As Kael sat in his study, the Amplithyst and Spirit Crystal resting on his desk, he found himself at a crossroads. The first step in unlocking their potential was to decide what to create.
"Should I craft a staff, a wand, or a gauntlet?" Kael muttered, tapping the edge of the table in thought.
Traditionally, mages used staffs or wands to channel and amplify their magic. They were iconic symbols of magical authority and practicality. A staff offered greater mana amplification due to its length, while a wand was more portable, albeit less powerful.
But then there was the gauntlet—a relatively unconventional choice. Gauntlets weren't designed for pure amplification but rather for versatility and precision. With the right enchantments and the Spirit Crystal's memory-storing ability, a gauntlet could become a revolutionary tool, allowing for instantaneous spellcasting and even physical combat enhancements.
"Both options have their merits," Kael mused. "A staff would grant unparalleled spell amplification, but a gauntlet could provide a unique advantage in battle."
Kael's thoughts drifted to the materials needed for crafting. He had learned that the finest staves were crafted from 'Elderwood,' a rare and highly coveted material found only in mana-rich forests. These ancient trees thrived on ambient mana, infusing their wood with a natural conductivity that significantly enhanced magical flow. The most renowned staff, known as 'Arcanum Elevatus,' was said to amplify mana by a remarkable 30 percent.
Mana-rich forests were rare, with only a few scattered across the continent. Fortunately, one such forest lay within their territory, its towering trees a closely guarded resource. However, this kind of forest was also home to many magical beasts.
"If I decide to make a staff, Elderwood is non-negotiable," Kael thought. Its unparalleled ability to harmonize with mana would perfectly complement the Amplithyst.
The gauntlet, on the other hand, would be unconventional. It would require a durable yet lightweight metal that could withstand the strain of embedded crystals and sustained mana flow. Mythril came to mind—another rare material prized for its strength and mana-conductive properties. Acquiring it would be no small feat, but the potential payoff was undeniable.
Kael leaned back in his chair, weighing his options.
The Staff:
Pros:
Amplifies magic significantly, allows for long-range casting, and is a symbol of power.
Cons:
Large and unwieldy in close combat, and its primary function is offensive magic.
The Gauntlet:
Pros:
Compact and versatile, making it suitable for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Can store multiple spells and combat techniques using the Spirit Crystal.
Amplify spells significantly using the Amethyst Crystal.
Cons:
Less traditional, and its amplification potential might not match that of a staff.
Kael's decision would shape not only the experiments but also his future approach to magic. As he considered the possibilities, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," Kael called.
The door opened to reveal Keira, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Kael. She carried her usual air of curiosity and confidence.
"Locked away with your experiments again, I see," she said, stepping closer to his desk. Her eyes flicked to the crystals, and she raised an eyebrow.
"What are these?" she asked, picking up the Amplithyst. "You're not seriously planning to use this for anything magical, are you?"
"Why not?" Kael replied carefully, watching her expression.
Keira scoffed lightly, holding the crystal up to the light. "Because it's worthless for magic. It doesn't store mana, it—it's just... a pretty rock. Any textbook would tell you the same."
"And the Clear Crystal?" Kael asked, nodding toward the clear gem on the desk.
She smirked. "Even worse. It doesn't even qualify as a magic crystal. People polish them up and sell them as cheap ornaments. Honestly, I'm surprised you're even bothering with these."
Her words were sharp, but there was no malice in them—only the confidence of someone who trusted established knowledge. She placed the crystals back on the desk with a faint smile.
"You're overthinking this, Kael," she said. "If you want to craft something groundbreaking, focus on reliable materials—Elderwood, Mythril, enchanted cores. These?" She gestured at the crystals dismissively. "They'll only waste your time."
Kael forced a small smile, keeping his true thoughts hidden.
"Maybe you're right," he said lightly. "But I'd still like to test a few theories. Sometimes, breakthroughs come from the most unexpected places."
Keira tilted her head, intrigued but skeptical. "Suit yourself. Just don't let these distractions pull you away from more practical pursuits."
"I won't," Kael assured her. "Thanks for the advice."
She gave a nod and turned toward the door. "Let me know if you need help with anything—realistic, that is," she added with a teasing grin.
As the door closed behind her, Kael let out a quiet sigh. Keira's perception of the crystals was grounded in conventional wisdom, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling that she—and the world—had underestimated them.
Kael picked up the Amplithyst, its purple surface glinting faintly in the dim light. According to his own analysis, it wasn't just a "pretty rock." It could amplify mana, though the extent of its capabilities remained a mystery.
Then there was the Spirit Crystal. On the surface, it seemed inert, but Kael had already uncovered one unique property: it could store information. Whether that meant spells, memories, or something else entirely was still unknown.
"Should I tell her?" Kael muttered to himself, turning the crystals over in his hands. "No... not yet. Not until I understand their true potential."
The choice was clear in Kael's mind. A gauntlet would enable him to push the boundaries of magic in ways no staff ever could. With the Amplithyst embedded at its core, he could exponentially enhance his spellcasting power. Additionally, if the Spirit Crystal functions like a hard drive, he could potentially program it to activate spells autonomously, eliminating the need for manual casting.
Kael smirked to himself. The possibilities were too exciting to ignore.
"Keira might not see it now," he murmured, placing the crystals back on the desk. "But these aren't just rocks. They're the future."
And Kael intended to prove it.
A gauntlet would be the ideal medium for the Amplithyst. Compact, versatile, and capable of channeling magic through close combat—it was perfect for pushing the boundaries of what magic could achieve.
But to craft it, Kael needed more than just ingenuity. The materials required weren't easily obtainable. Mythril, a rare and highly conductive metal, was essential for the gauntlet's structure. Unfortunately, the supply in their estate was insufficient and of poor quality.
There was only one place within their territory where Kael could procure what he needed: the Obsidian Caverns. This dangerous dungeon was notorious for its rich deposits of rare metals and formidable guardians. It had remained untouched due to its difficulty.
This time, Kael resolved to do things differently. The last dungeon expedition had been impulsive, nearly ending in disaster. If he wanted to succeed and return safely, he needed proper planning and his father's blessing.
***
"Father, I need your permission to venture into the Obsidian Caverns," Kael said, standing before his imposing desk.
Edgar looked up from his papers, his brow furrowed. "The Obsidian Caverns? That is not a place to be taken lightly. Explain your reasoning."
Kael outlined his plan carefully, detailing the gauntlet's potential and the necessity of Mythril for its creation. He made it clear that this time, he would not be going alone.
"Victor will accompany me," Kael said. "His combat expertise will ensure we're prepared for any threats. And Keira has been instrumental in my studies. Her magic would be invaluable."
His father leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. After a long moment, he nodded. "Very well. But you must promise me this: no unnecessary risks. Take only what you need and return immediately. And I expect regular updates on your progress.
"You have my word, Father," Kael said, bowing.
***
Victor was eager to join. "Finally, some action," he said, his lips curling into a grin. "I've been itching for a good fight. Don't worry, I'll protect you no matter what!"
Keira, however, was unaware of the venture entirely. To maintain the secrecy of the Amplithyst and Spirit Crystal, Kael had chosen not to involve her in the initial planning. Instead, he framed the expedition as a training exercise—a chance for her and him to test their magical prowess in a real-world setting.
"Young master, why the sudden interest in dungeon expeditions?" Keira asked when Kael approached her.
"Dungeons are unpredictable, and you've mentioned wanting more field experience," Kael said, carefully avoiding any mention of the crystals. "Victor and I will handle the heavy lifting. Think of it as an opportunity to refine your skills."
She seemed hesitant but eventually agreed. "Fine. But don't expect me to save you if you bite off more than you can chew."
Kael couldn't help but smile. "I wouldn't dream of it."
***
When the day arrived, the three of them gathered just outside the estate. Victor, armed with his sword and supplies, looked barely able to contain his excitement. Keira, more reserved, held her staff, which glowed faintly in the dim morning light.
"Why are we meeting out here instead of taking horses?" Keira asked, arching an eyebrow. "And what about supplies like food and potions? I don't see that you've prepared any."
"I've taken care of everything," Kael assured her. "Food, potions, and other supplies are all stored in my infinite storage. We won't need to carry anything physically."
Keira's eyebrow arched higher. "Infinite storage? What do you mean?" she asked, clearly confused.
Kael shrugged casually. "It's a recent spell I created. I figured it would come in handy for our expedition."
To demonstrate, Kael quickly summoned a potion from his storage. Her eyes widened in shock. "You created your own spell? And one for storage, no less?"
"That's not all," Kael said with a grin. "I also developed a flight spell."
Keira's mouth dropped open. "A flight spell? Young Master, that's incredible! Creating your own spells is one thing, but a flight spell... that's extraordinary."
Victor, who had been silently listening, let out a low whistle. "A flight spell, huh? That'll come in handy if we need to get over obstacles quickly." He tapped the hilt of his sword, looking eager. "But does it work for more than one person?"
Kael nodded, eyes gleaming with confidence. "I can maintain the spell for all of us, as long as I have enough mana."
Keira shook her head, still in disbelief. "A flight spell, an infinite storage spell... Young master, you're not just getting stronger; you're pushing the boundaries of magic itself."
Kael smiled, grateful for her praise. "We need to get going."
Kael activated the anti-gravity spell for the three of them. The air shimmered around Victor, Keira and Kael as the anti-gravity spell took hold, lifting them gently off the ground. Victor yelped in surprise, flailing for a moment before stabilizing.
"Whoa, young master, it worked!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and excitement.
"Relax," Kael said, steadying him with a firm grip. "You're not going to fall. Just don't move too much."
Keira's eyes widened as she watched them ascend. "Th-this is... a flight spell? This is amazing! How did you do it?"
"I've been working on it in secret," Kael replied, grinning. "This would definitely save us hours of travel time."
As they ascended, the sprawling expanse of their estate grew smaller beneath them. The early morning mist clung to the ground, and the rising sun painted the horizon in hues of gold and orange. Victor's excitement was contagious, and even Keira—usually so composed—wore a look of wonder as they soared higher.
The Obsidian Caverns lay to the east, a jagged scar in the landscape surrounded by dense forests and rocky cliffs. As they flew, Victor kept glancing down, clearly fascinated by the new perspective.
"I could get used to this," he said, grinning. "Flying into battle like some kind of legendary hero? Not bad at all."
Keira, still marveling at the spell's mechanics, turned to Kael. "Young master, this must have take time to develop. Did you even sleep while working on this?"
Kael shook his head, trying to stifle a grin. "Actually, it only took me a couple of seconds."
Her steps faltered midair, and her eyes snapped to his, wide with astonishment. "A couple of seconds?!"
Victor nearly choked on his laughter. "You've got to be kidding me! You're telling me you created a flight spell in just a couple of seconds?"
"And the storage spell," Kael added nonchalantly. "Both of them."
Keira's mouth opened and closed several times, clearly struggling to process what Kael had just said.
"Do you have any idea how insane that sounds? Creating original spells is an achievement most mages take years to accomplish! And you just... what? Woke up one morning and decided to rewrite the fundamentals of magic?"
"Pretty much," Kael replied with a shrug. "It's not as complicated as it sounds once you understand the principle of the spell. I've been experimenting a lot lately."
Victor whistled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Remind me never to underestimate you, young master. You make the rest of us look like amateurs."
Keira, still recovering from the revelation, crossed her arms. "If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were showing off. But honestly? This just proves you're insane."
"I prefer 'dedicated,'" Kael said, smirking. "Now, let's focus. We're almost there."
The flight was smooth, the spell maintaining its stability without issue. They reached the outskirts of the caverns in just under an hour, landing gently on a rocky outcrop overlooking the entrance. The cavern's mouth loomed below them, dark and foreboding, with an unnatural chill seeping into the air.
Victor drew his sword, the metal glinting faintly in the dim light. "Well, here we are. Time to see what all the fuss is about."
Keira held her staff close, her expression serious. "Young master, just because you're rewriting magic doesn't mean you're invincible. We need to stay cautious."
"Agreed," Kael said. "We stick together and follow the plan. No unnecessary risks."
As they descended toward the entrance, the oppressive atmosphere of the caverns became more pronounced. The ground was littered with shards of obsidian, sharp and gleaming, and faint whispers seemed to echo from within.
Victor took the lead, his sword at the ready, while Kael followed closely, keeping an eye on his mana reserves. Keira brought up the rear, her staff glowing softly to provide light.
The first chamber was vast, its walls shimmering with veins of Mythril embedded in the black rock. Kael's heart leapt at the sight—this was exactly what they had come for.
"There it is," Kael whispered, pointing to the largest cluster. "That's the vein we need."
Victor smirked. "Piece of cake. Let's grab it and—"
A low growl interrupted him, reverberating through the cavern like thunder. The ground trembled slightly, and a pair of glowing, crimson eyes appeared in the darkness.
"Of course, it wouldn't be that easy," Keira muttered, raising her staff.
The creature stepped into the faint light, its obsidian-like hide gleaming. It was a golem, its massive frame pulsing with molten energy. With each step, the ground cracked beneath its weight.
Victor tightened his grip on his sword, his grin widening. "Finally, some actions."
"Wait!" Kael said, stepping forward. "This isn't just brute strength. Golems are bound by magic—if we can disrupt its core, we can shut it down without wasting energy."
Keira glanced at Kael. "You make it sound so easy."
"Well, It's worth a shot," Victor also said.
The golem let out a deafening roar, charging toward them. Victor moved to intercept, his blade clashing against its stony arm with a shower of sparks.