The morning after Zeroth arrived at the Mage Guild with his group as well as Mira and her companions began in the usual way. Zeroth, upon waking up and getting his usual light gear on, shuffled from his room toward the guild's cafeteria for some much-needed food. As he strode into the large room, Zeroth found his friends already awake and eating at a big table with Mira and Kael across from them. Tingle, the first to see Zeroth approaching, waved him over with a smile. "Oh! Good morning Zeroth. Tingle hopes you slept well last night." Zeroth nodded as he took a seat in between Tingle and Varic. "Aye, it was the most peaceful rest I've gotten in ages. How are you lot enjoying the guild, Mira?"

Zeroth watched as Mira held up a hand while she finished drinking her coffee. "It is quite nice here and Thalamar has extended the most hospitality I've ever seen. Drex is currently in the training room and Sylvana is working on a project with Thalamar himself." Tingle piped up at that. "Tingle knows what they are working on! It's a type of... bracelet. Tingle needs things that can hold excess energy so Tingle doesn't explode!" Varic nodded as Tingle spoke then added. "Yes, he needs things that he can use to draw on when he begins to run low on his main supply of magic within himself. Remember, his powers in the Godswar won't be his, it'll be Thalamar's and whoever else gives up some power."

As the group continued their breakfast, the conversation meandered through various topics, from the oddities of magic to the nuances of airship travel. Zeroth listened intently, soaking in the camaraderie, a welcome change from the usual tension. Thalamar entered the cafeteria with Sylvana in tow, carrying a set of odd-looking gloves that immediately drew the attention of the table. "Good morning, everyone," Thalamar greeted. "Sylvana has been quite ingenious with her latest project. We've converted the bracelets into something more... substantial." Zeroth's gaze fixed on the gloves as Sylvana approached, presenting them for inspection. They were plated with what seemed like interwoven wood, intricate and beautiful. "May I?" Zeroth asked, extending his hand. Sylvana nodded, and as Zeroth touched the gloves, he was surprised by their solidity, the texture as unyielding as forged steel.

"These gloves," Sylvana began, "are designed to absorb and regulate magical energies. They'll help Tingle manage the influx he'll experience before the Godswar, but they could also prove useful for him if one hurled raw magic his way." Thalamar's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Why don't we put them to the test, Tingle? The training room's ready at all times." Zeroth chuckled as he watched Tingle nod profusely. "Tingle is ready to try!" Murmurs of agreement rose from the table, and the group finished their meal with haste. Zeroth felt a buzz of excitement; the gloves symbolized more than a mere tool—they were a testament to the unity and innovation their collective struggle had fostered.

With a collective sense of purpose, they followed Thalamar and Sylvana to the training room, ready to witness the fruits of magical labor turned into protection and power. As they made their way to the training room, the group's curiosity about the enchanted gloves began to grow. Mira, walking alongside Sylvana, glanced at the gloves with a mixture of admiration and intrigue. "So, Sylvie, how did you manage to get these gloves to absorb and hold energy? It's quite a clever trick." Sylvana, who flinched slightly at the nickname but smiled nonetheless, began to explain. "Well, the process is a bit complex. We combined my abilities of druidic sapping magic with Thalamar's arcane sealing spells. The wood is not just any wood—it's from an elder tree known for its magical properties. It naturally draws in magic, while the sealing spells keep the energy contained and controlled and my magic bolsters the wood's natural ability."

Mira nodded thoughtfully, running her fingers along the edge of a glove. "That sounds incredibly powerful and useful. Magic containment isn't usually so... portable." Zeroth, overhearing the conversation, chuckled at Mira's casual use of 'Sylvie', noticing Sylvana's bashful smile. "That's an interesting nickname you got there Sylvie." he teased, earning a playful glare from Sylvana and a laugh from Mira. "Yes, well, we're all friends here, right?" Mira said, winking at Sylvana and gesturing to the gloves. "It's a wonderful creation, really. I can see how much thought went into it." Sylvana, now more relaxed, continued, "Exactly, and these gloves can potentially be adapted for different kinds of magic. It's not just for the Godswar. They could help any magic user manage their energy more effectively."

As they reached the training room, the group's enthusiasm was palpable. Zeroth gaped as he filed in and saw Drex, covered in sweat, going all out against one of Thalamar's dummies. "Is he always this intense?" Zeroth asked as he glanced at Mira. Mira chuckled as the half-orc lifted the dummy and tossed it clear across the room with a loud grunt. "Yes, but deep down, he's a soft sponge." As Thalamar led Tingle to the center of the room, he clapped Drex on the back, who was panting slightly from his exertions. "Well done, Drex. That was quite the display of strength. Not everyone can claim to have tossed one of my training dummies across a room like a rag doll." Drex, wiping sweat from his brow, grinned at the compliment, his tusks protruding proudly. "Thanks, Thalamar. Just trying to keep up with everyone else here."

Thalamar nodded appreciatively then his expression shifted as if he remembered something urgent. "Ah, hold that thought," he said and quickly exited the room. Moments later, he returned with another figure cloaked in mage robes, slightly less ornate than his own. "Everyone, this is Selena, a Demimage visitor. She's just a step below an Archmage, but don't let that fool you—her power is formidable." Selena nodded to the group, her eyes scanning the room curiously before settling on Tingle. Thalamar continued, "Today, we're going to try something a bit different. Tingle, with your new gloves, and with the help of Selena and myself, we'll imbue you with a greater degree of magical energy. We believe the gloves will allow you to handle it safely." Tingle's eyes lit up with excitement, and he quickly donned the gloves, flexing his fingers as the wooden gloves felt snug and empowering. "Tingle is ready! Let's make this magic happen!"

Selena and Thalamar positioned themselves on either side of Tingle, beginning to chant in a rhythmic, harmonious tone as they held their hands out toward the gnome. The air in the room thickened as streams of arcane energy flowed from their hands into Tingle, who stood resolute, his gloves beginning to glow with a vibrant, pulsating light. The energy swirled around him, creating a spectacle of light and power that had everyone in the room watching in awe. Zeroth watched, hearing his heartbeat in his head, as Tingle's hair began to rise and spike up like the last time and his eyes began to glow a bright swirling gold. Seconds later, Zeroth noticed the golden magic of Thalamar and Selena began to weave in and out of Tingle's gloves then weaving around him, shaping into the ethereal crystalline armor that raised Tingle to Thalamar's height. Zeroth flinched as small arcs of energy began arcing off of Tingle's armor and the gloves, though as he watched he noticed the arcs left no damage behind, just brilliant flashes of gold light.

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As the energy continued to build, Zeroth observed Tingle's form becoming increasingly enveloped in a brilliant aura of magical power. The ethereal armor seemed to pulse with a life of its own, growing denser and more intricate with every passing second. Mira and her group stood at the edge of the training area, their expressions a mix of astonishment and concern. Zeroth could see the awe in their eyes, reflecting the intense light display before them. Kael leaned slightly forward, his warrior instincts piqued by the display of power, while Sylvana's hand covered her mouth in a silent gasp. Drex's eyes, usually so tough and unwavering, widened in respect and a hint of envy at the raw energy Tingle was channeling. Suddenly, Tingle's body shook violently, and his eyes snapped open, the golden glow intensifying. "It's... it's a lot!" Tingle managed to shout over the hum of power that filled the room. His voice was strained, barely audible over the crackling of the magical energy that swirled around him.

Thalamar, maintaining his focus, nodded reassuringly but remained vigilant, his eyes tracking every fluctuation in the energy flow. "Hold steady, Tingle! Control it, don't let it control you!" he instructed, his voice calm but firm. Selena, equally focused, added her strength to the spell, her hands moving through complex gestures that seemed to guide the wild energy into a more stable pattern around Tingle. The arcs of energy that shot from Tingle's gloves began to form patterns in the air, swirling around him like a golden tornado. Each flash of light that struck the ground left no mark, instead reflecting a controlled power that, while immense, was being steadily reined in by Tingle's will and the support of the gloves. Zeroth, witnessing this, felt a surge of pride mixed with concern. He knew the potential dangers of such power but also understood the necessity of their situation. As Tingle began to stabilize, the energy pulses became less frantic and more rhythmic, signaling that he was beginning to master the flow.

Mira turned slightly to Zeroth, her voice low but filled with excitement. "This... This is incredible. The amount of magic he's handling—it's unlike anything I've seen." Her eyes remained fixed on Tingle, admiration and a touch of fear mingling in her gaze. Zeroth nodded, his attention divided between Tingle and his friends' reactions. "Yeah, it's not just incredible; it's essential. He's going to need this power where we're headed." As the session progressed, Tingle's control improved, and the ethereal armor around him solidified into a more defined shape, enhancing his stature and presence. Seconds after the armor seemed to solidify around Tingle, Thalamar, and Selena stopped weaving their magic and watched Tingle cautiously. "How are you managing Tingle?" Thalamar inquired, his beard flowing from the magic around the gnome. Tingle hovered in place and slowly looked around then down at his hands and slowly clenched and unclenched them, his power surging slightly as he did so.

A second later he nodded. "Yes. Tingle feels... outstanding!" Zeroth approached the gnome hesitantly with Varic and Ardric in tow, the two being very quiet in the face of Tingle's display. "Wow. You are actually holding and controlling all this power this time without collapsing. Those gloves are doing wonders." Zeroth stated as he looked up at the floating gnome. As Zeroth admired Tingle's newfound mastery over the immense power he wielded, Ardric and Varic approached cautiously, their expressions a mix of awe and concern. Ardric, ever the protector, glanced at the magical gloves with a respectful nod. "These gloves, they're not just tools, they're a testament to what we can achieve when we combine our strengths. Sylvana, Thalamar, you've outdone yourselves." Varic, typically skeptical of magic he didn't understand, couldn't help but be impressed. "I have to admit, Tingle, I didn't think you'd manage to harness such power without turning yourself into a crater. These gloves must be something special. You must be something special as well."

Sylvana, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, stepped forward with a slight smile. "I'm glad the gloves are working as intended. I've decided to call them Mana Binders. They're designed to not only contain but also harmonize with the wearer's magical essence, allowing for a stable and controlled output." Tingle, still hovering slightly above the ground, experimented with his movements, the ethereal armor glowing steadily around him. "It feels like Tingle could take on anything now. These Mana Binders are incredible!" His voice echoed slightly in the room, tinged with the power that now coursed through him. Thalamar nodded approvingly, his gaze shifting from Tingle to the gloves. "The Mana Binders are a breakthrough in magical engineering. They're proof of what we can achieve with collaboration. And they'll be crucial in the Godswar." Varic crossed his arms, his demeanor softening as he watched Tingle maneuver with ease. "Just be careful, Tingle. Power like that can be... intoxicating." Ardric added, his voice firm yet supportive, "And remember, it's not just about controlling the power, but also understanding when and how to use it. You're going to need precision as much as strength in the battles to come."

As the group discussed the implications of Tingle's enhanced abilities, the atmosphere in the training room was one of cautious optimism. Everyone understood the stakes were high, and while the Mana Binders provided a significant advantage, the real test would come when they faced their adversaries in the Godswar. Zeroth stepped back, observing his friend's control over the arcane energies. The training session had turned into a moment of significant revelation about their potential and the tools at their disposal. With each member of the team finding their strength and role, Zeroth felt a surge of confidence about their chances in the upcoming challenges. However, he also knew the road ahead would be fraught with dangers that required more than just power—they would need unity and wisdom to prevail.