Kaleb and Varlin studied different revolvers for several minutes. Everything from the tiny .22 caliber concealable revolvers to the giant .50 caliber hand-cannons. Varlin even had them go over how much powder they would need to fire the dense bone bullet.

“Again, you don’t want to make the entire cartridge out of bone. Just the projectile, everything else we should be able to buy through the HLO.” Varlin said.

“I know that, but what kind of metal can withstand the amount of powder we could need for propulsion? We will have to Enchant the cartridge.” Kaleb said as he read through the information on his laptop screen.

“You better enchant the whole frame. Otherwise the gun will be heavy as hell. And if there is any kick-back it could break your wrist or pop back and smack you in the nose.” Daivor said from his spot on the table.

Kaleb nodded, remembering there was an enchantment to make things lightweight. The trio switched to looking up frame construction and different grip designs. Kaleb felt a rush of energy and how complex the project was turning out to be. It was daunting but also exciting. As they perused through a page full of different revolvers Kaleb had a thought.

“Why don’t I buy a revolver and some cartridges? We can get a broad idea at the design and the pieces needed. And we can scale up or down as needed.”

Varlin nodded slowly. “Makes sense and it will let us look at get a better look at the anatomy of a bullet. Buy a swing-out though, not a top-break and different sizes of bullets.”

Kaleb twisted the laptop closer and headed to the online HLO shop. “Why not a top-break?”

Daivor spoke up first, cutting Varlin off. “The hinge on the top-break could be a major point of weakness. The crane of the swing-out is also a concern, but I’d trust the crane over the hinge personally.”

Varlin sat back in his chair with his arms crossed. “I take it the Gnome explained?” When Kaleb nodded and explained Varlin sniffed. “Well, he’s right at least. I only wish we could all understand him.”

Kaleb found and purchased a swing-out revolver rated for high caliber rounds as he said. “Actually, he has slotted your cousin for that honor next.”

“Probably cause she kisses his tiny ass.” Varlin said glaring down at the Gnome.

Daivor returned the glare and added in a middle finger for good measure. Varlin hid a smirk behind his hand before he asked. “So why is he waiting? Why not dust her when she was here?”

Kaleb bought a box of .22 and .50 caliber rounds as he explained. “Not to put too fine on a point on it, but he said it took a while to… uh… accumulate the dust. And where are they, anyway? It has been a while since they went outside.”

Varlin chuckled and shook his head. “Man, you really get lost in this stuff, don’t you? Jar-lock stuck his head in a few minutes ago and said they were going for food. You, apparently, were in your own little world.”

Kaleb shrugged awkwardly as he looked through the online shop once more before accepting his purchase. “I get lost in my projects. I apologize for nothing.”

Kaleb got up from his stool and walked toward his driveway. Behind him Varlin stretched his arms before he followed. Kaleb basked in the warm sun in his driveway for a little while. The garage wasn’t cold but the sun always felt good to him. Soon he heard the telltale whoosh of a speedster and opened his eyes in time to see Chip skid to a stop near his front door.

“Hey, Professor! Been a while.” Said Chip walking over with a black lock box in his hands.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Yeah, I know. Busy life of a low-ranked Super.” Kaleb smiled and shrugged.

Chip put in the code on the electronic lock to the lock box asking. “That why you need this?”

Chip held the case out revealing the black metal revolver he had order and two boxes of ammo. “It’s more for study, really.” Kaleb said.

Chip shrugged his shoulders as he swayed from foot to foot. “Well, I need you to pick the gun up by the handle please.”

“Why?” Kaleb asked as he grabbed the gun. When his hand wrapped around the wooden grip it lit up with a blue light.

“That,” Chip began “is for registration. All firearms sold by the HLO are magically and electronically tied to the purchaser. It has added your name and this gun’s serial number to the HLO database. Also, your new gun’s handle has taken a snapshot of your fingerprints and Magically aura. It will no longer work for anyone else.”

“That’s a little intense.” Varlin said.

“Those are the rules the HLO agreed to when they were given the permit to sell weapons to Supers.” Chip explained.

Kaleb shrugged. “Meh. I am just going to take it apart, anyway.”

He signed on the electronic pad Chip offered then waved goodbye as the speedster took off. Varlin and Kaleb returned to the workbench and set down their new gun and the bullets. Unsurprisingly, Daivor had assembled the tools they would need for disassembly. Kaleb smiled down at the Gnome as Varlin went into his kitchen.

“I thank you, Master Gnome.” Kaleb said jokingly, bowing theatrically.

“Yeah, yeah. No one likes a kiss-ass.” Daivor grumbled.

Kaleb sat down and, with the help of Daivor and what he could find online, began to take apart his new gun. As he did, he heard Varlin rooting around in his kitchen. He heard a few cabinets open and close, his fridge door opening, and glasses pinging against each other.

“What are you doing in there?” Kaleb asked as he removed what Daivor called the side-plate.

“Dude, you have no food. it’s all left overs and water.” Varlin yelled from his kitchen.

“You realize that left overs are food, right? Just heat up the barbecue from the other day.”

“I’m not feeling it. But I think you have enough for lasagna though. Just need to find a pot.” Varlin answered back.

Kaleb twisted his head to stare into his kitchen. “Good to know you’ve made yourself at home.”

“Shut up. I’m cooking.”

Kaleb shook his head and went back to taking apart his brand new revolver. It surprised him how many little bits and pieces of metal the gun had. It was a lot of tiny springs and hinged flat pieces. He would spend a good amount of his time machining the tiny parts from the bones. As he finished taking apart the gun he stared down at the pieces, trying to picture the pieces as Ifrit bones.

“Now put it back together.” Daivor said.

“What?” Kaleb asked, curious.

“Put it together and then take it apart again. Keep doing that until you can find the pieces by feel alone.” Daivor ordered.

Kaleb was about to complain until he thought about it. If he was going to build a pair of revolvers for D34d–I, he would have to get as familiar with the inner workings as possible. Maybe he could make one for himself if he wanted to. Kaleb slowly nodded as he began putting the revolver back together.

Putting it together was slow going at first. All the tiny inner pieces proved a little tricky to get back in. As he worked the smell of pasta sauce wafted in from his kitchen. As the metal pieces got bigger, Kaleb’s job grew easier, and the smell of food got more distracting. He put the revolver together, then took it apart, then back together again. All under the watchful eye of his Gnome Companion. Kaleb was about to call for a break when he got a pop-up notification.

*Weaponsmithing Skill level up*

Chance to create a higher grade weapon increased to 3%

Chance to increase durability increased to 3%

Kaleb leaned back on his stool and stretched his arms above his head. He stretched out his neck and went into the kitchen. He found Varlin staring into the oven, hovering over his cooking lasagna. He shook his head at the Sorcerer and grabbed a drink before heading back to the garage. He felt that a couple more times taking the revolver apart and putting together and he would have it down.

He sighed as he looked down at the revolver. Daivor stood nearby tapping his foot impatiently. Kaleb smiled at his companion and pour some of his water into the Gnome’s cup. Daivor did his best to look grumpy, but he eventually gave up and took a large gulp of water. Kaleb sat back down on his stool when a sudden noise behind him caught his attention.

“Need help, Doc?” Roy asked, standing in the open garage door.

Kaleb sighed as he looked at his Assistant. “You really need to stop skipping school.”

Roy smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “They don’t care at this point, Doc.”

Kaleb just grunted as Roy moved over to see what he was working on.

“Guns, huh? Where can I help?” Roy asked.