The morning light filtered through the windows of the Mana Brew Café, casting a warm glow across the wooden tables. The aroma of freshly brewed tea and pastries lingered in the air, offering a comforting start to the day. Caelum sat at their usual corner table, sipping a cup of hot tea as he awaited Seraphine’s arrival. His thoughts were still tangled from the previous day's meeting with Headmaster Alistair, the weight of the headmaster’s expectations pressing heavily on his mind.
He had barely taken a second sip when the door chimed and Seraphine walked in, her violet eyes scanning the café until they found him. She waved, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, but there was a hint of nervousness in her expression.
“Good morning,” she greeted, sitting down across from him as she set her grimoire on the table. Her tone was light, but Caelum could sense the unease beneath her words.
“Morning,” Caelum replied, pouring them both some tea from the small, enchanted pot that had been placed on their table. “Still thinking about the meeting?”
Seraphine nodded, taking a sip of her tea. “It’s hard not to. The headmaster is putting so much trust in us—asking us to help change the academy's future. It’s... a lot to take in.”
Caelum’s eyes darkened as he stirred his tea. “I knew the exams were going to be important, but I didn’t expect the stakes to be this high. If we don’t do well, it’s not just us who will suffer. Every student from the mortal realm, or with low-blood status, will be affected.”
Seraphine bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the table. “I’ve always known the academy had its issues, but hearing it directly from the headmaster made it feel... real. Like we’re standing at the edge of something, and if we fail...”
Caelum reached out, resting his hand on hers. “We won’t fail. We’ve come too far to back down now. Besides, we’ve got Aelric to help us, and he’s just as determined.”
Seraphine offered a small, grateful smile. “You’re right. We’ll figure it out.”
For a while, they fell into a comfortable silence, both of them lost in their thoughts. Caelum found himself reflecting on the headmaster’s words, the pressure to succeed weighing heavier with every passing moment. He couldn’t afford to falter. Not now. Not when so much depended on them.
“Seraphine,” he began quietly, breaking the silence. “What do you make of the Radiant Way Church? They’ve been... more present lately.”
Seraphine’s expression shifted, her fingers tightening slightly around her cup. “I’ve noticed. Elara has been talking about the church more often, pushing me to distance myself from other students. She keeps bringing up noble bloodlines and magical pedigree. It’s... uncomfortable.”
Caelum frowned. “She’s your mentor, though. How are you handling it?”
Seraphine sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “It’s difficult. I respect her so much, but I don’t agree with what she’s saying. It feels like she’s trying to push me into something I’m not sure I believe in.”
“You don’t have to follow her path,” Caelum said gently. “You’ve always stood by me, and I know where your heart lies. But it’s your decision.”
Seraphine’s eyes softened. “I know. And I won’t let them divide us. I just... need to figure out how to navigate all of this.”
Caelum nodded, reaching over and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”
They finished their breakfast, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. But the weight of the headmaster’s expectations and the tension with the Radiant Way Church lingered in the back of both their minds. There was so much more at play than they had ever realized, and the path ahead was fraught with challenges.
After breakfast, they left Mana Brew Café and made their way to the market, determined to tackle the day’s tasks with renewed focus. Caelum’s first stop was the Celestial Smithy, where Caelum had plans to not only restock his materials but also seek some feedback on his recent work.
----------------------------------------
Caelum and Seraphine parted ways after breakfast, each heading off to tackle their own tasks for the morning. Seraphine had her own shopping list of rare ingredients to gather for her alchemy studies, while Caelum’s mind was focused on his burgeoning smithing and enchanting skills. They agreed to meet later at Café Aetheria for lunch, after they had both completed their errands.
As Caelum approached the Celestial Smithy, the familiar sounds of metal clashing against metal and the rhythmic hiss of molten ore cooling in oil greeted him. The warm air, thick with the scent of coal and iron, washed over him like a comforting embrace. There was a sense of organized chaos in the forge—an energy that reminded him why he loved working with his hands, shaping raw materials into something beautiful and powerful.
He pushed the heavy door open, its creak barely audible over the clamor of the forge. Inside, the shop was alive with activity. Sparks flew from various workstations as smiths hammered away at swords, armor, and tools. Caelum approached the counter, where the shopkeeper, a burly man with soot-streaked arms like iron pillars, stood overseeing the operations. His skin bore the marks of years spent near the forge—calloused, weathered, and tough as old leather.
“Back again, lad?” the shopkeeper greeted, his voice gruff but friendly. He wiped his hands on a stained apron and gave Caelum a nod. “What can I do for you this time? Need more ore, I reckon?”
Caelum smiled and mentally reached into his ring, pulling out a carefully wrapped bundle of cloth. “Actually,” he began, his voice tinged with anticipation, “I’ve been working on something. I was hoping you could take a look at these.”
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, curiosity flashing in his eyes as Caelum unwrapped the cloth, revealing ten sleek, polished daggers. The intricate Damascus pattern shimmered in the light of the forge, the layers of folded steel creating a mesmerizing pattern along the blades. Even in the bustling forge, they stood out, reflecting the craftsmanship that had gone into their creation.
The shopkeeper picked one up, turning it over in his calloused hands. His eyes narrowed as he inspected the blade, running a finger along its edge and testing its balance. “Well now,” he muttered, his voice thoughtful. “This is fine work, lad. Very fine work. Better than what I usually see from first-year students. Hell, better than what I see from some of the more seasoned smiths around here.”
Caelum felt a swell of pride at the compliment, but before he could respond, the shopkeeper continued. “These daggers are bordering on the flawless classification above high-grade, superb craftsmanship. The Damascus layers are perfectly folded, the grain of the steel is uniform, and the balance is spot on. These aren’t just simple pig-stickers, lad. These could be ceremonial blades, something to be passed down as heirlooms.”
The words struck Caelum with an unexpected force. He had poured his heart and soul into crafting these daggers, but he hadn’t realized just how exceptional they were. Hearing the shopkeeper—an experienced master—describe his work in such terms filled him with both pride and a sense of awe at how far he had come in so little time.
“I don’t know what to ask for them,” Caelum admitted, trying to keep his voice steady despite the excitement thrumming in his veins. “But I was hoping to trade for more ore. I want to keep crafting, and I’m not ready to sell them outright just yet.”
The shopkeeper set the dagger down and chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. “A trade, eh? I respect that. You’re looking to hone your craft, and you’d be a fool to sell your early work before you’ve reached your full potential.” He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice so only Caelum could hear. “Tell you what—I’ll give you a low-grade level 1 storage ring full of ore for these ten blades. But on one condition: you bring me the next set of weapons you forge with that ore. I want first dibs.”
Caelum’s eyes widened slightly at the offer. A storage ring full of ore was more than he had anticipated, especially for just ten daggers. “That’s... a generous offer,” he said, his tone cautious. “Why so much for just a few daggers?”
The shopkeeper grinned and picked up one of the daggers, twirling it between his fingers with practiced ease. “I’ll tell you why, lad. Your daggers may still be classified as level one blades, but they’re on the cusp of something greater. The craftsmanship, the patterning of the blade’s belly, the way the steel layers have been folded—it’s all bordering at the top flawless nearly perfected. With the right handle and a few enchantments, these could become heirlooms or graduation gifts for the lower nobility. Mark my words, you’re on your way to being a fine blacksmith, and I want to say that I had a hand in helping you during your early days.”
Caelum stared at the man, absorbing his words. He had known the daggers were well made, but hearing the shopkeeper speak of them as potential heirlooms was something he hadn’t anticipated. The pride in his chest swelled further, but with it came a sense of responsibility—a reminder that he was still learning, still refining his skills.
The shopkeeper set the dagger down and met Caelum’s gaze. “To be honest, lad, with that ring of ore, I’m probably getting the better end of the deal. But come back next week with your new blades, and I’ll make sure I’m better prepared to pay what they’re truly worth.”
Caelum hesitated only for a moment before extending his hand. “Deal.”
The shopkeeper’s grip was firm, his palm rough and calloused from years of hard work in the forge. They shook on the agreement, and Caelum felt the weight of the exchange settle in—a mix of pride and responsibility. He had just traded his first major creations for raw materials, the very substance that would fuel his next set of projects. It was a moment of validation, but also a reminder that the path ahead would demand even more of him.
The shopkeeper retrieved a storage ring from beneath the counter, its faint magical aura humming as he passed it over. Caelum held it between his fingers, the cool metal radiating a slight energy. He could feel the promise within—the ore that would allow him to continue refining his skills and push the boundaries of his craft.
"Remember," the shopkeeper added as Caelum put the ring in his storage, "bring your next set of blades here first. I want to see how you improve, and I’m serious about paying more next time. You've got talent, lad, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Thank you," Caelum said, his voice genuine. "I won’t forget it."
With a final nod, Caelum turned and left the smithy, the weight of the storage ring in his mind. As he stepped out into the bustling market streets, the noise and energy of Astral Haven City washed over him. For a moment, he paused, letting the sounds and sights ground him after the whirlwind of his visit to the Celestial Smithy.
He glanced at the position of the sun, realizing it was almost time for his next stop—Crystalline Caverns, where he planned to acquire the enchanting crystals he had been researching for some time. The prospect of experimenting with new enchantments, especially using the vast store of crystals he was hoping to purchase, filled him with a renewed sense of determination.
----------------------------------------
Crystal Caverns was just as Caelum remembered—dimly lit, with shelves stocked high with glittering magical artifacts, crystals, and minerals. The air inside was cool and carried the faint scent of stone dust. The walls themselves seemed to hum with residual mana, a testament to the enchanting properties of the goods stored within. However, today, Caelum was not here for rare finds or unique treasures; he had a much more specific goal in mind.
He stepped inside, the tinkling of the door chime catching the attention of the shopkeeper. A short man with a weathered face and keen eyes, the shopkeeper gave Caelum a nod of recognition.
“Back again, young man?” the shopkeeper greeted, leaning on the counter. “What brings you to my little corner of the world this time?”
Caelum smiled, already feeling the pull of mana from the various objects on display. “I’m here to stock up on enchanting crystals.”
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Enchanting crystals, you say? Not many ask for those these days. Most prefer to enchant directly onto objects.”
“I’ve been researching some older methods,” Caelum explained, stepping closer to the counter. “Crystals offer a lot of versatility. They allow you to store magic, transfer it later, or even use it directly in arrays. There’s a lot of potential.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes narrowed with interest. “Ah, you’re one of the rare ones who understands. But I won’t lie to you, lad—the demand for those has dwindled. Crystals were once a booming business, but now... well, I’ve got crates of ‘em sitting in the back collecting dust.”
Caelum perked up at that. “Crates? How many are we talking?”
The shopkeeper chuckled, motioning for Caelum to follow him. They walked past the neatly arranged displays of enchanted wands and runes, and into the back of the shop, where the air grew cooler and the space dimmer. There, in the dim light, Caelum saw what the shopkeeper meant—crates upon crates of storage rings, all containing enchanting crystals.
“These rings are all filled with assorted grades and levels of enchantment crystals,” the shopkeeper said, lifting one of the storage rings and tossing it to Caelum. “Fifty mana stone for the ring, five for the crystals inside. Fifty-five per ring. It’s a bargain, really, but no one buys them anymore.”
Caelum caught the ring and felt the faint pulse of mana from the crystals inside. He inspected it closely, running his fingers along its surface. “Why are they just sitting here?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The shopkeeper sighed, crossing his arms. “Times have changed. My family founded this shop generations ago, built on the sale of these very crystals. The mine in my hometown produced them by the thousands, and we supplied half the kingdom with them. But as direct enchanting became more popular, people saw the crystals as an extra step—unnecessary, inefficient. Now, there’s hardly any demand.”
Caelum nodded, understanding the shift. He knew that most students at the academy were taught to enchant objects directly—after all, it was flashier and more immediate. But he also knew that crystals offered stability and flexibility that direct enchantments didn’t. They could store magic for future use, act as power sources for complex arrays, and even amplify spells if used correctly. But Caelum kept those thoughts to himself.
“I could use these,” he said thoughtfully, still holding the ring. “And I’m interested in buying a lot. How many of these rings can you part with?”
The shopkeeper’s eyes gleamed with a spark of hope. “How many? I’ve got enough rings here to fill a vault. You tell me how many you need, and I’ll get them ready.”
Caelum did a quick calculation in his head. Between his earnings from the tutoring sessions and the recent advance payment, he had 2600 mid-grade mana stone. Each ring of crystals cost 55 low-grade stone, which meant he could afford 4727 rings if he wanted to. But he also knew he needed to keep some mana stone in reserve for other purchases.
“Including this one, I'll take 4500 rings,” Caelum said after a moment, his tone steady. “But I want to keep buying more each week. If you can re-establish your connection with the mine, I'll finish buying your inventory and then as many as you can send me.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a large order. “4500 rings... that’s no small sum,” he said, rubbing his chin. “I can have them ready before noon, but you’ll need something bigger to store them in.”
Caelum nodded. “I’ll need to stop by Mystic Relics Emporium to pick up a bigger ring. Can you have the remaining rings packed and ready for pickup when I return?”
The shopkeeper grinned, the lines around his eyes crinkling with renewed energy. “Absolutely. I’ll get my assistants on it right away. And you know, if you keep buying at this rate, we could work out an even better price. Maybe down to 51 mana stone per ring if I can get the mine fully operational again.”
“Sounds good,” Caelum said, extending his hand. “I’ll be back before noon.”
They shook hands, sealing the deal. As Caelum left the back room, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He knew he was onto something—these crystals might not be in high demand now, but their potential was undeniable. And if his plans worked out, he could revolutionize the way enchantments were handled at the academy—and maybe beyond.
With one last glance at the crates of rings, Caelum left Crystalline Caverns, his mind already racing with the possibilities. He had one more stop to make before lunch, and then his next steps would truly begin.
----------------------------------------
With a quiet excitement building in his chest, the weight of the new ring filled with enchanting crystals resting comfortably in his storage space. His deal with the shopkeeper had gone far better than he had anticipated, and now he was on his way to Mystic Relics Emporium to see if his theory about the crystals’ value held any weight.
As he walked through the bustling streets of Astral Haven City, he pulled one of the enchanting crystals from the ring and studied it closely. It was small and unassuming, the faint glow of mana flickering inside like a dormant flame. To the untrained eye, it might have looked insignificant, but Caelum knew better. This little stone held the potential for powerful magic, and he was about to test just how valuable it could be.
He pulled out his scribe, a tool that had quickly become indispensable, and focused on the crystal. Channeling a steady stream of mana through the scribe, he carefully etched a fire affinity enchantment into the stone. It was a simple enchantment, one he had practiced countless times, but the precision and ease with which he executed it made the process almost automatic. Within seconds, the crystal began to glow a deep red, the fire affinity now locked within its core.
Satisfied, Caelum tucked the newly enchanted crystal back into his ring and made his way toward the Mystic Relics Emporium. The shop was located in one of the quieter streets, away from the bustling marketplace, its exterior modest but well-kept. As he pushed open the door, a small bell chimed above him, and the smell of aged wood and parchment greeted him.
A wiry man behind the counter looked up from a ledger, his sharp eyes quickly assessing Caelum. “Welcome back to Mystic Relics Emporium,” the shopkeeper greeted him with a professional smile. “What can I help you with today?”
Caelum returned the smile and reached into his ring, pulling out the fire-affinity crystal. “I was wondering if you might be interested in buying this,” he said, handing it over.
The shopkeeper took the crystal and held it up to the light, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he examined the delicate lines of the enchantment. After a moment, he raised a single finger.
Caelum blinked. One mana stone? It wasn’t a bad offer, but it wasn’t great either. He had expected at least a little more for his efforts. Before he could voice his thoughts, the shopkeeper spoke.
“One mid-grade mana stone,” the shopkeeper clarified, his tone calm but serious. “This is solid work, and fire affinity enchantments are always in demand.”
Caelum’s surprise was well-hidden, but his mind raced. A single enchanted crystal was worth one mid-grade stone? He had hundreds of thousands of these crystals in his possession now, and the prospect of turning each one into a profit was staggering. “Do you have more?” the shopkeeper asked, his interest piqued.
Caelum nodded slowly, maintaining his composure. “I can acquire all four elemental affinities,” he said, keeping his voice steady. “How many would you be willing to buy?”
The shopkeeper leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with interest. “I’ll take 1,000 of each affinity. If you can provide that, I’ll offer one high-grade mana stone for each affinity. That’s 4,000 crystals for four high-grade mana stones.”
The offer hit Caelum like a jolt of lightning. Four high-grade stones—each worth an enormous amount—just for enchanting 4,000 crystals? The deal was better than he could have ever imagined. “I can provide them by this evening,” he said, extending his hand. “If that’s agreeable, I’d like to bring you the crystals in exchange for a high-grade storage ring.”
The shopkeeper didn’t hesitate, shaking Caelum’s hand firmly. “It’s a deal,” he said, and with a smooth motion, he reached into a drawer behind the counter and pulled out a high-grade level 4 storage ring. The ring hummed with a faint magical energy as he handed it over to Caelum.
Caelum accepted the ring, feeling the weight of it in his palm. It was sleek and unassuming, but he knew it held an immense amount of storage capacity. “Thank you,” he said, keeping his voice steady despite the excitement buzzing under his skin.
As he stepped out of the Mystic Relics Emporium, Caelum couldn’t help but glance down at the high-grade ring in his hand. It shimmered faintly in the light, a symbol of the incredible potential he had unlocked. He had expected a level 3 ring at best, but it appears he underestimated the value of his enchanted stones. There was a quiet satisfaction in knowing that his efforts were paying off, but there was also a sharp sense of determination. This was only the beginning.
He quickly made his way back toward Crystalline Caverns to pick up the remaining 4,499 rings of enchanting crystals. He had to collect them before noon, and now, with a high-grade ring in his possession, he had more than enough space to store them.
As he walked through the streets, his accomplishments and plans for the future settled in his mind. He had a newfound sense of purpose, and with each step, he felt more confident in his ability to navigate the challenges ahead.
Looking forward to sharing about his adventures at lunch with Seraphine, he set off with a bounce in his step.
----------------------------------------
Caelum sat across from Seraphine at Café Aetheria, the sun filtering through the wide glass windows, casting a warm glow over their table. The hum of conversation and clinking silverware filled the air, but his mind was on the events of the morning. Seraphine, as usual, had already gathered her rare ingredients for alchemy, and now she was eager to hear about his ventures.
"So," Seraphine began, leaning forward with a curious look, "how did your visit to the Celestial Smithy go? You said you had something to show the shopkeeper?"
Caelum grinned, the memory still fresh in his mind. “It went better than I expected, honestly. I showed him the daggers I made, and he was... impressed, to say the least. I ended up trading them for a low-grade level 1 ring full of ore.”
Seraphine’s eyes widened, and she set down her fork, her interest piqued. “A whole ring? For just ten daggers? They must have been incredible.”
Caelum shrugged modestly but couldn’t hide his pride. “The shopkeeper said they were bordering on upper flawless. He wants first dibs on any future blades I craft. I wasn’t expecting him to be so generous with the ore, but he made it clear that my daggers could be more than just simple weapons—they could become ceremonial blades, even heirlooms.”
Seraphine’s expression shifted from surprise to admiration. “That’s incredible, Caelum. You’re already making a name for yourself. What’s next?”
“Well,” Caelum said, leaning back in his chair, “after that, I went to Crystalline Caverns.” He paused, letting the name sink in before continuing. “You remember how I’ve been studying older enchanting methods, right? The ones that use crystals to store magic for later use?”
Seraphine nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned that. Most enchanters now just infuse objects directly.”
“Exactly,” Caelum said, leaning forward, excitement building in his voice. “But those crystals—they’re more than just an intermediary step. They provide stability, they can be used in arrays, and they’re versatile in a way that direct enchantments aren’t. The problem is, no one wants them anymore. The market has shifted, and people see enchanting crystals as outdated.”
Seraphine raised an eyebrow. “So what did you do?”
Caelum chuckled softly, pulling out one of the low-grade level 1 rings and setting it on the table. “I struck a deal. The shopkeeper has crates of these rings, each one filled with empty enchanting crystals. He’s been sitting on them for years because no one wants them anymore. I bought 4,500 rings full of crystals.”
Seraphine’s jaw dropped. “Four thousand... five hundred?”
Caelum grinned and nodded. “That’s right. The best part? The price was just over the cost of a low-grade level 1 ring. Fifty mana stone for the ring, and five more for the crystals inside. All in all, it’s one of the best deals I’ve ever made.”
Seraphine stared at him, trying to process what she was hearing. “You... you’re sitting on nearly half a million enchanting crystals.”
“And I’m enchanting them as we speak.” Caelum picked up his scribe, moving his hands over the table for her to see, his hand moving with practiced ease as he inscribed a fire affinity enchantment onto one of the crystals. It took only a few seconds, and he placed the newly enchanted crystal into the ring. “Like you estimated, each ring holds about 100,000 crystals. After ai enchant them I can sell them for a mid-grade stone each. That’s the equivalent of 100 high-grade mana crystals for every ring, assuming I don’t oversaturate the market.”
Seraphine blinked, her astonishment growing with each word. “And you’re just... casually enchanting them?”
Caelum shrugged, placing another crystal into the ring. “I have a system now. It takes me about thirty seconds to enchant a crystal manually, but I’ve been working on refining the process. Eventually, I hope to automate it with arrays, but for now, I’m doing them by hand.”
Seraphine leaned back in her chair, clearly impressed. “Caelum, do you realize what you have here? Elemental affinity enchantment crystals will sell faster than anything else at that price because even people unskilled in enchantments can embue an affinity into an object. If you learn some more specialized enchantments—like for combat or protection—you could sell those for a high-grade stone each. Easily.”
“That’s the plan,” Caelum replied, continuing to enchant as they spoke. “I’m not worried about the market yet. There’s a demand for these, even if most enchanters aren’t using them anymore, there are far more people needing skilled enchantments than there are skilled enchanters.”
They continued eating, the conversation shifting between Caelum’s ventures and Seraphine’s latest alchemical experiments. But every few minutes, Seraphine would glance down at the enchanted crystals, her mind clearly working through the implications of what Caelum was doing.
When they finished their lunch, Caelum packed up the low-grade ring, now brimming with 100,000 freshly enchanted fire affinity crystals. “Shall we?” he asked, standing and offering his hand to pull her to her feet. "I have an order to fill."
Seraphine smiled, her eyes still sparkling with excitement. “Let’s go. Mystic Relics Emporium is waiting.”
As they made their way through the bustling streets of Astral Haven City, Caelum couldn’t help but reflect on the morning’s successes. Between the Celestial Smithy, Crystalline Caverns, and now their impending visit to Mystic Relics Emporium, he was making significant strides toward his goals. And with Seraphine by his side, offering her insight and support, he felt more confident than ever.
They arrived at Mystic Relics Emporium, the ornate wooden sign creaking gently in the breeze. Inside, the air was filled with the scent of incense, and rows of ancient artifacts lined the shelves, each one humming with latent magic. The shopkeeper greeted them as they entered.
“Back so soon?” the shopkeeper asked, eyeing Caelum with a knowing smile.
Caelum smiled in return and held up the low-grade ring. “I have collected your order as promised. Four thousand elemental affinity enchantment crystals, one-thousand of each as discussed.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes widened slightly, impressed by the speed at which Caelum had fulfilled the order. He reached out, taking the ring and inspecting it closely. “Impressive work, young man. And you’ve enchanted these yourself?”
Caelum nodded. “Every single one. And I can provide more if you would like.”
The shopkeeper’s smile widened. “You, my friend, are going to be very wealthy. My only request is that you let me consign these for you. Managing your own sales can be a hassle, especially while you are still in class...” the shopkeepers expectant words hung in the air.
"You make a good point," Caelum feigned to be considering the shopkeepers words. Seraphine smiling at the dramatic tension. "Alright, I look forward to doing business with you," Caelum reaches out and shakes the shopkeepers hand.
They completed the transaction, and as Caelum stepped out of Mystic Relics Emporium, having now earned his high-grade level 4 storage ring on his finger, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of his ambitions settling on his shoulders. But it was a weight he welcomed—a sign that he was moving forward, faster than even he had anticipated.
With Seraphine by his side, they turned toward the academy, their futures brighter—and more uncertain—than ever.
----------------------------------------
Back in his room, Caelum sank into the comfort of his bed, the day’s events swirling in his mind. The pressure of the headmaster’s request weighed heavily on his shoulders. Success was no longer just for his own ambition; it was for the future of all the students like him—those who didn’t come from noble blood, who had to fight for every opportunity.
Nyx, in her feline form, curled up at the foot of his bed. Her golden and white eyes followed his every move, a silent, reassuring presence. Caelum reached out, absently stroking her soft fur, feeling the gentle purrs vibrate through his hand.
"You always seem to know when I need a little comfort, don't you?" he whispered. Nyx responded with a flick of her tail, a low purr rumbling in her throat.
As he lay there, Caelum’s mind drifted back to the headmaster’s words. Placing first in the final exams was the only way to secure the future for himself, Seraphine, and the other lower-blood students. It was daunting, but there was no turning back now. Every step he took from here would have to be calculated, deliberate. The nobles were tightening their grip, and if he wasn’t careful, they would crush anyone who stood in their way.
He glanced at his hand, where the high-grade level 4 ring from earlier in the day gleamed faintly in the dim light. The storage ring was heavier than most of the others he had worn before, not in physical weight, but in its importance. It symbolized the leap he had taken today, the network he was beginning to build through sheer ingenuity and hard work.
"With this high-grade level 4 ring, it feels like we’re doing well for ourselves," Caelum murmured to Nyx, still stroking her fur. "But it’s crazy to think there are level 10 rings out there. Imagine the capacity..."
Nyx tilted her head, her golden eye gleaming in curiosity as if she understood.
Caelum sat up, his mind already racing ahead. "We should be able to learn spatial magic this semester," he continued, thinking aloud. "Maybe tomorrow, when we’re at the library, I’ll pick up some books on how to use these low-grade rings more efficiently."
He paused, his thoughts now turning to his recent purchases. "We’ve got just under 450 million enchanting crystals. If I can learn to enchant even one of them with Shift magic, I bet it would fetch a high price."
The idea made him grin, imagining the potential profit he could make. Shift magic was rare, and there would be a market for such specialized enchantments.
His mind wandered back to the daggers he’d crafted earlier that week. "It took me the better part of a day to make all those daggers, and I got a ring full of ore in return. I don’t know if the shopkeeper was being generous or if the daggers were just that good... but I’m thinking it was probably a little of both." He chuckled softly, recalling the shopkeeper’s awe at his craftsmanship. "We’ve got enough materials to try crafting some proper swords now. I’d say, since swords use more material, we’re coming out about even in terms of time."
Caelum’s gaze drifted to the ring containing the pile of crystals he had brought back from the market. "At the cafe earlier, rounding up, it took about a minute to enchant each stone. That means it would take me almost a year if I kept going at that rate to enchant all the crystals we’ve got now. I really bit off more than I can chew saying I’d buy more next week." He sighed, feeling the weight of his own ambition pressing down on him. "Still, even if I don’t enchant them all right away, the profits from the ones I do manage to sell will likely be enough to buy the whole warehouse."
"I wonder..." Caelum’s thoughts shifted, his fingers drifting toward a spare scribe he had tucked away on his desk. He picked it up, examining its intricate carvings. A plan began to form in his mind. Holding the scribe, he envisioned a series of enchanting runes in his mind’s eye, blending them together with the precision he had developed from hours of practice. He began transferring the runes onto the scribe’s shaft, the delicate script wrapping around the curves in perfect sequence with the flick from his quill.
Pouring a steady stream of mana into the crystal at the top of the scribe, Caelum completed the enchantment, the energy humming beneath his fingertips. "With this, I’ll be able to speed up my enchantments, do smaller details, and once I write an enchantment with the scribe, I can replicate it to another with ease. It won’t be as mana-efficient as doing it by hand, but the time saved is worth the extra cost."
With the scribe ready, Caelum tested it on one of the low-grade rings of enchanting crystals he had purchased. He placed a single crystal into his ring, holding the scribe over it as he began to inscribe the first fire affinity enchantment. Twenty seconds later, the crystal shimmered, fully enchanted. He pulled out a second crystal, touching the scribe to its surface, and in an instant, the enchantment transferred, perfectly replicated.
"It’s about a second per crystal," Caelum said to himself, a grin spreading across his face. "Let’s see how many I can enchant before I run out of mana."
For the next three hours, Caelum fell into a steady rhythm—removing a crystal from one ring, enchanting it with the scribe, and placing it into a second ring. Instead of completing 10,000 crystals in that time as he estimated, he managed to finish an entire ring of 100,000. Beginning hints of fatigue tugged at him, his mana reserves running just starting to show his efforts, but the progress was undeniable. He could have pushed further, but he would call it here for the day.
With a satisfied sigh, he placed the scribe back on the desk and stretched. "I wanted to automate this process," he muttered, "have the scribe keep working while I’m in class, or even while I sleep, but I’m not sure how to do that without using an array." His eyes flicked to the spare scribes sitting on his desk. "Maybe I can enslave multiple scribes to mimic my movements... a multiplicity effect. Each one could increase my productivity, but if I make a mistake..." His voice trailed off, realizing the potential danger. "If I mess up, every scribe would repeat the mistake. I’ll need to work on a failsafe."
The weight of the day pressed down on him, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, Caelum felt a sense of purpose growing stronger within him. Nyx curled up tighter at the foot of his bed, her purring providing a quiet lullaby as he ordered dinner from the dumbwaiter.
As he ate, Caelum’s mind continued to race through possibilities. There was so much to do, so many challenges ahead. But as he watched Nyx stretch lazily at his feet, he knew he wouldn’t face them alone. Seraphine, Aelric, and Nyx—all of them were part of his journey now.
"We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, Nyx," he whispered, finishing his meal and sliding into bed. "But we’ll get there. One step at a time."
With his thoughts finally slowing, Caelum drifted into a deep, restful sleep. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but tonight, he allowed himself a moment of peace.