Chapter 32

"Hey-o!" Justinian cried out; a group of children were surrounding a forge works and craft table, with a huge chunk of rough mined crystal framing one side of him towering ten feet in the air.

Wearing a heavy leather apron and holding a bronze hammer, Riley could see his hands and hammer suffused in a cheery yellow flame that reminded her of sunlight.

With a burst of power, he'd tap the giant hunk of crystal that was taller than he was. A piece would fall off, no more than finger sized, and he'd place it on the anvil before his forge.

Another flash, and he'd grab it with his left hand, it now glowing in a particular color, before he'd toss it out to the clamoring crowd.

"Next." He cried, repeating it over and over again until it looked like a rave at a kindergarten.

"That's adorable!" Riley watched in rapt amusement while a group of instructors watched with interest; one was making notes on a long parchment scroll, eyeing him critically.

"Produce a first year cram crystal," the scribe demanded, shouting over the kinder hoard.

"One cram crystal coming right up!" Justinian replied like a short order chef, twisting in a dance like motion, knocking a chunk off the mega crystal, then setting it down on the anvil before pulling a book out from a storage space under his work table.

He flipped it open, letting it lull out as he held the crystal aloft. It began to pulse in synchronicity with the book.

Touching it to the book with a loud cry, it flashed.

Riley recognized the prismatic rainbow light now glowing within.

With deft action, he tossed it over to one of the instructors with a bow, "Here ya go."

"This is the best show I've seen since I've got here!" Riley was bouncing on her paws. More people crowded in, drawn by the sounds of the spectacle, while parents began to retrieve their kids from the hoard, some finding seats as the tykes played with their new toys.

"Justinian is a born showman," Tobias said with a happy grin.

Turning back to the show, Riley saw another bright flash. A new book was out now, next to the first, and soon, Justinian tossed another crystal underhand over towards the instructor, "And there's year two."

"Impressive and with an admirable flourish," The thin but wiry sorcerer praised, apparently enjoying himself almost as much as Riley was.

"And the third year?" A quiet until now, more portly instructor spoke up, only to be silenced by one flying towards him, already in mid-air.

"Way ahead of you," Justinian grinned, stopping to catch his breath.

Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, with more people making their way in to catch the show.

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"This is a trial?" Riley asked, amazed.

"It is. The flourish isn't a requirement, which is why the crowds aren't that big tonight. Normally, it's pretty dry, but Justinian doesn't do dry," Tobias grinned, watching with a bemused pride.

"No, he does not," Riley agreed.

"I think we've seen enough of your ability to craft on the fly; now, do you have your project?" The thin, wiry sorcerer asked.

Justinian beamed, pulling a wooden case out, unfastening the latches, pulling out a leather and mail jerkin, setting it upon a waiting armor stand.

"That's beautiful," Riley balked.

The armor itself was a matte black, with the crest of the Ashenrealm emblazoned on the front of it. As it caught the light, it gained a subtle prismatic sheen. Not a stitch was out of place; rather, the mail hung as features and accents, creating an artwork of battle dress.

Justinian pulled three glowing crystals from a pocket on his belt, "It's not just well made; it's got multi-elemental resistance built in. Ice," He paused to throw the first crystal that glowed a whitish blue.

It detonated when it struck the chest, sending out frozen sparks and flash, freezing the air.

A snowflake drifted down and landed upon Riley's twitching nose.

"Lightning," he tossed another that pulsed yellow-white. A blind flash followed a crack of thunder as it exploded against the center of the jerkin.

The smell of ozone filled the air, and Riley's ears wrung as her world resolved, yet the jerkin remained unharmed.

"And finally, earth," Justinian tossed his last crystal; it struck, projecting earthen spikes that shattered on contact.

"As you can see, the stand is still intact, too, as it absorbs kinetic damage in addition to magical damage. There is a secondary effect not seen; it recharges from the mana that it encounters, converting it into fuel for the warding, but that's not the most impressive bit," Justinian paused to grin, sounding like a showman as he eyed Tobias.

"You, good sir, would you join me up here for a demonstration?" Justinian asked as Tobias rolled his eyes.

"Of course," He strolled up towards the front.

The crowd broke into murmurs as they clasped arms.

"Now you're a fire mage and are about to go into your final trial tomorrow, correct?" Justinian asked.

In demonstration, Tobias pulled at his power. His hand exploded into conjured orange flame, coalescing into a held fireball, " You'd be safe in assuming so."

The crowd laughed.

"So, do your worst," Justinian bowed and took up position behind his best friend.

Tobias shrugged and launched one fireball after another, sailing true and hitting in center mass.

The armor itself became obscured by the pyrotechnic deluge while the air of the tent grew thick with smoke.

"Had enough?" Justinian grinned and gestured towards the armor stand.

Both it and the breastplate were perfectly intact.

The documenting scribe's eyebrows ticked up in surprise.

"I'm pretty proud of it," Justinian bowed, and the room erupted into cheers.

Riley drummed her hindpaw, then leaped up and down. Even those grading him applauded before one brought over a golden torc.

"I think you will make a fine addition to our order. Good show, son," He patted him on the shoulder as Justinian held it aloft in victory.

More cheers filled the tent as Justinian holstered his hammer through a loop on his belt, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Riley noticed the next student waiting off to the side in the tent, holding their tools, looking terrified. At the same time, Justinian fastidiously set up the workstation for the next of his ilk, leaving it ready for their demonstration.

As Tobias moved back toward Riley, Justinian walked over to the waiting sorcerer.

"Would everyone please put their hands together for another grand exhibition of the arts? I'm pleased to introduce Carolingian!" He clapped loudly, and the crowd joined in.

The sorcerer nervously moved towards the forge, removing their hammer and setting it on the work table.

"I suppose Justinian would be a tough act to follow," Riley observed.

"I'm glad I don't have to go after him," Tobias said as the grinning, now fully fledged artificer joined them in the back, only to hug his brother in the magic.

"Tomorrow, friend, you get yours," Justian prophesied with a wink.