Chapter 131: Artifacts and Alliances

Several days passed, and Abel remained engrossed in his work within the dimly lit confines of his basement. The room had transformed into a bustling workshop, with shelves lined with newly arrived equipment, stacks of parchment, and an array of tools designed for analyzing and cataloging magical artifacts. The faint hum of mana infused the air as Abel meticulously sorted through the spoils of recent battles.

On the table before him lay several items, each with its own enigmatic allure. Abel’s sharp eyes scanned the parchment he’d prepared for his findings, recording detailed observations for each object.

The pink earring shimmered faintly under the soft light, its surface smooth yet pulsing with latent energy. According to Abel’s research—and the usage he witnessed from the Mendez brothers—it seemed to draw power from an internal mechanism within the stone itself. The artifact allowed the wearer to summon a grotesque mouth on their palm, capable of biting through flesh with razor-sharp teeth and expelling a viscous pink glob. This substance had shown an ability to cause drowsiness and damage targets, making it both versatile and deadly. However, without the proper tools, Abel couldn’t fully unravel its mysteries.

Next, his gaze shifted to the green earring. It operated on a similar mechanism as the pink one but manifested a third eye on the wearer’s forehead. This eye could discharge a concentrated green laser, powerful enough to rival the destructive capabilities of other magical artifacts. The practicality of this earring was undeniable, though its true origin still eluded him as a drawback seemed to be strange voices that would pop up within the wearer's mind.

Then there was the yellow earring, the strongest of the first three. When activated, it generated a bizarre yellow tail that extended from the wearer’s nose. The tail’s shape could shift into various lethal weapons, adding a unique layer of unpredictability. Abel noted that the five earings artifacts were likely linked somehow, possibly deriving from a common creator or source. The thought lingered in his mind—where had the Mendez Brothers obtained such potent artifacts?

Abel carefully tested the Azure Earring, noting its strange, almost otherworldly properties. When activated, the earring caused the wearer’s tongue to transform, taking on a luminescent azure glow that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. The transformation wasn’t merely cosmetic—the tongue gained the ability to expand almost infinitely, stretching far beyond the natural limits of the human body.

As Abel experimented further, he discovered an even more bizarre effect. The tongue could detach from the wearer’s mouth, slithering out like a living entity before morphing into a translucent gecko-like creature. This creature, glowing faintly with the same azure light, was unnervingly lifelike. It moved with agility, its small but sturdy form capable of mounting an effective fight, seemingly driven by a singular purpose: to protect its wearer and battle to the end.

The gecko had a tenacity that bordered on the supernatural, refusing to retreat no matter the odds. If it was defeated or killed, its body would dissolve into shimmering particles and reconstitute itself as the tongue, returning seamlessly to the wearer’s mouth.

While the utility of such a feature was clear, the side effects were equally obvious. Speaking became impossible while the earring was in use, the transformed tongue rendering communication utterly incoherent. Abel imagined that in extended scenarios, this could be a serious drawback, especially in combat situations requiring coordination.

The Azure Earring, he concluded, was an artifact that balanced its bizarre power with a uniquely inconvenient curse, fitting neatly into the pattern he had observed with the Mendez Brothers’ artifacts. It was strange, unsettling, and undeniably fascinating

Abel turned his attention to the Taupe Gem Earring, carefully observing its effects. Upon activation, the wearer’s ear morphed into a moth-like wing, its surface textured with fine, powdery scales that shimmered faintly under the light. The transformation was unnerving but functional, as the wing allowed the wearer to hover briefly, lifting them a few feet off the ground with surprising ease.

The earring’s true power, however, lay in the wing’s flapping motion. With each controlled beat, it generated gusts of wind strong enough to send a mundane individual flying. Abel experimented with the strength of these gusts, noting that they could be highly disruptive, capable of scattering objects or unbalancing an opponent in combat.

Yet, like all magical artifacts, the Taupe Gem Earring came with its drawbacks. The constant movement of the wing disrupted the wearer’s hearing, rendering them virtually deaf while the artifact was active. In the chaos of battle, this lack of auditory awareness could be a significant disadvantage, leaving the user vulnerable to sneak attacks or commands they couldn’t hear.

As Abel reflected on the five earrings, including the three used by the Mendez Brothers and these two unused ones, he began to see a pattern. Each artifact possessed unique and unusual abilities, but their side effects made them unwieldy in prolonged combat. It was clear why the Mendez Brothers had relied on the first three—these last two, while not inherently malicious, had limitations that could make them liabilities in battle.

Still, Abel saw potential in the taupe earring and azure earrings. With training and discipline, the Enforcement team might learn to wield them effectively, overlooking their drawbacks and using these earrings to their strengths.

Setting the earrings aside, Abel focused on the wooden bracelet resting nearby. It was carved with delicate cylindrical patterns and radiated an earthy mana. When activated, the bracelet summoned a wooden longsword of remarkable durability—nearly on par with Abel’s enchanted knife. Furthermore, the bracelet allowed the sword to return to the wielder’s hand no matter where it was thrown, making it a valuable weapon with a surprising trump card.

However, Abel knew the sword wouldn’t replace his own knife. His star mana manipulation had grown significantly, and his knife had become an extension of himself in a way due to his familiarity with it, capable of channeling his evolving powers with precision. Still, the bracelet had potential. Abel decided he would gift it to Lena as a reward for her loyalty and combat prowess. As for the earrings, he intended to pass them to Burt and the enforcement team, staying true to his promise to help them strengthen their defenses.

With the tower’s permission, the town is better prepared for the inevitable influence of magic and its ever-lasting effects. Once the line towards the supernatural was crossed, there was no way back.

Abel moved on to the smaller items he had collected from the Pseudo Apostle’s remains. He picked up a bag of fangs, each one appearing to be carved from solid ice. The oddity was that the ice never melted, even under direct heat. This would require further study.

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Next were several bundles of herbs he couldn’t identify, their colors vivid and otherworldly. He placed them carefully in a specialized container within his lab—one of the newest additions to his growing workshop.

His attention turned to a peculiar piece of skin, faintly pulsating with life as though it still belonged to its original host. Abel hypothesized that it came from a magical feline with advanced regenerative abilities, a theory supported by the skin’s strange vitality. He sealed it inside a beaker for preservation.

Then there was the silver hair strand. It glowed softly, exuding an ancient, almost celestial aura. The hair felt significant, a relic of something far older than anything else on his table. Abel’s curiosity burned; he resolved to test it later when the time was right.

Other items included a broken magical shell, which seemed inert but still held faint traces of mana, similar to the crow feathers, and what appeared to be a fish's scale. For now, these didn’t seem useful. Finally, there was the scrambled parchment, written in an indecipherable language Abel had never encountered. He set it aside, noting to revisit it once he gathered more resources or information.

Abel stepped back, surveying his organized findings. Each item was a mystery waiting to be unraveled, each one a stepping stone toward greater understanding. His work was far from over.

Abel moved toward a stack of parchments spread across a polished desk, his sharp eyes scanning the names and profiles of families seeking to settle in the burgeoning development on Fifth Street. These were not ordinary applicants—many were prominent, and some had already raised alarms due to their shrouded backgrounds and dubious affiliations.

Abel didn’t reject families merely for their connections to the strange or mystical—he was accustomed to maneuvering in a world full of secrets and shadows. What he did outright deny were families with histories of chaos and disorder, those whose presence might bring instability to Reinhart. With each rejection, his resolve grew firmer. Reinhart’s future wouldn’t tolerate carelessness.

He then turned to a smaller stack—applications from current big families in Reinhart requesting involvement in the town’s growing magical awareness. Abel had agreed to allow each family to send a single representative to participate, but only if they were already knowledgeable of the magical world. The last thing he wanted was to shepherd those unprepared for its dangers. Through his Apostle badge the Tower had allowed him to help Reinhart prepare for the world of magic, however, their instructions were vague and dubious, making Abel question the line that couldn't be crossed.

To protect his anonymity, Abel also planned to use a disguise or hidden identity during any future lessons. Being recognized as the instructor might invite unwanted attention or political entanglements—a distraction he couldn’t afford.

Satisfied with his decisions, he stacked the papers neatly, intending to deliver them back to Elliot. His gaze then shifted to a wide-open space within his lab. A long table stood ready, covered in quills, inks, and fine parchment. Abel stepped toward it, setting aside thoughts of bureaucracy and focusing on a more personal task.

His hands moved with practiced precision as he traced intricate designs onto the parchment, working on improving his calligraphy and design skills. These were essential for crafting magical formations, where even the slightest error in shape or line could lead to catastrophic results. Each stroke was deliberate, his concentration unshakable.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the private yard, Lena practiced her swordsmanship with a determined intensity. The open space offered her privacy, save for the occasional glance from the housekeeper or maids. She swung a long pole she had found, imagining the weight and balance of the magical wooden longsword Abel had promised her.

Her thoughts wandered as she practiced. The encounters with the Mendez Brothers and the Pseudo Apostle replayed in her mind. Would two artifacts be enough to take on such a powerful foe? What had made the Pseudo so unnatural and terrifying? The questions gnawed at her—there was so much about magic she didn’t understand.

The rhythmic sound of her practice stopped as Abel stepped into the garden. She greeted him with a respectful nod, lowering the pole she’d been using. Abel’s gaze swept over her, taking in her dedication with quiet approval.

“I’m heading out for a while,” he said calmly. “Stay here and keep practicing. I’ll return soon.”

With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the wooden bracelet toward her. Lena’s hands snapped up to catch it, her eyes lighting up with fanatical excitement. She clutched the artifact tightly, already envisioning its power bolstering her abilities.

“Thank you, Abel,” she said with a confidence that hinted at her growing sense of self-worth.

He nodded slightly, offering no further words as he turned and left the estate. Lena watched him go, her resolve hardening. She would master this artifact, and one day, stand unshaken against any opponent.

…

The streets of Reinhart were bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. Abel moved through the town with a purpose, his stride measured yet deliberate. The evening bustle swirled around him—merchants closing their stalls, families heading home, and guards making their patrols. The faint murmur of conversation blended with the occasional laughter of children, adding a veneer of normalcy to a town unknowingly teetering on the edge of magical upheaval.

Abel reached the mayor's office on Pine Street, where the guards recognized him immediately and allowed him entry. Inside, he was escorted upstairs to Elliot’s office, a space that was both refined and functional, lined with maps, ledgers, and a desk stacked with documents.

Elliot greeted him with a small smile, clearly busy but always attentive when Abel arrived. Abel handed over the stack of parchments, explaining his decisions regarding the families vying for influence in Fifth Street’s development.

“Four families have my approval,” Abel began, his tone steady. “Two were rejected outright—backgrounds steeped in chaos and discord. I’m fine with families connected to magic, but not at the cost of stability. It’s your decision, though, Elliot.”

The mayor nodded, carefully reviewing the documents as Abel continued.

“I’ll also be disguising myself during the few awareness courses well do for the town's families. Keeping my identity hidden will help avoid unnecessary complications.”

Elliot agreed without hesitation. “Good idea. The library will be ready soon, so we can host the sessions there. It’ll give us more control over who attends.”

As they discussed logistics, Elliot’s expression grew more serious. “By the way, I’ve heard something troubling about the Cinco family. Vander Cinco has invited a private guest, someone I suspect has a strong connection to magic.”

Abel wasn’t surprised. He recalled Vander’s desperation to acquire a magical artifact during their last meeting. “No doubt they’re looking for ways to gain an edge,” Abel said evenly. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”

Elliot nodded, moving on to brighter news. “The expansion of Fifth Street is progressing smoothly. Once it’s complete, we’ll begin work on other areas—more family homes, some trade districts, and public spaces.”

Before Abel could leave, he mentioned the earrings. “I’ve tested the artifacts. I’ll be giving all five to the enforcement team. They’ll serve as useful tools for Burt and his group.”

Elliot’s face lit up with gratitude. “That’s incredibly generous. Let me compensate you properly—”

Abel raised a hand to stop him. “No payment. Just keep me informed of anything magical. Send anything useful my way.”

Elliot gave a solemn nod, respecting Abel’s decision. With their business concluded, Abel bade farewell, leaving the office as the streets began to empty.

After an hour outside the village, the air grew cooler as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon. Abel’s face was concealed beneath a hood, his identity carefully hidden. He had performed the ritual described on the parchment from the man in the rat mask at the bazaar, and it had revealed a precise location: a ridge to the north.

The forest loomed ahead, its trees tall and ominous as twilight deepened into night. The sounds of the village faded behind him, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a distant branch.