Nox spent the rest of the week on artisanal efforts and academia.

Whenever Sapna found time, the pair locked themselves in a warded room, continued to investigate the bangle, and tested the still unrecognized runes. They discovered more of the relic’s secrets but failed to achieve their objective of identifying pocket dimension creation or spatial manipulation runes and scripts. It was more frustrating for Sapna than Nox since he used the opportunity to pick up new syntax and rune pairings to refine his new spell further.

The technique combined simple concepts to produce something most mages wouldn’t think to combine. Further research proved that unstable mana zones weren’t particularly rare and not just a product of mana burn. Individuals with the condition generally awakened their mana later in life or during traumatic incidents. They often didn’t progress far as mages because of the oddity, ending their careers as apprentices or journeymen. Refining the technique would give them the opportunity to pursue magehood in earnest.

Aether Warriors could also benefit from the technique to better manipulate their auras instead of mana zones. The related breed of aether practitioners developed sustained spells that either enhanced or debilitated everyone in their vicinity. Nox had never worked with one since they primarily dominated the war mage department—the late Ernest Beaufort didn’t quite count as one. However, keen control over one’s aura could technically also give them more options during combat.

Nox agreed with Sapna’s hypothesis. The technique and discovery wouldn’t win him any accolades, but patenting it and then selling the method in a spell emporium would earn him a fair deal of coin. He already had enough money to lead a comfortable life with little to no challenges. Now, he needed more to find a way to destroy Sundarshahar.

Store sales and contracts kept Mou and Aisha busy. The latter had quickly grown to become one of the most reliable alchemists in Nox’s employ. Her family deemed their farm and business unrecoverable. She brought her parents and siblings to the city, and Nox found them roles in the Galleria. He believed Aria’s drive to provide for her people resulted in her performance, dedication, and, therefore, rapid ascent.

The pair stood in individual sections of the workshop, overseeing the automated production scripts. Half the stations focused on the production of recovery products. The rest of the cauldrons contained the constantly in-demand cosmetics Knightly Brews sold to the affluent women of the city and surrounding settlements.

The smaller attached workshop made contraceptives, empowering brews, flame slimes for myconid farms, and more niche products. They had also had automation scripts but demanded more physical interference. The Ratra’s weakest apprentices and journeymen oversaw the production. Mou checked in with them regularly, ensuring they didn’t make mistakes. Meanwhile, the business's most reliable employees worked on the night shift. The contracts and constant demands required all workstations to function around the clock. It had taken Mou and Nox a few months to find reliable workers for the role.

“You need to talk to your father-in-law,” Mou said when he crossed through the workshop on the way to his laboratory. “Given how rich his soil is, thanks to all of the life essence, he can afford to allocate more land to grow ingredients for us. This welding slime of yours is too resource-intensive.”

“What are you falling short of?”

“Pretty much everything related to flame slimes. Especially fire essence sources.”

“I’ll pass on the message. For the time being, if you fall short of any essence, use the artifacts and Crystallize Essence table in my laboratory.” Nox lowered his volume as he continued. “That invitation only extends to you. The wards won’t allow anyone else through. Just take a decent stock of mana gems with you.”

Nox divided the rest of his time between Aria and his personal laboratory.

When Firstday came again, and everybody was busy with their individual projects, Nox finally took some time for himself. First, he took care of all of the Galleria’s administrative work, put out a few fires, and solved a handful of small problems. Then, he spent the rest of the morning in the alchemical baths.

The Galleria had six baths. Three were small private baths, one of which Nox generally kept reserved for his personal use. Men and women had their individual baths. The pair were the largest in the property and used by the general patrons. The last was medium-sized, and the staff never allowed the capacity to exceed twenty. It was a unisex space that allowed individuals of both genders.

Much to Nox’s annoyance, all private baths were occupied. Lord Highwater once again showed up without a booking, and the staff had instructions to use his personal space if the situation arose again. The larger baths were full of delvers and random noblemen. Most attempted conversation whenever they saw him. Since Nox was now one of the most prominent businessmen and artisans in the city, almost everyone wanted to befriend him or win his favor. So, he avoided them like the plague and went to the unisex baths. They primarily saw use in the evenings. As a result, he didn’t need to worry about being approached.

The alchemical baths reflected the Trade Empire’s opulence. Queen Mercer had marble imported from the Endless Dunes’ perimeter and hired the city’s finest artisanal mages to Shape them. Metal grates surrounded the pool at the center of the room. They acted as an outlet for overflow, ensuring none of the baths flooded and damaged the rest of the structure.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

After cleaning himself in the showers that lined the far wall, he descended into the warm waters, taking a seat near the corner most distant from the door. Nox’s muscles relaxed as soon as he inhaled the vapors rising from the water. His joints loosened, and the past week’s stress melted away. He hadn’t had a moment to properly relax and justify doing so. Nox only wished Aria had the time for him. They hadn’t found any time alone together since the night of the engagement party except for the fleeting moments before bedtime.

Just as Nox was starting to relax with his eyes closed, he heard someone else enter the baths. They didn’t settle at the opposite end of the baths as he had hoped. Instead, the increasingly frequent and growing ripples that lapped against his suggested the person was moving closer.

“If I expected to bump into you today, Sir Nox Ratra, I would’ve dressed in my best fineries.”

The sight of a beautiful naked woman greeted Nox when he opened his eyes. She sat against the adjacent wall about three feet away from him. Any closer and their feet would be touching. The jet black hair and pale skin suggested Northern Imperium origins. The woman’s sultry smile and deep blue eyes made his heart flutter. Even though he was wholly committed to Aria and loved her, something about the woman made him want to forget all prior commitments. The thought filled Nox with guilt for a moment, but that only lasted for a couple of minutes.

“I wasn’t expecting to bump into anyone at this time of the day,” Nox said. His instincts told him to get up and leave. Then he looked into the woman’s eyes and changed his mind. She was far too enchanting to ignore. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Liesel Wyrd.” The woman offered him a hand. Despite his better judgment, Nox kissed it. “I’ve wanted to meet you ever since I stepped foot in the City of Ygg. You’ve made quite a reputation in a surprisingly short time.”

When the woman moved closer, Nox’s first instincts urged him to move away. Then, Liesel smiled at him, and he changed his mind. Much to his surprise, he ended up shuffling closer to her. Suddenly, he found himself sitting side by side with a gorgeous naked woman. His heart fluttered when her breast brushed against his right arm.

“I think you and I have a lot in common,” Liesel said.

“Oh? Like what?”

“We’re both powerful mages for one.” Something urged Nox to put his right arm around Liesel’s shoulder. She moved closer, placing a leg across his lap. “Bring me into your employ. We’ll combine our skills, your name, and my years of experience. Together, we’ll skyrocket your business and spy network well beyond this city’s limits. Before long, the Imperium markets will be in your grasp.”

“That sounds amazing. I didn’t think it was possible for the Ratra name to infiltrate the Imperium, but if you think we can infiltrate the market—” Then Liesel grazed Nox’s inner thigh. It felt incredible, but the little voice telling him to forget about Aria and give in to the woman’s seduction hesitated.

The new Ratra’s Bow had a passive function. It absorbed and stored excess mana before his second star could claim it. The capacity was low at just ten, but that was enough for emergencies. He channeled the arcane energy into his depleted Crystalize Essence star and surrounded himself and Leisel with the spell.

The mesmerizing fog clouding Nox’s judgment faded. Fragments of bright pink essence glass rained around him and landed in the water. He leaped away from Leisel and manifested the aether gauntlet.

“Blighted Mind Magic!” He exclaimed. “You tried to enchant me.”

“Very good, Nox Ratra.” Leslie chuckled, crossing her arms and leaning against the bath’s wall. “You’re as sharp as they say.”

“You have the count of ten to tell me who you really are and what you want,” Nox said, charging a powerful mana blast. The top of the gauntlet glowed with a blinding blue light. “I’m more than ready to blow your head off.” More pink shards rained around him. “That won’t work a second time. I’m not going to warn you a second time.”

Leisel raised her hands, holding them above her head. “I surrender, Sir Nox Ratra.” She laughed. “That was a test. Your old mentor wrote to me about you. It's a shame we only got to meet after her passing.” Nox fired a mana blast. Leisel didn’t flinch as it shot past her head, making her hair flutter. It exploded against the wall, cracking the marble. Several fragments of stone and white dust rained on her head and shoulders. “I know you’re not going to hurt me, Nox. I’m the university’s new professor on stealth and espionage.”

“Fine,” Nox growled. He charged another blast, counting the seconds until Crystalize Essence’s effects faded. Afterward, he would lose his immunity to the Mind Magic. “By Niddhogg’s taint, what the blight do you want from me?”

“I want you to enroll in my class,” Leisel answered nonchalantly. Nox’s attack and threat appeared to have no effect on her. “Imagine my surprise when I got here and realized you’re enrolling in every course but your old mentor’s fields. You have the mind and aptitude for stealth and espionage, Nox. Why—”

“What in Ygg’s name are you playing at?” Nox yelled, aiming at her head. “You tried to enchant me! Blighted Mind Magic! I’m engaged, and you were touching me. Why should I believe a thing that comes out of your mouth?”

“Oh, my. Kris said you had a sense of humor and appreciated displays of power. I guess she was wrong.” Liesel sighed. “Alright. Perhaps I went too far there with my little test. The flirtation might’ve been a step too far, as well. But think about it, alright? I could teach you a thing or two if you enroll in my courses. Given the enemies you’ve made and everything you have to protect, espionage would especially be useful to you.”

When Nox didn’t speak or budge, Leisel stood, exposing every bit of herself. Her beauty and allure had no effect on him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

The woman exited the bath, and an attendant brought her a robe and towels on a tray. She took her time pulling on the first and wrapping the latter around her long black locks. “I’m sorry, Nox, for my approach and the loss of your mentor. Perhaps things would have been different if I had attended Kris’ funeral and introduced myself like a normal person. So that you know, she’d be proud of everything you’ve achieved.”

Nox stood in silence, keeping his mana gauntlet raised, and charged until Leisel left the room. Guards rushed in a second later to check on the wards triggered by the fired weapon. They saw him and relaxed.

“Crazy woman,” Nox grumbled. “What in Ygg’s name was she thinking?”