The morning sun bathed the estate grounds in golden light as they moved to the courtyard to test the gauntlet's performance. Victor set up a reinforced magical dummy etched with defensive runes, while Keira followed close behind, clutching a notebook to document the results.
Kael flexed his hand, feeling the snug fit of the leather interior. The gauntlet hummed faintly in response to his mana, the Amplithyst Crystal embedded at its center pulsing with a faint purple glow, reflecting its readiness.
"Let's start simple," Keira suggested, standing at a safe distance. "Try a basic spell to see how it channels mana."
Nodding, Kael thought of conjuring a simple fire spell. He focused his mind, envisioning the formation of the fire spell. He imagined a highly concentrated flame formed from condensed hydrogen gas. As he channeled his mana, he manipulated the hydrogen molecules, compressing them into a dense ball at the center of his palm. With a precise mental command, he initiated the process of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms collided and fused, releasing an immense amount of energy.
The core of the spell began to glow intensely, as the fusion reaction created a plasma of superheated hydrogen. To contain and direct this powerful energy, Kael used magnetic fields generated by his mana, shaping the plasma into a focused beam. The Amplithyst Crystal embedded in the gauntlet amplified and stabilized the magnetic fields, ensuring that the plasma remained controlled and directed.
With a final surge of mana, Kael released the spell. The beam of fiery plasma shot forth from his hand, its intensity and heat far surpassing any conventional flame. The spell struck its target with explosive force, the fusion energy causing a brilliant burst of light and searing heat, leaving behind a trail of scorched earth.
The result was far from simple. The roaring beam that erupted from his hand, its intensity far beyond anything he expected. The spell slammed into the magical dummy with explosive force, shattering its protective runes and leaving scorched marks across its surface. Kael's eyes widened in awe at the gauntlet's amplification power. Keira scribbled furiously in her notebook, her excitement palpable.
Victor stood there, his jaw practically on the ground. "A simple spell?!" he exclaimed, utterly shocked. "That was... beyond anything I've ever seen. How can you call that simple, Young master?"
Kael glanced at Victor, a wry smile on his lips. "It's all about the gauntlet's design and the crystal's amplification. Trust me, it's just the beginning."
Victor shook his head, still in disbelief. "If that's your idea of simple, I can't wait to see what you consider complex."
Kael chuckled, the thrill of the successful test still coursing through him. "We'll get there, Victor. One step at a time."
The trio exchanged glances, their resolve strengthened by this successful test. The future held challenges, but also the promise of incredible power and innovation.
Keira lowered her notebook, her expression shifting to awe. "It's not just amplified—the mana flow is refined. That flame was perfectly concentrated. How's your mana?"
Kael paused, assessing the drain. "Minimal. The gauntlet optimizes mana flow, filtering out inefficiencies. It's almost as if the crystal is actively managing the spell."
Keira furiously scribbled in her notebook. "This really changes everything."
Victor crossed his arms, his curiosity piqued. "Alright, let's see what it can really do. Something big. Can it handle one of your original spells?"
Kael hesitated for a moment. The gauntlet had performed flawlessly so far, but testing one of his original spells would push it to its limits. He glanced at the Amplithyst Crystal, its glow steady and reassuring.
"Alright," he said, stepping back to create more space. "Stand clear. I'll cast Proton Cannon."
Keira's eyes widened. "The spell you designed—the one much stronger than the proton beam you used before? Are you certain the gauntlet can handle it?"
"Only one way to find out," Kael replied with a determined grin.
Victor and Keira moved to the edge of the courtyard, while Garrek leaned against a pillar, watching with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Kael raised his arm, channeling the intricate weave of Proton Cannon, a spell designed to focus an immense amount of mana into a single devastating beam.
As the mana surged through him, Kael envisioned manipulating subatomic particles, gathering and accelerating protons into a concentrated stream. The Amplithyst Crystal blazed with a brilliant violet light, its resonance synchronizing perfectly with his mana. Azure lines of power raced along the Mythril, the etched channels glowing brighter with each passing second. The leather interior absorbed and distributed the pressure, keeping his control steady.
He held his breath, stabilizing the spell matrix. A low hum filled the courtyard, the air crackling with energy. Then, with a single motion, he unleashed the spell.
A blinding beam of concentrated mana, akin to a proton cannon, shot from the gauntlet, tearing through the air like a lance of pure energy. The sheer force of the attack roared across the courtyard, slamming into the magical dummy with unrelenting precision. The dummy's defenses disintegrated instantly, and the reinforced barriers crumbled into dust. The beam carved deep into the earth beyond, leaving a smoking trench in its wake.
When the light faded, silence fell over the courtyard. Only the faint hum of the gauntlet remained, its glow dimming back to a soft pulse.
Victor broke the silence with a low whistle. "You just turned a training ground into a battlefield."
Keira approached cautiously, her notebook forgotten. "That was... amazing!. The gauntlet didn't just amplify the spell—it stabilized it. Proton Cannon's output should've drained you completely, but you're—"
"Barely winded," Kael finished, flexing his fingers. "The gauntlet not only amplified the spell, but it also optimized the energy draw. It's as if the Amplithyst Crystal anticipated what I needed."
Garrek grinned, a rare expression of pride on his usually stern face.
"You've really outdone yourself, lad. That leather lining isn't just for comfort, is it? It's part of the reason you could control that monstrosity."
"Exactly," Kael said, looking at the gauntlet. "The leather serves as a conduit, evenly distributing my mana across the channels. Without it, the Amplithyst Crystal couldn't sync as smoothly with my mana."
Keira shook her head in amazement. "You've created something truly unprecedented. What will you call it?"
Kael paused, staring at the gauntlet. Its hum felt alive, a perfect harmony of Mythril, leather, and crystal—a weapon of power, precision, and innovation.
"The Arcane Gauntlet of Aetherium," he said, meeting their gazes. "A name that reflects its legacy."
Victor chuckled. "Sounds like it belongs in a legend."
The Arcane Gauntlet of Aetherium had surpassed all expectations, but the real test was still ahead.