The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling village of Schoolville. The streets were alive with the sounds of villagers starting their day, children running and playing, and the hum of activity from the various shops and stalls. In the heart of the village, Scott was already hard at work, splitting his time between his shop and the mayor’s office. The demands on his time had increased significantly since winning the mayoral race, but he managed with the same determination and efficiency that had won him the position in the first place.

Raj Patel, who had quickly made himself indispensable, was already busy in the shop, taking care of the early morning customers and organizing the day’s tasks. His presence allowed Scott to focus on the myriad responsibilities that came with leading the town.

Across the village, Ethan Morris was in his element. The tall, lanky young man with short, messy black hair and freckles was an avid gamer and robotics enthusiast. His class as a Golemancer allowed him to combine his passion for technology with the arcane arts, especially since everything electronic had died the day the Lightning fell.

Ethan had heard rumors about the toys Gavrin had been making. The idea of enchanted toys fascinated him, and he decided to investigate further. He made his way to the general store attached to the Adventurer's Guild, his mind buzzing with curiosity and excitement.

When Ethan arrived, he found Raj Patel working the desk at the store. The general store was part of the larger guild building, a hub of activity with multiple shops and stalls surrounding a central food court, reminiscent of a small mall.

“Morning, Raj,” Ethan greeted as he approached the counter.

“Morning, Ethan! What brings you here so early?” Raj asked with a friendly smile.

“I heard about the enchanted toys Gavrin’s been making. I wanted to check them out,” Ethan replied.

Raj pointed to a display on the side of the store, where a variety of intricately carved wooden figures were showcased. Ethan’s eyes immediately widened in awe as he picked up a tiny wooden bear.

“Whoa,” Ethan whispered, examining the bear closely. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and he could feel the subtle hum of magic coursing through it.

As he turned the figure over in his hands, Ethan noticed a small, crystal control unit embedded in its base. He gently channeled a bit of his mana into the crystal, and the bear sprang to life, moving its limbs and emitting a soft, mechanical growl.

“This is incredible!” Ethan exclaimed. “These are like little golems!”

Raj chuckled. “Gavrin’s really outdone himself this time. He’s been making all sorts of enchanted items lately.”

Ethan’s mind raced with possibilities. If Gavrin could create such intricate and functional toys, then the potential for larger, more powerful golems was immense. He needed to get started on his own projects. After paying for the toy bear, Ethan headed deeper into the guild to gather materials for his golem project.

The Adventurer’s Guild had quickly become a hub of activity. It was where villagers gathered to trade materials, pick up crafting jobs, and plan expeditions into the wilds. As Ethan approached the large, welcoming building, he could hear the lively chatter and see groups of people discussing their latest quests and projects.

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Inside, the atmosphere was vibrant and energetic. Ethan navigated through the crowd, heading towards the materials counter. He needed to buy some supplies for his golem project and was also on the lookout for any interesting crafting jobs that might help him hone his skills.

As he browsed the selection of materials, Ethan felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a group of young adventurers around his age. They were dressed in a mix of leather and metal armor, their weapons slung across their backs.

“Hey, Ethan!” called one of the adventurers, a tall girl with short, spiky hair and a confident grin. “What brings you here?”

Ethan smiled, recognizing the girl as Alex, a skilled archer he had met a few times before. “Hey, Alex. Just picking up some materials for a project I’m working on. Gavrin and I are planning to build a large golem.”

“That sounds awesome!” Alex replied, her eyes widening with interest. “We’re gearing up for our next quest into the forest. Want to join us? We could use someone with your skills.”

Ethan hesitated, his mind already buzzing with the tasks he wanted to accomplish. “Thanks for the invite, but I think I’ll pass. I’ve got a lot of work to do. But hey, I can help you guys out with something.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, curious. “What do you have in mind?”

“I can apply some temporary enchants to your weapons and armor,” Ethan offered. “It’ll give you an edge on your next mission.”

The group exchanged excited glances. “That sounds great!” Alex said. “We could definitely use some extra firepower.”

Ethan set his materials aside and gestured for the group to gather their gear. He took out his tools and a small pouch of mana crystals, his fingers deftly weaving the enchantments into the items.

He started with Alex’s bow, enhancing its accuracy and adding a minor speed boost to her arrows. Next, he enchanted a pair of twin daggers for a rogue named Max, giving them a slight poison effect. For a warrior named Leo, he strengthened the durability of his sword and added a minor flame enchantment.

The process took only a few minutes, but by the time Ethan was finished, the group’s weapons and armor glowed faintly with magical energy.

“Wow, Ethan, this is amazing!” Alex said, testing the balance of her newly enchanted bow. “You’re really good at this.”

Ethan grinned, feeling a sense of pride. “I’m glad you like it. These enchants should last for a couple of days, so make sure to put them to good use.”

“We definitely will,” Leo said, sheathing his sword. “Thanks a lot, Ethan. You’re a real lifesaver.”

Ethan waved off the thanks. “No problem. Just doing what I can to help. Good luck on your quest, and be safe out there.”

As the group of adventurers thanked him and headed off, their spirits high and their gear enhanced, other villagers who had witnessed the enchantments began to approach Ethan, curious and eager to benefit from his skills.

“What did you do to their weapons?” one man asked, his eyes wide with interest.

Ethan explained the process, showing them the materials and explaining the temporary nature of the enchantments. Soon, he was surrounded by villagers requesting his services.

Ethan was torn between working on his golem project and helping the villagers, but he decided to focus on enchanting for now. He accepted payments for the cost if people provided the materials. Otherwise, he charged one silver Frond. He was still struggling with the monetary system in the town. He wished it was still as easy as dollar and cents.

After a while, Raj came over, a stern look on his face. “Ethan, if you want to provide services, you need to use one of the stalls or take it outside. You can’t just be crafting in a public space. What if something goes wrong?”

Ethan nodded, understanding the concern. “You’re right, Raj. I’ll rent out a day stall to continue helping.”

Raj’s expression softened. “Good. Just make sure you’re safe and keep the area clear.”

Ethan quickly arranged to rent a day stall and set up his enchanting station. As he continued to help the villagers, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment. Even though his golem project was on hold, he was making a difference in the lives of those around him.