The morning sun cast its golden glow across the bustling streets of the sixth district as Avince and his father, Erwin, stepped off the mana-powered tram. Ignis was unlike anything Avince had seen before. The city thrummed with life and technology, its skyline dominated by towering spires with glowing conduits of mana running along their surfaces like luminous veins. Steam hissed from ornate brass vents on the streets, mingling with the scent of metal and oil.

"Welcome to Ignis," Erwin said with a grin, slinging a small travel bag over his shoulder. "The heart of innovation in the sixth district—and the place to meet our crafter, Marcel Smith."

Avince removed his jacket now that he was no longer on the air-conditioned tram and could feel the heat of the place—they were at the base of a volcano, after all. He then followed his father through the streets, his curiosity growing with each step as they passed shops displaying mana-fueled gadgets, from pocket-sized calculators to complex navigation devices. Sleek automatons in brass and copper assisted with street cleaning, their movements surprisingly fluid. Above them, vehicles glided along magnetic rails suspended between buildings, their hulls gleaming in the morning light.

The journey had been a long one. They’d left their home in the fourth district at midnight, embarking on a journey that took them a bit more than five hours on a high-speed train to cross the 600 kilometers separating the two districts. After arriving in the sixth district, it had taken another hour by tram to reach Ignis. Avince was still adjusting to the shift in pace and atmosphere; the journey itself had been smooth but exhausting, with the train humming steadily through the night and the tram weaving seamlessly through the cityscape.

Erwin glanced at his son as they navigated the bustling streets. "Traveling between districts always takes some time," he said. "Meskalt’s six districts may be interconnected, but each one’s like its own little world.

"Marcel's workshop isn't far," Erwin said, pointing to a narrow alley lined with industrial buildings. "But don't let his... eccentricities throw you off. He's one of the best craftsmen out there."

"What do you mean by eccentricities?" Avince asked, his curiosity piqued.

Erwin chuckled. "Let's just say he approaches his craft with... unique enthusiasm. You'll see soon enough."

The workshop stood at the end of the alley, its exterior unassuming save for the faint hum of mana engines within. A worn brass plaque read "M. Smith - Master Artificer & Innovative Solutions." Erwin pushed open the heavy door, and Avince was immediately hit by a wave of heat and the pungent smell of molten metal.

Inside, the space was a chaotic wonderland. Half-finished projects cluttered every available surface—blades glowing faintly with intricate runic patterns, pieces of armor hanging from hooks, and strange contraptions that whirred and clicked with mysterious purpose. The walls were lined with tools of all shapes and sizes, and a massive forge dominated the center of the room, its flames casting flickering shadows that danced across walls covered in technical drawings and diagrams.

A man with wild, unkempt hair and soot-streaked goggles perched on his forehead emerged from behind a stack of gears. He wore a leather apron over a rumpled shirt, and his hands were stained black with grease. Various tools hung from his belt, clicking together as he moved.

"Erwin Thane!" the man bellowed, his voice carrying a mix of delight and distraction. "You're right on time! I was just finishing up a fascinating experiment with mana conductivity in crystalline structures. Did you know that if you align the crystal lattices just right—"

"Good to see you too, Marcel," Erwin interrupted with a knowing smile. "This is my son, Avince. We're here to talk about equipment commission."

Marcel's eyes lit up as he turned to Avince, his gaze sharp and analytical behind thick-lensed spectacles. "Ah, the son of the great Erwin! Let me have a look at you." He pulled out a strange device from his pocket, something that looked like a cross between a compass and a magnifying glass, with delicate magical circuits etched along its rim.

Before Avince could protest, Marcel grabbed his shoulders, spinning him around and muttering to himself while holding up the device. "Fascinating mana signature... Lean build, but good posture... Hmm, spell casting-focused, perhaps? Or maybe you're still finding your style... Oh! Interesting resonance pattern in your soul..."

"I can stand still if that helps," Avince offered, trying to be helpful despite his confusion.

Marcel laughed. "No need, no need! The readings are clearer when you're natural. Now, tell me—how long have you been actively channeling mana? Any particular elemental affinities? Family history of unique magical manifestations?"

"Marcel," Erwin cut in, "perhaps we should focus on the equipment first?"

"Right, right!" Marcel released Avince and bounded over to his workbench, rummaging through a pile of notes and sketches. "Let's talk fighting style! Tell me everything—how you fight, what you need, and where you see yourself in five years. No detail is too small!"

Avince gathered his thoughts before speaking. "I'm still refining my style," he admitted. "Right now, I rely on mid-range magic while adapting with different spells depending on the situation, but my close-combat skills are lacking. I've been working on incorporating more defensive techniques, but..."

"But you find yourself vulnerable when enemies close the gap?" Marcel finished, already sketching rapidly. "Common problem for mages. Continue."

"Yes, exactly," Avince nodded. "I'm also currently working on my mana control and stamina. Sometimes I exhaust myself too quickly in longer fights, unless I’m wearing this artifact. So I need gear that won't weigh me down but can still protect me when I'm low on energy."

Marcel's eyes immediately zeroed in on the amulet hanging from Avince's neck. He leaned closer, his fingers twitching with curiosity. "That amulet... may I?" Without waiting for permission, he gently held it up for inspection, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Fascinating craftsmanship. The rune work is meticulous, and the mana channels are—" He paused, peering closer. "Who created this magnificent trinket? It's incredibly advanced, even for most modern standards."

Before Avince could respond, Erwin cleared his throat loudly. "Marcel, focus. We’re here to discuss equipment, not to dissect every shiny thing my son owns."

Marcel sighed, reluctantly letting the amulet drop back into place. "Fine, fine. But whoever made that has my respect. Truly remarkable work." His enthusiasm reignited as he grabbed a fresh sheet of paper. "Now, let me propose something revolutionary: modular armor with integrated mana regulation systems!"

"Modular armor?" Avince repeated, intrigued.

Marcel's excitement was contagious as he began drawing more detailed sketches. "Picture this: a lightweight core suit made of mana-responsive alloys—I'm thinking of a blend of adamantium and mithril for the base, with crystalline focus points at key junctions. The core piece would help regulate your mana flow, preventing wastage and improving efficiency."

He flipped to a new page, drawing faster. "Then we add modular components that can be swapped out based on your needs. Defensive plates for close combat, mana amplifiers for spell casting, even specialized components for different elemental affinities!"

Stolen story; please report.

"Hold on," Avince interjected, catching his father's subtle look of concern at the increasing complexity of Marcel's proposals. "I have a different idea in mind. Is it possible to create armor that can be upgraded over time?"

Marcel's rapid sketching stopped abruptly. He looked up at Avince with newfound interest. "Upgraded? Do elaborate."

"Well," Avince continued, choosing his words carefully, "instead of making something perfect from the start with expensive materials, could we design armor that's effective but can be enhanced later? Something that could grow stronger as I do?"

A slow grin spread across Marcel's face. "Now that's interesting thinking, young man! Most clients just want the best materials right away, damn the cost. But you're thinking long-term, aren't you?"

"Exactly," Avince nodded, growing more confident. "I'd rather have something reliable that I can improve piece by piece than sink everything into a single version that I might outgrow."

Marcel stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Yes... yes, we could work with that approach. In fact..." He began rifling through his drawers, pulling out material samples. "We could start with an enhanced steel alloy for the base—much cheaper than jumping straight to mithril or adamantium. The real innovation would be in the construction method."

"What do you mean?" Avince asked, leaning forward with genuine interest.

"Well, if we want true upgradeability..." Marcel laid out fresh sketches, his hand moving with renewed purpose. "We could design special socketed connections at key points throughout the armor. Not just mechanical joints, mind you, but magical conduits that can accept enhancement later."

Erwin nodded approvingly. "Sounds more sustainable than going all-in on expensive materials from the start."

"But," Avince added, "would these connections be able to handle significant upgrades? Say, if I wanted to incorporate higher-grade materials later?"

"Ah! That's where this comes in!" Marcel returned to his table and began rummaging through various items before finally pulling out what looked like a complex runic matrix etched onto a small plate. "One of my latest innovations—an adaptive runic framework. It acts as a mediator between different materials, allowing them to work together harmoniously. You could start with enhanced steel and gradually incorporate better materials without needing to replace the entire armor."

"And this upgrade process," Avince pressed, thinking of his hidden mithril, "can it be done piece by piece?"

"Absolutely!" Marcel's enthusiasm matched Avince's interest. "Each component can be upgraded independently. Start with reinforcing the vital areas, experiment with different materials, and find what works best for your style. The armor grows with you!"

"This is incredible," Avince said, examining the bracer. "But how long would it take to create something like this?"

Marcel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "For the basic suit alone, it would take about two months. Every upgrade would probably take weeks to accomplish.

"And the cost?" Erwin asked, though his tone suggested he was already prepared for the answer.

Marcel pulled out a ledger and began calculating. "Given the materials involved... the complexity of the runic work... testing phases..." He wrote down a number and slid it across the table.

Erwin whistled but nodded. "That's about what I expected. We can do a payment plan—half now, half on completion?"

"For you, old friend? Absolutely." Marcel turned to Avince. "Now, I'll need to take some more detailed measurements. And I have a few questions about your magical preferences..."

The next hour was a whirlwind of measurements, magical assessments, and increasingly technical questions about Avince's fighting style and magical capabilities. Marcel used various mysterious devices to record everything from Avince's mana circulation patterns to his natural casting stance.

Finally, with the commission settled and initial payments arranged, they prepared to leave. Marcel pressed a small crystal into Avince's hand. "For recording any ideas or requirements that come to you later. Just speak into it, and I'll get the message."

Back on the streets of Ignis, Avince felt slightly overwhelmed but excited. "That was... intense."

Erwin laughed. "Marcel's always been like that. But there's no one better at combining traditional crafting with magical innovation."

They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city properly. Their first stop was the Grand Artificers' Market, a massive covered bazaar where inventors and craftspeople displayed their latest creations. Avince marveled at a demonstration of self-writing quills, enchanted mirrors that could show distant locations, and compact devices that could purify water using minimal mana.

"This is amazing," Avince said, watching a mechanical bird deliver messages between market stalls. "We don't have anything like this back home."

"Ignis attracts the brightest minds in magical engineering," Erwin explained, leading them to a section dedicated to combat equipment. He paused, turning to face them with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, while we’re here, I should mention—I’m planning a dungeon run. There’s a particular fire creature I’ve been hoping to tame, and this is the perfect opportunity to go for it."

Erwin glanced at Avince with a grin. "How about you join me? It could be good training for you. Don’t worry—it's a B-class dungeon. I can handle it without any trouble."

Avince hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his curiosity outweighing his apprehension. "Sure. It sounds like a good opportunity."

"Great!" Erwin said, his grin widening. "Let’s get you geared up, then."

They spent time at various stalls, with Erwin explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different equipment. He picked out a fire-resistant cloak for himself and insisted on getting one for Avince too.

"The fire creature I'm planning to tame isn't particularly that strong," Erwin explained as they examined the cloaks, "but it's better to be prepared. These are treated with a special solution that creates a barrier against magical flame."

"Are you sure about taking me along?" Avince asked, trying to hide his nervousness. "A B-class dungeon sounds dangerous."

Erwin placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're ready for this, son. Besides, it's time you learned more about creature taming. It might not be your primary focus, but understanding different magical disciplines will make you a better mage overall."

Their shopping completed, they made their way to the Mana Gardens, a public park where magical engineering met nature. Crystal formations channeled mana in beautiful patterns, creating light shows and powering various public amenities. Children played with simple enchanted toys while their parents relaxed on benches that adjusted their temperature for optimal comfort.

Near the center of the gardens, they stopped to watch a demonstration of a new mana-fueled exosuit designed for industrial work. The operator lifted massive crates with ease while explaining how the suit amplified natural movements using minimal magical energy.

"The principles aren't that different from what Marcel's planning for your armor," Erwin noted. "Just applied differently."

As the sun began to set, they made their way to the Crystal Spire Restaurant, a rotating establishment near the top of one of Ignis's tallest buildings. The entire structure was powered by massive mana crystals, and the views of the city were breathtaking.

Over dinner, Erwin shared stories about his early days as an adventurer, including his first meeting with Marcel. "He was even more eccentric back then, if you can believe it. Nearly blew up his workshop trying to create self-repairing armor. But his successes far outweighed his failures."

Avince looked out over the city, now lit by countless magical lights. "This whole day has been incredible. I never realized how much potential there was in combining magic with technology like this."

"That's why I wanted to bring you here," Erwin said, smiling proudly. "Strength isn't just about raw power or magical ability—there’s also understanding all the tools at your disposal and using them wisely. Marcel's armor will be amazing, but it's just a tool. The real growth will come from how you learn to use it."

As they boarded the mana-powered tram for their next location, the dungeon, Avince felt a deep sense of anticipation. The day had shown him possibilities he'd never considered before, and he couldn't wait to see how Marcel's creation would help him grow as a mage.

"Thanks for everything, Dad," he said as they watched the city lights blur past. "Not just the armor, but... all of this."

Erwin smiled, ruffling his son's hair. "This is just the beginning, kid. Just wait until you see what comes next."

Avince nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. As the tram carried them to the dungeon location, he found himself reaching for the crystal Marcel had given him, already forming ideas for his future equipment. The city of Ignis had shown him that the fusion of magic and innovation could open doors he'd never even imagined existed.