Aisrin took the liberty to rename the little girl, Jade. Everyday was spent teaching her himself, as she didn't want to leave his side. Reading, writing, mathmatics, and magic theory during the day and magic practice in the evenings. when she went to sleep, Aisrin worked on his ideas for New Silver City's defenses.
"I must say Sire, you are quite dedicated to the raising of Jade these days. You hardly rest. Don't you think it would be best to push some of your work onto someone else?" Butler commented. Aisrin had been at this for nearly a month since Jade woke up.
"Impossible. She hasn't yet gotten over her traumatic experience. She's more afraid of others than ever. I also can't push my ideas onto someone else, because no one can work these problems the same." Aisrin dismissed.
"Yes, but pushing yourself to this point is more harmful than helpful to the people." Butler answered with logic.
"Just one more plan, then I'll rest." Aisrin yawned.
"As you wish, Sire." Butler bowed and left.
Aisrin remained up designing artillery reliant strictly on magic to propel devastating shells enchanted with explosive properties. His vision was blurred and exhaustion overwhelmed him. As he rubbed his eyes, he noticed a strange dark aura on his left hand.
"What in God's name?" He muttered as he stared tiredly at it. It gave off a purplish shadowy mist with black flames.
"Did I activate a spell accidentally?" Aisrin asked himself.
(No, its a new magic.)
'What kind?'
(It reeks of death.)
'Oh thank you, that answers my question perfectly.'
(Sarcastic ass.)
'Rather short today, aren't you.'
(You staying up, keeps me up. I like sleeping too!)
Aisrin ignored the comment while also noting it down. His attention on the peculiar magic activated in his hand. He tried activating the effects, but to no avail. It finally dissipated and left Aisrin as confused as when it appeared.
"I'm going to sleep." Aisrin concluded and passed out at the desk.
*The next day, afternoon*
Aisrin sat up suddenly from being shaken. He looked over and focused on Jade as she woke him. A small smile was present on her face. This was good news, enough to fully wake Aisrin up.
"What happened?" Aisrin immediately asked.
"I made a perfect wolf! But..." Jade exclaimed, but then turned away nervously.
"Uh... made a wolf?" Aisrin asked in confusion.
"Yeah, I was wishing really hard to make a fire wolf dance in my hand, like you showed me before! As I was, this really big silver wolf appeared right in my room!" Jade exclaimed. Aisrin shot up excitedly, but he didn't need to leave the room to go check, Sira stood in his doorway with tears in her eyes and a happy smile on her face. Her tail wagged rapidly.
"How did you get here?" Aisrin asked incredulously.
"I rode on a blue dragon!" Sira replied simply, still embracing Aisrin.
"Syphir and the others are back?... Butler!" Aisrin called out, gently moving Sira away. Butler materialized, seemingly, right in the door way.
"Yes, sire?" Butler asked.
"Why wasn't I informed about Syphir and the others' arrival?" Aisrin inquired as he got ready to go out.
"You needed the sleep, sire." Butler responded. Aisrin opened his mouth to protest, but closed it and nodded before taking off to go greet the group.
*
Syphir, Syphra, Ret, and Jillette where being greeted by the villagers in the town square. Aisrin sighed in relief at the sight, though, Ret's missing right arm pained him. Ret locked eyes with Aisrins pained ones and gave a forgiving smile.
(It seems she doesn't blame you at least.)
'Sometimes, I wonder how you can even see.'
(I have a spirit, I can wander beyond the confines of the ring, I just can't leave its proximity.)
'How, intriguing.'
Syphra approached Aisrin and have him a solid, resounding, slap and then walked away heatedly.
'What was that for?'
(I'm just as confused.)
*Later that night*
Sira had explained that Syphir and the others were asking around about Aisrin in the town she was staying at.
Coincidentally, Sira was on her way to Silver City because Frill had passed on information to all of Aisrins siblings as well as Jira. When the information was relayed, Syphir offered a ride and they raced back. Only, Silver City was now a Fort and Graycastle was New Silver City.
They had learned of the assault upon the village, the transgressions against them made, as well as Aisrins complete takeover of the city.
'Syphra most likely was upset about the villagers. So, I suppose that explains the slap.'
(She should slap herself too, it wasn't just your fault. She could have stayed behind. Also, could be the adoption of Jade that might be on her mind. Women are fickle.)
Jade had long gone to bed, Sira along with her. Aisrin found it relieving that Jade took to her immediately, as did Sira with Jade.
"That's comforting, really." Aisrin sighed aloud.
"Young Jade you mean, sire?" Butler asked as he poured some tea and placed the cup in front of Aisrin. Aisrin picked the cup up and took a sip.
"Indeed. Perhaps Sira could take on teaching while I figure this defense out." Aisrin replied as he continued to look over his Artillery designs. Butler leaned over and looked at them.
"It'd be fantastic to see these in action, sire. These terms... 'Range'.... 'Fire Rate'... 'Blast Radius'... I've never heard them before. Do these also act upon magic? Is there a certain distance the enemy must enter before they activate? It's all so fascinating, sire." Butler commented. Aisrin smiled and was about to thank Butler, when realization dawned on him.
"Butler, you're a genius! Of course! A certain distance before activation! I basically need an 'Automatic Targeting System'!" Aisrin exclaimed as he immediately began working.
"Glad to be of service, sire." Butler bowed out and left Aisrin to his work.
*2 weeks later*
Aisrin had finally completed the first Magic Artillery with ATS Magic engraved. This required similar engravings within a proper distance of roughly half a mile radius in all directions. The Artillery battery itself had engravings to constantly gather mana and launch towards the enemy.
"-it creates two different spells inside, earth and fire, and combines them. The earth is thin while the fire is highly condensed. So that when the 'Shell' impacts and breaks, that force will explode outwards rapidly." Aisrin explained to his troops the workings of his new invention.
"What if there are friendlies within the blasting radius?" One soldier asked.
"Then it won't fire anywhere within two hundred yards of them. Let's get the demonstration going first. Then we can get questions in." Aisrin sent an illusory 'enemy' into the targeted ranged of the Artillery.
Immediately, the battery adjusted and began its firing process. With a loud bang, a shell was shot and landed near the illusion. A boom three times as loud followed by a large fireball, followed by tremors, greeted them shortly after impact. A fair sized chunk of charred earth remained visible from its impact.