Ethan settled himself on the bed, cross-legged, with the captivating book by his side. He embarked on the task of experimentation. Having successfully minimized the window before, he attempted to restore it using the command "maximize," but to no avail.
A furrow formed on his brow. Perhaps "notification" would do the trick, he mused, and to his satisfaction, the previous message reappeared. With a nod of approval, he once again minimized it. What he truly desired was to explore spells, so he focused his intention and ‘thought’ the word "spells," and to his delight, a window promptly materialized.
Magic branches
Spells
Basic Enchanting
none
Ethan pondered the empty list before him, contemplating how he could acquire the knowledge of spells. The book had emphasized understanding the nature of things, their inner workings and interconnectedness. He shrugged, deciding to give it a try. He closed his eyes and focused on the nature of light.
Recalling lectures, reading materials, and his own experiences with lasers, Ethan delved into the concept of light. He grasped the notion that light traveled in waves, composed of tiny particles known as photons. He marveled at the fascinating phenomenon of electromagnetic radiation, where these photons oscillated through space, carrying energy with them. He considered the significance of wavelength, recognizing that different colors of light corresponded to different wavelengths.
As his thoughts delved deeper, he contemplated the manipulation of these photon waves, how to generate and control them to achieve the desired effect of illumination. He mused about the potential use of crystals or other materials capable of interacting with light, bending and refracting it to enhance its properties.
After a prolonged period of reflection, a newfound sensation stirred within him, a latent ability he had never noticed before. It felt so innate that he was momentarily taken aback by its sudden emergence. Then, like magic, the screen materialized before his eyes, and a triumphant smile split his face.
Basic enchanting
Cost
New spell learned:
Illumination
1 essence Point
Ethan leaped to his feet, bubbling with excitement. He strode over to the workbench, fixated on the wand before him. Instinctively, he knew that a rune accompanied the spell and that he needed to engrave it onto the item he wished to enchant. Testing the sharpness of the crystal knife against the workbench, he confirmed its suitability for the task. With utmost care, he leaned over the wand, steadying it with one hand, and meticulously etched the rune representing illumination onto the crystal surface.
He worked diligently, taking his time to avoid any mishaps that could ruin the delicate process. After several minutes of focused effort, he set the knife aside, his heart pounding with anticipation. Gently, he touched his finger to the rune, then held the concept of light in his mind and whispered the word, "illumination."
A rush coursed through him, as if something was released from within and flowed into the wand. It was an indescribable sensation. The rune glowed softly, signaling the completion of the enchantment.
Removing his finger, Ethan beamed with satisfaction. Tentatively, he lifted the wand and examined it closely. "Hmm... How do I activate the enchantment, then?"
He attempted to wave the wand around, but nothing happened. Next, he tried uttering "illumination," yet still no response. Frowning in thought, a moment of insight struck him. He softly uttered, "activate," and suddenly, the crystal atop the wand erupted in a brilliant burst of light.
Startled, Ethan yelped and nearly dropped the wand, shielding his eyes from the dazzling radiance. It was akin to a miniature sun illuminating before him. Holding the wand at a distance, he cautiously opened his eyes and aimed it away from himself. The intense light transformed the far wall into a beacon.
With an exuberant whoop, he broke into a joyous little dance, a wide grin spreading across his face. That was extraordinary! He had just performed magic, and the thirst for further exploration surged within him. Just then, a notification popped up in his field of vision.
Notice
Rewards
You have earned a new achievement
First creation
You have enchanted your very first item.
2 Specialization points (SP)
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5 Essence points (EP)
Ethan furrowed his brow as he glanced at the screen before minimizing it. Figuring out the meaning behind all those points could wait. For now, he wanted to bask in the satisfaction of his success. To deactivate the wand, he simply uttered, "deactivate," and the light immediately vanished.
He experimented a few more times, activating and deactivating the light, until he felt at ease with the wand's functionality. His mind then turned to his next objective: creating a weapon for self-defense. A crossbow seemed appealing, but he deemed building one to be currently beyond his capabilities.
Considering his options, he recollected owning a taser in the past as his preferred self-defense item, since he had never been fond of guns. He pondered the possibility of creating something that produced electricity, envisioning a long object to maintain distance from potential threats.
A design took shape in his mind—an elongated stick or staff with metallic components at one end. His gaze wandered around the room, and he noticed a shovel hanging on the wall. Tapping his chin in thought, he contemplated its suitability for his purpose.
Approaching the wall, he retrieved the shovel and carried it to the worktable. He studied it intently, noting its long wooden handle and triangular metal head. He aimed to somehow bend the metal into two separate conductors, allowing the charge to travel between them, akin to a taser. Temporarily setting aside the question of the actual spell, he felt confident in his ability to devise one. After all, it had been a straightforward process the first time around.
Casting his gaze about, he spotted a pair of oversized heavy boots and a leather apron. Though not ideal, they would offer some protection against stray sparks.
Ethan approached the dormant forge, determination etched across his face. The furnace awaited rekindling. He gathered a bundle of dry straw as kindling and meticulously arranged it within the forge. Holding a small flint in one hand and a sturdy steel striker in the other, he swiftly struck them together, igniting sparks that cascaded down onto the tinder.
A tiny ember caught hold of the dry straw, casting a faint glow. Kneeling down, Ethan blew gently on the ember, coaxing it to grow. The flame eagerly consumed the kindling, spreading and gaining strength. He continued to nurture the growing fire, employing a wooden bellow to deliver controlled bursts of air, intensifying the heat.
As the fire flourished, he added chunks of coal to the forge, feeding the hungry flames. The rhythmic pumping of the bellow stoked the fire, transforming the forge into a radiant furnace exuding intense heat. Although he had never worked a forge before, he had watched countless YouTube videos on the subject. Shocked by the searing heat, he exercised utmost caution to avoid burning himself.
Grasping the shovel with a sturdy pair of tongs, Ethan carefully positioned it within the heart of the forge. Ensuring that only the tip of the shovel was exposed to the heat, he avoided the risk of the wooden shaft catching fire. The intense heat enveloped the metal, gradually raising its temperature.
Ethan attentively monitored the color of the metal as it absorbed the heat, waiting for the perfect moment. With careful adjustments of the bellow, he controlled the airflow, feeding the fire and intensifying its heat. The metal within the forge glowed, transitioning from a dull red to a vibrant, searing orange-yellow.
Once satisfied with the temperature, Ethan gingerly withdrew the shovel from the forge, employing the tongs to shield his hands from the scorching heat. The metal radiated with an intense glow, its malleability offering opportunities for shaping and manipulation. Swiftly, he transported it to the awaiting anvil, ready for the next step.
Placing the heated shovel on the anvil, Ethan listened as the forge crackled and roared behind him. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, testament to the extreme heat surrounding him. Positioning the hammer above the metal, he prepared to shape and repurpose it into a taser on a stick.
As he worked carefully, if not skillfully. Sparks danced through the air, briefly illuminating the workshop with their fleeting brilliance. The amalgamation of the forge's heat, the scent of burning coal, and the distinctive smell of hot metal filled the air. Ethan remained focused, each strike of the hammer bringing him closer to his desired outcome.
Gradually, the taser on a stick took form, and though not conventionally attractive, it somewhat resembled his initial vision. Exhausted but satisfied, Ethan let his arm drop. Aware that he lacked the means to cool the metal, he accepted the likelihood of it warping and bending slightly. However, as it was not intended to be a sword, straightness and sturdiness were of secondary concern. Its primary purpose was to conduct electricity.
Leaving the newly crafted tool to cool on its own, Ethan returned to the workshop and wearily settled onto the bed. Covered in sweat and grime from his work in the forge, he reclined and closed his eyes. Just a few minutes of relaxation, he thought, allowing the rhythmic sound of the whirring gears to lull him into a peaceful slumber.
He awoke sometime later, his stomach growling with hunger and his throat parched with thirst. Ethan scolded himself for succumbing to sleep, but his immediate concern was to check on the taser. Stepping into the forge, he felt a lingering warmth in the air, though it had significantly diminished since before.
Examining the taser, he noted that the metal had blackened and acquired a slight bend, but overall, he was content with the outcome. Picking it up, he returned to the workshop and settled back onto the bed. It was time to contemplate the fusion of electricity and magic.
As Ethan pondered the nature of electricity, he delved into its foundational principles and governing behaviors. He contemplated the flow of electric charge, visualizing the movement of electrons through conductive materials. He envisioned the intricate pathways and circuits that facilitated the transmission of electricity from one point to another.
Reflecting on voltage as the driving force propelling electrons forward, Ethan grasped the significance of a complete circuit for the flow of electricity. He considered the role of resistance, understanding its measure of opposition and regulation of current intensity.
Turning his attention to the mechanics of a taser, he envisioned the two prongs that made contact with the target, delivering a high-voltage shock that disrupted the nervous system and induced temporary paralysis.
Recognizing that a taser relied on the combination of voltage and current to administer an effective shock, Ethan pondered the necessity of delivering a sudden and intense electrical discharge, overwhelming the target's system with a surge of energy.
Seated there in deep contemplation, Ethan lost track of time, persistently willing the enigmatic magic system to bestow upon him the desired spell. It felt as though this time it took longer, as if the spell was more intricate or demanded greater focus.
Eventually, his determination paid off, and a notification screen materialized in his vision.
Basic enchanting
Cost
New spell learned:
Arcing spark
3 essence Points