The entire process took around twenty minutes, and in that time I heard Dobo chat with Vimna three times to assure her that I was safe, his sister a few times more than that to discuss ordering new parts, and right now it was Zokkos inquiring if they could have a moment of my time later. When my sensor runes finally told me that the zinc was pure, I was astonished to find that the crystal shape had completely eroded and was now a jagged and lumpy mess of slightly bluish metal, which struck me as odd since the zinc I knew was quite a light metal with barely a touch of yellow. Shut down the mana arrays in the reverse order that I had turned them on while also taking my tail out of the bucket of water. I dropped the two objects held in my hand on the table, leaving me with a yellow ball with various swirls and specks of different colors and a lump of regular zinc. Huh, where did the blue color go? Maybe when zinc gets charged with mana it turns blue. Neat.

Dobo approached me with the emergency dousing bucket still clenched in his claws.

"So, plan work well? Dobo not needed here anymore?"

I nodded in confirmation much to his relief. He ambled over to pick up the other buckets while I remained there looking at my work. I had just bent the laws of physics again, and this time it actually went according to plan. My brain was still processing the fact that I hadn't been set on fire when Dobo spoke again

"Kayrux, if not busy Zokkos need time. Zokkos want talk about moon-fall. Dobo take water back now, bye."

No sooner had he left did Vimna and Tim come rushing through the entrance to continue their prancing. You know what, I'm going to run around too! The two of them sped up to match my erratic spins and jumps, and by the end of it both Vimna and myself were panting. Wow, it felt good to burn up all that excited energy like that.

I regained my composure after catching my breath, then it was off to see Zokkos during our midday break. If I remember the conversation Dobo had with them correctly, I could probably find the plumber hanging out over by the scrap heap in the far corner. This was the first time I had heard there was a scrap heap, and it was now permanently marked in my mind as a supply of free metal. I found the place and Zokkos sitting upon a bent support beam that had been cut at the ends. Behind me I could hear a pair of kobold feet attempting to be stealthy accompanied by the quiet clicking of a much stealthier isopod.

I took a seat beside them, and on the other side sat the rambunctious red kobold and her new favorite critter. Zokkos didn't seem to mind their presence, though when they spoke they tended to lean close as to not distract Vimna from her games.

"Greeting Kayrux. How is your health?"

I gave a thumbs up and a warm smile, but the glum expression they wore did not change.

"That is good. I worried that you would not return because of moon curse. It brings me much relief to see you are well."

The fact that Zokkos suffered the same affliction had completely slipped my mind. Sure Zokkos was definitely older than me, but Tuleni said that there isn't any cure for the issue so there was no doubt that they had suffered just as I did. I quickly wrote up an inquiry for Vimna to read for me. She took the slate and tilted it in her hands, confused by the fact she had taken it upside down.

"Zozo, Kayroo wants to know if the curse made you hurt and how you are doing. I wanna know too, I never heard about this before."

Zozo was an absolutely adorable nickname, and Zokkos didn't seem to mind it. The two-tone kobold gave both an answer and an explanation wrapped in one.

"When egg is laid under moon-fall a curse is placed on it because gods do not watch over it, turning it into a bad egg. Bad egg hatchlings die because moon-cursed, some rare ones survive sometimes. Normal kobold feels magic in their center become shaky when moon-fall happen, but cursed lose all control. Every moon-fall same thing happen. Zokkos survive three years of moon-fall, saved by kind lesser elder that known many healing ways. Every moon-fall purchase strong medicine to make body resist magics. Helps, but Zokkos still feel pain here."

Zokkos traced a finger along the line dividing their left and right halves. Yeesh, having your magic try to split you apart every other month sounded just as bad as being deep fried from the inside. Vimna looked to me, then to Zokkos, then back to me.

"Kayroo has the same curse? That's awful. What happens to you big sister?"

No way was she going to learn about my insides becoming a slushie. I write a brief yet accurate description of what the sensation felt like while glossing over a few details that she wouldn’t like to know. Her face went pale as she read, prompting Zokkos to bring her attention back to the conversation.

"Vimna, what does Kayrux say?"

"She…she says that moon curse made magic crazy. She almost melted and was in huge pain, had scales fall out too. Medicine made by grandmom was the only thing that saved her."

"Awful sounding, must been hurting family see you suffer. Some mothers do not warm bad egg, let die of cold instead of hatching cursed spawn that die later. The pain left in hearts too much for them so they choose to not let hatch. Zokkos mother decide to keep, even when first moon-fall make Zokkos bleed lots she still keep. Cursed only live when family protect them.”

Agreed: if I wasn’t holding on for the sake of my family and Tuleni didn’t show up with that medicine, I probably wouldn’t have made it. Upsetting as it was to see them worry I am truly thankful that they didn’t give up on me. I nodded in agreement with Zokkos’ words while I took my slate back from Vimna for a moment.

“Kayroo agrees, but you didn’t tell us how you were doing.”

Zokkos looked back to me with an apprehensive look which slowly faded into a relaxed smile.

“Still alive, healthy too. Medicine helped much this time. Zokkis live alone now to not worry mother, but still go to clinic every moon-fall for her worries. Thanks for having concern, this means much."

Vimna leaned her head on Zokkos' shoulder, causing them to jolt suddenly at the unexpected touch.

"Zozo voice sad again. You can be happy now, because you have friends to be there for you. There's me and big sister Kayroo, dad and auntie, and now you have Tim."

Both Zokkos and I looked at the iron ball of sleeping isopod lying beside Vimna. The sentiment was nice, but the inclusion of what equates to a stray dog I had just brought home was perhaps a stretch. The delightful chuckle that came from them was evidence that perhaps the humor was not lost on Zokkos.

"Of course, Tim will be exceptional friend to have. Thanks Vimna, your assistance is appreciated as well."

The tender moment was well spent as the workers who had gone left the workshop had begun to return, effectively blocking us from the main walkway that led to our stations. Zokkos pushed off from the makeshift bench while turning to face me mid stride.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"This talk has almost made Zokkos forget what was needed. Your assistance in a repair is what was originally my intent, as you have demonstrated a high level of magic power and control. Zokkos asks that you give a device power while Zokkos and Hitkova find the fault. Can this be done?"

You were giving my magic too much praise considering that I was too afraid to dial anything past 10%, but being a living battery was easy enough. I gave a thumbs up earning me the elated tail wagging of Zokkos and Vimna, then scooped up Tim and carried him back to my lab. I didn't know how long he would be asleep, ut it was probably a good idea to keep him secure when I wasn't around to watch him. Let's hope that putting him in this empty box will keep him safe. I joined the other two by the table belonging to our resident enchanter.

The device I had been asked to power was something I had never seen before. It had the appearance on a wide diamond shaped prism with a large vent on each side and a single rod jutting from the front. Two intakes on the bottom of the machine were like the steam hose cuffs, but these ones were ten times as large and were connected to large silver plates instead of steam valves. A quick glance at the mana around this thing told me that it was hungrily* sucking the magic in the air around it towards those inlets, but no matter how much it ate it couldn't get enough to do anything.

Hitkova stepped close and began pointing to the parts from top to bottom, including the machine itself.

"Machine here name Shmago Spinner. Uses magic, spin big wheel gears. These heat gaps spit hot air, this main chunk do spin, and mana plugs here drink power. Our place not have mana cables, will use person mana. Would like help powering?"

I shook my head to dissuade her from helping. She rolled her eyes and stepped back with a huff.

"Bad idea, I say. Mana drain knock Kayrux out. Zokkos, you bet?"

A reply was shot back without so much as a glance.

"Five Skrats say Kayrux be fine."

"One Drak."

"One Drak, you apologize rudeness to Zokkos."

"Deal"

These two must have some kind if grudge going on, and from my personal experience it was best to stay out of it. That being said, I hope you're ready to pay up pal, because I'm more than capable of powering up what is basically just the magic version of an electric motor. I'm definitely going to stick around when they pop this thing open.

Zokkos gave me the "go ahead" , and from my position at the edge of the table I was able to put a hand on each silver plate. There were two tugs on my mana, a groan, then nothing as the machine seized. Hitkova shook her head in disapproval.

"This machine hungry. Must feed more."

Feed more, like, open up my mana lines? Maybe that's why everything enchanted has been operating at such poor efficiency for me despite my abundance of mana. Maybe taking directly from the source had some limiting factor to it that prevented proper conductivity. Okay, so what if I go ahead and light up a single line in each arm for the two intakes? Here goes nothing.

The moment my mana shot forth I realized my mistake: no limiters were in place. The motor cranked violently as the sudden surge of power forced whatever internal mechanisms it had to spin wildly while a shower of sparks spewed from the heat vents. My hands were off of the silver before anything went critical, but with the lingering mana that still swirled angrily within the runes it was able to shake itself across the table when something inside finally broke. Zokkos and Hitkova barely had time to leap away as the main drive component came loose and flung itself towards them, stopping a few feet shy of the back wall next to my lab.

Through the billowing smoke now rising from the machine I could see them exchange glances of disbelief, fear, and a touch of dread. From behind I heard Dobo drop his tools and rush over with his hands on his head.

"By dragons, what happened this?"

Zokkos was about to speak up, but Hitkova beat them to it.

"Mana surge broke spinner. Already broken before, five time here. We make new spinner, replace junk here."

Dobo looked to the smoldering husk of metal with a glum face. My lips curled inwards as his eyes locked onto me, and when his mouth opened to speak I braced myself for a scolding.

"Nobody is hurt, that all matters. Kayrux, Dobo cannot give orders to fellow inventor, can only ask for help. Please help make new spinner."

Sure, it's the least I can do after blowing this one up. He stared at my raised thumb with a look of relief as he massaged his head.

"Many thanks. Hitkova can make spinners, but four hands better than two. All parts needed on shelf. Dobo must return, much work left unfinished."

With nothing left to add he was back to his table. I turned back to see the others inspecting* the damage I had caused thoroughly. Zokkos shuffled close to me and whispered into my ear.

"Zokkos sorry, not expect that happening. Can exchange place, work with Hitkova instead."

I shook my head and pointed from myself to the broken motor. I broke it, I'll fix it, and I'll learn how to make more. This situation was bad, but if I switched things around I could figure out how to make motors of my own. By making magical devices I could manufacture non-magical machines, and once I had those I could machine out precise components that would combine the best of magical and non-magical devices. I had no way of conveying this to Zokkos other than to smile and hope that they understood that I was excited for this.

"Well, if Kayrux sure then Zokkos not complain. Hitkova is smart and capable, but has foul temper. We work together years and she still mock Zokkos often. Not let her treat you bad, tell Dobo if does."

Don't worry about me Zozo, I can handle her. I gave them a reassuring pat on the shoulder before making my way over to the kobold in question who was standing over the crispy drive component that had been ejected. The rectangular pole was still radiating heat, and given how it was bent now I could safely guess that it had been flying at quite a high speed. Hitkova pulled a pair of tongs from a shelf to hoist the dangerous metal from the floor. She clenched her jaw from the effort expended, forcing her words out in a hiss.

"Let's get working."

…

I hadn't worked alongside somebody like Hitkova since my days as a human. That is to say, I haven't worked alongside somebody who was so unenthusiastic about physical labor in a long time. She seemed to enjoy telling me what to do and what parts fit where, but not once did I actually see her pick up a tool and help me unless I was actually stuck holding things in place. What she did that I was thankful for was make the rune plates in front of me while describing what they did and where they went, and even demonstrated a few of the rotating cogs in action.

After the first day of building a magic motor was over and I had the rest of the day to myself, I went ahead and cracked open that book with a rune-laced gear on the cover. Wouldn't you know it, this was an entire book detailing physical motion runes and how to apply them. Unlike the imaginary runes that I could place along the mana lines in my body, these runes operated entirely differently based on the placement and angle they were used at. Were I to use these runes along my lines like the others, there would be a lot of blood escaping my body from the freshly amputated limb.

The next day went quite smooth, and we even managed to complete the entire spin assembly. My celebration was short lived as Hitkova explained that there was still the intake and heat vent systems left. The next day I tackled the heat system while she rigged the intake, and with our skills combined had made a better motor than the one I blew up. There was no praise or celebratory high five, just a confirmation that our work was done and a flat goodbye from the enchanter. I could see why Zokkos would dislike her: the two were polar opposites. Zokkos gave me the impression of a dedicated worker with humble ambitions and simple desires, while Hitkova was a somewhat arrogant airhead that thought very highly of her intricate mind and grand ambitions. To me they were both incredible individuals in their own way, but to each other they were like water and gasoline.

Well whatever, she had imparted knowledge upon me that would repay her prissy attitude a hundred-fold: magic motors. That evening I went home and began to sketch up my first invention, one that would make the effort of crafting the lathe and mill go by far faster than if I did so by hand. The fourth day of the week came around, and I entered the workshop early with Humey by my side so he could act as my personal blast furnace to bend some of the silver plates into silver tubes. For the first time I saw him actually let his flames reach a high level of power, and I’m not lying when I say I felt a bit of terror in that moment as I watched his scales bristle out and his skin began to take on a slight orange glow.

With his help no longer needed and the first set of rune-arrays carved I could begin mounting the internal components along pins and gears, making the entire internal structure a rotating drum of cogs. The second tube was almost identical, but the main drive would be mounted to a reciprocating gear mechanism to create back and forth motion. Taking some copper panels from the scrap pile and bending them into housings to cover up a majority of the internal systems was the easiest part of the task, and by the end of it I was proudly looking down at my first two inventions: The magic power drill and its sibling magic power saw. All I needed now was to cast some saw blades and bits in a metal harder than copper, and my plan would already be off to a great start.