Anna’s slender fingers lifted from the cupboard, revealing a slightly larger bag than the one Emma held. The fabric shimmered faintly in the soft, enchanted glow of the room. With an air of calmness, Anna retrieved yet another bag and placed both on her lap.
“These will be my contribution to the invention,” she said, her tone gentle and glad.
Emma watched as Anna carefully rolled her wheelchair closer, each turn of the wheels steady and calm. The intricate designs of the chair caught the warm light, showcasing the skill of whoever had crafted it... a mix of art and functionality. Anna’s lap now bore the weight of the two mana currency bags, their faintly glowing contents visible through the translucent material.
Emma’s gaze shifted between her own small pouch and the two sizable bags Anna had offered. A subtle mix of emotions churned within her. On one hand, she felt an undeniable surge of gratitude and happiness for Anna’s generosity. Yet, a faint shadow of inadequacy crept in, leaving her chest tight. Her pouch, with its carefully saved contents, seemed almost insignificant in comparison.
I’ve been gathering this mana currency for a while now, Emma thought, her fingers tightening slightly around her pouch. I didn’t want to ask my parents for help… I preferred to save the daily allowance they give me.
Lost in her thoughts, Emma barely noticed the soft hum of the enchanted chandelier above them or the subtle scent of lavender that lingered in the room. It wasn’t until Anna’s voice broke through her reverie that she realized she’d been staring at the bags in silence.
“Emma,” Anna said, her voice tinged with concern, “are you alright?”
Emma blinked, startled, and quickly forced a smile. “Yes, of course,” she replied, her tone a little too cheerful.
Anna tilted her head, her sharp gaze lingering on Emma. “I know when you’re unhappy, Emma. What’s wrong?”
Emma hesitated, her mind scrambling for a response. The truth felt too vulnerable to admit, and so, she opted for a half-truth. “Well… I just remembered something my parents asked me to do. That’s all,” she said, her smile faltering for a fraction of a second before she quickly steadied it.
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Anna’s gaze didn’t waver, her green eyes searching Emma’s face as if to pierce through the veil of her words. After a long moment, she sighed. “If you say so,” she murmured, her voice soft but not entirely convinced.
Reaching out, Anna handed the two bags of mana currency to Emma. “Here,” she said, “take them.”
Emma accepted the bags carefully, their unexpected weight surprising her as she added them to her own pouch. She glanced at Anna, whose serene expression betrayed no sign of hesitation or regret.
Deciding to push her feelings aside, Emma resolved to focus on the moment. “Thank you, Anna,” she said, her voice steady now. “
Anna’s lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze warm.
Steeling herself not to dwell on her earlier thoughts, Emma took a deep breath, her spirits lifting. “Alright,” she said, her voice brightening. “Let’s talk about the wheelchair design!”
Anna’s green eyes sparkled with curiosity as Emma launched into her ideas, her excitement bubbling over with every word. “The frame would need to be lightweight but strong,” Emma began, her hands gesturing animatedly. “We could use enchanted wood, reinforced with steel for durability. And the wheels... oh, the wheels! We could inscribe magical runes on them, ones designed to channel and direct energy from your Ki Core.”
Anna nodded thoughtfully, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest of her wheelchair. “That could work, but wouldn’t the energy need a stable source?”
“Exactly!” Emma exclaimed, snapping her fingers. “We’d need small, concentrated magic power stones embedded in the wheels. They could generate a steady flow of energy and respond to your intentions. Like.... like they’re attuned to your thoughts or gestures. Imagine being able to move with just a thought!”
Anna leaned forward slightly, her expression intrigued. “But what about uneven terrain? Stability would be an issue.”
“I thought of that too,” Emma replied eagerly. “The runes would have to be self-regulating, adapting to changes in terrain. We could enchant them to balance the chair automatically, even on rough or sloped surfaces. Maybe even add incline adjustment mechanisms... something to control momentum and friction.”
The conversation flowed easily between them, with Anna occasionally chiming in with questions or suggestions. Emma’s mind raced, her thoughts weaving together a complex tapestry of ideas. She spoke of weight distribution, runic patterns, and even the possibility of integrating a magical controller for added mechanism.
For the first time in a long while, Emma felt an unbridled joy that seemed to lighten the air around her. Sharing her thoughts with Anna, seeing her genuinely engaged, brought a warmth that eclipsed her earlier worries.
As the room filled with their animated discussion, the setting seemed to glow with life. The intricate wooden designs on the walls, the elven-inspired carvings on the furniture, and the faint hum of magic in the air all seemed to reflect the energy between them.
For that moment, Emma allowed herself to forget her doubts and sadness. She was simply present, immersed in the joy of creation and the comfort of Anna’s company.