Ethan was already gathering materials for his device when Adelaide woke up, and she brought him a cup of tea. Ethan took it absentmindedly, ‘’thanks..’’ Was all he said, as his eyes roamed the shop for things he could use. He needed woodworking tools, wood, some metals, and tools for working the metals.

Adelaide shook her head and left him to it; she understood Ethan like few would. Ethan was the type of person that, when presented with a problem to solve, he would keep grinding away at it until he finished it. He had a project, and he would work on it until it was finished. Since she couldn’t stop him, it was better to just get out of his way.

Ethan meticulously gathered the necessary materials for constructing the lens-grinding device. For the standing frame, he selected sturdy hardwood planks, carefully measuring and cutting them to the appropriate lengths. Using woodworking tools, he skillfully assembled the frame, ensuring its stability and durability.

Next, Ethan focused on crafting the rotating plate and the axle. He opted for the same hardwood material to maintain consistency in the device's construction. Carving and shaping the wood, he formed a circular plate with a diameter suitable for lens grinding. The axle, serving as the central axis for rotation, was fashioned from a solid wooden dowel. Ethan painstakingly smoothed its surface, allowing it to rotate freely.

Within the device, surrounding the spinning axle, Ethan designed a series of small metal plates. These plates were carefully attached to the axle, creating a circular arrangement. Surrounding the axle were more metal plates, and each had thin strands of gold attached to it, which would later connect to the crystal. Gold was a fantastic conductor for electricity, and without knowing how, he knew that it would work well for essence aswell. The strands of gold would therefore serve as conduits for energy transfer.

To incorporate the element of rotation, he attached the axle to the center of the rotating plate, ensuring a stable connection. With the axle in place, Ethan positioned the small metal plates evenly around it. The delicate strands of gold extended from each plate, ready to establish a connection with the crystal.

With the physical components assembled, Ethan acquired a suitable crystal for the device. He carefully positioned the crystal within the device, ensuring that the strands of gold from each metal plate made a secure connection to it. The crystal would provide the necessary energy for the device to function, channeling power through the gold strands to activate the rotation.

Once the device was fully constructed, Ethan conducted thorough testing to ensure its functionality. He verified that the axle rotated smoothly when prompted, ensuring precise and reliable movement.

With the lens-grinding device completed, Ethan admired his handiwork. The wooden standing frame, rotating plate, axle, and the intricate arrangement of small metal plates connected to the crystal formed a robust and functional mechanism for grinding lenses. He grinned widely, it wasn’t exactly pretty, but it was a very functional design. He couldn’t wait to see it actually working.

As he finished, it was past lunch, a good bit past lunch, in fact, and his stomach growled. He noticed Adelaide had left a plate with sandwiches, and he hungrily devoured them as he thought about the enchantments he would need.

The device needed a magnetism enchantment to work, at least that is what the design demanded. Perhaps creating the enchantment first would have been smarter, but Ethan liked the pressure of having to figure something out.

The sandwiches were excellent, and he gulped down tea to avoid choking. Once he finished, he settled into an armchair, his mind beginning to wander. He knew that in order to create a successful magnetism enchantment, he needed a deep understanding of the concept itself. So, he delved into thoughts about magnetism, pondering how it worked and what it truly represented.

He recalled his early encounters with magnets back on Earth—the invisible force that seemed to defy logic. As a child, he had played with magnets, experimenting with their mysterious attraction and repulsion. But now, he needed to grasp the essence of magnetism on a much deeper level.

Ethan envisioned the fundamental principles behind magnetism. He thought about the magnetic field—an unseen force that surrounded magnets and permeated space. It was this magnetic field that exerted influence on nearby objects, causing them to either attract or repel.

He contemplated the alignment of magnetic domains within a material, how they could create a net magnetic field that gave rise to magnetism. The concept of polarity came to mind, with opposite poles attracting and like poles repelling each other. It was as if the magnets themselves possessed an innate desire to find balance and harmony.

Ethan's thoughts extended beyond magnets themselves and into the natural world. He pondered Earth's magnetic field—a powerful force that guided compass needles and played a vital role in navigation. He contemplated how animals, such as migratory birds, could sense and navigate using the Earth's magnetic field—a testament to the intricate connection between magnetism and life itself.

Lost in his contemplation, Ethan sought a deeper understanding of the underlying physics behind magnetism. He pondered electromagnetic waves, realizing the intricate relationship between electricity and magnetism. How electric currents could induce magnetic fields, and vice versa, creating a profound interplay between these fundamental forces.

As his understanding deepened, Ethan felt a sense of clarity taking hold. He saw how magnetism was not simply a force of attraction and repulsion, but a fundamental aspect of the universe's fabric. It was an expression of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ethan’s eyes widened as the notification popped into view.

Basic enchanting

Cost

New spell learned:

Magnetism

3 essence Points

Notice:

Reward

Basic enchanting:

You have learned your 5th. spell

10 Essence points(EP)

1 Specialization point(SP) in basic enchanting

Ethan minimized the screens with a grin and stood. He walked over to the grinding device and began carefully inscribing runes into each metal plate. There were six in total, and three of them needed to be positively charged, while the rest should be negatively charged.

Once the runes were finished, Ethan put his finger to the first plate and concentrated. He focused on his knowledge of magnetism, particularly on the negative side of it. After successfully finishing that, he went all the way around, inscribing the runes on the remaining plates.

It took Ethan half most of the evening to finish his work. He hadn’t even noticed Adelaide coming in a few times to check on him, and the food she had left for him was long cold. But he had done it, and it was time to test it.

He put a careful finger on the crystal, and tried to activate the enchantments but nothing happened. He frowned down at it, ‘’why the hell doesn’t it work!?’’ he wondered aloud, then he slapped his face. He had completely forgotten, he needed another enchantment for that, something that would allow the crystal to act as a battery.

His head was hurting, and he shook it in annoyance. He considered trying to work on the enchantment right then, but reconsidered with a sigh, ‘’no.. Enough for today.’’ He mumbled before leaving the room, locking the door, and heading for his borrowed bed.

Adelaide woke him the next day, and she didn’t look happy. ‘’Get up, Ethan, it’s already midday..’’

Ethan groaned and nodded, ‘’Yep, alright, I'm up.’’

Adelaide nodded and went back to the store, while Ethan returned to the workshop. He was shocked to find the device gone, and he ran back to the store. ‘’Adelaide! The device, it was stolen!’’

Adelaide shook her head, ‘’it was not. But I removed it. You need to eat!’’

Ethan growled, ‘’Adelaide.. Hand it over. I am nearly finished, and I cannot rest until I...’’

Adelaide scowled, ‘’you will eat! Then you can go back to it, not before!’’

Ethan grumbled but nodded, and they had a quiet meal together. Ethan studied Adelaide as he chewed on a piece of sausage, and with a surly voice he said ‘’thanks.. I think sometimes I lose myself in these projects.’’

Adelaide scoffed, ‘’you remind me of my late husband; he was the same. May I also recommend a bath and a change of clothes? Your fine robes are all rumpled and dirty as well. I can have them washed. I have some clothes of my husband’s lying around, you can use them in the meantime.’’

Ethan smiled, ‘’thanks, yeah, that is probably a good idea. Where would I have a bath, though?’’

Adelaide rolled her eyes, ‘’the bathhouse, of course...’’

After breakfast, he was led a few blocks away to a rather large building. Ethan approached the wooden structure, its rustic exterior displaying a weathered sign that read "Public Bath House" in faded lettering. The scent of warm steam wafted through the air, and he smiled.

As he entered, the reception area greeted him with a simple counter where a friendly attendant awaited. The space was adorned with simple yet elegant wooden furnishings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A small wooden sign on the counter indicated the cost of admission, a few copper coins that Ethan eagerly placed before the attendant.

With a nod of approval, the attendant handed Ethan a fresh towel, clean and neatly folded. The towel felt soft against his fingertips, a small but welcome luxury. The attendant gestured towards the hallway leading to the baths, ‘’right this way, sir.’’

Ethan followed the hallway, the sound of his footsteps resonating against the wooden floor. The air grew warmer, carrying with it the subtle aroma of soothing herbs and oils. Soft murmurs and laughter echoed from behind closed doors.

Reaching the entrance of the bath area, Ethan pushed open the wooden door, revealing a spacious room filled with a white haze of steam.

The bathhouse was adorned with wooden pillars and beams, their rich hues blending harmoniously with the soft glow of dimmed lanterns. Intricate patterns adorned the walls, depicting scenes of serene landscapes and graceful waterfalls.

Ethan's gaze was drawn to the center of the room, where a series of large, sunken pools awaited. The pools, constructed from polished stone, emitted a gentle steam that danced in the air. The warm water shimmered invitingly, ‘’I will have to thank Adelaide for bringing me here.’’ He mumbled to himself.

Around the pools, individuals immersed in conversation or lost in peaceful solitude enjoyed the therapeutic waters.

Ethan undressed in an area designated for it, washed himself sitting down, and pouring buckets of water over himself, before chose an unoccupied spot near the edge of one of the pools. Carefully, he placed his towel on a nearby wooden bench, claiming his temporary space.

With a mix of anticipation and relief, Ethan stepped into the welcoming warmth of the bath, feeling the soothing waters enveloping him. The temperature of the water was perfect, and as he sank deeper, the exhaustion that had built up over the last few days began to dissolve, replaced by a deep sense of calm.

Ethan allowed himself to be swept away by the ambiance of the bathhouse—the soft murmur of conversation, the gentle lapping of water, and the occasional laughter that filled the air. Time seemed to slow down, and his mind calmed. Of course, it soon began to wander once more.