“Not all of the continent's residents utilize the standard mana system. The further they live from the three powers, the more their magic deviates from the norm.

In Alkebulan and the distant western continent, it's not uncommon to find mages who bond with one or many spirits and derive their strength from them. Nihon and Han blend magic with martial arts, chants, and the gift of friendly magic beasts to develop their unique fighting styles.

There are far more whose secrets have been lost to time. Many clans and tribes closely protect their magic. The Arctic Waste nomads are incredibly violent when it comes to guardianship of their secrets. Many have gone to war and wiped each other out in pursuit of their competitors’ arcane tattoos or totems.”

—Lorraine Woodson, Dungeon Researcher, Stone Golemancer

“How are things going with the new planet?” Sapna asked the next Seventhday morning after brunch. “Have you finished integrating the spell?”

“More or less,” Nox answered. “I’ve had second thoughts about the rigidity. Using it for Fold Step alone feels shortsighted. I’m exploring a few options before finalizing things. The spell I designed feels more suitable for a moon than a planet.”

“Oh? What are you considering?” The artificer looked up from the spatial belt they had procured. A box with identical freshly inscribed runes sat next to it. Sapna appeared close to replicating true spatial storage. There were still several hurdles to cross, but he could foresee it hitting the market in a few months.

“Why just restrict myself to folding space? Perhaps I can contract and expand it, too. Think about it. What if I fire a projectile through compressed space?”

“Let me guess. Are you hypothesizing it will emerge on the other side, flying significantly faster?”

Nox nodded. “Do you foresee a problem with that?”

Sapna shrugs. “This is unexplored territory and not my area of expertise. It should work theoretically. I'd suggest you run a few tests before making any decisions. That Fold Step of yours is potent but mighty expensive. Have you thought about what you're going to do for your next planet?”

“Well. I know one thing for sure. Whatever Lillin placed at the heart of my star isn't compatible with gravity magic. So that's not an option.”

“Didn't think it was your style to start with. You're a creative mage, and it's too one note. Have you considered portals or teleportation?”

“Too mana intensive. Besides, Kaki, that's your department. I think I'll focus on the time aspect.”

“That's even more challenging than spatial magic. Do you have any leads on resources or where to start?”

Nox nodded. “I finally know what I want from our dear friend Lord Oakheart. He's already offered to let me dig through his library. My request might be a tall ask, but he's likely to accept it if I approve the Oakheart Wine Bar.”

“You're a true Ratra.” Sapna chuckled. “You're like a cross of my father and grandfather. The first was a politician and a businessman. The latter is a genius artisan. You're not as good as either, but got just about enough of both.”

“Speaking of the Ratra clan, what happened to us?” Nox asked. “How did we go from artisanal pioneers to extinct?”

“You might find pockets of Ratras hidden all around the world. Our name has weight, and many want to use us for nefarious means. As a result, most of us don't like attention.” She sighed, pushing away the practice inscription tablet in front of her. “I was about your age when the Cabal or someone similar to them found one of our underground research laboratories. They locked us in and sent in diseases, undead beasts, and spells that grew more powerful with each life it took. Very few of us made it out. The survivors dispersed afterward. We have a greater chance to do well separated than together.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Aren't you and I disproving that, Kaki? I'm bringing back spatial magic for the masses, and you're developing accessible technology to make lives easier.”

“We're also making enemies. Don't you forget that?”

Sapna’s tone had turned much colder than usual. Nox sensed rage and trauma brimming under the surface, so he thought it best to change topics. “What do you think of Brianna?”

“As an employee or a research subject?” Sapna asked.

“Both.”

“She's too big and conspicuous to be a worthy spy and far too hot-headed to guard this place. You just need Young Master Highwater or someone similar to go off on a drunken tirade before she goes full berserker. The girl is trying, but she has a long way to go before she can tame her rage.” Sapna returned to inscribed runes as she spoke. Her stylus glowed white around the tip as it carved metal, leaving neat, consistently shallow lines. “Her tattoos are interesting but won't help improve Ratra's Bow if that's what you were hoping. They're ancient and not at all connected to our magic's runic script. The artwork and mana flow are more reminiscent of sigils than runic tattoos. I wouldn’t be surprised if one is derived from the other. Brianna doesn't know for sure, but it looks like they're very intimately connected to her mana system and bloodline. So, I doubt we can replicate it.”

“That's a shame.” Nox sighed. “Even discounting Fenrir's Chains, the physical enhancements alone could greatly benefit melee mages and Aether Warriors.”

“The northern nomads ferociously protect their arcane secrets. You got this one because she's desperate. Find a way to keep her around if you want to learn more. The poor girl probably feels like a guinea pig right now. Locking her down will be a challenge once people see her value and talent. Get in while the time is right.”

“I don’t think we should give up studying her tattoos while she’s willing, though. Sure, they’re tied to her ancestral magic, bloodline, and whatnot, but perhaps we could get ideas or inspiration to improve what we have now.”

“What are you trying to get out of this?” Sapna asked, eyes narrowing. “Brianna is a good-looking girl, but she’s too big for you. I’ve seen the Wildlings go at it. The name says it all. She’ll break you. Just stick—”

“By Niddhogg’s taint, Kaki!” Nox exclaimed. “What are you even thinking? I was thinking we could adapt something for spinal and shoulder reinforcement. The launcher gauntlet is powerful, but the recoil is too much. I can’t use high-power shots without risking dislocations.”

“You just need to brace yourself better, but I get it.” She sighed. “Have you tested it or the bow with your essence glass yet?”

Nox nodded. “I cut loose during the supervised delve the day before yesterday. The arrows are potent, but I don’t have the spiraling shards. They were a significant part of my destructive power. It’s kind of disheartening, to be honest. My Animation Planet is barely doing anything besides adding a rotational force to the projectiles, my Crystallize Essence defense, and supporting my new spatial spell.”

“That happens as one grows as a mage.” Sapna shrugged. “Your old spells and planets become obsolete. Besides, it was a stupid move.”

“What? Why was it stupid?”

“Let's face it, Nox. You didn’t construct the Animation planet for your defensive spell. You were after a quick power boost and built it for an arcane tool that might get damaged or lost. The mistake isn’t all yours. Your mentor was probably shortsighted. I would never advise an apprentice to dedicate an entire planet to something as limiting as a single artifact, no matter its power or sentimental value. If it were an ancient relic that bound to your body, it would be a different story.”

Sapna wasn’t completely wrong, but her speaking ill of Kris perturbed Nox. He only knew and worked with the late mage for a little less than a year, but she had changed his life for the better. Kris rescued him from a miserable life and gave him the resources to start his journey of magehood and businessman. In fact, he owed her for his introduction to Aria and Baron Edelweiss.

“I don’t think Kris was shortsighted,” Nox said, defending his past mentor. “She took too much on her plate and stretched herself thin.”

The older Ratra paused. She looked up from her work, and he expected her to say something snappy. The woman shot him a soft smile instead. “I’m sorry, Baba. Kris was important to you, and I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, especially when I never got the chance to meet her.” She changed the topic when Nox returned to spell weaving without acknowledging the apology. “So, what is next for you and the party? Do you have any delves planned now that half your mana system isn’t useless?”

Nox nodded. “We’re looking for adept rifts to challenge. Alexander is almost ready to ascend, too. Which means we will have completed Advanced Dungeon Combat to Professor Wolfhammer’s satisfaction after this. Unfortunately, the occurrence of adept rifts has significantly dropped this past year. There aren’t many nearby, and the university doesn’t have any leads on any within a reasonable distance. Perhaps Lord Oakheart will give me a lead when I visit him tomorrow.”