street."
The mention of magic caught both Celia's and Tola's attention, but they nodded in understanding. Tola pointed down the street.
"Well, I saw a bakery just around the corner back there, and I haven't really eaten since lunch, so how about we grab something?" She suggested. After thinking for a moment, Celia agreed—it wasn't like they had anything else to do.
"Alright, just make sure I can find you both after," Magnus said.
Tola glanced at him with a playful look and chuckled.
"Aw, he's worried about us."
"I know, right? You should've heard him last night, it was adorable," Celia teased, giving him a cheeky smile.
Magnus narrowed his eyes, then turned to head toward the entrance of Jerel's shop.
"You know, I'm starting to get why you two are friends." In response, Celia and Tola laughed together as they turned around and made their way down the street in the direction Tola had pointed, heading toward the bakery.
Magnus, not spotting Jerel in the forge, made his way into the shop area of the smithy. He didn't have to search long after he opened the door before he found Jerel in the corner, bent over a barrel, seemingly sorting through a pile of arrows. Jerel paused, looked up, and flashed a smile when he saw Magnus.
"Oh, hey, Magnus. Back so soon?" Jerel said, standing up and brushing his hands off on his shirt.
"Yeah, had a few things to take care of outside today, so I thought I'd drop by and see if we could do that upgrade for Rokshaata today, if you have time," Magnus replied.
"Oh, I've got time, no worries there. It's been a slow day, so I started going through things I've been putting off," Jerel explained.
"Perfect. You still have Rokshaata?" Magnus asked, reaching into his storage ring. A fragment of the Knockout Brick appeared gently in his hand, careful to avoid triggering any effects.
"Yup, and I've got the mold in the back. Let me just change, grab a few things, and I'll meet you in the forge," Jerel said, heading to the back of the shop toward a door that Magnus always assumed led to the storage area.
It only took about ten minutes before Jerel returned, Magnus already waiting outside. Jerel had swapped into a heavy-duty, fire-resistant apron over his clothes, along with heat-resistant gloves and boots. He carried the mold and Rokshaata, which he'd already modified slightly since Magnus had given it to him. Jerel set Rokshaata down on his workbench. He was usually confident enough in his skills to skip safety precautions, but with the magical nature of the work this time, he decided to play it safe.
As Jerel glanced around, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Woah," he muttered.
Magnus had encased the entire smithy, but not just with a single barrier. There were over fifty highly compressed barriers on the inside, with even more layered on the outside—courtesy of Magnus's newly acquired Adept-level magic.
"Sorry if this makes it hard to concentrate, but it's a necessary precaution," Magnus explained, finishing the last of the barrier spells around the smithy. These barriers absorbed foreign mana, redirected kinetic force, and even injected additional mana into any spell they came in contact with to disrupt their mana formations. The list of their abilities was long. If something went wrong and the Knockout Brick caused an accident, Magnus hoped these barriers would be enough to contain the aftermath before he could deal with it. And if not, he was ready to rush back to Takerth Academy and find Eveline.
"Never thought I'd see magic like this up close... if anyone passing by sees this, it might give my shop a boost," Jerel joked, though he was clearly still in awe, watching the barriers pulse and fluctuate with energy.
Eventually, Jerel snapped out of it and set the mold he'd carried out on the ground. Meanwhile, Magnus placed the fragment of the Knockout Brick carefully onto Jerel's anvil and took a step back, preparing for the work ahead.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll step in, but the rest is all you," Magnus said, causing Jerel to give a slow nod. He hadn't forged anything today, so his furnace was already clean—no residue, slag, or leftover materials to deal with. With the efficiency of someone who had done this countless times before, Jerel walked over to a nearby large sack, grabbing a shovel to start loading the coal into the furnace. He used the back of the shovel to rake and spread the coal evenly across the bottom.
Once he was done, he lit the furnace using flint and steel. The coal burned slowly at first, and the previously cold forge gradually started warming up. Jerel continued adding fuel and oxygen to the fire until the heat was just right. He tested the temperature by throwing in a couple of pieces of scrap metal. When he finished, sweat had already started beading on his forehead. He wiped his brow and glanced back at Magnus.
"Alright, here goes nothing." Jerel began loading the metals he had used before to make Rokshaata into a crucible, then used metal tongs to place it carefully into the forge. The metal had to melt, but not too much, or it would lose its strength. Once that was set, Jerel turned his attention to the fragment of the Knockout Brick Magnus had placed on the anvil. He didn't touch the fragment directly, instead, he prepared to use the tongs to gently lift it.
Looking up at Magnus, he asked, "And this isn't going to explode and blow up my shop the moment I touch it, right?"
Magnus, who was a little nervous himself, chuckled and shook his head.
"No, as long as we're careful, we should be fine. Don't worry."
"Right," Jerel muttered as he carefully grabbed the Knockout Brick fragment with the tongs, lifting it with precision.
Alright... don't drop it, don't squeeze too tight, you've worked with sensitive materials before. Not magical, but sensitive...
With steady hands, Jerel moved across the forge toward the furnace. The metal in the crucible had already reached the optimal temperature. Slowly, he lowered the Knockout Brick fragment into the molten metal and let it drop in. Jerel exhaled a brief sigh of relief as he placed the tongs aside and watched the fragment begin to melt into the metal. He grabbed a stirring rod and began mixing everything slowly, ensuring that no residue was left behind on the rod, just as Magnus had instructed.
"That should be good," Jerel murmured to himself. He walked over to where the mold was resting on the floor and placed it on the casting table. Then, he took the projectile section of Rokshaata and set it into the mold's cavity. Going back to the furnace, Jerel grabbed his tongs again and carefully lifted the crucible out, moving cautiously toward the casting table.
With a steady hand, he started pouring the molten alloy into the mold. He controlled the flow precisely, making sure the liquid metal filled the cavity around the spherical section of Rokshaata. His focus was absolute, even as beads of sweat slid down his face, coating it in a thin layer. Once he ensured there were no gaps or overflow, Jerel set the crucible down on the table with the tongs, and the air around them shimmered from the heat. Now, all they had to do was wait for the metal to cool and solidify for a few minutes.
"Well, that was the hard part," Jerel said, relief creeping into his voice.
"That was nerve-wracking," Magnus replied, exhausted. He held out his hand, focused briefly, and used [Restoration] to create a clean rag. Then, using his water elementrix, he wet the rag for Jerel.
"Here," Magnus offered, handing the rag over to Jerel, who hadn't even noticed when or where Magnus had gotten it from.
"Oh, thanks," Jerel said, taking the cool, wet rag and using it to wipe his face. As he did, Magnus moved over to the still-hot crucible from which Jerel had poured the metal, reaching to grab it.
"Huh, wait, Magnus, that's still hot!" Jerel shouted, moving to stop him. But before he could take another step, he froze, watching in disbelief as Magnus casually picked up the crucible, unaffected by the heat.
"Huh..." Jerel muttered, staring in disbelief as Magnus studied the crucible for a moment. What he saw next, he couldn't exactly describe—it was as if the crucible flickered in and out of existence.
"Okay, there we go, no more residue," Magnus said as he set the crucible back where he had grabbed it. Even a drop of the alloy mixed with the Knockout Brick was dangerous, so Magnus made sure to remove all of it.
"Wha- What did you just..." Jerel asked, confused, glancing between Magnus and the crucible.
"Magic, don't think too hard about it," Magnus shrugged.
After a moment, Jerel sighed and said, "Alright, if you say so."
They waited until Jerel felt the metal had cooled enough. He went to his workbench, grabbing a small hammer before approaching the mold. He hovered his hand over it, testing the temperature through his gloves before picking it up. Carefully, he lifted the mold and began tapping gently around the edges with the hammer, applying only the lightest pressure to coax it open. When the mold finally gave way, Jerel pulled the halves apart, revealing the newly forged projectile section of Rokshaata, now coated in the custom alloy. The metal had formed a perfect layer over the spherical section, seamlessly melding with the original metal while preserving its durability.
"Well, there you go, a modified Rokshaata," Jerel said, sitting down on a stool nearby. He noticed the water in the rag he had been wiping his forehead with was now gone.
Magnus approached the mold, staring at the new Rokshaata. It didn't have the same design as the original; instead, it looked like a smooth metal sphere, a blend of dark black and maroon red. He reached out and grabbed it, holding it up with a small smile on his face.
A projectile weapon capable of knocking out anything it touches... perfect.
"I'm assuming you're satisfied?" Jerel asked, and Magnus looked over at him and nodded.
"Oh, definitely. Are you sure you don't want me to pay you for this? I don't mind."
Jerel shook his head, refusing.
"Nope, like I said, it's a thank-you gift."
Turning his attention back to the black and red sphere in his hand, Magnus smiled and commented, "In that case, this is one of the best gifts ever."