One and a half months later, Clavis was a city on the verge of unprecedented resurgence. Farmers, armed with the knowledge and enhancements given by Lucius, began harvesting the accelerated crops. The markets were flooded with foodstuffs, which led to a significant reduction in prices. The lower cost of food not only satiated the hunger of the citizens but also decreased the crime rates marginally. This offered the beleaguered city guards a momentary respite from the persistent troubles that had plagued the city for months.
Clavis, was not just undergoing an agricultural metamorphosis. The domain of magical engineering was also experiencing a renaissance. The first of these marvels was the creation of an innovative lamp. Crafted meticulously, each lamp was powered by a tiny arcane crystal. Upon this crystal, a rune named "Lumions" was intricately engraved. This combination resulted in a lamp that could illuminate surroundings for decades without faltering.
The citizens of Clavis, having experienced the unreliability of gas lamps, were quick to embrace this change. In a short span, the city's dimly lit streets and alleys were bathed in the steady glow of these arcane-powered lamps. The revolution wasn't confined to Clavis. Traders and merchants from neighboring regions, having heard of these creations and other similar products, flocked to the city. The buzz around these lamps was palpable, with many seeing them as the next big trading commodity.
Furthermore, the newly trained healers, under Lucius's guidance, began establishing their presence in the city. They roamed the streets, identifying the sick and injured, and offering their magical healing services. In strategic locations across Clavis, healing facilities sprung up, where these magicians used their newly-acquired skills to alleviate suffering.
Parallelly, the city witnessed an influx of novice alchemists. With their efforts, the marketplaces were inundated with an array of low-tier potions. This diversification, combined with the increased food supply ,sale of rare materials and magically engineered products, led to an economic boom. The treasury swelled with millions of gold coins.
Amidst this prosperity, the colossal forge complex, a testament to Lucius's ambition, was completed. The edifice was impressive with vast halls and intricate designs, but it stood hollow. To make it functional, both manpower and raw materials were required. This led to the conceptualization of the Transmutation Factory, an establishment set to revolutionize material conversion.
Transmutation, a profound and intricate process, involved altering the very elemental properties of a substance. This allowed mundane objects like rocks to be transformed into precious metals like gold. Such a facility, while being a marvel in itself, was to be powered by the immense magic housed within the arcane crystals.
Guides, thorough and elaborate, were crafted for potential human workers to understand the intricacies of this transformational art. An exemplary candidate was chosen, one whose consciousness was replaced with a version loyal and subservient to Lucius. Along with this manipulation, knowledge on transmutation was directly imprinted into his psyche. This individual would serve as a mentor, guiding the workforce through the stages of conversion: from soil to stone, stone to silver, and finally, silver to the coveted dark ore. This material, unparalleled in durability, had the potential to change the very dynamics of warfare. A non-magical individual donning armor made of dark ore would become nearly invincible to regular attacks. Even an Adept would find it challenging to harm them. Such armaments were destined to be the bedrock of Lucius's emerging military might.
Capitalizing on the city's newfound wealth, several recruitment drives were initiated, enlisting thousands into the city militia. The bolstered forces were a symbol of the city's resurgence and newfound strength.
But Lucius's vision extended beyond just militaristic and economic prowess. Near the grand palace, laborers were hard at work, laying the foundation for an expansive garden. But this wasn't just a haven for relaxation. Lucius intended to harness its potential to create a state-of-the-art facility for crafting rare pills and elixirs. The groundwork for this ambitious project involved the strategic placement of intricate arrays and formations, which would harness and channel the necessary energies for alchemical creations.
As the days passed, the city of Clavis, transformed from a place of despair to a beacon of progress and power.