Dawn had barely touched the sky when Robert arrived at the shop, fueled by a restless energy born of a night spent deep in the intricacies of enchanting. He had dedicated those long, dark hours to crafting potent protective wards, and now, with the first light of morning, he was eager to weave them into reality. His theoretical designs, etched in his mind and on scraps of parchment, were ready to be transformed into a tangible shield for his livelihood. He ascended the stairs to the workshop, his mind already visualizing the placement of each rune and the flow of magical energy. He'd decided on a three-tiered defense system. The first layer would fortify the windows and door, rendering the glass and wood nearly impervious to brute force. This involved meticulously etching runes directly onto the frames, a delicate process that demanded precision and focus. Each rune would be powered by a small, carefully selected gem, discreetly hidden within the frame itself. He'd need to recharge these gems every few months, a task he planned to eventually entrust to Willow, providing her with valuable practice.

The second layer of defense focused on the display cases themselves. With meticulous care, Robert etched the same protective runes he'd used on the windows and door, reinforcing their structural integrity. He then added intricate runes to enhance the locks, transforming them into magically sealed barriers. As a final touch, he incorporated delicate runes of warding, designed to repel dust and keep the displays pristine. He then turned his attention to fire prevention, weaving enchantments throughout the shop designed to snuff out any incipient flames. Finally, he moved to the back storage room, the heart of his most potent defenses. Here, he prepared to implement what could only be described as magical traps on the storage containers, designed to deter any unauthorized access. He carefully inscribed a sequence of spells onto each container, a tiered defense system. The first spell in the sequence would attempt to harmlessly teleport intruders out of the shop. If that failed, a second spell would attempt to lull them into a deep sleep. Should both of these fail, a third would deliver a non-lethal but forceful jolt, a clear warning. Only if all these deterrents proved ineffective would the true defense be activated: a powerful enchantment that would summon three level 60 guardian constructs, formidable magical entities capable of subduing even the most determined thief. Robert reasoned that any would-be robbers were unlikely to possess the power to overcome such guardians. While determined to protect his livelihood, Robert had no desire to inflict lethal harm over mere possessions. These layered defenses were designed to deter, not to destroy, and he took care to ensure they posed no threat to the surrounding town.

With the lower levels secured, Robert climbed the stairs to the workshop, a space that would soon hold the valuable raw materials essential to his craft. He replicated the now-familiar protective and fireproofing enchantments, his movements practiced and efficient. But for this room, he felt a need for something more, a stronger defense. He carefully inscribed a summoning circle, a complex array of runes, and powered it with the last of his diamonds, a worthy investment. This circle would, in times of need, summon five level 65 guardians, powerful entities to safeguard his precious supplies. The enchantment was designed to endure, needing a recharge only annually or after three uses. A sense of satisfaction settled over him; the shop was as secure as he could make it. Now, he could focus on his other responsibilities. He departed for the guild, his mind already busy with plans for his two apprentices.

Entering the guild hall, Robert inquired about Lysandra's availability, and Elsie, ever efficient, went to check. While he waited, his gaze drifted to the notice board, scanning the postings for any quick tasks he could undertake. His eyes landed on a Tier 3 mission: tracking down a pack of Tier 3 Greater Timber Wolves. Intrigued, he plucked the posting from the board, deciding to ask Lysandra about it after seeing if she was available. Elsie returned moments later, waving him towards the Guild Master's office. He made a mental note to discuss the mission with her after his meeting. Ascending to the familiar office, Robert was once again struck by the sight of Lysandra's organized chaos. He found the Guild Master at her desk, amidst stacks of parchment and scattered quills, and took a seat. "What brings you here today, Robert?" she asked, her tone brisk but not unkind. "And please tell me you're not here to lodge a complaint. I haven't got time for squabbles." Robert chuckled. "No complaints today, thankfully. But I do have a few questions. First, Anya received her class – a promising one, I might add. Between her natural talent and Elara's tutelage, I'm aiming to get both her and Elara to level 20 within a few weeks. However," he continued, "once they formally join the guild, I need to step back. We both know my presence will hinder their development. I was hoping you might be able to call in a low-level team, perhaps some promising newcomers, to come out here and train with them. I want them to reach level 30 without my direct intervention, to prove to themselves, and to the guild, that they can stand on their own." He paused, "I want them to forge their own path, their own legend, within the guild."

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Lysandra set down her quill, her gaze sharp and assessing as she studied Robert for a moment. "That's... actually a rather good idea," she conceded. "Normally, we don't have many low-level adventurers out here. While the area is rich in resources, it lacks a strong support base. However," she continued, a thoughtful gleam in her eye, "I hear there's a new enchantment shop opening soon, and the scarcity of readily available enchantments was a major deterrent for many. Yes, I'm sure I can put in a request for a team. In fact," she added, warming to the idea, "I might be able to get a few teams out here. It would be good to inject some fresh blood into our ranks. We also need people running the lower-leveled dungeons. If they aren't cleared regularly, they risk overflowing, and most of our current members," she made a slight grimace, "consider themselves far too seasoned for such menial tasks." Robert smiled. "Well, we've cleared the level 10 dungeon twice now, and we'll be tackling the level 18 one several times while the girls work toward level 20. But that does bring up a question," he added, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Who's been clearing the level 72 and level 90 dungeons?" Lysandra shook her head. "We have a high-level team that comes out from the capital three times a year specifically for that purpose They also clear The Forgotten Bastion of Xalzar our level 62 dungeon." Robert's smile widened. "In that case," he said, a glint of mischief in his eye, "I trust it won't be a problem if I take a crack at them, then?"

"I apologize, Robert," Lysandra said, her brow furrowing with concern, "but we simply don't have anyone strong enough to accompany you on such a dangerous endeavor." Robert looked momentarily confused, then realization dawned. "Oh, I wasn't clear," he said with a slight chuckle. "I intend to run them solo." Lysandra's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. "You can clear a level 90 dungeon alone?" she asked, incredulous. Robert grinned, a hint of pride in his voice. "Well, I did manage to clear a level 100 dungeon solo back on Earth, so I think I can handle this." Lysandra fell silent for a few minutes, processing this information. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "What level are you...? You know what? Never mind. Don't answer that." She shook her head, as if to clear it. "If you're certain you can clear them, then fine. I won't stand in your way." Robert thanked her and turned to leave, but then paused, remembering the mission posting. "Oh, one more thing," he said, holding up the slip of paper. "I know I'm technically only Tier 1, but would it be possible for me to take on this Tier 3 mission?" Lysandra glanced at the posting. "Sure, why not," she said with a shrug. "If you can handle that and clear the level 62 dungeon solo, I'll promote you to Tier 3. I can't go any higher than that without you having at least 100 missions under your belt, or special authorization from headquarters." Robert laughed. "Sounds like a bureaucratic headache I'd rather avoid. Tier 3 is more than sufficient. I'll get this mission done and probably look into the dungeons a little later, after I've set the girls on their training paths. Let me know when you hear about those new teams," he added. "Have a good day." With a nod, Robert left, leaving Lysandra staring after him, likely still grappling with the revelation of his power.

Robert made his way to the stables, procured a sturdy mount, and followed the directions detailed on the mission slip. The trail led him to the area where the wolf pack had last been sighted. With the aid of a few tracking spells, he located the pack within a relatively short time. They had made their den in a small, secluded warren. The pack was led by a formidable level 36 Alpha, flanked by twelve wolves ranging from level 20 to 30. Choosing his spells carefully, Robert unleashed a series of devastating Tier 4 attacks, swiftly and efficiently dispatching the entire pack. After looting the remains for any valuables, he rode back to town, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. He turned in the completed mission to a grateful Elsie, who thanked him for resolving the week-old problem. She explained that they were on the verge of forcing a reluctant group to take it on. Robert had saved them from that headache, and she rewarded him with the promised gold coin. With the task done, he headed home for a well-deserved rest.