With Lumina busy, Brin decided to start his day at Ademsi’s shop, but when he got there the shop was empty. He honestly couldn’t guess where the automaton had gone; it’s not like he had that many friends.

He heard footsteps on stairs heading down from the rooms upstairs. The door opened and Evita stepped out.

She approached in a happy, dancing gait, and her graceful movements were accentuated by a light, flowy dress. The fabric was decorated with colorful flower designs; it sort of reminded him of a Mexican Chiapaneca. He was glad to see she was wearing anything, to be honest. The clockwork lady had a habit of wandering around the house au naturel.

“Hey Evita, nice dress!”

She swirled it a bit with both hands. “Do you like it? I made it myself. The [Seamstresses] and [Tailors] have been so kind to me, in letting me dabble in their craft. I find myself taking to the work quite excellently. Father made me for such things, you know, to help him with his crafting. I am adept at finer, more nimble work.” Her voice was light, or kind of musical, and she spoke slowly and calmly, like she had all the time in the world and she was speaking for the joy of it rather than the need to convey information.

“See here,” she said, and held up the hem of her dress.

On closer inspection, Brin saw that the fabric wasn’t all one piece, there were several pieces sewn together. The stitches combining them were actually smaller than the weaves of the thread.

“That’s incredible,” said Brin. “Where did you get the fabric? It looks like you sewed together scraps.”

“This is the last of what Julinha had in her store.”

“Hm. Do you ever go to Myra for fabric?”

She brought a finger to her lips, considering. “I suppose there’s no reason I wouldn’t buy from Myra. Mostly I use what my tutors have. They’ve been such dears to me.”

“That’s great! It’s wonderful to find work that you actually enjoy,” said Brin.

“Precisely. My teachers say that I will surpass them, even without a Class, but that is no matter to me. I find joy in being able to do and act and make. My father felt that joy, I believe, in creating us. This is something I might still share with him.”

Brin winced. “How are you doing, by the way? I know Ademsi’s taking it pretty hard, but I wonder if anyone ever stopped to ask you how you’re doing.”

“Many of my friends have asked, not to worry. I am well. Sorrow does not weigh me down. I do not bear the same depth of emotion as Ademsi; in this he is my superior. I do worry for him, however. He is with Toros today, if you were looking for him.”

“I was. Thanks.”

Out on the street, he saw Zilly with Davi. The two of them were walking away from Davi’s house, and they both looked a bit sweaty and disheveled. Wait a second. There was no way. Were these two..?

“You guys are working out without me!” accused Brin.

The two of them jumped, and turned around. Davi scratched the back of his head. “Oh. Yeah, I forgot that you’d probably want to join.”

“Unbelievable,” said Brin. “I bet you’ve been dueling, too! That’s why she beat me yesterday.”

“Well, sure. But mostly Kevim takes us both on,” said Davi.

“Hey, don’t be jealous. You literally have Lumina and Hogg tutoring you,” said Zilly.

Brin shrugged. “Fair enough. What are you up to now?”

“Just wandering around, I guess. It’s too early for the public house, and there’s nowhere else to go,” said Zilly.

“I was headed over to Toros–” said Brin.

“Oh perfect!” she said, and moved to walk along next to him.

“--because I heard Ademsi was over there,” said Brin.

Zilly stumbled. “Of course he is. Why is it that you are best friends with every weird terrifying person in town?”

“Hey, that’s not true. Davi isn’t weird or terrifying.”

Davi nodded. “That’s true.”

“Oh, so I am?” Zilly asked. “What about Myra?”

“Oh yes. To both.”

The two of them laughed, and then Zilly scratched her cheek curiously. “So, Lumina is teaching you to fight with magic? Myra, too?”

“We haven’t really sparred. When Lumina has us compete, it’ll be to complete some other kind of task. The first one to knock down something far away, or raise ourselves a hundred feet into the air. But then it just comes down to who has the best-suited magic. Myra is really good at anything that requires precision, Rodrige the [Carpenter] has the strongest projectiles, and Gill can summon about ten times as much wood as I can glass.”

As they walked, they began to hear the sound of ringing metal from the forge. The sound was dampened by enchantment, otherwise no one would want to live here, but still audible. It was a rare sound since the battle, now that Simao was dead and Toros was too sick to work.

Inside, Ademsi’s hulking form was bent over an anvil. He held a red-hot bar of metal in his wooden hand, without so much as a glove, and banged away at it with precise, mechanical strikes. The hammer looked small in his hands, and he worked without any sign of weariness.

Toros sat on a stool near the wall. He bore little resemblance to the muscular, energetic man that Brin knew. His clothes looked a little too big for him, and he sat still. There were new lines on his face. He looked just a little bit sadder, and a lot more tired; Brin had never seen him so much as sit down before.

Toros gestured them over when he saw him in the doorway, and then he slumped back forward, elbows on his knees, as if it were requiring all his energy to stay on the stool. Still, his eyes never veered away from Ademsi’s work.

The metal took shape under the automaton’s ministrations. The end curved around into a hook. The rest of the rod went square, and then turned at a sharp, perfect ninety-degree angle. Brin would normally say that part would have to be made by connecting two pieces together, but Ademsi brutalized it into place with sheer strength.

Brin wasn’t sure what it was when it was done; a piece of machinery of some kind, but Toros gazed at it like it was the holy grail.

“Amazing! Do you see how he moves the metal like he was born to it? I’d call him a level 40 [Smith], with the only reservation that we’ve barely scratched the surface of what he can do,” said Toros.

“You are of course correct. I was created without flaw.” Ademsi straightened up smoothly. Normally, Brin would expect a grunt or a wince when someone straightened after being hunched over, but of course Ademsi showed no sign of weariness. He didn’t even know if the construct could get tired.

Ademsi dunked the piece in a quenching barrel, putting his hand in as well, which also made the water steam and boil. When he brought it out, he clapped twice, making black flakes fall away to reveal unblemished polish.

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He turned to Brin. “Greetings.”

“Hey, Ademsi. Have you met my friends? This is Zilly and Davi.”

Zilly’s eyes went wide in panic when he said her name, she’d been trying to edge behind Davi when they came in. Davi simply stepped forward casually and clasped Ademsi’s hand in a firm handshake.

“We are not acquainted,” said Ademsi. “Well met.”

“You’ve been helping Brin out with glass, I hear,” said Davi. “And now metal? You seem to be pretty good.”

“He’s more than good,” said Toros.

“Correct. And yet, you flatter me,” said Ademsi. “I am already as strong as I will ever be. The only way to improve myself would be to replace my parts with something better, only I will never be the peer of my father. I can make the pieces, but I cannot imbue them with magic or new properties.”

“I bet you can do more than you think,” said Toros.

“Do you really think I could ever do this?” Ademsi held out a hand, showing the miraculous craftsmanship.

Brin saw his point. Ademir had been a genius [Crafter]. The automatons’ bodies could fully move around on their own with clockwork muscles, even before magic was involved. They were also beautiful, literal works of art. When Ademir’s [Witch] Class had brought them to life with the Wyrd, that had just been the icing on the cake, giving them consciousness and explosive power. He doubted that a creature without a Class would ever be able to match it, no matter how strong or smart he was.

“You’re thinking too big,” said Toros. “Ademir didn’t make you all at once. He made you piece by piece, over years. Stop thinking about how to do all of it, and find a place to start. One thing that could be better. Or even just one thing that you could remake on your own. If you really can’t do something, ask for help. I’m not much use with a hammer, but there’s nothing stopping me from imbuing enchantments.”

“You should also ask Chamylla. She owes you…” Brin suddenly remembered that not everyone knew the [Witch’s] secret. Toros probably guessed, but no one knew for sure. “She still owes you for some work that Ademir did for her.”

Ademsi nodded. “Perhaps it’s worth a consultation. What now? Do you require my aid for glass work?”

That had been his original plan, but with Zilly and Davi here it wouldn’t be as fun. He didn’t want to make them sit around and watch. He suddenly got an idea that made the corners of his lips turn up against his will.

“You know, Zilly is always complaining about not having enough sparring partners that can keep up with her. Care to give it a shot?”

Ademsi’s eyes turned a very ominous shade of blue. “I would enjoy that very much.”

Zilly turned for the door, then stopped herself and turned back. She closed her eyes shut tight, then took a deep breath and turned back again, meeting Ademsi’s gaze. “Let’s do it. Have you ever beaten Brin?”

“I have not fought Brin. Why bother, when the outcome is so clear?”

Brin shrugged. “He’d crush me.”

“Don’t hurt her now,” cautioned Toros.

“My application of force is flawless. I will use exactly enough and no more,” said Ademsi, in a slightly lowered voice that he probably thought sounded reassuring.

Zilly gulped.

“In that case, you can use the ring in the back,” said Toros.

Behind the smithy, Toros had a practice yard. There were metal, wooden, and leather targets set up so that customers could test their weapons. It was less about checking the quality, and more about having a place for Toros to help newbie adventurers figure out what the best weapon for their style should be. Everyone wanted a sword, but that wasn’t always the best tool for the job.

The center of the yard had a ten-foot wide ring of chalk on stone. Ademsi eagerly marched to the circle and stood patiently, waiting for Zilly.

“My fighting style requires a lot of movement,” she said.

“Ignore the ring then. Go where you wish. It will not help you,” he said.

“Great job, really thanks a lot,” Zilly hissed at Brin as she stepped up, but she did actually step up.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Davi asked Brin.

Brin nodded. He was becoming more and more certain this was a good idea with every passing second. Somebody needed to beat some sense into Zilly.

Zilly drew her sword, gave it a few practice waves, and bounced from foot to foot, limbering up.

Ademsi stood waiting with his arms at his sides.

Zilly took a guard position, and waited, but Ademsi didn’t move.

She began to creep to the side, and while Ademsi moved his eyes to look at her, he still didn’t move.

All at once she darted forward, quick as a bat across the moon, stabbing forward. Ademsi brought one hand up and caught her forearm.

He lifted her up into the air, where she struggled and thrashed but couldn’t reach him.

She curled up to wrap around his arm, but he threw her away.

She landed on her feet and bounced back at him. He caught her wrist again, and threw her to the side.

Several more times, Zilly used [Dash] to zoom in towards him, and he threw or nudged her away with clean efficiency.

She stopped, just outside the circle, panting. Ademsi held one hand behind his back, and beckoned with the other.

When Zilly raised her sword, there was a bit of presence to it that Brin was beginning to recognize as [Overload]. She charged in, even faster than before, and swung the sword at Ademsi’s arm. He had to take a step forward, but once again snatched Zilly by the wrist.

She’d been ready for that this time, and brought a [Kick] into Ademsi’s thigh.

The automaton actually let out a groan of pain. He stumbled, dropping Zilly. For a brief second, Brin thought she might actually have an opening.

Then Ademsi’s other fist came around and smashed into her side, flinging her out of the circle and across the courtyard.

She lay flat for a moment, then got to her feet with a groan.

“Admirable,” said Ademsi, his eyes lighting up yellow. “You’ve given me new ideas already.”

“Great,” Zilly said, patting her side gingerly. “I’m happy for you. That was ridiculous! It was like fighting a… a…”

“A seven-foot-tall murder bot?” suggested Brin.

“Ha ha ha,” said Ademsi.

“You didn’t even use a weapon,” said Zilly.

“Would you like me to use a weapon?” Ademsi demonstrated the way that his hand could collapse back, to swing around in favor of a spinning saw blade. Zilly went a little green.

“Can I go next?” asked Davi. “I use a quarterstaff.”

“Then I shall as well,” said Ademsi.

“Seriously?” Zilly asked.

Ademsi picked up a quarterstaff resting on the wall, and Davi took some time selecting one that was exactly his size.

Then they were ready.

“Would you like me to play a song?” Brin asked Davi.

“Nah. This is just for fun. Right, Ademsi?”

Ademsi waited just a tad too long before saying, “Yes.”

Davi struck. He didn’t flicker in and out quickly like Zilly. He stepped forward on sturdy legs and his first strike had a heaviness to it. Ademsi parried and they moved into a familiar dance. Brin had often seen [Farmers] practicing with staves and there was a certain grace to the pattern of strikes and counter-strikes.

This time, only Davi attacked. He moved from strike to strike quickly and smoothly, with perfect form that he’d practiced over a lifetime. Ademsi stepped back here and there but stopped every blow perfectly. His form was far from perfect; to him it was just a stick in his hands. It didn’t matter. As one minute turned into two, Davi failed to land even a single strike on Ademsi.

Brin couldn’t stop himself from comparing this to the giant they’d downed. If all three of them worked together, with Myra too, would they have a chance? In the same conditions, with Brin already cut up enough that [Battle Fury] was at full strength, and Davi playing his best music, then yes. He thought they’d be able to win. But none of them were ready to fight him one on one.

Brin was wondering if Davi would start using his [Bard] magic or if he’d concede, when they heard a door slam in Toros’ shop.

Davi met Ademsi’s eyes. “Pause this for now?”

“Yes.”

They all four rushed back inside, to see a pre-System child named Herme out of breath and holding a glowing brown vial.

“F…” Herme panted while trying to shove the potion into Toros’ hands. “Finally. Calisto finally did it.”

Toros gingerly took the potion.

“Drink it! It’s from Calisto. He finally did it! The caravan had alchemy supplies, herbs and such, everything he needed. That’s the cure to your [Witch]-sickness!”

Toros wasted no time in downing the drink, and his eyes went wide from the first gulp. He hopped down the stool. “I can’t believe it.”

The vial fell from his fingers, unnoticed, and Brin winced as it hit the ground, but of course it didn’t shatter. He’d made that glass, after all.

Toros held up a hand to his face, looking at it as if he was seeing it for the first time.

“You sure you gave him the right potion, there?” asked Brin.

“I’m sure,” said Herme.

“I can’t believe it,” said Toros. “It’s gone. I feel better, just like that. It’s all gone!” He immediately started pacing, his old energy returning. “Instantly! From one breath to another! I’m healed!”

“When alchemy works, it works fast,” Brin said.

Toros started fiddling with tools on the work table. “I have so much to do! I can finally– no, but first–!”

Brin and his friends grinned at each other.

“Hey!” Brin realized. “Does that mean he can heal Hogg, too? Oh! And Gudio! I can finally get some Boron!” He’d finally figured out the word in Frenarian for that element, but it hadn’t made it any easier to get.

“You’re such a nerd,” said Zilly.

“The potions are already on the way,” said Herme.

After that, Brin didn’t get the crafting day that he’d originally planned on, but he couldn’t say it was a waste. They met up with Myra, got lunch, and spent a while wasting time and hanging out, like the good old days.

Well, good old day, maybe? Brin hadn’t spent a whole lot of time hanging out and doing nothing pre-System Day. That had been a mistake. Surprisingly, Ademsi also stayed with them most of the day. He didn’t say much, or laugh at many jokes, but seemed gratified that they wanted him around. Hogg, back walking around in his actual body, treated them all to the finest meal that could be bought at the public house. Meat from a Titan Boa. It tasted like chicken, and Marksi ate enough to make himself sick.

When night fell, they circled around a bonfire and Davi played his lute. He didn’t use any [Bard] Skill to force emotions on them, he just played. Zilly and Myra sang along; they had surprisingly good voices. Evita found them there and danced to the music. That drew a crowd, much to Ademsi’s chagrin.

It was a nice, normal day. Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow, Lumina would face the dragon.