Ruena redoubled her efforts and that of Rosalie’s team in combat training. Especially combat training without the use of magic. If their enemy’s magic was neutralized it was only natural that theirs would be as well. Combat with no magic was one thing, but rescuing captives without magic needed some work. Unfortunately, complete magic neutralization would render any of their weapons and other tech that ran on some form of magic battery useless as well.
Everyone had grown more dependent on them than they had anticipated, and more things had been affected than they realized at first as well. Everything from their lights, to communication, to projectile weapons ran on magic batteries. Ruena did have one theory based on Ferris’s anti magic reactions earlier, though. Either enchanted items would not be affected, which would mean the poison would still be a threat, or Soral’s enchantments somehow worked.
Not long after Ruena had some up with this theory, she received word that the first prototype was out and ready for testing. Herself and Soral were requested to assist in the testing so they could work out the issues from all angles. It seemed Janon and Ferris had thought of similar issues to her own. How the secret weapon would react to magic batteries, and if that would mean it would be useless against the poison seals as well.
Soral arrived at the test with his own magical item for testing. His pride and joy lunchbox had finally been completed. Naturally, Storm had already gotten a taste. He kept the design simple and slim, almost like a pen case. Well, there was likely no need for it to be overly large if it would automatically refill.
“We can test this against the secret weapon as well,” Soral announced with pride, as though confident no magical nullification would affect his latest creation.
“What is the range on it? Ruena asked as she approached the device that they had set out in the training field on a stool. It greatly resembled an insect, if the insect was the size of a hand.
“As this is just a prototype it should be fairly small. Maybe a few feet,” Janon explained, “Our main concern is if the weapon will destroy itself if we use a magic battery as a power source.”
“So our tests will only come in if it works,” Ruena concluded.
“Neat,” Soral said, taking a step back and eating some kind of finger food she didn’t recognize from his magic lunchbox. Some kind of tube on a stick that looked and smelled like fried dough.
Ferris activated the device once everyone else was at a safe distance as he was the least likely to be adversely affected by it. As it hummed to life the two large orbs that resembled oversized eyes began to glow softly. Ruena felt something odd about the air just a few steps in front of her, but she couldn’t see anything different.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Soral stepped closer with an entranced expression. “I wonder if it would silence the voices.”
“Wait,” Ferris told him, stepping in front with his arms outstretched to block Soral’s path, “You will have your turn, but there are other things to test first. This is just a prototype so your overwhelming magic may break it.”
“My bad,” Soral said with an awkward smile, willingly stepping back.
Ruena felt a bit sorry and gave her partner a gentle pat on the shoulder causing his awkward smile to turn into a pleased one. “So what is the next step? It seems to be running without neutralizing its own power source so far.”
“Now we test if it is actually working,” Janon replied, “If a magical component enters into the field will it be able to neutralize it? Things like that.”
The long session of testing that followed began with small charms, slowly rising up to magic batteries and people. During the testing they noticed something odd. The same charm that was neutralized perfectly during the first test, would fail to be once Soral made it with his own magic. The field prevented the charm from causing any exterior effects, but it did not remove its magical nature, even temporarily.
It was the same once they moved onto people. The other members invited to participate in testing claimed that they could not feel their magic at all, but Soral still felt like a magical powerhouse. He did mention he felt a barrier that prevented him from using his magic externally, though.
“Can you break through it?” Ruena asked.
Soral hesitated. “I don’t think you want the answer to that,” he replied, “but if I somehow did, I don’t think the weapon would survive.”
“That’s fine,” Ruena assured, “I am just preparing in case something similar is used against us in the future. Everything should be fine since even the Black Wolf claimed your magic is special, so the chances of our enemies having similar immunities to the weapon are very slim.”
“His magic is rather unique,” Ferris agreed, “Despite its ridiculous strength and his continuous invasion of everyone’s minds, no one shows any signs of magic rejection at all. I believe it has something to do with the fact that his magic does not feel even slightly threatening. Overwhelming, yes, but not threatening.”
Now that Ruena thought about it, she had also never felt threatened by Soral’s incredible magic even though she knew she would be powerless against him. When they first met, and he had been a bit more touchy and apprehensive, she had felt fear of his power once, but not for herself. Since then, Soral’s magic had become calmer, matching his usual cheerful atmosphere.
“Other than the odd reactions to Soral’s magic, did you get what you needed from this test?” Ruena asked.
“We did,” Janon assured, “The secret weapon should be ready soon. The next one will come in a far more mundane form so it doesn’t stand out.”
“Good work,” Ruena told them, “As soon as it is ready, we will prepare for battle. Venerosa has waited and suffered long enough.”