Evan began constructing a new engine in his mental space, instructing his core to analyze and integrate the extracted subproducts. Unlike the Ember Engine, which had taken weeks of relentless refinement, this process was surprisingly straightforward. Cedric's core, while versatile, was unrefined, lacking the complexities that came with prolonged magical development.
Evan focused on fusing the meanings of the identified runes, testing combinations to replicate the mechanics behind Cedric's magic. With each attempt, his core pulsed steadily, providing feedback and refining the process.
By the time night fell, Evan had managed to extract three of the five subproducts:
Projection Core – The spell's foundation, enabling a stable projection.
Ethereal Binding – Ensuring cohesion within the conjured object.
Material Resonance – Allowing the projection to mimic physical properties.
The remaining subproducts, Durability Spark and Energy Efflux, eluded him for now. Still, the progress was significant.
Evan examined the engine in his mental space. It wasn't as sophisticated as the Ember Engine, but it was functional—a testament to his growing understanding of Cedric's magic. Yet, the work ahead was daunting. To create a tool that Cedric could use, Evan would need to refine this engine further, extracting the remaining subproducts and testing its compatibility with Cedric's core.
He leaned back, exhaustion pulling at him, but satisfaction burned in his chest. For the first time, he felt like he was making progress—real progress—in his plan to strengthen Cedric.
"Just a little more," Evan murmured to himself. "If I can perfect this, I can give him a real chance."
With that thought, he closed his eyes, letting his mind drift into the faint pulse of his core, already churning through the challenges that awaited.
Over the next two days, Evan dedicated himself to refining the projection engine. Using the foundational subproducts he had extracted, he adjusted proportions and reanalyzed the mechanics with the help of Simulate. By the end of the second day, the engine was functional.
Testing it cautiously, Evan conjured his first small item—a translucent cube that hovered in his hand. The moment felt surreal, and he couldn't help but grin as he manipulated the object, adjusting its size and shape with ease.
As Evan continued testing, creating various objects—tools, shapes, and even a crude dagger—he began to understand why Cedric struggled with his own magic. The inefficiencies in Cedric's constructs weren't just because of his technique; it was as if his core wasn't fully aligned with the path of projection magic.
"It's like his core is fighting itself," Evan muttered. "It can project, but it's not optimized for it. Meanwhile, I can alter this engine and correct imbalances. Cedric doesn't have that luxury."
Using Simulate, Evan fine-tuned the engine further. By adjusting the balance between subproducts like Projection Core and Material Resonance, he achieved significant improvements. He was able to create objects that were not only larger but heavier and more durable. A translucent shield he conjured had twice the mass of anything he had managed earlier.
But this raised a troubling realization. "Even if I perfect this," Evan thought, "Cedric can't modify his core like I can modify this engine. I can't just hand him a solution."
As he continued projecting translucent shapes in his hands, an idea began to take root. "If Cedric's core can't balance itself, maybe I can create something to help it," Evan thought.
He envisioned an item—a tool imbued with runes to guide Cedric's magic, to help his core distribute energy more efficiently. Evan already had the foundation: his growing understanding of projection magic, the engine generating its subproducts, and the ability to craft with precision.
But he hesitated. "Even if I make it," he muttered, "it's not a real solution. It would only compensate for his inefficiencies, not resolve them. It wouldn't make him truly stronger."
As Evan played idly with his projections, he casually formed a translucent rune, stamping it onto his hand like a seal. The runic design shimmered faintly, its intricate lines glowing with an otherworldly beauty. Evan froze, captivated by the simplicity and elegance of the form.
"Could I…" he murmured, his mind racing.
Inspired, he activated Simulate and began designing a small runic set. He focused on comforting concepts—things that evoked warmth, softness, and tranquility. Among the runes, he labeled a few key elements:
Cozy Embrace: A rune designed to evoke warmth and security.
Gentle Rest: A rune that induced a sense of lightness and relaxation.
Ethereal Cushion: A rune to mimic the sensation of floating.
Soothing Pulse: A rune that released calming energy in intervals.
After testing and adjusting, Evan finalized the set. He used Assimilate to solidify his understanding and engraved the design into his mental space.
Then, grabbing a piece of wood from under his bed, Evan activated his Ember Engine and focused on the runic design he had visualized. First, he summoned the rune in his mental space, carefully shaping its intricate lines and glowing edges. The rune pulsed faintly in his mind, a symbol of comfort and serenity, refined with the aid of Simulate.
Satisfied with the mental construct, Evan moved to the next step: projecting it into the physical world. Activating his projection engine, he conjured a translucent version of the rune, floating just above his hand like a shimmering seal. The edges of the projection flickered faintly, but the structure was solid.
He marveled for a moment at the beauty of the rune, its glow softly illuminating the space around it. But there was one step left.
Evan activated his Ember Engine, channeling its energy into the floating rune. Flames licked the edges of the projection, transforming it into a blazing stamp. The translucent lines of the rune became searing hot, the flames dancing within the grooves.
Carefully, Evan lowered the fiery projection toward the underside of the wooden plank from his bed. The moment the glowing seal touched the wood, it burned into the surface, leaving behind a perfect, charred impression of the rune. The lines were clean, precise, and pulsed faintly with the energy of the Ember Engine.
The smell of scorched wood filled the tent as Evan stepped back, admiring his work. The glowing runes, embedded in the wood, were like a brand—a permanent mark infused with purpose.
Evan placed the wooden plank back under his bed and lay down, unsure of what to expect. At first, there was no noticeable change. But when he passed his hand near the runes and allowed a trickle of energy to flow into them, the effect was immediate.
A wave of comfort enveloped him, as though he were being cradled by the softest clouds. His body felt weightless, his mind calm and serene. He couldn't help but smile.
"This…" he murmured, "this is incredible."
As he relaxed into the newfound comfort, Evan's consciousness shifted into his mental space—the Shadowed Palace. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of his core, but a new presence drew his attention: a glowing orb, hovering silently in the air.
Evan's breath hitched as he focused on it. Understanding flooded his mind: he had awakened a new ability.
"Runic Forging," his core whispered.
The orb represented his first true alignment with his core—a skill born from his creativity and his growing mastery over magic. Unlike his previous experiments, this ability resonated deeply, a step closer to understanding his core.
Evan's heart raced with excitement. He had worried for weeks about his lack of progress, frustrated by the absence of an orb despite his success with Flame Spark, the Ember Engine, and his experiments with fire and smoke. But none of those aligned with the essence of his core.
This did.
Runic Forging wasn't just a novelty—it was a skill with endless potential. The ability to imprint runes into objects, permanently enhancing them, opened doors he hadn't yet imagined.
Lying on the bed, surrounded by the comfort of his creation, Evan smiled faintly. This wasn't just about Cedric anymore. It was about his own journey, his own growth.
And this was only the beginning.